Post Graduate School Re-Evaluation & Upcoming Performance

Hello All,

It's been quite sometime but I am OFFICIALLY back at it. People begin a career in Music because it is something which brings them joy and encouragement.  Many have been exposed to various art forms at a young age.  The same applies to me.  I grew up in front of PBS and my love for singing grew.  The first Opera I saw as a child was Porgy & Bess and it was at that moment I was determined to play both the roles of Serena and Bess one day.  Music and singing was my escape and the expression of my deepest emotions that I was unable to put into words.

Studying music in Undergrad is the opportunity to further develop your skills and gage the kind of singer you want to become.  Graduate school is the application of the previous skills and a time when as singers we are more aware of who we are as people.  As a young Graduate school student although I was very self aware I was also trying to grew into my womanhood.  The unexpected stress of Graduate school and your own personal growth can turn something you LOVE into a chore.  Music and singing have always bee my heart but after Graduate school I had to take a year break in order to "find my love" again.  I am officially back in the saddle and excited for the road ahead.  Nothing will stop me now.

The past year involved a lot of prayer and reflection.  It was the strength in my religion and the feeling that something was missing which bought me back to my heart: Singing.  I found a new teacher, Mark Oswald, whom I love and understand.  He encourages me and challenges me to rise to the occassion.  My first performance as I come back into the world my heart thirst for is with One World Symphony.  I will be singing the title role in Puccini's Suor Angelica.

Click the photo above or the link to www.OneWorldSymphony.org for more information.

Sixth Annual Halloween Program: 
Temptation

One World Symphony
Sung Jin Hong, Artistic Director and Conductor
Bettina May, Burlesque Artist
One World Symphony Vocal Artists

Camille Saint-Saëns: from Samson et Dalila
Paul Hindemith: from Marienleben* (1948)
Giacomo Puccini: from Suor Angelica (1918)
Kaija Saariaho: Douleur (Torment) (2002)
Franz Schubert: Gretchen am Spinnrade (from Goethe’s Faust)*

*Arrangement and orchestration by Sung Jin Hong

Two Performances:
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013

8:00 p.m.
Holy Apostles Church
296 Ninth Avenue at West 28th Street
Manhattan

$30 Students/Seniors with ID
$40 General

Throw away that raw vegan flaxseed cookie and indulge in something more… sensuous. Discordant musical passages explore the boundaries of tonality and represent the restless conscience while others caress the senses with their soft waves of melody. Camille Saint-Saëns’s Samson et Dalila envelops us in decadent sound as the temptress Dalila lures Samson away from his people. In Puccini’s Suor Angelica, the nun’s dulcet melodies embody her enchantment with worldly pleasures. Be transported by contemporary composer Saariaho, who stretches the limits of tradition with her eerie music that draws you in like a moth to the flame. Go ahead, have your cake and eat it too.

Concert length approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Program may be subject to change.

Classical Singer Competition Results: Project Canción Española Fundraiser for July 2012 Paticipation

I was recently awarded a Full Scholarship at the Classical Singer Competition to participate in Project Canción Española this July 2012.  The scholarship however only covers the cost of the program.  As a result, I am trying to fundraise in order to cover my Room & Board as well as Flight.  I look forward to this experience because it allows me the opportunity to drive into Spanish repertoire.  In addition to increasing my Spanish repertoire I have the opportunity to compete to be invited back to Spain to sing in two concerts (Madrid and Granada) in December 2012.

Your support in my endeavor is greatly appreciated.  I have included a description of the program below.  Any contribution large or small would be greatly appreciated towards this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Thank you in advance.

"Project Canción Española was conceived to promote the teaching of Spanish song repertoire around the world so that it becomes a part of the core curriculum in conservatories and university music programs everywhere (including Spain!). Inasmuch as French, Italian, German and English repertoire are required subjects for singers and accompanists who are studying to be professional musicians in music programs around the world, we see no reason why the vast Spanish repertoire should not also be included.

International Course: Interpretation of Spanish Vocal Music July 16-24 2012"

Fundraising Ideas

Life of a Young Opera Singer After Graduate School

Recently, I completed a Masters of Music in Classical Voice and Opera.  Now that I have finished that degree I have decided to use this blog to illustrate my journey.  "Where do I go after Graduate school?"

I will use this blog to attempt to answer those questions.  I will share what I am embarking on in my journey and I will elaborate and explore various options.  I hope you stay tuned.  I look forward to hearing from you regarding my posts and what interests you may have so to serve you better.

Leanna

Die Zauberflote - January 28, 2010

Hello All,

It has been quite some time, I know.  I have been busy becoming acclimated with my 1st semester of graduate school as both a student and professor.  I've also tried become an active singer within the New York City.  I recently worked with Amore Opera in the chorus of Die Fledermaus and as a cover for the Mother in Hansel and Gretel.  Currently, I am preparing for a performance of Die Zauberflote with New York Opera Studio as the 2nd Lady.

My schedule is quite busy for this upcoming term.  I will sing the role of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus at NYU, I am also preparing for the Reinhold Honors Recital at NYU, I will be preparing the role of Musetta from La Boheme in addition to the roles I must learn for summer programs.  I am excited for the challenges and all that awaits.  I also intend to learn the roles of Clara and Serena from Porgy & Bess if time permits, as well as Pamina in Die Zauberflote.  I currently know the role of Prince Orlofsky so I can dedicate more time to learning new material and worry about staging and evolving my idea and the directors of the Prince.  I will write more as my musical life begins to unfold.  I'm slowly but surely getting there.

In regards to my summer plans I have auditioned for both Brevard, and Chautauqua Music Festival in which I am waiting to hear from both.  I have auditions coming up for Opera in the Ozarks, and Georgia State Harrower.  I may also apply to dell'Arte Opera Ensemble 2011 Standard Repertoire Project.  I am looking forward to an exciting spring semester and an even better summer learning experience.

Leanna

Ahmal and the Night Visitors by Mennotti

I recently received an email of the upcoming operas/auditions for the school year. On it was Ahmal and the Night Visitors by Mennotti. I was excited because it will be my 1st fully stage opera in which I have a possibility of singing a lead. My challenge arises in that the role is typically done by a messo-soprano. Although it is a possible for a soprano to sing the role there is nothing for a soprano to show off the higher register and soar. I am excited to learn the role however. Auditions are not until the middle of September but I have already begun studying to be ready. I have listened to recordings, watched tapes and DVDs, and borrowed a copy of the Vocal and Piano score to begin learning and reviewing the role. I am currently perfecting The Mothers aria All that Gold. It is coming along well. I'm determined to make this role mine.

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Work, Work, and More Work.....

It's been a while since I posted to this blog but I vow to make it more often. I think it was a result of my summer break until Grad School starts. I began my summer with the intent of doing nothing however nothing turned into a lot of work. I wanted to give my mind a break until I started teaching at NYU as well as beginning my own Masters of Music curriculum.

My summer became interesting around July. I received a call from Wynton Marsalis Enterprises @ Jazz at Lincoln Center so I went from trying to relax to a working girl. I was excited for the call because I remember learning and hearing about Wynton throughout my childhood. In fact I just only completed my History of Jazz course the fall of Senior year and now I get the pleasure of saying that I have worked for Wynton Marsalis. It was an odd and different experience. I have been a classically trained musician my entire life and can have conversations about classical music and opera in particular.

I learned a great deal about myself in this internship. I am MEANT to be a PERFORMER. I am very business minded and savvy. I can come up with the concept and ideas. It was great because I was able to experience Wynton the artist as well as the business man. His name is his business his brand and I am glad that I was afforded the opportunity so to understand how to build my business my brand in music.

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Georgia State University Production of Carmen

On April 23, 2010 I had the pleasure of going to see Carmen at the Rialto put on by Georgia State University School of Music.  The performance was a wonderful one.  The cast was diverse in regards to Undergraduate and Graduate Students.  On the night in which I attend the lead of Carmen was performed by a graduating Masters student.  The role of Carmen is very meaty, and the ability for the singer to provide the dark and rich colors of Carmen is important.  On this night the role was preformed by a contralto.  It would have been interesting to compare the following evening when a soprano would sing lead.

The performer however, that stole the show for me was a sophomore who sang the role of Micaela.  Her voice was rich and bright and filled every inch of the auditorium.  It was amazing to hear such a young singer perform that role with such clarity and precision.  The Don Jose had a beautiful tenor voice.  As he began the aria La fleur que tu m'avais jetée his voice expanded and as he approached the higher parts of his register I noticed similarities between his and Pavarotti.  I believe the best man was chosen for the role of Escamilo.  He was not only fully committed to the music but committed to the acting in which the role required.  Anytime his character arrived on the stage it was his show.  It is important that I noted this because his stage presence and acting made it easier for him to become Ecamillo naturally.  

Each of the singers has tremendous potential in having a professional career in opera.  In fact my favorite roles of the evening were Micaela, Don Jose, and Escamillo.  I enjoyed the opera at Georgia State University.  I believe that when I return to Atlanta for visits I will stop by to check out some other productions.