OperaWorks Alumni Testimonials

"OperaWorks isn’t a program for your voice; it’s a program for your soul. My experience at OperaWorks turned on a light inside of me that has spread beyond just my singing life and into all areas of my life. I am happier and more confident as an artist and as a person."

-Sarah Nisbett (2009) Tanglewood Fellow; Opera Company of Philadelphia; 1st place winner-National Opera Association Vocal Competition

"OperaWorks’ holistic approach to performing was absolutely life-changing for me; nothing has ever nurtured my creative spirit and artistic soul the way this program has."

-Katherine Cardin (2009) Syracuse Opera Young Artist

"This is what I came to OperaWorks for! So that I could give better performances. So that I could feel more comfortable in my own skin on stage. So I could learn to let go of that 'something' that was getting in the way of me truly giving a unique and special performance. To find 'my true authentic voice!'”

-Robert McPherson (2009) The Metropolitan Opera; San Francisco Opera; New York City Opera; Washington National Opera

"OperaWorks changed my entire outlook on art and my approach to life... and I cannot imagine who I would have turned out to be had I not experienced OperaWorks."

-Antoni Mendezona (2007) Szeged National Theatre (Hungary); Connecticut Grand Opera; DiCapo Opera Theater

"This work is cutting edge and ahead of its time. After two weeks, I felt myself letting go of old habits and fears while undoing negative self-talk which can sneak up after years of conservatory training. [It] has forever changed my singing and personal life."

-Erika Wueschner (2007) Savonlinna Opera Festival (upcoming); Bayerische Staatsoper; Los Angeles Opera; Opera Hong Kong

"The most important thing OperaWorks gave me was confidence!!! [It] gave me a clear picture of myself as a whole performer…I walked away feeling I can do anything!"

-Julie Makerov (2000) The Metropolitan Opera; Oper Frankfurt; Canadian Opera Company

"One of the incredible strengths of OperaWorks (which is unique among the programs I have attended) is to empower its participants to make music successfully, their way. Now…I have the tools, like conducting and visualization, or really identifying dramatic shifts and focus points, to improve my singing. This approach is infinitely more proactive and sustainable than berating myself for not ”getting it right."

-Stephania Romaniuk (2009) Eastman School of Music

"OperaWorks taught me that sometimes what we might perceive as the ‘flaw’ is not a flaw after all – it’s part of what makes us interesting and whole as people and as artists. It’s more important to make a bold choice and risk exposing a weakness, than to try to play it safe and hide our full humanity from the world."

-Erika Person Werner (2006) Lake George Opera; Annapolis Opera; Tri-Cities Opera; Opera Delaware

"The most important part of OperaWorks for me was that you and your team of faulty replaced the idea that we have to be something we are not, and instead through the loving and safe environment taught us that who we are as artists, our personality, the choices we make, are not only good enough, but is 100% more real, interesting and exciting than trying to be something we are not."

-Austin Thompson (2010) San Diego Opera; Point Loma Nazarene University

"OperaWorks is not just another summer program, it is a living transformation."

-Ransom Woodson (2009) Aspen Music Festival; SongFest