Officially a #CANESALUM!

      When I was eighteen years old and decided to take my leap into music at the University of Miami, I never could have imagined what was in store for me. Four years later, here I stand, Magna Cum Laude, with my Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance! I was also very honored to be chosen to sing the National Anthem for Commencement.

      It has truly been a surreal experience and I will always consider the University of Miami my home. Thank you, Frost, and thank you, Stamps Family, for allowing me to grow and thrive in your environment. Thank you for letting me explore my passion to its fullest and for preparing me for the next level. Next Stop: Towson University in Maryland! Here I come! 

Senior Recital Madness!

I was so honored to perform in my Senior Recital, last Sunday in Clarke Recital Hall, amongst my teachers, family, and friends. It was an incredible experience, bringing my study of four years to its head with this program.

Dr. Hardenbergh, thank you for your teaching and guidance. I would not be the musician I am today without you.

Alexandra, in working with you this past semester I have grown not only as an interpreter but as an artist and as a person. I have found our work to be one of my greatest joys here at UM. Raul Jimenez, you are a truly gifted artist and collaborating with you was an absolute pleasure! With your exquisite playing on the clarinet, I felt we truly excelled in Schubert's Der Hirt auf dem Felsen.

And finally, Yueh-yin Liao... as always, you are my partner-in-crime. After four years of working together, I feel we have found our voice as an ensemble and I love you with all my heart! Being able to share this accomplishment with you has moved me and I am excited to see how much further we can go in the future!

Yueh-yin Liao, Piano 

Raul Jimenez, Clarinet

Cheers to moving forward on to the next step of my education and career! 

MozArt Mostly @Opera Scenes in Concert

I'm extremely excited to be a part of our Fall Scenes Program happening next week, November 17th! It has been such an incredible honor to work with Dr. Caren Levine. She is one of the most inspiring artists I have had the pleasure of learning from. Thank you, Dr. Levine! 

Get ready for some dancing and a bit of cross-dressing fun! Photos coming soon... 

Cendrillon with MSMF

The talent within the cast was absolutely remarkable. It was a privilege to work side by side and become close friends with such incredible people. I see very bright futures for MSMF Alumni! Thank you all for making this summer festival one of the best experiences I have had with opera to date! 

I had such an incredible time preparing and performing Cendrillon with the Miami Summer Music Festival in July and August! I miss all of my wonderful friends so dearly. It was an honor to be a part of director David Toulson's vision. Massenet's incredible music combined with Toulson's direction and Mary Kauffman's coaching made for a truly fun time! 

I had a blast and I can't wait to see you all again! I wish you all the best in life and your careers! Reunion soon? 

Hansel and Gretel, MSMF

And with that, Hansel and Gretel's run with Miami Summer Music Festival is over. I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with all of these fabulous musicians and I hope to do so again in the future! 

The show was billed as a family opera, bringing families to experience it together, some for the first time. Director, David Toulson, and Conductor, Yuriy Bekker, created a fantastical show, bringing the story to life in a beautiful and accessible way to all. With a production team, set designer, and costume designer that dazzled, Hansel and Gretel boomed with success! I was so honored to be a part of this cast, covering the Dew Fairy. Thank you all! 

Heldenleben with MSMF!

http://southfloridaclassicalreview.com/2015/07/with-nowak-conducting-the-miami-summer-music-fest-orchestra-hits-its-stride-in-strauss-and-four-concertos/ 

A fabulous review for a fabulous concert! Maestro Nowak truly brought forth only the best from the Miami Summer Music Festival orchestra. Performing Heldenleben by Strauss, the orchestra showed its prowess! 

Falling in love with Mahler 5...

I have fallen in love with a symphony that has been running through my head all night and its name is Symphony No. 5 in C Sharp Minor by Gustav Mahler. 

At Miami Summer Music Festival's opening concert last night I was glued to my seat in awe, emotions running freely through me with Mahler's music. Michael Rossi and the orchestra blew me away with their musicality, somehow taking me on this journey with them and leaving me mentally worn and yet so intensely joyfully stimulated at the same time. Particularly, the second movement, Stürmisch Bewegt: Mit grösster Vehemenz, pulled at my heartstrings and left me with a need to hear it over and over again, and I did.  

Bravo, MSMF! 

Opening Concert Success!

Miami Summer Music Festival's opening concert was certainly a grand way to open the season! Congratulations to all who took part in stunning performances, Conductor Michael Rossi, the symphony orchestra, and all of the opera institute students who stepped in at the last minute to fill in for Deborah Voigt! Seeing all of you up there filled me with great admiration and happiness, so much so that I couldn't stop smiling while watching. Your performances were all fabulous and I can not wait to see how successful your careers will be! Then came Mahler 5. STUNNING. I admit I have never heard the symphony in its uninterrupted entirety and I was simply blown away by the musicianship of Michael Rossi and everyone in the orchestra, as well as the sheer beauty of the symphony itself. Needless to say, I can't get it out of my head (and I don't want to)! 

MSMF Week One!

Started official rehearsals for Cendrillon and tech rehearsals for Hansel and Gretel with the Miami Summer Music Festival! The faculty and talent here is incredible! I am so excited to have my debut on the Broad Theater in my second year with MSMF as the Third Spirit in Cendrillon.