Tree Street Tuesdays: Meet Fauneil Purcell and Family

Fauneil (left) with family.  Brandon (top), husband Luhi, Lily and baby McCaan (hope I spelled it right!)

There's something enchanting about growing up in a small town.  Perhaps it's the sweet smelling air, the tighter sense of community or even just a greater chance at getting that part in the school play.  My next door neighbor Fauneil (Gleason) Purcell grew up in the home her grandparents built and on land they staked claim to with their own hands in rural Fairfield, Montana.  With a population of 659 people and nothing but barley fields for miles you might think that the song on a young girl's lips wouldn't reach past the tractor in the next field over.  She could never have guessed as a fifth grader when she started taking voice lessons that one day her voice would be heard from stages in places as exotic as Italy, Israel and Africa.

Fauneil is a soprano.  Not the usual soprano you stand next to in your church choir.  She has a spectacular range, effortlessly reaching notes that I didn't even know existed.  She received a bachelor's degree from BYU in Music Education and went on to get her Master's in Voice Performance and Literature at the famous Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.  She has performed as "The Fire" in Ravel's L'enfant et les Sortileges among other operas and sang with the BYU Singers for four years.

On her first date with now husband, Luhi Purcell, she mesmerized him from stage in a golden sequined gown as she sang a solo in a performance of Bach's Magnificat.  Fauneil and Luhi settled into the house next door on Cherry Lane five years ago.  We were ecstatic to have a young couple next door with small children like we had.  Luhi is a warm Polynesian man who wrestles the neighbor kids on his front lawn and break-dances at our church parties like there's no tomorrow.  Would you believe that he hosts a ladies night out EVERY year in honor of Fauneil?  He advertises it all year long by leaving themed invitations, gifts and even a custom t-shirt on all the door steps of Fauneil's neigboring girlfriends.  This year's theme?  Pretty in Pink 2009.  I wear my pink t-shirt that sports the phrase "In case you're wondering, I'm superwoman" with pride.  Last year he made soup and chocolate fondue and arranged for us to all have pedicures in his living room!  The Glediator tells Luhi to stop shaming all of the men on Cherry Lane.

The Purcells host block parties all summer long in their front yard.  We all lounge around, delighting in homemade salsa and summer salads while the grill smokes in the background.  The Glediator lazily jokes with Luhi about one day being neighbors on acres of land in mansions made of stones salvaged from old buildings in Europe.  But the truth is, they never want to move from their sweet little spot on Cherry Lane.  I myself would sorely miss hearing the faint sound of a soprano doing scales through my kitchen window.  

Christmas Tour Recap: Part 2 (Provo and Pocatello)

I'm going to be honest with you about something. My show at Velour in Provo last week was my worst performance of the whole tour. It definitely had it's shining moments, but there were a few times where I felt like a competitive figure skater who just couldn't quite land that triple loop. No. Triple sau cow (it's more fun to say). But somehow, the Gods smiled upon me that evening. Perhaps they took pity. For lo and behold, not one, but three fantastic photographers showed up in the audience that night and captured some great shots. Velour is a magical venue and if you haven't been there, then you you should run to their next show.

13 year old Faith Johnson left everyone's jaw hanging wide open during her opening set. I've never heard anyone that young have such control over their voice and command so much attention.

Then Ryan Innes came out and KILLED IT. Oh man, every time that man opens his mouth to sing, the audience is spellbound.

I was so lucky to have such a fantastic band this tour. Joe Corcoran on guitar, Matt Mayhall on drums, and Spencer Harrison on bass. Thanks to our tour manager, Krista Maurer for these first three photos.

Jefra Starr Linn took these next three photos and man are they CUH-RAY-ZAY. As in crazy awesome. They feel so warm and bright and I just want to jump inside of them and swim around in the glow. As a side note, Jefra took the photo of me on the cover of Winter Moon. Thanks Jefra!

When tickets were up for sale for this show, I saw Justin Hackworth's name pop up under the ticket purchasers. "Excellent," I said in my best sinister voice, while tenting my fingertips a la Mr. Burns. I speed dialed Justin's number to see if he'd be willing to snap some photos for me and he was so gracious to oblige. I'm so pleased because I got some signature clean and classic photos from him. You can see a few more and read his words about the show on his blog. Thanks Justin!

The next morning, we hopped in the Chateau and drove up to Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID to do a show with the Teton Chamber Orchestra. Oh, how I love playing with an orchestra! I nearly cried several times throughout the show, singing with a shake in my voice to hold back the tears. The conductor, Eric Wenstrom, is such an amazing man and his scores are gorgeous. I'm completely dumbstruck as to how I would be invited to play with him and his musicians. But I thank my lucky stars for it, believe you me. (Thanks to Krista Maurer for these three photos with the orchestra).

The set design came together so beautifully. Thanks to Fauneil and Luhi Purcell for making my paper snowflakes! Here's how they did it.

Many thanks to Corey Fox at Velour and George Casper at Idaho State University for making these two shows possible.

The Third of July

In my town, Provo, the third of July is every bit as fun as the fourth. Hosts of people, young and old, swarm to University Avenue and stake their claim on any patch of grass or sidewalk they can find to save a spot for the Grand Parade that takes place on the Fourth. The Glediator's family happens to own a business on Univeristy Ave. So we claimed our land, pitched our tents and set up the most delicious snack stand around. Allow me to share a few photos of a most enjoyable family tradition:

Don't say it. I know. I'm too foxy in these glasses. One of the highlights of my weekend celebration was the vintage boutique held at The Velour on University Ave.

Owner, Cory Fox, is always so animated! Don't be too happy now, Cory.

Back at the Cherry Lane Snack Stand on University, expert snow cone makers, Van and Malloy, show up to help out.

We stuffed ourselves silly with crepes. (In this photo: long-time family friend, Lawnie, enjoys a raspberry filled crepe).

Then . . . we ate more crepes.

I ran into fellow Tree Streeter, Simy Gart, owner and chef at Rooster, a delicious new Asian restaurant on University. She is so lovely.

Opera singer (and next-door-neighbor) Fauneil Purcell performed at the Jamestown Village on Center Street.

Anne Eggertsen of Anne's Cake Creations brought down her famous cookies and cupcakes to the snack stand.

Heaven help me.

When it got dark, Nikki and I went into the Boutique to play dress up.

Becky Ellis (of Apple Ave.) is an amazing sport about going through chemotherapy. She came down to help out and joked around with everybody. I love that woman.

Can't celebrate without glow sticks.

Friends and Tree Streeters, Cindy and son, Andrew Clark whizz by on a scooter.

Best weekend of my life.

Brown and Dirty - White and Nerdy

Over Labor Day weekend, my boys did nothing but play in the mud for two days straight. I was busy writing music and doing oodles of homework, so I let them run wild. At one point, I went out to check on them and my next-door-neighbor, Luhi, was wallowing in the mire like a hog right along side them. Awesome. Then I went out again after a while and found the Glediator soaking in the ooze. After six hours of homework at the close of my Labor day, that mud was looking mighty fine to me, and I convinced Luhi's wife, Fauneil to hop in with me. It was quite the liberating experience and I felt young and spry.

However, due to all the heavy textbooks in my bacpack after the first week at school, I recently threw out my back. After much resistance, I finally broke down and purchased a backpack on wheels today. I am not feeling so spry anymore. The Glediator danced around the kitchen, bumping and grinding while serenading me with Weird Al's "White and Nerdy" song in honor of my rolling backpack. So I guess, in the blink of an eye I went from awesome, brown and dirty, to seriously white and nerdy. If you see me rolling along with my backpack, please, just look away.