Updates
Fort Worth Visit
A long time admirer of Darren Keith Woods, I’ve followed the amazing growth and success of Fort Worth Opera under his leadership. Last year I was privileged to work with the four Fort Worth Opera Studio artists. They were exuberant, talented, musically curious, and wonderful to work with. It was my pleasure to return a few weeks ago to work with the Studio artists chosen for this season. The program, under the sage guidance of Darren Keith Woods and Hannah Guinn, offers four singers, chosen by a national audition process, year-long residency with FWOpera. In addition to lessons, coaching, and master classes, the singers are kept very busy with educational outreach, community performances, preview events, and roles and covers during the April/May festival. Their pianist, Stephen Carey, guides them musically through their many rehearsals and performances during the year. Being there felt like “family.” In the master class portion of my visit, it was clear that the singers and Stephen had all formed close bonds musically and personally. That allows for risks on the part of the performer and trust that they are in a supportive environment. In our individual sessions each singer wanted honest feedback and tangible tools to help hone their craft. I was impressed with the level of talent and the voices. I look forward to my continued association with Fort Worth Opera, and I look forward to watching these talented young singers take the opera world by storm! Bravi! They are on an amazing journey and have a multitude of opportunities for learning, performance and growth.…
Westminster Opera Theater Performances
I was so proud of the performances of the young singers at Westminster Choir College this weekend for their dedicated and wonderfully musical work on Der Schauspieldirektor and Gianni Schicchi. The performances were terrific, and the audiences both nights were roaring with laughter. Kara-Lynn Vaeni, director, brought so much energy and creativity to the process, I was so happy to have the chance to work with her. And William Hobbs, conductor, brought out so many lovely colors in the orchestra. I am so lucky to call them both colleagues and friends. If you’ve never seen an opera at Westminster Choir College, you are missing the opportunity to see bright young talent on the rise.…
Westminster Choir College OPERA!
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the singers at Westminster Choir College in a new capacity for 3 weeks. My colleague, William Hobbs, Assistant Professor at Westminster Choir College, will be in Monaco working with Opéra de Monte-Carlo on Das Rheingold (L’or du rein en français). During his absence I will work with the students to prepare them for a multitude of performances. Westminster Opera Theater will be preparing for Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. A new addition to Westminster’s offerings this year is the opera performance opportunity exclusively for undergraduates. What a great opportunity for the younger singers to get actual stage and rehearsal time as they prepare a full role. The operas being offered are Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. The opera workshop class will also be in preparation for a full scenes program. I look forward to the in-depth work I will be able to do with these young singers as they prepare for their roles, (and as they learn HOW to prepare, comprehensively, a full opera role), and as we all jump into the initial weeks of staging. What fun! Several of the students that have been cast were participants in the 2013 CoOPERAtive program, offered during the summer through Westminster. Clink on the following link if you wish to view all or part of my 2013 Master Class: CoOPERAtive Master Class.…