Christmas Magic

Like many women, she made a choice when she married to focus on her children when they needed her most. Living in Albany, N.Y., the classical soprano kept singing in local venues. When her husband's transfer to New Jersey came along, there was no one more excited than this mother of five. 'I did everything that I could do in Albany, performed with all the opera companies, oratorio societies and at colleges in the area. I was just thrilled to be moving near New York City,' says Brady-Danzig. Her formidable talent notwithstanding, that lucky break came in the form of a next door neighbor-Jerome Hines. Hines asked her to sing at a concert accompanied on the piano by a new émigré from Romania. The émigré's family introduced Brady-Danzig to an agency in Romania. 'Before long I was performing there. I fell in love with Romania and met musicians from all over the world.' Today, Brady-Danzig has agents in Romania, Sicily, New York and Ireland and gives master classes around the world. 'That one association came at such an important time in my life,' she says. 'By then my children were all in school. I knew it was time for me to expand my career; I was ready.' Brady-Danzig feels a keen responsibility to share her good fortune. 'I started going to Romania when they had communism. Young musicians, who knew I was an American, begged me to hear them. I would arrange for them to get visas, which they could not get for themselves at that time.' Many of those she helped bring to the Unites States flourished.' About six years ago, she formalized her 'helping hand' by forming PBD Associates, Inc. The non-profit organization sponsors promising musicians who need exposure by presenting them in recitals. PBD also funds foster care individuals and programs. Says Brady-Danzig: 'We all need support in our careers, I've been very fortunate in mine and so I want to share.' What's in her future? Two new CDs have been released -- 'From Romania With Love' and 'A Woman's Life in Love.' In 2001, her next CD will be produced and available at major outlets and her CD 'Irish Jubilee' will be heard on Aer LIngus international flights and over 200 radio stations nationwide in time for St. Patrick's Day. 'It's a great joy to share music-whatever else there is, there must be music,' she vows.