UTSA Lyric Theatre presents SINGULAR MOMENTS: An Evening of Monodramas

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

10.20.21 7:30PM UTSA recital hall

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

Program

THE GIRL IN THE SNOW by SCOTT ORDWAY (2018) (The Fox in the Snow, The Owl Asleep in His Tree, The Rabbit Warm in her Burrow)

Sean Corbett and Anna Hakobyan Texas Premiere

DEAR GOD by DAVID SISCO (2004) (Joyce, Charles, Peter, Allison, Barbara, Dennis, Jeff)

Briana Bell and Eymen Geylan Texas Premiere

MY DEAREST RUTH by STACY GARROP (2013)

Joshua Moncada Zoll and Eymen Geylan Texas Premiere

WHO ARE THESE CHILDREN by BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1969) (Who are these children?, The Children)

Lucas Moncada Zoll and Anna Hakobyan Texas Premiere

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

Program

ZELDA'S DREAM by BENJAMIN C.S. BOYLE (2015)

Ava Upshaw and Eymen Geylan Texas Premiere

SILVER WING by JOCELYN HAGEN (2014) from Test Pilot

Natalie Baker and Anna Hakobyan Texas Premiere

AUNT HELEN by MONICA PEARCE (2012)

Kat Norman and Anna Hakobyan US Premiere

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

CAST Anna Hakobyan, collaborative pianist Anna Hakobyan is a pianist originally from Armenia. During her fourteen years in the US she worked as a staff accompanist at the University of Texas at San Antonio and runs a private piano studio.

She has performed in numerous concerts with the students, guest performers and faculty members. She worked as a coach and an accompanist for the Taos Opera institute, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, performed in concerts with the Musical Bridges Around the World, with the USAA choir, Casa de Spania of San Antonio. She has collaborated with many different artists in concerts performed in Washington D. C., Portugal, Spain, Russia. Anna is a graduate of Yerevan State Conservatory with a Master’s degree in Piano Performance. She is a participant of National and International Piano Competitions.

Eymen, Geylan, collaborative pianist Eymen Geylan has studied piano at the Izmir Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory, Dokuz Eylül University, and the Istanbul Conservatory. During her education in Istanbul Conservatory, she performed in workshops with Pablo Galdo, Jose Manuel, and Gonzalez Fernandez, and graduated from the conservatory in 2012.

She participated in 3rd Pera Piano Festival in 2008 where she studied with Marina Horak, Victor Santiago Asuncion, and Zöhrab Adıgüzelzade. In 2010, she participated in 5th Istanbul Pera Piano and was awarded 3rd prize winner in International Duo Piano Competition in 2014. She moved to the United States and started to San Antonio College as a music major in 2016. She studied under Dr. Mark Alexander for two years. She got accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio with music scholarship in 2018. Since 2018, she has been studying with Dr. Kasandra Keeling. Eymen participated in master classes with Olga Kern, Anton Nel, and Daniel Anastasio. She graduated from University Texas at San Antonio in 2021 with academic honor Magna Cum Laude. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in piano performance with Dr. Kasandra Keeling at the University of Texas at San Antonio and she is a graduate assistant for accompaniment.

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

CAST Natalie Baker, soprano A native of Austin, Texas, Natalie Baker is a first year Masters Student in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at UTSA. She completed her Bachelors of Voice Performance at Gordon College in Massachusetts, where she performed regularly in opera scenes and vocal chamber music as well as musical theater.

Natalie performed throughout northern Italy through Si parla, si canta! in Arona. and received the Gilbert & Sullivan Austin’s Young Artist Scholarship in 2019. This spring, Natalie is looking forward to performing the role of Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. She teaches a full roster of young singers through Harmony Lessons as well as her own studio. She is in the studio of Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell.

Briana Bell, soprano Briana Bell was seen in UTSA Lyric Theatre's productions of Speed Dating Tonight! (2019) and The Worst Ever (2020). The first show she performed in was The Pirates of Penzance where she was cast in the role of Mabel. In high school, she was a two-time member of the Region Choir and earned superior ratings for both voice and percussion in U.I.L. Solo & Ensemble competitions.

She graduated in the top 10% of her class in high school. She is in the studio of Professor Crystal Jarrell Johnson. Briana is looking forward to performing the role of 2nd Spirit in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Spring 2022.

Sean Corbett, soprano Sean Corbett is currently a senior Music Education major at UTSA. In the spring of 2020, Sean studied abroad in Urbino, Italy taking private voice lessons and studying the Italian culture and language. While at UTSA, Sean has advanced to the semi-final round of the competitive Texoma NATS student auditions. Previous productions include The Pirates of Penzance and Into the Woods. This is Sean's second production with UTSA Lyric Theatre. Sean is looking forward to performing the role of 2rd Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Spring 2022. She is in the studio of Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell.

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

CAST Joshua Moncada Zoll, baritone Joshua Moncada Zoll is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a vocal performance major studying with Dr. William McCrary. Last spring, Joshua sang the role of Pascual in Emilio Arrieta's El Grumete. This is his second production with UTSA Lyric Theatre and he is looking forward to performing the role of Temple Speaker in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Spring 2022.

Lucas Moncaca Zoll, tenor Lucas Moncada Zoll is at present working towards an undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a 4th year tenor, Vocal Performance major and is currently studying with Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell.

He has previously competed at South Texas NATS where he earned first place in his category in 2019. In Fall 2020, Lucas performed in UTSA Lyric Theatre's production Speed Dating Tonight! (Ching), and played the role of Tomas in UTSA Lyric Theatre's production of El Grumete (Arrieta) in Spring 2021. Lucas is looking forward to performing the role of Monostatos in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Spring 2022.

Kat Norman, soprano Kat Norman is a vocal performance and pedagogy graduate student at UTSA. She earned a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at the University of New Mexico. Previous performance include Dorabella in Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Clara in Pasatieri's Signor Deluso and First Witch in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. This November, Kat competed at Texoma NATS where she advanced to the semi-finals. This is Kat's first production with UTSA Lyric Theatre and she looks forward to performing Pamina in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with the company in Spring 2022. She is a student of Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell.

Singular Moments An evening of Monodramas

CAST Ava Upshaw, soprano Soprano Ava Upshaw is a vocal performance major at UTSA in the studio of Dr. Jourdan Laine Howell. Previous productions with UTSA Lyric Theatre include the title role in John Duke's Captain Lovelock and ensemble in The Pirates of Penzance. While at UTSA, Ava has been selected to compete at both Texoma NATS and South Texas NATS where she has advanced to the semi-final round at each competition. Ava attended North East School of the Arts where she performed in seven productions. Ava is looking forward to performing the role of 3rd Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Spring 2022.

FROM THE DIRECTOR To the audience: thank you for attending, for supporting these young singers, and for supporting UTSA Music. Having a crowd of people in the hall is a welcomed sight after nearly two years of an exclusively online audience. You are appreciated.

Thank you to Michelle Pietri, Kyree Harrison, Dr. William McCrary, Professor Crystal Jarrell Johnson, Dr. Tracy Cowden, Wesley Penix, Naomy Ybarra, Elijah Howell, Scott Ordway, David Sisco, Stacey Garrop, Benjamin C.S. Boyle, Jocelyn Hagen, and to Monica Pearce.

Thank you to the cast for their commitment to exploration and willingness to bring ideas to the table. Working with you brings me great joy.

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Coming Up

What's on the calendar for UTSA Music?

NOVEMBER IN THE HALL UTSA Wind Ensemble November 21 | 3:00pm Mariachi Los Paisanos with Ballet Folklórico de UTSA November 21 | 7:30pm UTSA Guitar Ensemble November 22 | 7:30pm UTSA Jazz Ensemble November 23 | 7:30pm WINTERLUDE: Orchestra & Choirs November 29 | 7:30pm WINTERLUDE: Holiday Bands November 30 | 7:30pm

DECEMBER IN THE HALL WINTERLUDE: UTSA Jazz Combo & Jazz Ensemble December 2nd | 7:30pm

ANNOUNCING THE

MICHAEL VALDEZ

MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

UTSA's Department of Music recently created the Michael Valdez Memorial Endowed Scholarship in recognition of our fellow roadrunner, Michael Valdez. Beloved by his peers, Michael was known for his authenticity and willingness to offer help when ever needed. This new memorial scholarship will celebrate his life and his love of music in perpetuity.

Thanks to the dedication of Michael's parents, Sarah and Reynaldo, and to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the scholarship has been funded at the minimum level required to establish the endowment. Now UTSA Music hopes to raise an additional $10,000 to aid music students in need of financial support.

"We started this scholarship fund for our son, Michael, because he loved UTSA. He had a passion for music.

We are hoping that his scholarship will assist future music majors with their passion."

- Sarah & Reynaldo Valdez Michael's parents

All dollars contributed to Michael's scholarship will be awarded to deserving undergraduate music majors whose principal instrument is in the brass family: (euphonium, trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba. Students will be awarded vital funds from this special endowment starting in the Fall 2020 semester.

UTSA has begun a 45 day campaign to reach the $10,000 goal and we humbly ask you to consider joining the effort.

Your gift will honor Michael's own giving spirit and open doors for future music students to train at UTSA in the music department he loved.

The UTSA Music family kindly thanks you for your consideration.

45 days to give

OCTOBER 6 NOVEMBER 20 Please, don't miss your opportunity to give:

DONATE TO THE MICHAEL VALDEZ MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP