November 15, 2017

This summer, numerous recent graduates and current students of Manhattan School of Music’s voice program appeared in high-level operatic performances at the Aspen Music Festival.

A summer of study at the Aspen Opera Center offers young singers a variety of performance opportunities, including two fully-staged operas, opera scenes, master classes, and chamber recitals.

Aspen Opera Center’s production of Verdi’s La Traviata featured several current MSM students and recent alumni in prominent roles. Anna Dugan (MM ’16) made her role debut as Violetta, and both SeokJong Baek (MM ’18) and Sol Jin (MM ’15) appeared as Germont. Sol Jin will return to Houston Grand Opera Studio as a young artist this fall.

La Clemenza di Tito, conducted by Jane Glover (a recent guest conductor at MSM), gave two singers from Manhattan School of Music the opportunity to revisit familiar roles. Abigail Shapiro (MM ’17, PS ’18) sang the role of Vitellia, and Hayan Kim (MM ’17) appeared as Servilia.

Both singers had previously appeared in same roles in MSM’s Fall 2016 production of the opera, and the two even wore the same costumes designed by Tracy Dorman. Brian Michael Moore (MM ’17) covered the title role. Following the Aspen Music Festival, Moore will return Los Angeles for his second season in LA Opera’s Young Artist Program.

Several MSM singers appeared in Aspen Opera Center’s scenes program. Most notably, SeokJong Baek gave an astounding performance of “Nedda! Silvio!” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. Tenor Yang Chen (MM ’17) and soprano Caroline Dunigan (BM ’14) appeared in scenes programs, concerts, and in the opera chorus.

Pianist Jonathan Gmeinder (MM ’16) returned to the Aspen Opera Center this summer as a Fellowship Pianist. This fall, he will join the prestigious Houston Grand Opera Studio as a young artist focusing on vocal accompaniment and coaching.

Many Manhattan School of Music students spend all or part of their summers at festivals, learning from new teachers and performing with new colleagues. Others choose to travel, visit family, or work.

We hope that everyone had a productive summer, and we look forward to greeting all Manhattan School of Music students next week!