Soprano Brittany Renee embraces challenging repertoire while prioritizing her personal life. Asking herself “Am I ready?” helps her focus on a growth mindset and see each point of her career as a learning experience.
New Opera is the new norm. American Opera singers are not only expected to have mastered the standard repertoire, but also the skills to learn operas being composed today. But even now, the American operatic musical language is expanding and with it, the expectation of singers to arrive at workshops, first rehearsals, or even a coaching, with a solid understanding of the musical, vocal, and dramatic landscape.
As Allen Henderson moves on after nearly two decades as executive director of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, he reflects on the major events of his tenure.
Will Liverman’s international career as a singer spans new music and standard repertoire. Here he shares his strategies for learning as well as his delving into composition with CS. He also imparts the wisdom of a true artist for developing nuance in all of the repertory he performs.
With Sharon, I have explored the joys of collaboration far greater than with any other colleague. Performing together for almost 10 years, I have commissioned songs, and she has written for and dedicated songs to me. What a gift!
As applied voice teachers continue efforts to diversify the vocal canon and highlight underrepresented composers, one significant name still often overlooked is Isabella Colbran (1785–1845).
Dorothy June “Judy” Strubhar Ross led a fascinating life as a composer, teacher, and activist. An alumna of Interlochen, she graduated from Eastman School of Music (1944) with a degree in composition and settled in Miami, Florida to be near her family.
One of the most prolific and admired living American composers, Dr. Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork III, continues to write music that is thrilling, poignant, and introspective. It was my honor to visit with him in early April.
Internationally acclaimed soprano and Eastman faculty member Nicole Cabell will conduct a masterclass at the CS Convention on Sunday, May 25 at 11:00 AM. I visited with Ms. Cabell in April to talk about her approach to masterclasses and our conversation took some interesting turns.
Telly describes what it’s like to have a role built on him, and shares reflections on his experiences working with iconic living (and recently living) composers Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Sondheim.
Hailey McAvoy’s Journey as an operatic trailblazer for liberation and visibility for performers with disabilities is one that is changing who we see on our opera stages.
Soprano Penelope Shumate shares her experiences in multi-genre singing, as well as her approach to balancing performing and teaching.
