First Place at NATSAA Competition
July 28, 2008
On June 27, 2008, I experienced one of the most exciting moments of my professional career thus far. After months of auditions and competing all over the country, I was awarded First Place in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Artist Award Competition in Nashville, Tennessee and will be making my New York solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall next summer.
The journey began in the winter of 2007, when I applied for the competition. Each applicant needed to offer 18 pieces of music (an entire recital program), and comply with many repertoire requirements (there had to be a certain number of pieces from American composers, German and French Art Song, opera arias, etc.). After submitting my application, I was granted an audition in the first preliminary round, which took place at Chapman University in Southern California in early March of 2008. I won first place in that round and to my surprise, proceeded to win the Cal-Western Regional round in Utah, Arizona held in April. As a result, my pianist Tali Tadmor and I would be heading to Nashville for the semi-finals and finals in late June. Unfortunately, the last segment of the competition would arrive just three days after my final performance of Violetta in La Traviata, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to sing in Carnegie Hall. I was careful to remain healthy after Traviata then headed for Nashville.
There were fourteen singers from all over the country who competed in the semi-finals on June 26. This part of the competition was similar to the previous rounds where each contestant began with their choice of song and then the judges would choose from the remaining 17 pieces until you sung for 20 minutes. Naturally, my voice was still a little tired from just finishing three Violettas in a row, but I sang well enough to make it into the final round. I couldn’t believe this because there were so many wonderful singers!
Six of us were chosen to sing in the finals, which took place the following day. Each finalist had to prepare a 15-minute program out of the 18 pieces of music we originally offered and we performed our programs for the entire NATS convention (there were several hundreds of people in attendance). Because I had worried about my voice the day before, I decided that during the final round I would only focus on singing my heart out, having the time of my life and praising the Lord’s name. To my delight, I achieved my goals and had an incredible experience! Since I was the fourth singer of the evening, I was able to hear the sixth singer’s program and knew she was extremely talented. After hearing her I thought I didn’t have a chance.
Following a brief reception after our performances (to give the judges time to make their decision), they gathered all of the finalists up on stage and started awarding 6th prize, then 5th, 4th, and so on. As the awards were being presented, my name continually went unmentioned and when it came down to being one of the last two competitors, I couldn’t believe what was happening! Then when they announced the 2nd place winner and didn’t call my name, I just about died of shock! The woman who received 2nd place performed right before me had this enormous, incredible voice…I couldn’t believe it!!! I looked over at Tali, who was sitting out in the audience, and she was literally jumping out of her chair. It was surreal!
Along with cash prizes, the most exciting news is that I will be performing a solo recital at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall in New York. I am looking forward to this opportunity with great anticipation and am already planning the program, which will take place on June 18, 2009. In 2010 I will perform another recital for the next NATS Convention to be held in Utah. In addition to of all of this, NATS will be asking me to perform in regional conventions throughout the country. I’ve also been awarded a scholarship to attend the AIMS summer music festival in Graz, Austria any summer of my choosing.
I couldn’t be more ecstatic about all of this and would like to thank each one who has supported me throughout the progression of my career. Thank you!
Professional Opera Debut
July 16, 2008
On June 14, I made my professional opera debut with the Intimate Opera Company, portraying the role of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata. This production came to life under the baton of Kristof Van Gryspeer and the direction of Mark Lamanna.
I began learning the role in Italian in January of 2008, and worked on it with my vocal instructor and coaches. The production was performed in English, but I wanted to be certain that I knew the Italian as well, and could sing it artistically in the language it was originally written. Coachings with Maestro Van Gryspeer began in April. Kristof is a talented conductor and was such a pleasure to work with. He helped me find the speaking quality in the words (to not just sing them, but really communicate what I was saying) and was always present, providing the support I needed every moment while I was on stage.
At the end of April, I temporarily relocated to Pasadena (a 2 hour drive from my home in San Diego), residing with a friend of the family. Staging began and we had intense rehearsals 6 days a week, so I was able to return home one or two days weekly to see my husband. I absolutely loved working with the staging director, Mark Lamanna. Mark has the incredible ability to make each and every character in a show three-dimensional. He is extremely sensitive to their situation in life and what they are going through, and uses the strengths of each performer to naturally bring out the character they are portraying. He is so honest and caring in his work. I felt I could take the necessary risks to put myself on the line emotionally, vocally, spiritually, and physically. One of the greatest things I learned from him was how to channel the emotions from my body out into the audience for them to experience. Mark also encouraged me to trust myself as an artist. To go out there, sing with my heart, live fully in each moment, react honestly to every person who is onstage, and to let my voice soar. He would say to me before I went on stage, “Just fly, Courtney!”
On June 14, 2008 I had my debut performance as Violetta and it was thrilling, proving to be a wonderful first performance. Opening night jitters were unavoidable during the first act, but Act 2 and Act 3 went beautifully. I will never forget the feeling I had after the curtain closed on that first show. I was so exhausted but so fulfilled at the same time. As I came out for my bow, I was in tears.
We had 4 performances in all, with one performance during the first weekend and three performances on the second. I was a little worried about how my voice and body were going to hold up for three consecutive performances (Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday matinee). However, Saturday’s and Sunday’s performances were the best. I felt so energized after each show. It was a fantastic sensation to completely feel every moment and channel the emotions right through me! Ultimately, it was a huge success, with three of the four performances being sold out and the audience loving it.
If you’d like to see and hear more of the production, browse pictures on the “Gallery” page (under “Production Photos”) and visit the “Critical Acclaim” page to read a review of me as Violetta. Video clips and audio recordings of the production will be coming soon!