Singing; Heart, Mind & Voice

I've started to meditate today. And I feel very good about it. As an actor I feel this is very helpful to me.  It exercises my focus.  When I'm on stage I'm focused.  I don't think about "oops I forgot do my laundry," or "I gotta pay my phone bill."  I have to let everything else go.

It is an exercise to keep negative thoughts away from interfering with my goal and that takes focus.

I started singing yesterday. I should say, I started singing classes.  I haven't been singing for two years.  It is always the hardest thing for me.  I showed up to class, late. I walk in to see that I am the oldest there and they are already vocalizing.  Plus these girls voices are just beautiful and they are professional already.

I sit in the circle and I join in the exercise.  I felt rusty, my breath was off, but I still have a good ear to pick up the pitch.

Singing is one of my biggest fears.  Now I am faced with it.  One on one.

But sitting in that room I felt confortable.  I remember that feeling you can get from singing, interpreting a song and losing myself in it.  My teacher, Lula Ross, said that singing requires a trinity; heart, mind and voice.  Which I thought was beautiful.

(L to R) Singer Liz Eve, Singing Teacher Lula Ross and JC Cadena

I have an audition coming up for a musical. They know I have acting chops, now they are just waiting for me to sing for them.  And I'm trying my best not to talk myself out of it.

I've worked through my stage fright and I feel I"m always working on improving my acting.  I can manage dancing with the proper instructor.  And now here I am again, singing.



This is a new adventure for me.  I'm excited to see where it will take me.

JC

"Ecuador Has Talent" is Looking for You!

Growing up I was involved in talent contests and I enjoyed them.  My work with
"Comision Permanente de Fiestas Patrias Ecuatorianas (CPFPE) " has given me the opportunity to work with "Ecuavisa's Ecuador Tiene Talento", a very successful reality show in Ecuador which returns again in 2016.  This time to ..., you guessed it, Los Angeles, California.    

"Ecuador Has Talent" will be in Los Angeles March 20th and 21st auditioning talent.  They will be looking to find talent of any ethnicity to participate in it's star search.  There is no age requirement and producers are welcoming variety acts of all types specially those that break the traditional norms.  

The production team of CPFPE which includes Actress - JC Cadena, Host - Gio Galarza, and Producer - Octavio Red will collaborate with the 

Ecuavisa team and Host, Jonathan Estrada, to produce this grand event in Los Angeles.

Contestants will have 2 minutes in front of judges to show their "TALENTO".  Those who are selected during casting will travel to Ecuador with all expenses paid to compete for $30,000 at the season finale.

I am very blessed to be part of this production team.  I have the opportunity to work with Ecuavisa in showcasing "artists" who want to win the world over. You are invited!

"ECUADOR HAS TALENT"  
CASTING  - LOS ANGELES

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 9 A.M.

8039 S. VERMONT AVE. 
LOS ANGELES CA 90044

Call for more information (562) 565-4417 or you can send me a message.

I'm proud of myself today for listing to my instincts and sticking with them.

If you remember my last blog, we talked about not "under estimating the room".  Well, kids, I just have to say and I actually listened to myself.  I for some reason felt nervous today and I spent most of the day "taking inventory" to relax, going over my monologue so I wouldn't take it for granted.  And let me tell you it paid off.  I even had a cold and I rocked it.  So I'm proud of myself today for listing to my instincts and sticking with them.

Even though there were distractions along the way.  In the morning the 5 was closed, when I take the 5 to Santa Ana, where I had my performance.  So I had to pay attention to the road to see the other route option and I made it on time.  This sort of traffic thing would of freaked me out normally.  Raising my signals in frantic mode.  This time it did not.  And by the time I got to the theatre my cold was getting progressively worse.  As we speak I am sipping on some Theraflu, prescribed by my personal doctor.

But I had to write about it. I had to tell you my success and hope that you listen to my advice you don't have to use it. But just in case some day you need it, it has been stored in your memory banks.

I'm going to finish this short blog so I can rest for tomorrow, when I have to do it all over again.

Love Hollywood,

JC

Don't Under Estimate The Room

It's all about the room, the audition room.  You have to learn the audition room quickly.  What kind of mood it is in. And to adjust accordingly.  It will just help with the performance.

Today I went in with a real attitude and comfort in my ability to convey the message.  It was dress rehearsal for one of my next performances.   I sat there waiting for my turn to go up.  I was confident

I wouldn't need any kind of relaxation exercise before I went up.  I casually sat there, listening to the

entire play.  Of course you have to be familiar with the play.  But I've done the play before.  I let my confidence skip over my preparation.  So when it came down to performing I realized I was a little nervous and somewhat unprepared.

Overall I was not entirely happy with my performance.  There were a few things that I did enjoy, some moment to moment work.  Of course my body movement was organic. I wasn't connected completely.

Just because it was something I had done before I didn't prepare as well as I should have.  And this is not an attitude that I need to have.  I need to change that attitude.  I need to be practicing constantly and prepare myself as much as possible.

Regardless of what the stage, what the project, what the audition may be, prepare the same as if it was Carnegie Hall.  At the end of the day it is my name I endorse.

Don't under estimate the room!

JC
visit my website:  www.jccadena.com

Things Get Emotional Sometimes

Things get emotional sometimes, especially when your emotions are open as they are when you are
an artist. And they become overwhelming.  This just happened to me.

This past month I've been reminded of how fragile life is.  How someone can be here with us in this world and gone to the next.  Elba Berruz passed this month, a political leader for the Ecuadorian community.  I had the great opportunity to meet her and work with her and get to know her.  This loss opened old wounds, my Mother's death which tears me up, my Grandma's death.

I didn't want to do very much.  I stayed indoors for a couple of days, my dog was great motivation to get up.  That is what I do when things get a little emotional sometimes.  Today during the Grammy's broadcast a tribute to Glen Frey, from the Eagles, was performed.  They played, Take It Easy the first song I learned to play on Guitar.  Paul Mayer had passed last year, my great friend and awesome guitar teacher came to mind. He taught me to play guitar and he made it fun.

I remember all 30 some folks in class playing our guitars and singing simultaneously.  It was so fun. I still have some good friends from that class.

I realize life is precious.  And I ask myself, am I living?  or, Am I just looking at other people live their lives.

Sincerely,

JC

Our Mother's Daughters - Stage Reading

Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.,I really enjoyed myself at last night's stage reading of "Our Mother's Daughter" at the Moments Playhouse 665 Heliotrope Drive, LA, CA 90004). A story about women living on skid row.  

I played, Kelly, it was a different role for me that the more dramatic roles I'm used to.  It gave me the lines to be funny, and have fun.  And at the same time deliver a good message. I pushed myself to be out there and thought perhaps I was a little bit over the top.  I am now listening to the audio, I don't sound over the top at all. 

I'm happy with how I performed and I realize that I am a natural

for comedy.  LOL

This week's message is : Enjoy every performance you do, push yourself and go to rehearsals, classes and have fun above all. 

Stay Happy, 

JC

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill

I am not really good at catchy phrases in knowing them or understanding what they mean.  Until I really discovered I knew exactly what ""Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill" meant.
And I knew how this very appropriate phrase fit with my situation.

I had been feeling a little bit overwhelmed recently and I was not attending my acting class I needed a break.  I felt like I needed more time to rest and the one thing I could lean back on was "acting class."  My acting teacher was not very happy with this and he told me as he addressed the class, that really if I was doing what I loved I wouldn't be feeling overwhelmed or tired, what I should be feeling is the love for having the opportunity to get up and practice what I say I want to do.

So, after thinking about this.  He is absolutely right.

Today being a new day and after last night's epiphany, I approached rehearsal with love and appreciation.



I can tell you, I didn't love the traffic, or the long distance drive.

What I appreciated was that time I spent on my feet. I get to play.

Approach whatever it is you decide is your passion with joy.  Don't let the stress around you take the love away from it.

Saludos,

JC