Really, the impetus driving me is I've always sung, but I like to act, I like drama, I like text, which is why opera is something I've come late to, I'd say.

My brother sings. My brother is a singer-songwriter. His name is Parker Ainsworth. He changed his last name to his middle name.

I was one of those kids who liked a lot of attention. I was always the kid in class who'd be telling jokes and getting in trouble. Theater was a natural way for me to channel that and also become a productive member of society.

I was actually tone deaf until I had tumors in my ears - I had very small ear canals - removed. Once they fixed that, I was actually able to sing in a pleasant manner.

Austin is a big music town, so growing up, I had a lot of local heroes. Toni Price I was very, very into; she was one of the first people I tried to emulate. She's a local Austin blues artist. Marsha Paul I was also a very big fan of.

It really is like a disease. I just couldn't get away from the theater.

I played Jonathan Livingston Seagull in a musical version of 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' in Austin, TX. It was pretty special.

Growing up, the dream was to be on Broadway. I always loved theater.

After 'Spelling Bee,' I started landing more jobs... I got 'Candide' at New York City Opera.

I love rock and opera, and I love musical theater, and I don't want to lose any of that.