2022 Bayer Fund Artists in Training Program Winter Recital Program

presents

Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training

Winter Recital

featuring

2021–2022 Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Students

&

Denyce Graves, Visiting Artist

with pianists

Sandra Geary, Diana Umali, and Joseph Welch

The Program (in order of appearance)

Washington University Studio 

Alannah Coady, Senior, 2nd year AIT

Nerinx Hall

Da’Shon Dunn, Junior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Devin Best, Junior, 2nd year AIT

Francis Howell North High School

Cecilia Hickey, Sophomore, 1st year AIT

Rosati-Kain High School

Jahlil Johnson, Junior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Hannah Radican, Senior, 3rd year AIT

Pattonville High School

University of Missouri – St. Louis Studio  

Eden Burks, Sophomore, 1st year AIT

McKinley Classical Leadership Academy

Alyssa Van Hooser, Senior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Javan Williams, Junior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Kaylie O’Dell, Senior, 2nd year AIT

Francis Howell North High School

Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville Studio 

Katie Furby, Senior, 2nd year AIT

Mascoutah High School

Jordan Hughes, Junior, 1st year AIT

Belleville West High School

Lucy Schapman, Freshman, 1st year AIT

Edwardsville High School

Callie Barks, Junior, 2nd year AIT

Father McGivney Catholic High School

Ava Hettenhausen, Sophomore, 1st year AIT

O’Fallon Township High School

Webster University Studio  

Kenedi Jenkins, Junior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Sarah Nelson, Junior, 1st year AIT

Pattonville High School

Erica Shi, Junior, 1st year AIT

Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Daryus Shurn, Junior, 2nd year AIT

STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley

Bella Fernandez, Junior, 2nd year AIT

STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley

Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Vocal Teachers, Vocal Coaches, and Staff

Marc Schapman, Joseph Welch
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville

Stella Markou, Joseph Welch
University of Missouri – St. Louis

Noel Prince, Sandra Geary
Washington University in St. Louis

Martha Hart, Diana Umali
Webster University

Allison Felter
Director of Education and Engagement

Morgan Fisher
Education and Engagement Coordinator

Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano  

The luscious, deep voice of American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves has graced nearly all the major world opera house stages and concert halls during her three-decades long career. Her top-label recordings are numerous, and she has been a featured artist on national public television in everything from Great Performances to Sesame Street. A champion of new works, Ms. Graves has premiered operas and song cycles, won competitions and countless awards. Signature opera roles include Carmen and Dalila, as well as the more contemporary Margaret Garner. In 2013, Ms. Graves created and performed the role of Emelda Griffith to great acclaim in the world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s opera Champion, co-commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Jazz St. Louis. Recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars, Denyce Graves continues to receive unparalleled popular and critical acclaim in performances on four continents.

In addition to her singing career, the Washington, D.C. native is a much sought-after teacher at The Juilliard School, Peabody Conservatory, and University of Toronto. An Emmy and Grammy Award winner, she has also been the recipient of many honorary Doctorates of Musical Arts and has served as both a cultural ambassador and arts advocate on behalf of the country she so dearly loves. A stunning portrait of Ms. Graves can be seen as part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Portrait Gallery; her image is represented in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well.

The opera star was inspired to form The Denyce Graves Foundation in the beginning of 2021 as a means of elevating the lives and work of singers at all stages of their careers while, at the same time, honoring the history and contributions of those who had gone before. Connecting past to present, the foundation is establishing the legacy of previously unacknowledged artists, allowing their hidden voices to finally be heard and their stories told, while setting the stage for the next generation of history-making opera stars.

About Opera Theatre’s Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Program

Established in 1990 and unique in the U.S., Artists-in-Training sets out to identify, coach, and encourage talented students from high schools across the St. Louis area with weekly voice lessons from opera professionals at one of four area universities. Students are selected by a rigorous audition process in the fall and take part in master classes with visiting artists, college retreats, and competitions for scholarship awards totaling $20,000 annually, in addition to receiving college guidance. The program was recognized in 2001 by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities with the “Coming Up Taller” Award for success in serving at-risk youth.

In preparation for this recital, AIT students worked with distinguished visiting artist Denyce Graves during a seven-day residency that included private voice lessons and group master classes. This experience complements the students’ weekly voice lessons with AIT voice faculty, which began in October.

Learn more about AIT