Wolf Trap Opera

I’m a data geek. I collect far too much of it. To me, an hour romping in survey results is like heaven.

At the end of each season, our artists are encouraged to respond to a survey so that they can really tell us what they think about the summer that just ended. It’s anonymous, so they can whine and complain with impunity. And we do learn things. Some of their survey answers are predictable, outlining a problem that we knew existed, or an aspect of our program that we are refining but haven’t quite nailed yet. Others come out of the blue – insight into important issues that no one ever told me about, even in their one-on-one exit interviews.

Today’s trip through the 2011 data netted a predictable range of information, most of which we will take into account while refining the 2012 program. The part of the data that I often ignore comes at the end of the survey, when folks have the opportunity to submit comments on their general WTOC experience. Why do I ignore it? Well, it’s kind of embarrassing to read it.

I don’t do well with compliments, although as an occasional performing musician I have learned the (rare but important) skill of graciously accepting them. And I can usually sniff out insincere gushing. But these untraceable positive comments on the survey? I guess there’s no way to account for them except to accept that many of them may be true. Sincere. Without ulterior motive.

I give you some of these remarks here; not to pat myself on the back, but because so many of this blog’s readers are, well, for lack of a better word, WTOC’s stakeholders. (It’s a useful term but always feels pretty clinical. And always makes me thinking of someone holding a sharp stick and threatening me with it :))  You are the ones who keep us going, in so many ways, and I thought you might appreciate a nice bloggy dose of positive feedback. So here goes.

• Wolf Trap shows the highest level of care for their artists, and creates a wonderful atmosphere for creating music.
• I felt very free to explore new artistic territory this summer.
• I felt very challenged artistically and yet very appreciated at the same time.
• I learned most about letting more of my artistic instinct take charge of my rehearsal and performances.
• I appreciate working in an educational environment, but where I feel like there is freedom.
• Risks were taken and that’s one reason why Wolf Trap is so successful!
• It is a professional experience of the highest caliber in the most wonderful and supportive environment possible.
• Wolf Trap is by far the top summer program for young professional singers.
• There was so much positive reinforcement and artistic freedom.
• Many opportunities to get on stage working with great people doing different types of performances = the best possible education!
• Wolf Trap Opera is the crown jewel for young artists in the U.S.

Phew. I’m kinda blushing.

But if you support us by coming to our shows, offering your resources or following us from afar; or if you are a family member, friend or mentor of a young opera singer; or if you’re just feeling cranky and despondent about all of the bad news out there in the arts these days, take heart.

Announcing the 16 Filene Young Artists of the Wolf Trap Opera Company.

2011 season performance information will be available tomorrow!

Lindsay Amman contralto	Eric Barry tenor	Margaret Gawrysiak mezzo-soprano	Eve Gigliotti mezzo-soprano
Jamie-Rose Guarrine soprano	Craig Irvin bass-baritone	Kenneth Kellogg bass	Ryan Kuster bass
Angela Mannino soprano	Catherine McKay Martin mezzo-soprano	Michael Anthony McGee baritone	Edward Mout tenor
Nathaniel Peake tenor	Ashlyn Rust soprano	Marcy Stonikas soprano	Michael Sumuel bass-baritone

August 20, 2010

The Wolf Trap Opera Company is now accepting applications for its 2011 Company of Artists & Fellows.

The first deadline for applications is little over one month away (September 24)! The audition tour begins in New York this October, and finishes at our home in Vienna, Virginia. (Look to the Audition Calendar on the top right corner of this page.) The following positions within the company are available, pending a final decision about repertoire and schedule:

Filene Young Artists:

All principal roles in Wolf Trap Opera Company productions are performed by the singers selected as Filene Young Artists. Approximately 15-20 singers are chosen from an initial pool of approximately 800 applicants. They are in residence throughout the summer season, performing operas, concerts, recitals, and participating in activities related to their professional growth. Filene Young Artists have completed advanced degrees from the top music schools in the country, and have often participated in year-long young artist companies or summer apprenticeships. Many of them have already won prestigious awards and are on their way to significant careers.

Studio Artists

The Wolf Trap Opera Studio is a summer residency for singers of significant potential who are current undergraduates or who are making the transition between undergraduate and graduate study. The Wolf Trap Opera Studio offers young singers the professional and academic opportunities to take their talents to a higher level, and to cultivate and polish the skills needed to present themselves with confidence and authority in a very competitive field. Studio Artists perform comprimario and chorus roles in operas and concerts, and participate in educational seminars and outreach opportunities related to their ongoing artistic development.

Fellowships

Candidates for administrative, coaching, and directing fellowships are typically involved in graduate degree programs or young artist training programs. Candidates who are already working professionally (as assistant directors, opera coaches, etc) are typically beyond the reach of this program.

Internships

Internships are offered in stage management, administration, directing, technical theater, multi-media and costumes. Undergraduate students, graduate students, recent (up to 2 years) graduates, and career-change candidates are considered. Internships are handled through the Education Programs of the Wolf Trap Foundation.  Internships are handled on a different timeline;  the deadline for summer 2011 will be March 1, and the application materials may be found here.

Start here for all important information about this fall’s application process and audition tour!

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Music by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Libretto adapted from William Shakespeare by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears

The Barns at Wolf Trap 2010
August 13 at 8pm, August 15 at 3pm, August 17 at 8pm

Oberon, King of the Fairies – Ryan Belongie
Titania, Queen of the Fairies – Ashlyn Rust
Puck – Alexander Strain*

Lysander, in love with Hermia – Paul Appleby
Hermia, in love with Lysander – Catherine Martin
Demetrius, also in love with Hermia – Chad Sloan
Helena, in love with Demetrius – Rena Harms

Quince, a carpenter – Kenneth Kellogg
Snug, a joiner – Michael Anthony McGee
Starveling, tailor – Daniel Billings
Flute, a bellows-mender – David Portillo
Snout, a tinker – Nathaniel Peake
Bottom, a weaver – Nicholas Masters

Theseus, Duke of Athens – Michael Sumuel
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons – Eve Gigliotti

Cobweb, a fairy – Claudia Rosenthal
Peaseblossom, a fairy – Amy Owens
Mustardseed, a fairy – Hilary Ginther
Moth, a fairy – Rachel Milligan
Fairy Chorus – Arlington Children’s Chorus

Conductor – Steven Osgood
Director – Patrick Diamond
Scenic Design – Erhard Rom
Costume Design – Camille Assaf
Lighting Design – Robert H. Grimes
Wigs & Makeup – Elsen Associates

Music Staff – Jeremy Frank, Michael Baitzer, Stephanie Rhodes
Stage Management Staff – Sean Corcoran (PSM), Rich Ching (ASM), Kat Manion (PA)

Timothy McCormick, Technical Director
Lesley Milner, Props Master
Beth White, Master Electrician
Cheryl Cordingley, Carpenter
Lindsay Cramond, Carpenter
Madeline Woods, Carpenter
Michael Jones, Charge Artist
Betsy Muller, Scenic Artist

Susan Chiang, Costume Shop Manager
Heather Lockard, Design Assistant
Franklin Labovitz, Head Draper
Laura Spears, Draper
Rachel Schuldenfrei, Draper
Leslie Cook, First Hand/Wardrobe
Heather Lockard, First Hand/Wardrobe
Jessica Mooney, First Hand/Wardrobe
Denise Umland, First Hand/Wardrobe
Sabrina Chiang, Stitcher
Mary Gonziewski, Stitcher
Lindsay Lam, Stitcher
Marie Schneggenberger, Costume Crafts
Deb Sivigny, Costume Crafts

Hair & Makeup – Jeffrey Frank, Sasha Vasiljev, Sabrina Chiang, Haley Raines

Amanda Barker, Stage Management Intern
Joshua Borths, Directing Intern
Amelia Northrup, Administrative Intern
Haley Raines, Costume Intern
Stephanie Busing, Paint Intern
Soren Ersbak, Technical Intern
Joncie Sarratt, Technical Intern
Allison Smith, Technical Intern

Jul7 27, 2010

Washingtonian features Kenneth Kellogg

This month’s Washingtonian magazine features a terrific article on Kenneth Kellogg, who grew up in D.C. and has returned home to make debuts at Wolf Trap Opera and Washington National Opera this season.

Click here to download the full article.

David Portillo & Ashlyn Rust with the NSO

Well, actually, it was David & Ashlyn and Nathaniel & Hana who got to spend last evening with the amazing National Symphony Orchestra, bringing bits and pieces of the Romeo and Juliet musical legend to the stage.  To the approximately-115-degree stage of the Filene Center.  But even the current heat wave didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd or take the edge off last evening’s performances.

Nathaniel Peake sings "Ah, leve-toi, soleil"

The NSO players and conductor Emil de Cou were all so gracious to our young artists, and the singers were predictably thrilled to have this opportunity.  This was our only presence at the amphitheater this summer (for all three of our staged operas are indoors at The Barns), and we were grateful for this chance to put our singers on the Filene Center stage.  They did us all proud.

Hana Park sings Juliette's Waltz

Kudos also go to Studio Artists Claudia Rosenthal & Rafael Moras, who entertained the preshow Chairman’s Dinner crowd, and to FYA (and former Studio Artist) Catherine Martin, who spoke so eloquently and charmingly about her Wolf Trap journey.

How lucky I am to be surrounded by all of these people and their equally generous and talented colleagues!

[Photos by the multi-faceted and ever-awesome Eric Melear]