Pre-professional training, virtual lessons & the young voices of the Santa Fe Opera with Kathleen Clawson & John Daugherty
05/22/21 • 46 min
A great voice isn’t the only requirement for admission into the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera program. Nor is vocal technique the program’s sole focus.
Host Jane Trembly chats with program director Kathleen Clawson and John Daugherty, a graduate of the program’s inaugural class, and now Assistant Director of Voice and Opera Program Director at the University of North Florida. They discuss the program’s early days, why such training matters, and how a pivot to virtual learning has expanded the program’s reach. Jane’s guests also share their favorite performance memories, sprinkled with a staged beheading and an Elvis impersonation!
Pre-professional arts programs like the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera shape the singing stars and music lovers of tomorrow. “And, it is the very best job,” Kathleen confirms of her most cherished role in an impressive career.
As you’d expect, the program provides its participants with access to the highest caliber voice lessons, musical coaching, masterclasses, and community performance opportunities.
What may come as a surprise is the level of support offered beyond the rehearsal room: college audition preparations, guidance on school choice, lovingly crafted letters of recommendation , even help with self-recording and video editing at home, necessitated by pandemic restrictions. The Young Voices program prepares students for success whether they choose to pursue a career in opera or venture beyond. Shares Kathleen, “It's our belief that the skills needed to study music at a high level carry over to anything that you want to do.”
A passion for classical singing and a chance to immerse himself in the craft attracted John Daugherty to the Young Voices’ inaugural class back in 2008. “It was really fulfilling, and it was demanding. And I loved it!”
Looking back on those two years, he says, ”It was all about Fallout Boy and Green Day at the time. And suddenly I was with a group of kids my own age, who thought that opera was also awesome.”
He credits the program for providing him with a skillset that has taken him all across the country. “Any success that I have encountered... has been a trickle-down from that overarching lesson that I learned in a program such as the Santa Fe Opera Young Voices.”
***
Destination Santa Fe Opera is a Santa Fe Opera podcast, produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Mixed by: Edwin R. Ruiz
Hosted by: Jane Trembley
Featuring:
Kathleen Clawson, Program Director, Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera
John Daugherty, Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera Program Director, University of North Florida
***
Learn more about the Santa Fe Opera and plan your visit at http://www.santafeopera.org.
We'd love for you to join us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok @santafeopera.
A great voice isn’t the only requirement for admission into the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera program. Nor is vocal technique the program’s sole focus.
Host Jane Trembly chats with program director Kathleen Clawson and John Daugherty, a graduate of the program’s inaugural class, and now Assistant Director of Voice and Opera Program Director at the University of North Florida. They discuss the program’s early days, why such training matters, and how a pivot to virtual learning has expanded the program’s reach. Jane’s guests also share their favorite performance memories, sprinkled with a staged beheading and an Elvis impersonation!
Pre-professional arts programs like the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera shape the singing stars and music lovers of tomorrow. “And, it is the very best job,” Kathleen confirms of her most cherished role in an impressive career.
As you’d expect, the program provides its participants with access to the highest caliber voice lessons, musical coaching, masterclasses, and community performance opportunities.
What may come as a surprise is the level of support offered beyond the rehearsal room: college audition preparations, guidance on school choice, lovingly crafted letters of recommendation , even help with self-recording and video editing at home, necessitated by pandemic restrictions. The Young Voices program prepares students for success whether they choose to pursue a career in opera or venture beyond. Shares Kathleen, “It's our belief that the skills needed to study music at a high level carry over to anything that you want to do.”
A passion for classical singing and a chance to immerse himself in the craft attracted John Daugherty to the Young Voices’ inaugural class back in 2008. “It was really fulfilling, and it was demanding. And I loved it!”
Looking back on those two years, he says, ”It was all about Fallout Boy and Green Day at the time. And suddenly I was with a group of kids my own age, who thought that opera was also awesome.”
He credits the program for providing him with a skillset that has taken him all across the country. “Any success that I have encountered... has been a trickle-down from that overarching lesson that I learned in a program such as the Santa Fe Opera Young Voices.”
***
Destination Santa Fe Opera is a Santa Fe Opera podcast, produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Mixed by: Edwin R. Ruiz
Hosted by: Jane Trembley
Featuring:
Kathleen Clawson, Program Director, Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera
John Daugherty, Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera Program Director, University of North Florida
***
Learn more about the Santa Fe Opera and plan your visit at http://www.santafeopera.org.
We'd love for you to join us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok @santafeopera.
Previous Episode
Health, safety, and a successful reopening with Chelsea Antrim Dennis, Director of Production
What does it take to remain cool as cucumber water amid the intense technical demands of the world’s grandest art form? Jane dishes about the drama with guest Chelsea Antrim Dennis, Santa Fe Opera’s Director of Production.
Trap door danger! Raging storms! Mid-performance fainting! Chelsea has navigated a few professional storms in her 16 seasons with SFO. Her responsibilities aren’t limited to the action on stage; Chelsea is known as the voice of the Santa Fe Opera (her dulcet tones grace the pre-show announcement) and she oversees health and safety protocols throughout the opera’s sprawling campus.
Jane gets the inside scoop on what infrastructure changes patrons, staff, and artists can expect at the opera this summer in response to COVID-19.
In her current role since 2020 (the first woman to hold the position in Santa Fe Opera history!), Chelsea supervises multiple departments including scenery, props, costumes, electrics, and wigs and makeup. She approaches the dynamic needs of each artisan under her supervision with a collaborative attitude.
Each production presents its own artistic and practical pieces to puzzle out. Chelsea maintains an incomparable ability to adapt when those circumstances tip beyond her control - including that time she lost consciousness in the middle of calling a live performance! True to form, she ensured that the show went on.
Chelsea’s no less determined to provide everyone with a safe and enjoyable experience this season. The tried and true masking, social distancing, and contactless strategies the company has put in place extend far beyond the audience spaces of SFO’s majestic desert setting. “I think that everybody's so excited to be able to get back to work and are prepared to follow those in order to have a safe season.”
Jane couldn’t let her guest go without a rapid round of final questions. As expected, Chelsea remained calm under pressure!
***
Destination Santa Fe Opera is a Santa Fe Opera podcast, produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Mixed by: Edwin R. Ruiz
Hosted by: Jane Trembley
Featuring: Chelsea Antrim Dennis, Director of Production, The Santa Fe Opera
***
Learn more about the Santa Fe Opera and plan your visit at http://www.santafeopera.org.
We'd love for you to join us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok @santafeopera.
Next Episode
Shattering glass and other opera singer stories with Colombian-American soprano Vanessa Vasquez
Even folks who’ve never seen a performance of The Marriage of Figaro will instantly recognize its famous overture from numerous films, commercials and cartoons.
Jane Trembley talks with Colombian-American soprano Vanessa Vasquez about her upcoming turn as Countess Almaviva in the Santa Fe Opera’s 2021 Season production of Mozart’s beloved romantic comedy. Vanessa also gives listeners a glimpse into an opera singer’s life during lockdown, including the silver linings that have kept her sane, as well as her preparations for returning to peak vocal form just in time for summer.
On its surface, The Marriage of Figaro is a comedic commentary on the social classes. Dig deeper, however, and audiences will find more than embarrassing situations set to catchy music. There’s a subtler supporting theme at play, one that coaxes Countess from listless, disparaging teenager to self-assured woman.
“I think the strongest, most resonant theme of the opera is reconciliation,” says Vanessa. The character’s personal growth has informed Vanessa’s professional development since she first began exploring the role at 19. “I learned most everything I know about long, beautifully sustained, and spinning legato lines from her,” she says fondly of Countess, adding, “she's still teaching me new things every time.”
As the staff assembles to welcome guests back to the Santa Fe Opera, Vanessa’s preparations are in full swing as well. Stamina, she says, is key to getting from rehearsals to opening night. Thanks to the new tennis hobby she took up during lockdown, she won’t have to worry about lagging energy!
Jane couldn’t let her guest go without asking what advice the gifted soprano might lend aspiring opera singers. Vanessa, who captured the Santa Fe Opera audience’s attention in 2019 with her swoon-worthy turn as Mimi in La Bohème, urges young performers to just go for it.
“Don't wait. I think personally I was sort of waiting for this moment of ‘I'm ready, I'm perfect, I feel polished.’ I was waiting for that feeling, and it never came.”
Hear Vanessa singing “Porgi, Amor”:
The Marriage of Figaro | Santa Fe Opera
***
Destination Santa Fe Opera is a Santa Fe Opera podcast, produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.
Mixed by: Edwin R. Ruiz
Hosted by: Jane Trembley
Featuring:
Vanessa Vasquez, Colombian-American soprano
***
Learn more about the Santa Fe Opera and plan your visit at http://www.santafeopera.org.
We'd love for you to join us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok @santafeopera.
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