The Book
A debut, full-length poetry collection
Viable is memoir in verse. The book follows a mother through a miscarriage, difficult pregnancy, and postpartum depression.
The poems lean on Italian and English grammar and vocabulary, recipes and the natural world. Grief and physical pain follow the mother through the pregnancy, Caesarean section, recovery and early parenthood. She learns to navigate her new body and emotions as well as the growing relationship with her child."
Chloe Yelena Miller
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
In Viable, Miller has crafted a measured, nuanced and poignant reading experience, using the eccentricities of English & Italian grammar to interrogate and express her journey through miscarriage to “a human / displacing yesterday’s empty space.” As she moves from incomprehensible loss to cautious joy to debilitating anxiety, setting “muscular infinitives” alongside the tenuousness of the subjunctive, we feel how language does its aching work.
— Ellen Doré Watson, author of pray me stay eager
The Music
Baby Book is an award-winning song cycle on miscarriage, pregnancy, and motherhood.
Lauren Spavelko
Our Performers
We invite you to learn more about our wonderful performers and their collaborations, projects, and initiatives. Please click any of the buttons below to see what they're working on now!
I. Objects
Lucie Chartin
Lucie is a French soprano currently working in Amsterdam. Recent roles include Morgana (Alcina), Madeline (Opera Melancholica) Cleoptra (Giulio Cesare), L'Amour (Orphée et Eurydice), and Ophélie (Hamlet).
She recently recorded "Back to Bach" with Collectif Trytone, which blends Baroque, Classical, and Jazz.
Luba Podgayskaya
Luba is a Russian pianist and harpsichordist in Amsterdam. She currently works with many opera companies and projects, including Opera2Day, National Opera & Ballet, Hojotoho Operastudio, McCray Operastudio, The Royal Conservatoire Den Haag. She is also often invited to accompany auditions & masterclasses.
II. Children's Pool Game
Laurel Irene
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Mitsuko Morikawa
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III. Quickening
Jessica Spafford
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Lori Piitz
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IV. Great Aunt Dora
Kimcherie Lloyd
Kimcherie Lloyd an Associate Professor, Director of Orchestral Studies, and Music Director of Opera Theater at the University of Louisville. She is interested in the historical perspective of women in classical music with a focus on leadership and conducting.
Natasha Lynn Foley
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V. Looking Out
Jennifer Sgroe
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Eric Sedgwick
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VI. Searching
Kathryn McKellar
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Julia Carey
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