This is the first update post that I’m putting on this website. Bear with me as I search for the proper balance of information to share about my work. I’m currently finishing up my first year in the master’s program at Peabody Conservatory, where I’ve been studying with Tony Arnold. I’ve had a great year here, but it’s also been a year of great challenges. In November, I began learning mezzo repertoire and that’s been a fulfilling journey, but the navigation of a new part of my range has come with its own struggles. I essentially have started over with the repertoire that I can offer in auditions and not having a large body of available repertoire has at times made me feel unprepared and insecure about my work. Amassing all of the work that I’ve done this year that’s appropriate for my new classification as a mezzo-soprano, I have just enough pieces for our spring juries next week.
After juries conclude on Tuesday, I have a quick turnaround before flying to Alabama for the Druid City Opera Workshop. This week-long program will focus on a large range of skills that opera singers don’t always get extensive experience in, such as stage combat and dancing. Many great artists that I had a chance to work with at Bucknell University are going to be on staff at Druid City, including Amanda Johnston and Richard Masters. It’s going to be really great to work with these familiar faces again after my year of intensive music experience at Peabody.
Soon after returning from Alabama, I’ll be driving up to Putney, Vermont to begin work as the marketing intern for Yellow Barn. My preliminary interactions with Yellow Barn’s executives have been so positive and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to join such a great team of artists at this prestigious chamber music festival. I’m anxious to hone my communication skills in the musical world and carry over what I can from my experience over the past four years of presenting my neuro research across the world. I’ll also have the chance to hear many amazing artists and ensembles while I’m in Vermont.
Colleen McGonigle 