Everybody Needs a Mentor

by Cheryl Warfield
Fri, 11 Jan 2008 at 4:35 PM

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I've been fortunate to have many positive influences in both the workaday world and my artistic life. But there are several special individuals who helped me reshape my world and expand my horizons. Their influence came through comments made at that right time to change my thinking. One person is my boss here at The New York Sun, who made a singular comment that forever changed my thoughts about coupling my divergent accounting and artistic skills to my advantage. I'll explain in another post why I am in a constant state of gratitude for the transformations that have occurred since that conversation. The other person believed strongly in my vocal talents from the first time he worked with me. He alone persuaded me to move to New York to realize my dream to become a professional singer. His name is Gregory Buchalter, and he is an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. You can read about his career at www.operacamerata.org/Gregory.htm. Even now I can still feel the exuberance of his comment via telephone to me in Ohio: "Cheryl Warfield, you have the makings of a world class singer. I believe you will become a working singer if you move to New York." These words gave me the courage I needed to move to New York and I have never regretted that decision. I first met Maestro Buchalter at an opera training program for singers. The program was fantastic because it offered aspiring singers an opportunity to work with some of the top professionals in the opera and classical music world. Maestro Buchalter and I had a special musical connection from the moment we met. After the program ended, I returned to Ohio. I continued to study with him whenever I visited New York. Through the years, he has offered advice, wisdom, and knowledge of opera. His mentoring has changed my life, and I am fortunate to have his support.

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