Hi everyone,
I'm back in London after what was a lovely few weeks in Perth (recent WA blog here) and although it is quiiiite cold, I am enjoying being home in my flat with all my things and taking moments to reflect on the year.
I was walking through Shoreditch this evening. It wasn't even 5pm yet but it was dark and all the lights were shining. The streets were packed and I took some pauses to look up, check out the architecture and just remember "I live here". I don't think I ever thought I'd live in London, let alone love it. I've been so lucky with my flat and where I live. I've had such a positive London experience and I absolutely do not take that for granted. I started thinking about all the memories I've already made here in my local area since moving, and then think back about when I used to visit this place as a tourist. It made me smile.. I always enjoyed this part of London and now I call it home.
I was really having a moment of gratitude tonight. Not only for where I live but also the fact I get to perform for a living. I'm doing the things. The things I love and that I work hard for. It is hard.. there is no denying that, especially in London, it feels like you need to work so much more to keep up with everything.. but gosh I'm so happy doing it. I should have started this blog with a 'mushy trigger warning' but oh well it's the end of the year and if there is anytime to reflect and be grateful, it's now.
As I look back at 2024, I genuinely can say with a full heart that this has been one of my favourite years yet. I have a lot to be chuffed about and after what was a challenging 2023.. you bet your bottom dollar I'm going to celebrate the wins of 2024.
It's been a little while since I have done a proper re-cap of the year and as I go through month by month - here are some highlights across all areas of my life:
LIFE THINGS
my year of 30
six beautiful weddings of friends this year <3
went to noma
met new babies of friends and family
met some wonderful neighbours
celebrated the one year anniversary of 'What you got?'
celebrated my one year anniversary at Wilton's Music Hall
celebrated my one year at SAINT
started working for Baluji Music Foundation
fainted for the first time and gave myself a black eye for a week..! This one wasn't a highlight necessarily but defs a first ! 😂
TRAVEL
Peru
Easter Island
Copenhagen
Amsterdam
Berlin
Leipzig
New York
Perth <3
Many wonderful places in the UK (mainly England and Wales this year)
CLASSICAL
debut with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
performed 4 principal roles
toured to Germany with Die Zaubeflüte
did my first European audition (12 hour journey to Amsterdam - lets gooo)
sang in three new languages
sang in the finals of the Southbank Sinfonia Competition
premiered and recorded with Pavilion Ensemble
BLOOMHOUSE PROJECTS
established our wkshp series
celebrated Australian poets and composers with Homegrown
got a plan for 2025!
JAZZ
recorded a new album called ...And Another Thing (!! to be released in 2025)
debuted at The Bridgewater Hall
welcomed our first Tour Manager
got some new live videos
It was a good year. It was a lot! and I'm sure there were some challenges in between but today I choose to celebrate the wins and be grateful for the last 12 months. I have no idea what 2025 will be like but I'm praying for fresh starts, opened doors, fruitful opportunities and amazing experiences. August this year will be my 10 years since moving to the UK <3 Can't believe how it's flown by.
I'm not quite sure what my specific goals are for 2025 but I would like to do more dinner parties, see some more of Europe and keep putting myself out there. Maybe working with an agent to share some of the admin load with would be nice 😂 we shall see!
Thank you for following the journey of this Aussie in London trying her best in this industry. Wishing everyone a blessed launch into the new year!
D xx
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