SUU VOCAL STUDENTS EXCEL AT THE REDWOODS OPERA WORKSHOP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/15/11
Michael French
Public Information Coordinator
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Southern Utah University
Office: 435-865-8667
michaelfrench@suu.edu

Photo credits:
Sarah Jane Maxwell. Photo: Asher Swan
Kenisha Thompson. Photo: Courtesy of Kenisha Thompson
Kimberly Padilla. Photo: Courtesy of SUU's Music Dept.


SUU VOCAL STUDENTS EXCEL
AT THE REDWOODS OPERA WORKSHOP

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah: Three of SUU’s most accomplished vocal students were chosen to perform at the acclaimed Opera in the Redwoods program. SUU’s Sarah Jane Maxwell, Kimberly Padilla and Kenisha Thompson were three of the fifteen singers selected to participate in the ten-day workshop, under the direction of Elizabeth Vrenios. The workshop was held June 17 through 26 in Mendocino, California.

Limited to just 15 participants, the Redwoods Opera Workshop offered the SUU students an extraordinary level of personalized instruction. The workshop’s classes covered the full range of topics every singer must master and the intensive 10-day program included acting, movement, and stage technique; effective stage presence, in-depth scene rehearsals and private coaching; and sessions on auditioning and career information. Students had the opportunity to work with experienced and renowned faculty. There were opportunities to perform: a night of arias and the workshop’s final concert of fully staged scenes was open to the public.

Carol Ann Modesitt, SUU Music Professor and Director of Opera and Voice, praised the program. “Opera in the Redwoods is a step toward entering the professional opera arena. The students have an opportunity in that program to work with some of the best coaches and directors in the country, and to actually experience what is expected of the professional opera singer.”

SUU student Kimberly Padilla summed up her experience. “I found the experience very eye-opening and learned what I have to work on as an artist to make it in this career. I found that not only do I have to work on my artistry but I have to work on the way I hold myself and present myself to other and this is just as important.”

A recent graduate of SUU’s Department of Music, Sarah Jane Maxwell will pursue a masters degree starting in the fall at Brigham Young University, where she has already been cast as the Mother in the music department’s production of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. While at SUU, Sarah Jane appeared in spring 2011’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado as Pitti-Sing.

Kimberly Padilla, another recent SUU graduate, plans to attend to graduate school in the future. While at SUU, she sang the roles of Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. As a student, Kim performed on the national level at a competition sponsored by the National Opera Association in Washington, DC.

Continuing SUU student Kenisha (Kiki) Thompson’s numerous accomplishments include being in the top six finalists for the Sunny Idol Singing Competition for the Southern Utah area; winning first place in the musical theater and non-traditional student division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition of 2005 and 2009 Las Vegas chapter and performing the title role in SUU’s 2010 production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE
The Southern Utah University College of Performing and Visual Arts is comprised of nationally accredited departments of Art and Design, Music, Theatre Arts and Dance, as well as a graduate program in Arts Administration. The College offers 16 different degree areas, including liberal arts Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; professional Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and theatre degrees; and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration degree. More than 60 full- and part-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 550 majors in the College. Over 1100 students enroll each year in over 195 arts classes on the SUU campus. The College presents 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year. The College’s affiliate organizations include the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, American Folk Ballet, Utah Shakespeare Festival, the performance group Acclamation, and the SUU Ballroom Dance Company. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, contact the Office of the Dean at (435) 865-8561, or by e-mail at cpvamktg@suu.edu.