The Spirit of snow and Its Global Highways Snow College Alumni work and live Throughout the World Angela Gehring Vågenes ('00) lives in Norway and has performed in many productions.
By Lauren Matthews The Spirit of Snow – the feeling of unity that swells in memory of sandstone bricks, graceful trees, and Badger Pride – is not bound to Sanpete County or Utah. The Spirit of Snow is global, carried abroad by our alumni. When thinking of Snow College alumni, we tend to start close to home: President Gary Carlston, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, or even our next-door neighbor. But some of our alumni are living and working in locations throughout the world. Angela Gehring Vågenes, Norway Angela Gehring Vågenes (’00) affirmed that Snow College was her launching point: “Snow offered a safe place where I could explore what I wanted in life and who I wanted to become. Having small classes where teachers made time to see me as an individual had a great impact on me and this has influenced the way I have chosen to teach others.” The summer after graduation, she met her Norwegian husband; after their marriage, they moved to Norway for a year, where she spent the year learning Norwegian. They then returned to the United States, where Vågenes pursued a master’s degree from Boise State University. Midway through her degree, she and her family moved to Bergen, Norway (her husband’s hometown). After having two children in Norway, Vågenes restarted her master’s program at the Grieg Academy conservatory in Bergen. While finishing her degree, she also had another child, taught private voice lessons, and performed in various operas, musicals, oratorios, concerts, and choirs. Vågenes’ website is bright with the pastels and rich fuchsias of her costumes from her various performances. Her talent extends from her soprano voice to her abilities as a choreographer, dancer, actress, and teacher. Currently, Vågenes teaches vocal performance at a school called Åsane Folkehøyskole. Vågenes’ family life has grown with her career: “The past three years, I have been super busy, and have given birth to three more cute kids, making me a very busy mom to five boys and one girl,” she said. Her two youngest – twins – are almost 1 year old.
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