Choir Baton Podcast Episode 32. The Music Doesn't Have to End: An Impromptu IG Live Episode

artsadministration choir coronavirus howtopractice julliard opera operasinger practice quarantine romeoandjuliet sarasotaopera singing suddenlyopera Apr 03, 2020

My friend Andrew "Andy" Surrena began posting videos of him singing every day at 5pm from his soon-to-be inlaw's farmhouse in New York State amidst our nationwide quarantine. Andy's closing weekend as Romeo in Sarasota's Opera Romeo and Juliet had been canceled and to encourage the singers to keep performing, the cast launched a 5'clock #SuddenlyOpera movement to encourage everyone to break into song wherever they were at that moment. (Read more here)

I met Andy and his now fiance, Emily, during my first year in graduate school. Their friendship is something I hold dear to my heart and I asked Andy if he would sing for our Choir Baton community on Instagram Live. What I thought would be a fun opportunity for us to hear my talented friend turned into a conversation I will cherish forever. Amidst hearing Andy's singing voice, you'll hear him express how he is practicing as a solo singer these days - something every quarantined choir can relate to - and be encouraged by the optimism he and Emily share in response to the power of the arts within times likes these. Emily, a talented soprano in her own right decided to pursue a career in arts administration and is now the Associate Director of Vocal Arts at The Julliard School. There are so many amazing takeaways from three friends reuniting over an Instagram Live recording amidst the Coronavirus quarantine. Friends, family, and strangers joined us from around the world for this special recording and I'm excited to share it with you today. #morepeoplesinging

Emily Wells is the Associate Director of Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School. As Associate Director she oversees all non-opera production performance activities and projects, assists with season planning and casting, manages select contracting and budgeting, and works on admission/recruitment initiatives for all programs. Before moving to New York City in 2013 to start her job at Juilliard, she held positions at the Aspen Music Festival and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Emily holds a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and master's degree from Northern Arizona University. Outside of the arts, Emily loves to run marathons and is chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Connect with Emily on LinkedIn

Tenor Andrew Surrena is performing with companies across North America. He was recently engaged with Sarasota Opera as Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, where he was hailed as a “fine lyric tenor [that] captures all the ardor and immediacy of their instant yet fateful love.” He recently made his debut at Opera on the James in their Beloved Melodies Concert, and performed in Glacier Symphony Orchestra’s production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Ferrando. In recent years, Mr. Surrena performed the roles of Tamino in Sarasota Opera’s production of Die Zauberflöte, Ferrando in Opera in the Heights’ production of Così fan tutte, Don José in Tri-Cities Opera’s Le Tragédie de Carmen, and Alfredo in Sarasota Opera’s production of La traviata. He also recorded the tenor roles for a soon to be released recording of the new opera Voir Dire by Matthew Peterson. Mr. Surrena has delighted audiences with many companies, including Fort Worth Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Opera North in New Hampshire, and dell’Arte Opera in New York City. In the spring of 2017, he won the Houston District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Surrena holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University. His future engagements include a return to Opera on the James, where he will perform the role of Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca.

Find out more on Andy's website or follow him on Instagram.

Choir Baton Host: Beth Philemon | Choir Baton Podcast Producer: Maggie Hemedinger

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