Kathy Minicozzi
I was born on Long Island, New York and raised in the State of Washington. I received my BA in Music from Eastern Washington University in 1968 and my MA in Music from Washington State University in 1970. I continued my training in Boston from 1970-1974, where I sang some leading opera roles with small companies and at Boston University. In 1974 I moved to New York City, and from 1976 - 1982 I was living overseas and singing opera professionally. Since moving back to New York City I have continued singing. I am now working at Columbia University, where I am taking creative writing classes.
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- 12/9/2009
Education/Experience
BA in Music, Eastern Washington University; MA in Music, Washington State University. I have sung leading operatic roles in Germany, Israel and the United States. I am currently studying Creative Writing at Columbia University, where I work.Motto
I'll never quit as long as I'm alive.
Displaying Results 1 - 138 (of 138) for All Content
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Memorial Day in the BronxIf you are in The Bronx, New York on Memorial Day and you are looking for something to do, here are three ways you can celebrate the holiday in style.
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The Scarlet TattooIt is a wonder that my love of reading survived high school English intact. We not only had to read stuff that we wouldn't have touched with a fifty-foot log while wearing a pair of sterile gloves, we had to analyze it!
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Blue Collar SmartyThose who grew up as bright kids in blue collar homes are probably only too familiar with a technique that I call "The Big Bait." -
Creative InsultingThese are just a few examples of the many possibilities for using The Bard of Avon as a source of creative insults. All you need are a repertoire of quotes and some real chutzpah and you're all set.
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American Idol 2011: the Top Eleven Give Their AllThe American Idol 2011 Top Eleven gave some amazing performances, in what was probably one of the best shows in American Idol's existence. Casey Abrams was saved from elimination via a dramatic save by the judges
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American Idol 2011: Karen Rodriguez Goes HomeTonight we were given the results of last night's voting, and contestant Karen Rodriguez was sent home. This is sad, because Karen has a beautiful voice and a lot of potential.
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American Idol 2011: the Top 12 CompeteThe competition intensifies as twelve ambitious singers aim to become the next American Idol. Tonight all of the Top 12 American Idol 2011 contestants sang songs that were released the years they were born.
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American Idol 2011: Top 13 Now Top 12Thirty million votes were cast by viewers last night, and the results were presented to us this evening in the flamboyant American Idol way.
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American Idol 2011: the Top Thirteen Give Their AllEvery one of the American Idol's Top Thirteen is a world-class performer.
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Puccini's "La Boheme" at the Metropolitan OperaThe production of "La Boheme" at the Metropolitan Opera this year is the venerable Franco Zeffirelli production, which was first mounted there in 1981. -
American Idol 2011: the Choosing of the Top 13Forty million votes were cast to choose the Top 10 American Idol contestants, and the judges chose an additional three from among the others. The resulting Top 13 contestants will go on to compete for the title of the next American Idol.
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American Idol: March 2, 2011, Top 24 WomenLast night the top 12 male singers competed for the votes of the American public. Tonight it was the women's turn. It is going to be very difficult for the public to choose the best out of this amazing group of American Idol hopefuls.
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American Idol 2011: the Top 24Tonight we found out that the following contestants will be competing again next week on American Idol, as part of the Top 24.
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American Idol 2011: Las Vegas and the Choosing of the Top 24American Idol contestants who survived Hollywood Week continued to compete, and Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson had to sift through some amazingly talented hopefuls to come up with the top 24.
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American Idol 2011: Hollywood Week ContinuedAmerican Idol's Hollywood Week came to a close, with 100 contestants competing as soloists this time.
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American Idol 2011: Hollywood Week, Group RoundAs Hollywood Week continued, American Idol 2011 hopefuls were put through their paces once more, this time in groups.
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Women Who Hate Valentine's DayI hate Valentine's Day, and I strongly suspect that I am not the only female on the planet who feels that way.
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Great Classic Romantic MoviesMany of our greatest films have had a strong element of romance. Here are ten of the best of them.
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The New 'American Idol' Judging PanelThe new season of American Idol has just started, with an almost entirely new panel of judges.
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The Iciest Day of the YearA humorous poem about the ice storm that hit New York City on February 1-2, 2011.
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American Idol 2011: Los Angeles AuditionsWith a few exceptions, this year's American Idol preliminary auditions in Los Angeles were mostly disappointing.
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American Idol 2011: Austin, TexasThe Austin, Texas preliminary auditions for American Idol uncovered a wealth of good singers.
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Celebrities That Are A Good InfluenceThere are many celebrities who put considerable time, energy and focus into working toward making the world a better place. These include Robert Redford, Daryl Hannah and Clay Aiken.
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"La Fanciulla Del West" (The Girl of the Golden West)Puccini's opera "La Fanciulla del West" ("The Girl of the Golden West") had its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1910. Unfortunately, it has never established itself in the standard repertoire. This is a shame, because it is a masterpiece.
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The Straight Woman's Urban Dictionary, Volume 3A Continuation of the Dictionary for Women Who Talk Like Real Women -
A Cat's Letter to SantaWhat if your cat could write a letter to Santa? -
Debussy's "Pelleas and Melisande" at the Metropolitan OperaDebussy's opera "Pelleas and Melisande" at the Metropolitan Opera, December, 2010.
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Memories of Holiday Church SingingMany professional singers take jobs singing in churches for Christmas. I have had some interesting church singing experiences over the years. -
My Favorite Classic Comedy MoviesA good classic comedy film is balm for the soul.
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Wave Hill, Autumn 2010I managed to capture the last of the fall foliage on a visit to Wave Hill in November of 2010. -
An Introduction to an American Composer: Douglas TownsendAt 89, American Composer Douglas Townsend is still going strong. -
Autumn on CampusThe campus of Columbia University is beautiful in autumn. -
SonataAs much as she liked rock and roll, it was classical music that pulled at her. When she was at the piano she was no longer a shy, awkward teenager. She had hope.
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The AuditionAuditions are a necessary evil for aspiring opera singers. This is a work of fiction, but it has happened, in some form or other, to almost every opera singer who is trying to make an inroad into the business.
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Fun with Cataract SurgeryCataract surgery is common and safe, but, as with any surgery, things can go wrong. In my case, it did. Finding the humor in the situation helped me to get through it with minimal anxiety.
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Preparing a Classical Vocal RecitalMost non-musicians do not realize the amount of time, effort, practice, study, expense and work that goes into preparing even a short classical recital program. -
Ramblings of a Disjointed Mind IIMore Random Thoughts in no Particular Order
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Ramblings of a Disjointed MindRandom musings in no particular order. -
Boston in OctoberBoston is beautiful any time of the year. -
Adventures in Cheap TravelThere is an alternative for cash-strapped and/or frugal travelers: the Chinatown buses.
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Autumn in The BronxThe Bronx isn't known for great fall foliage, but we try. And we DO celebrate Halloween! -
My Favorite Classic MoviesAll of these classic movies are as fresh and as moving now as they were when they were first made and are examples of the art of film at its best.
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A Halloween FantasyImagination is free, and there is nothing wrong with indulging in a fantasy of the absolutely perfect Halloween party.
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Visiting the Feast of San GennaroEvery September, New York's Little Italy honors San Gennaro, the patron saint of the City of Naples, with a grand festival that draws enthusiastic crowds from all over the city.
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The Case of the Reappearing LetterReturn mail has a way of repeatedly returning to where it is not wanted
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The San Gennaro Festival in PicturesPictures of the San Gennaro Festival in New York's Little Italy, taken on Sunday, September 26, 2010.
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My Six Favorite Classic TV Comedy SeriesThere have been many good comedy series over the years on American television, but there are some that, in my opinion, are the best of the best.
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"Boheme" Al Fresco: the Metropolitan Opera Summer HD FestivalA delightful evening of opera in HD, in the open air in Lincoln Center.
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Opera Al Fresco Encore: the Metropolitan Opera Summer HD FestivalFor two years in a row, the Metropolitan Opera has held a festival of free filmed opera in HD, outdoors in the plaza in Lincoln Center. My friend Dorcas and I decided to take advantage of it this year.
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The Bitch Receptionist from Hell, Volume 2Do not disturb the Bitch Receptionist from Hell, unless you are prepared to pay dearly.
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Opera Porn -- Er Plots, Chapter FourSome of the world's great minds have been stumped trying to decipher the plot of Verdi's "Il Trovatore." Average opera goers have no chance.
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The Bitch Receptionist from HellEverybody knows about The Bastard Operator from Hell (a/k/a the BOFH). Well, I figured if you can have a BOFH, you can also have a Bitch Receptionist from Hell.
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The Straight Woman's Urban Dictionary, Volume 2This is a dictionary for women who talk like real women.
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Favorite Movie Character Types: the "Bad Girl" with a Heart of GoldThey had names like Dallas, Belle Watling, Frenchy, Gaye Dawn and Vivian Ward. They were usually supporting characters (with some notable exceptions), but they were always memorable. They were the "bad" girls with a heart of gold.
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Easy Operas for the Beginning OperagoerA beginning operagoer might do well to choose an opera with a strong plot, sympathetic characters and tuneful music. This article contains a partial list of suggested "first" operas for the novice operagoer.
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The Tibbett Diner, a Kingsbridge InstitutionThe Tibbett Diner is a small place, but it is one of the most popular eateries in my Kingsbridge, Bronx neighborhood, for good reason. The food is great.
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Opening a Glass Jar Determined to Keep a Lid OnIt happens to all of us at one time or another. You buy something that you just know is going to be so delicious it will change your gastronomic life forever. The trick is to get the lid off the jar.
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Italian Festivals in New York City: the Feast of Santa RosaliaEvery year a stretch of 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, from 67th Street to 75th Street, is closed to traffic for the Feast of Santa Rosalia. This event runs for an entire week, during the last days of August/first days of September, leading up to Labor Day.
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Romeo and Juliet: 20 Years LaterWhat if Verona's most famous Renaissance couple, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, miraculously survived their bungled suicide attempt, escaped from Verona and took up residence in a combination vineyard, pig farm and olive orchard near Florence?
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Opera Porn -- Er Plots, Chapter Three"I Pagliacci" might be about a troupe of clowns, but it is not funny.
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Passive-Aggressive Writing Made SimpleLittle passive-aggressive, snarky notes to get your points across in a sweet but lethal way. Disclaimer: For humor purposes only.
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Opera Porn -- Er Plots, Chapter 2The plot of Puccini's "Tosca" is like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. There are tons of suspense and a surprise shocker of an ending.
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Writing for the Online ReaderAn online writer must choose the right words and organize them in the right way, to make it easier for our online readers to understand and appreciate what we are trying to tell them.
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Opera Porn -- Er, Plots, Chapter OneThe opera "Carmen" has everything: sex; murder and a mama's boy gone bad after becoming obsessive over a sexy gypsy woman he shouldn't have been messing around with in the first place.
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The New York Botanical Garden in PicturesThe New York Botanical Garden is an astounding treasure of trees and flowers of all kinds.
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The New York Botanical Garden: a Garden of DelightsThe New York Botanical Garden is a must-see for those who love the beauty of the earth.
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The Straight Woman's Urban DictionaryWe women, including '"- although not limited to -- us heterosexual women, need our own dictionary: one that captures the English language as spoken by us.
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The Top Ten Signs that You Never Became a YuppieSome of us just don't fit the yuppie mold.
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Who and What is God?Learning to know God is an amazing, never ending process.
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Failing the Snob TestHaving no class can be fun.
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More Life with Oliver the Cat: This Time It's PersonalCat: A pint-sized, four-footed, hairy dictator
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Blue Bay Restaurant: a Friendly PlaceBlue Bay Restaurant is a popular diner in the Riverdale section of The Bronx. It is a friendly place with good service, large portions and reasonably priced food that varies in quality from good to acceptable.
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Prima Donna?There are prima donnas who are stars of the first magnitude. But there is an underside to the opera singing profession: the poor slob who can't get anywhere, no matter how hard she tries.
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The Top Ten Signs that You Are a True CatholicA light, humorous look at Catholicism, as seen by an insider.
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What Every Cat Needs to Know Before Adopting a HumanCats are just plain funny.
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The Princess Bride: 23 Years LaterSome of us have too much time on our hands and have seen "The Princess Bride" too many times on TV.
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Diary of a Common ColdA very humorous look at a week in the life of a person afflicted with an "uncommon" cold.
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Top Ten Good Things About Being Unpopular in High SchoolA "top ten" list for those of us whose high school memories include never being part of the "in" crowd.
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Fourth of July Events in New York City - UpdateAn exploration of Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx, including a discussion of the role of The Bronx in the American Revolution.
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How America was Really DiscoveredHumor at the expense of American History. This is the story of how America was found by a guy named Luigi, who got there before Christopher Columbus.
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Opera 101, Part 3: the Male VoicesIn a previous article I discussed sopranos, mezzo-sopranos and contraltos. It is now time to talk about the tenor, the baritone and the bass.
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Fourth of July Events in New York CityMacy's Fireworks Display, Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest and free concerts make the Fourth of July unforgettable in New York City.
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What Dogs and Cats Are Really ThinkingA funny look at the minds of our favorite pets. Dogs and cats are rich sources of humor.
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Introducing Ms. MoxieNot only does Ms. Moxie have a beautiful singing voice, she knows how to write a good story.
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Etiquette for Email UsersAs with most human interactions, email has its own etiquette.
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Life in the Caffeine LaneThere is a whole population of spoiled caffeine junkies, and I am one of them
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Sunday in Target with KathyGetting through a Sunday afternoon shopping trip to our local Target.
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Plus Size Fashion AdviceIt isn't easy to be a "plus sized" woman.
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Wave Hill RevisitedTwo Sundays ago I made another trip to Wave Hill. This time I revisited one of my favorite attractions, the aquatic garden.
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Diary of a DietA week in the life of a dieter.
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Kingsbridge, a Little-Known Bronx JewelLocated just east of the upscale Riverdale neighborhood, Kingsbridge is a friendly, vibrant working-class enclave.
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Annie's DayAnnie had been born right there in the neighborhood on this very day seventy-nine years earlier. She had not been a stooped-over old lady in the old days.
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BambooThe apartment looked exactly as it did when he had left it, except that now it was quiet. "Quiet as a tomb," he thought.
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An Open Letter to James Bond SupervillainsIf you are considering a career as a James Bond supervillain, you had better think again.
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More Life with OliverTo the rest of the world, he is my cat. In reality, I am his human.
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Surviving the Revolving DoorRevolving doors wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the people who use them.
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The Ultimate Tourist Guide to New York CityA funny, tongue-in-cheek "guide" for those considering visiting The Big Apple.
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Skinny Vs. Zaftig, Round 2An uneasy truce is about to be broken in a blaze of cake, pudding, fruit salad and jell-o.
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Housework for the Domestically ChallengedI am a sucker for advertisements for cheap, labor-saving devices.
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Skinny Vs. ZaftigFrom the point of view of a "big boned" person like me, thin people occupy another planet, if not another dimension.
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Twenty Signs that You Have Become a Person of "A Certain Age"It happens to all of us. We might as well laugh at it.
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Yarn, Yarn Everywhere!I have taken up the knitting habit again, with some occasionally funny results.
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Music and AutismChildren afflicted with autism can learn to communicate through music.
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Remembering Final Exams WeekFinal exams week probably hasn't changed much over the years.
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Springtime in the BronxTrees, flowers and life bloom in The Bronx in springtime.
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Putting Your Cat into a Cat CarrierCats are too smart for their own good, especially when the time comes for a vet visit.
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Snarky Stuff You Just Can't Say to PeopleTact is a learned skill, especially for people with a gift for snark.
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The Baby Boomer's Guide to LifeBaby boomers didn't invent life, but we certainly tweaked it.
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Ode to PollenSpring has come, and it is taking no prisoners.
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The Would-Be GraduateGraduation day: a consummation greatly to be desired, even by those students who don't deserve it.
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A Serious WriterA serious writer who is not serious enough can end up being silly.
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What If You Could Live for a Week in a Classic TV Series?What could transpire if there were a real island like Fantasy Island, where people could go to live out their favorite vintage television shows?
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What If Cats Had Cell Phones?Sometimes a human's imagination can go into overload, especially where cats and technology are concerned.
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What If White Collar Criminals Had Their Own Schools?Sometimes my brain goes into funny, quirky flights of fantasy.
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Wave Hill: New York City's Loveliest SecretWave Hill is a little-known, but spectacular park, botanical garden and cultural center, overlooking the Hudson River.
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The Case of the Lost Coin PurseThere are good people in this world, and some of them live in my neighborhood.
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Halfway Through Holy Week and CountingHoly Week is beautiful, but nerve-racking for those involved in the services.
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Are You a True New Yorker?Twenty ways to determine if you are a true citizen of The Big Apple
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The Writer's BlockCreative writing is not for sissies.
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Verdi's "Attila" at the Metropolitan Opera, March 12, 2010The Metropolitan Opera's production of Verdi's rarely-performed "Attila" is a musical triumph.
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The Care and Feeding of a Classical SingerSingers have an obligation to the public to give their best and to treat people with professionalism, courtesy and respect. On the other hand, there are also certain things that we ask of the general public.
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The Real Lullaby of BroadwayOne way that I pass the time while traveling on a New York City subway train.
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A Singer's Night at the OperaI finally decided to buy a subscription to the 2009-2010 season at the Metropolitan Opera. Going to the opera at the Met involves more than just sitting and watching the performance.
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"Il Barbiere Di Siviglia" at the Metropolitan OperaThe performance of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" on March 1, 2010 was delightful.
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Snow Day in New York City!Although New York City does not usually get the worst of the winter weather of the Northeastern United States, for the last two days we have been hit with a major snowstorm.
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Ten Ways to Damn a Writer with Faint PraiseThe top ten ways to give a writer left-handed compliments with humor.
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A Young Opera Singer in Germany and IsraelBetween 1976 and 1982 I had a wonderful time singing opera in Regensburg, Germany and Tel Aviv, Israel.
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A Young Opera Singer in New YorkAs a young aspiring opera singer in New York City, I had some wonderful experiences.
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Refrigerator Fruit Salad SyndromeWhat to do with a six-month-old fruit salad in the refrigerator
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How I Lost 50 Pounds on Weight WatchersOver the past year, I have lost 50 pounds using Weight Watchers' online program.
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Cancer is a Dirty WordWhen it is caught early enough, breast cancer is NOT a death sentence.
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How to Apply to a Good College or UniversitySome basic common sense will make your application to a good school go more smoothly.
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Opera 101, Part 2This is an overview of different types of female operatic voices, with examples of each type.
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Those Crazy MachinesWhen a PC, an electric keyboard and a postage meter all rebel against me within a three-day span, something is amiss.
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Opera 101, Part 1This is a basic description of the operatic art form for those who have not yet experienced it.
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Avatar, IMAX and IAlthough I pride myself on my technical savvy, I am embarrassed to say that I attended my first IMAX 3-D film two days ago. I enjoyed every minute of it.
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Life with Oliver the CatHe is little and cute and he has me wrapped around his four little paws. He is a cat.
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Adventures in Cheap Home DecoratingA humorous look at interior decorating and furniture acquisition.