An interview with Dianne Hahn Black, alto
11/03/2011
- What is your singing/musical background?
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal performance from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Masters in Music Therapy from Florida State, as well as 14 yrs piano lessons, some musical theatre, church soloist, and am in BCC for life! I love to sing popular and Broadway music as well. I'm a very eclectic musician. - How long have you been singing with Bel Canto and what is it that has brought you back season after season?
I started with Camerata Singers, David Pegg's group that started the same year as BCC. I have been in since the first year except for a 5 year hiatus when I got married, changed careers, and had a baby. - Our next concert is The Holly and the Ivy, our annual holiday concert. What is your favorite Bel Canto holiday memory?
I always enjoy singing with the children and youth groups. It really gets me in the holiday spirit. I also love singing the trio part in the Biebl "Ave Maria" a few years ago when we performed it with a trio on choir 1 and the rest of the chorus on choir 2. - This concert features a number of familiar holiday pieces, including several that will appear on our new CD, Rejoice and Be Merry. Do you have a favorite song on this concert, maybe one that evokes a cherished holiday memory?
The Biebl as mentioned before and I LOVE Bill Snedden's new arrangement of "O Little Town of Bethlehem". It is beautiful and haunting and has been running through my head every day since we first sight-read it./li> - As most people know, although they share a talent for singing, our singers come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Besides singing, what else do you enjoy?
I am fortunate to work for a great company - ACW Management (A Cleaner World). I made a long-needed change about 18 months ago and this is a wonderful company with great people. I have a daughter that I love to spend time with as much as possible. She lives in Raleigh and works for Wells Fargo. I have a great beau that I love to spend time with. I enjoy reading, travelling, working out at the YMCA, sports of all kinds, but especially UNC basketball, Panther's football, and any soccer as my daughter played soccer at UNC-Charlotte.
An interview with Maya Clausen, Soprano
11/03/2011
- What is your singing/musical background?
I grew up singing, and started playing the violin when I was 9 (taught by my Grandfather). I had my first school solo when I was 10, singing a line from "We are the World." I'll always remember that! I played in school orchestras, Florida all-state orchestras, and the University of South Florida symphony as a teen. I decided to pursue Music Education as a career, and studied voice and Choral Conducting in College. There I performed solos with the USF choirs and orchestra, and was a contracted soloist with The Florida Orchestra in 1996 for their MasterWorks series, and also in their Coffee and Pops concert series. I sang regularly with the Tampa Bay Master Chorale, under direction of Robert Summer, and Jo Michael Shiebe; and also with Opera Tampa directed by Anton Coppola. - How long have you been singing with Bel Canto and what is it that has brought you back season after season?
I've been singing with Bel Canto for 5years (minus one season- after having my daughter). I love the high level of musicianship, and performance. It's such a talented group of singers and musicians. - Our next concert is The Holly and the Ivy, our annual holiday concert. What is your favorite Bel Canto holiday memory?
I think the best part for me is always the first rehearsal of Holiday music. It just sets me up mentally for the season, and is always so much fun. I also love seeing our audience looking so festive for our concerts, and the chill that is inevitably in the air at that time. - This concert features a number of familiar holiday pieces, including several that will appear on our new CD, Rejoice and Be Merry. Do you have a favorite song on this concert, maybe one that evokes a cherished holiday memory?
I actually love "The Holly and the Ivy," because it reminds me of singing in Madrigal Dinners every year in college. They were always my favorite performances of the year. - As most people know, although they share a talent for singing, our singers come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Besides singing, what else do you enjoy?
When I'm not singing...(which is most of the time) I am here there and everywhere. I am active at Twin City Bible Church, and am currently helping to write a new curriculum for our toddlers there. I like to volunteer at my sons' elementary school, where I read to the classes, and tutor in reading, or just help out in the classroom. I also love the outdoors; digging up the garden, planting flowers, hiking, anything that involves sunshine. I like to crochet when I have time, making winter hats for my kids and friends. In-depth Bible study and discussion is also a priority and love of mine. The rest of my life is filled up with being a wife and mom of 3 beautiful kids.
An interview with Eric Johnson, bass
11/03/2011
- What is your singing/musical background?
Like most people I have been singing for as long as I can remember. Through church and school I participated in many different local, state and regional choirs and worked with many fantastic directors. My most formative time came when I sang with the Greensboro Youth Chorus for four years. I was also allowed to serve as a student conductor for two years, which helped ignite my passion for music education. I attended Appalachian State University where I received degrees in music education and sacred vocal performance. While at ASU, I sang in many choral ensembles and also with the Opera Theater. I am presently pursuing my master's degree in choral music education during the summers at Florida State University. I have also had the pleasure of serving as a soloist for many different churches in the Greensboro area, but currently I direct the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church in Eden. I am also the choral director at James E. Holmes Middle School in Eden where I conduct an auditioned program of 250 singers in four ensembles. - How long have you been singing with Bel Canto and what is it that has brought you back season after season?
I am currently in my fourth season with Bel Canto Company. I come back season after season for so many reasons. To be able to work with so many talented people from all different backgrounds is always amazing. It is also fun having the opportunity to sing with people that I idolized when I was in Greensboro Youth Chorus. As a young educator, I love watching Dr. Young lead rehearsal during our prep time. His gesture and approach to complex sections help me learn as a singer and teacher. I also mainly just love having the opportunity to perform such a wide array of music and grow as a musician through the process. - Our next concert is The Holly and the Ivy, our annual holiday concert. What is your favorite Bel Canto holiday memory?
I have so many favorite Bel Canto Holiday memories. When I add my time with Greensboro Youth Chorus and Bel Canto this will be my eighth Bel Canto Christmas. I think my favorite memory was the first time I ever heard Silent Night. That piece just makes your heart want to sing. I also remember one Christmas Ann Doyle said, "One day you will be on that back row singing Silent Night as a member of Bel Canto" Here I am today, and I can't help but smile every time I get to stand and sing Silent Night for our audiences. - This concert features a number of familiar holiday pieces, including several that will appear on our new CD, Rejoice and Be Merry. Do you have a favorite song on this concert, maybe one that evokes a cherished holiday memory?
The Biebl "Ave Maria" is my favorite of the pieces that we will be performing on this concert. I was part of Greensboro Youth Chorus the first time this piece was performed, and recorded for the Silent Night CD. It is nice to be able to perform this song now as a member of Bel Canto in collaboration with Greensboro Youth Chorus. I also love the John Rutter "Rejoice and Be Merry." I remember this piece from attending a Christmas Concert before I became a singer and how its fast paced rhythms and dance like rhythms reflect the joyous spirit of Christmas. - As most people know, although they share a talent for singing, our singers come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Besides singing, what else do you enjoy?
When not teaching and singing, I love to spend time with a good book. I read daily if I can and enjoy reading all types of books, but especially thriller and adventure novels. I also enjoy spending time as much time as possible with my niece, nephews and the rest of my family and friends. I am presently coordinating the 2012 Southern Division ACDA Children's Honor Choir to be held in Winston-Salem, so that is a big current hobby that I am currently enjoying.
An interview with Gerald Whittington, bass
11/03/2011
- What is your singing/musical background?
I first began singing as a boy soprano in Europe (where I grew up) in boys choirs. I only had two choices for activities back then (in the dark ages before ubiquitous TV): boy choirs, which were in every town and village, and boys soccer teams. I was told by one of my early choir director - a fierce German conductor named Wolf, that I had some facility for singing, and when I returned to the US I studied voice, went to the UNC Governor's School in voice and studied voice in college. Since I am a lyric baritone, which in the world of opera, never gets the girl, is comic relief or somebody's grandpa, or is the tenor's best friend who gets killed in the second act, I determined not to try for an opera career! It just wasn't enough a return on the investment, to borrow a business term. I have had a long career as a soloist and chorister, however, and it has been very rewarding. - Our next concert is The Holly and the Ivy, our annual holiday concert. What is your favorite Bel Canto holiday memory?
I began in the 1991-92 season and have sung in every concert with Bel Canto since then. I enjoy the choral sound and the ability of disparate folks to set aside their individual unique abilities and sound, to come together to make a collective artistic expression at the highest level possible. - How long have you been singing with Bel Canto and what is it that has brought you back season after season?
Probably the great collective audience sigh when a particularly beautiful piece is done well. This, of course, is always what happens when the audience waits and waits for the "Silent Night" encore to come, and the collective sigh at the end of that is always my clue that the holiday is here. - As most people know, although they share a talent for singing, our singers come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Besides singing, what else do you enjoy?
I am the Senior Vice President of Elon University which keeps me busy night and day, the proud father of two sons who are doing well in their lives, the beaming husband of my wife Roberta Whittington, President of Hinshaw Music Publishing Company (an international choral music publishing company and publisher of a number of the pieces we will perform on this holiday concert) and a sports fan, particularly soccer (or "proper football" as it is called in England.)
An interview with Megan Finger, one of our newest altos
10/28/2011
- What is your singing background and why did you want to sing with Bel Canto?
When I was growing up, I always wanted to be surrounded by music. I sang in a few choirs and ensembles when I was young, and then participated in musical theatre throughout high school. When I started college and no longer participated in a choral group, I missed it terribly, so I joined Carolina Choir and studied voice. When I moved to the Triad, I heard Bel Canto's beautiful singing, I knew I wanted to be a part of the group! - Tell us a little bit about your audition experience?
Before my audition I thought to myself, "I will never make it, but it's worth a shot!" During my audition I was incredibly nervous. I had prepared a piece to sing, but Dr. Young instead had me vocalize for a few minutes. He made some suggestions, and I was surprised at how he brought out the best in my voice so quickly. After my audition I thought to myself, "I'm sure I didn't make it, but it was worth a shot!" - How has the rehearsal process compared to your expectations/past choral experiences? Is it what you expected? Any surprises?
There is a completely new level of excellence with Bel Canto that I haven't experienced in a choral setting. Everyone in the group is so skilled. My only surprise was the volume of music that Bel Canto covers in such a short period of time! - Now that you are nearing the end of your first concert preparation period, what has it been like to sing with Bel Canto?
Singing with Bel Canto has been such a joy! It's amazing how our singing transforms over the course of a few weeks. By the end of our concert preparation time, the music has taken shape and moves so beautifully that I almost don't want the concert to be over! - What do you most look forward to about this concert (Great Day)?
I'm most looking forward to the way these pieces will engage the audience. It's full of songs that anyone can relate to. - Tell us about your favorite piece on this concert and why it is your favorite.
My favorite piece for this concert is "Over Havet." We sang it for the Hinshaw Celebration this summer, and I was so excited that we are singing it again for this concert. I adore the story this piece tells and the emotion it evokes. - This concert is about "evoking cherished memories". Are there any specific memories this concert's music brings to mind that you would be willing to share with us?
When I was in college, I studied for a semester in Italy. While I was there, I made an excursion to the small southern Italian town where my father's great-grandfather is from. I had a chance to meet some distant Italian relatives and find my ancestors' birth records. My family's history became so real to me that day; I had the chance to see the same buildings, streets and views of the countryside that my distant family members saw. It put me in their shoes for a little while. I think "Over Havet" evokes that same emotion for me. I'm put in their shoes for a few moments. The song speaks so much beauty and hope into the immigrant's difficult journey. It makes me feel a deeper connection to my family and what they experienced when they came to America in the late 1800s. - Beside sing beautifully, what else do you like to do?
I am an assistant editor at Northstar Travel Media in Winston-Salem, and I love my job! My fiancé, Chris, and I are getting married in 158 days (but who's counting?), and we have a white German Shepherd puppy named Mouse.