I have the rich perspective of two families — one where I received very little support for my talents growing up and one where I was loved and honored for my natural gifts. This double background gives me compassion and also wisdom to help others in their own situation.
I grew up in communist Hungary. My father was an alcoholic and committed many crimes. He spent many years in jail, which was good for us, because he could not abuse us. When he died in 1994 it was rather a relief. I finally felt that I didn’t have to be embarrassed or ashamed about him. It is terrible to say, but when I lost my dad I felt I could finally breathe. My mother worked three jobs to support the family. Though my musicality and singing voice was obvious at a very early age, in this situation I rarely received any encouragement and support for my talent. However, I am forever grateful to few the teachers who did recognize my gifts and offered a glimmer of encouragement.
Because of this, it wasn’t until I was 26 when I started to take singing seriously and officially begin lessons! For me I had this deep feeling that compelled me honor my gift from God and that I had to work on it seriously. I was lucky to perform in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia as a solo artist, but the dream to perform at the New York MET and Milano La Scala as a famous soprano remained just a dream. While I was building my career, I also developed the spiritual understanding that it doesn’t matter how famous you become. What matters is how real art can touch people.
I met my husband, Howard B. Richman in 2010 in New Zealand at a spiritual conference. He was born and raised in LA. His late father was a successful actor, Peter Mark Richman starring in more than 500 TV shows and films. My in-laws were both actors, and all five of their children showed artistic talent in their early age. Peter Mark was always very supportive, after my husband and my mom he was my biggest fan. He was able to heal the pain that my own father caused. I was touched to see how in this family, each child was encouraged to follow their respective dreams and they were given the support and means to do so.
My stepson, Oliver Richman is a singer/actor/composer. Our daughter Danica Richman, born in 2011 is a dancer.