Jill Gardner By Carolyn S. Peterson
Life is not only about what you become, but it is also about where you began, those who invested time in you, and supported you and the journey along the way. For Jill (Bowen) Gardner, soprano, her journey began in Tobaccoville, NC, with a loving family – parents Linda and Danny Bowen, and sister Jennifer Bannon – and has taken her across the country sharing her love of music. The Roots That Ground Us Jill Gardner entered the world with a passion for music and her mother nurtured that passion by encouraging Jill to experience all aspects of it. “At the age of five I began piano lessons and continued through high school with an exceptional teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Smith. I also studied classical dance and violin, as well as singing within the community and at church. I was raised in the Moravian faith, which has a rich tradition of music. Throughout my years of pursuing music, I planned on getting a degree in piano performance and teaching, but it was in the early years of my studies at Centenary College of Louisiana, where on scholarship I received my undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance, that I decided to pursue singing and attend UNC-G for my Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance,” recalled Jill. During her time at UNC-G, Jill taught piano and voice and also worked at Bethesda Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Jill continued her studies as a graduate of the Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artists Program in Cooperstown, NY, and the Resident Artists Training Program of Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY, where she met her husband, Jake Gardner, bass-baritone, in 1998 and later wed in 2002. Sharing a Love of Life and a Passion for Music In 2005, Jill went professional as a singer and has had a career built mainly as an Italianate soprano, specializing in Puccini’s heroines like Tosca, Madame Butterfly and Manon Lescaut among many of her roles. “I studied Italian in graduate school and traveled to the Tuscany region to sing. My voice in my 20s is not the same as it is today in my early 40s, which is referred to as lyrico spinto. Critics say I have a big, luxurious voice which has developed naturally and matured over the years. My strong musical background has given me a good foundation for my studies and my performing,” stated Jill. Even with her extensive body of work, Jill continues to hone her talent and audition for positions, singing throughout the country in regional opera companies and others like Lyric Opera in Chicago, IL, and Washington National Opera in Washington, DC. “I am very thankful to have been able to hone my craft in the USA. Throughout this journey, as opportunities arise, you go through doors and those doors lead to others. My husband Jake and I are fortunate to not only share a love for each other, but for music, specifically singing. Our careers keep us on the road about eight months out of the year. Sometimes we have the opportunity to perform on the opera stage together and at other times we get to do private lessons and coachings with young singers like we did earlier this past August in Hawaii, with Hawaii Opera Theater, which we have been doing since 2006. We respect each other’s career and understand what is needed to pursue it,” Jill commented. When not on the road, the Gardners make their home in Kernersville, and Jill continues to love the area where she grew up. Bringing Her Passion to Her Hometown “In October and November, I will be sharing what I do across the country in my hometown of Winston-Salem, NC, when I perform with Piedmont Opera and the Winston-Salem Symphony. On October 31st and November 2nd and 4th, I will sing the lead role in Piedmont Opera production of Madama Butterfly. Then on November 16th and 18th, I will sing the role of Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites under the baton of Robert Moody. It means so much to me to be able to come home and sing to the people of my home,” said Jill. For more information on Jill Gardner and her upcoming performances, visit www.jillbowengardner.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jillgardnersoprano.
30 / ForsythWoman.com