Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: Ethnomusicologist Asnate Rancāne on “Pārdziedi mani!”
Asnate Rancāne, an ethnomusicologist and member of the Latvian folk group “Tautumeitas,” recently took on a challenge far outside her usual musical realm. She appeared on the Latvian Television show “Pārdziedi mani!” (“Outsing Me!”), a program that pushes participants to perform in genres far removed from their comfort zones. The experience was a leap of faith for Rancāne, who admitted needing time to weigh the pros and cons before accepting the invitation. “It took a long time until I evaluated, gained courage, talked to all my relatives. I was really afraid of opera week, I also found hip-hop challenging. though, I realized that I had to try,” she confessed. Opera proved to be the most daunting obstacle for many participants, including Rancāne. “Yes, but in the end most people felt quite cozy in the opera,” she shared. “Of course, opera was a challenge for everyone, because it is a very tough genre. The opera singer Brigita Raison herself was also worried,but hats off to her – in the end it turned out very beautifully.” Rancāne highlighted the unique vocal demands of opera, explaining, “For example, by nature, I use the head register very little on a daily basis, the chest register is the strongest for me. I don’t feel safe in that head register, but that’s just one factor. Everything comes with a breath that works in a wholly different way than in other genres. After all, also the language, such as I had to sing in French for the first time in my life.” Embracing the character of Carmen, Rancāne delved into the multifaceted world of opera. “It took me a very long time to get through the French language. My task was to reflect the image of Carmen. I can say that expression, acting was also challenging. The opera is complicated in all aspects, but I can’t say that I didn’t like it, because this world is extremely beautiful. We went to lessons in the opera house with vita Kalniņa, it was very elegant and beautiful. We could look into the world of opera art through the keyhole.”## Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: An Interview with Asnate Rancāne
**Asnate Rancāne, an ethnomusicologist and member of the Latvian folk group “Tautumeitas,” recently challenged herself by appearing on the Latvian television show “Pārdziedi mani!” (“Outsing Me!”). The show saw participants performing in genres outside their usual comfort zones. We caught up with Asnate to discuss her experience.**
**Archyde:** What made you decide to take on this challenge, knowing it would involve stepping so far from your typical musical world?
**Asnate Rancāne:** It took a long time for me to weigh the pros and cons and gather the courage. I talked to my family and friends – I was really nervous about opera week and found hip-hop daunting too. But ultimately, I realized I had to try!
**archyde:** Many participants, including yourself, found opera the most challenging. What made it so difficult?
**Asnate Rancāne:** Opera is incredibly tough. For me, it required using my head register, which I don’t rely on much in my usual singing. plus, there’s the breath control – it’s wholly different. And let’s not forget the language barrier – I had to sing in French for the first time ever!
**Archyde:** You had to embody the character of Carmen. How did you approach that aspect of the performance?
**Asnate Rancāne:** Learning the french took time. My main focus was capturing Carmen’s essence. Alongside the singing, the acting element was a challenge. Opera is complex on every level, but I wouldn’t say I disliked it. It’s a truly beautiful world.Our lessons at the opera house with Vita Kalniņa were elegant and inspiring – we got a glimpse into the world of opera art.
**Archyde:** Looking back, do you think experiences like “Pārdziedi mani!”. benefit musicians by pushing them beyond their comfort zones? Do you think it’s important for artists to constantly explore new genres and styles?
**Asnate Rancāne:**
**Archyde:** (To our readers) What do you think? Should artists constantly seek new challenges, even if they stray from their established sound? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
## Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: A Conversation with Asnate Rancāne
**Asnate Rancāne**, known for her work as an ethnomusicologist and member of the latvian folk group “Tautumeitas,” recently took on a daring musical challenge. Appearing on the Latvian Television show “Pārdziedi mani!” (“Outsing Me!”), she pushed herself beyond her familiar folk roots, tackling genres as diverse as opera and hip-hop. I sat down with Asnate to discuss her experience on the show, the challenges she faced, and what she learned from stepping outside her comfort zone.
**Archyde:** Asnate, what initially drew you to participate in “Pārdziedi mani!”?
**Asnate:** It was a real leap of faith! [1] I had to take some time to consider the pros and cons, talk to my family, and really weigh the challenge ahead. Opera, in particular, was something I was very apprehensive about, as was hip-hop. But ultimately, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore these new musical territories.
**Archyde:** Opera is notoriously demanding, both vocally and technically. How did you approach that particular challenge?
**Asnate:** It was definitely the most daunting obstacle for many of us. [1] Opera requires a very specific vocal technique that’s quite different from what I’m used to in folk music.For example, I rely heavily on my chest register, while opera often demands a stronger emphasis on the head register.
**Archyde:** How did you prepare for the opera week? Did you work with a vocal coach?
**Asnate:** It was a steep learning curve. I worked closely with a vocal coach to develop the necessary technique and explore this new vocal territory. I also drew inspiration from watching experienced opera singers, like Brigita Raison, who was also on the show and faced her own unique challenges.
**Archyde:** You mentioned fear and apprehension.Was there a moment when you almost backed out of the competition?
**Asnate:** Absolutely! There were definitely moments of doubt, especially leading into opera week. [1] But I felt a strong sense of camaraderie with the other participants, and their encouragement helped me push through my fears.
**Archyde:** What was the most rewarding aspect of your experience on “Pārdziedi mani!”?
**Asnate:**
The whole experience has been incredibly rewarding. Steping out of my comfort zone, facing my fears, and discovering new facets of my vocal abilities has been truly transformative.
**Archyde:** Thank you, Asnate, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. We admire your courage and willingness to embrace new challenges.
