Student Ambassadors

If you are shopping for schools to attend, there is nothing to beat asking actual students about their experiences. The students below have been selected almost randomly, to give a range of ages, backgrounds, voice-types, major teachers, and depth of experience so far in the department. All have agreed to respond to eMails from prospective applicants, and to be frank in their answers to questions.

Click on the photograph to reach any student by eMail!

KEY to programs: B bachelors, D doctorate, G GPD voice, M masters, O opera GPD.
The colors distinguish between undergraduate, graduate, and advanced level programs.

 

Write to Jenni Jenni Bank O1 | mez | Cornett
Hi! I am a first year Graduate Performance Diploma in Opera student at Peabody and also received my Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Peabody last may. I am originally from Johannesburg, South Africa but I grew up in Binghamton, NY. One of the main reasons that I initially chose to attend Peabody for undergraduate is that the Opera Department allows everyone (including freshman) to audition for the operas. My first year here I volunteered to participate in the Opera Potpourri and Candide chorus. My second year, I sang the roles of Frugola in Il Tabarro and Suor Dolcina in Suor Angelica, and the Witch in Hansel and Gretel for Peabody Opera Outreach. In my junior year I sang Emelia in a scene from Rossini’s Otello for Opera Potpourri, chorus for Cendrillon, and Hannah in Peabody’s World Premiere of The Alien Corn. In my senior year I sang Dame Quickly in Falstaff and Petra in A Little Night Music and this year, as an Opera GPD student, I performed Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro and am currently rehearsing Giullietta in Tales of Hoffmann. I have been very lucky and fortunate to perform a lot at Peabody and in the Baltimore area. The fantastic opera department has really encouraged me to grow as a singer, performer, actor, and individual in a comfortable, friendly environment. Please feel free to contact me with any questions—I'd love to hear from you!

G1 | bar | Sharp Jason Buckwalter Write to Jason
I am originally from Landenberg, PA. I have lived in Baltimore since starting my degree in 2004 and I’m still here doing a second degree. I like it here. I plan on staying for a while. I earned my BM in voice performance from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. I was referred to Peabody by a voice teacher at SU and boy, was he ever dead–on with that recommendation. Bravo Signore Fahnestock! In the first year of the Master’s degree here, I performed with the outreach program as Father in their production of Hansel and Gretel. In the second semester, I got involved with the chamber opera program and played the Devil in Hildegard von Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum. I sang Tiridate from Radamisto in the Handel opera scenes program and Benedick in a one–act opera called Some Ado, which was composed by a Peabody Student in the Opera Etudes program. Since that delightful start, I’ve performed in a Mozart opera scenes program, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, Le nozze di Figaro, and a romantic opera scenes program as well as a number of things in the area. Good times all around. There’s plenty to keep you busy. And I like to be busy. As for the school, the environment is quite conducive to learning; both the opera and voice faculties are excellent and always helpful, and the opportunities to get involved at school and in the Baltimore area abound. Thus far, I’m very pleased with my experience and look forward to what's to come.

Write to Adam Adam Caughey M1 | ten | Cornett
Hey there! I’m Adam and I’m originally from San Diego, CA. The reason I applied to Peabody was because my teacher at the time had prior students who received a well rounded musical education and also gained a considerable amount of performance experience. Well, in my opinion performance experience was the most important attribute any conservatory/college could give me. I had also heard through past students that Stanley Cornett was deemed quite the vocal technician. It seemed like a fit. Here at Peabody I’ve been given a great amount of performing chances. In the fall, I played Remendado in the famous quintet from Carmen for the operatic scenes program and Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro on the main stage. In the spring, I was given the chance to play an array of characters in Les contes d’Hoffmann, the four character tenors and the doll maker: Andres, Frantz, Cochenille, Pitichanaccio, and Spalanzani. In the opera department, I’ve had a wealth of knowledge just thrown at me with the trio of wonderful professors: JoAnn Kulesza, Eileen Cornett, and Roger Brunyate. JoaAnn and Eileen offer wonderful coaching with a detailed knowledge of language while Roger directs and teaches the art of the stage from the actors perspective. Well it looks like my undergrad teacher had heard right, a well rounded musical education and considerable amount of performing experience is exactly what is available here at Peabody.

B3 | mez | Busching Meghan Davis Write to Meghan
Hello! My name is Meghan Davis, from Dallas, Pennsylvania, and I am currently a third–year undergraduate at Peabody. My experience at Peabody is somewhat different from the average vocal and opera student because I am also pursuing a second major in harp performance, under the direction of Ruth Inglefield. Peabody was the perfect choice for me because of the supportive and welcoming nature of both the faculty and the students, which I feel is a rarity in most conservatories. The mutual respect among the members of the voice and opera faculties provides a wonderful atmosphere in which students can thrive. My voice teacher, Marianna Busching provides the perfect blend of direction, encouragement, and guidance, which enables me to achieve my vocal potential. Within the Peabody Opera department, I was a member of the opera chorus of Le nozze di Figaro. Currently, I am participating in the chorus of Les contes d’Hoffmann, and I am playing the role of Barbara in Roman Fever in American Opera Scenes program. The opera faculty has been extremely supportive and helpful in expanding my interest and knowledge of opera. Finally, their exceptional flexibility and understanding of my situation as a double major has made my experience with them even more enjoyable. I would welcome any questions that you might have about Peabody!

Write to Caitlin Caitlin Fischer M1 | sop | Hong
Hi! I am a first–year Master's student at Peabody in the studio of Ah Hong. I did my Bachelor’s degree in music at Syracuse University. When I started looking at graduate schools, a Peabody alum at Syracuse encouraged me to apply, and I'm so grateful for that! Coming to Peabody was a great choice for me. What makes Peabody so special and so unique, in my opinion, is the people. Both the Opera faculty and the Voice faculty are some of the most encouraging, responsive, and attentive people around (not to mention some of the most talented!)—one immediately gets the impression that they are here to help you grow as a musician and that they care about your success. This year I performed Aennchen (Der Freischutz) in the Fall Romantic Opera Potpourri, and this spring I’ll be playing Abigail (The Crucible) in the American Opera Scenes program. I took a number of acting courses in my undergraduate career, but Acting for Opera has been the most useful—it has really helped me to think creatively and effectively about characters, arias, and scenes. I have grown quite a bit this year, and I know I made the right choice in selecting Peabody for my graduate work.

B3 | sop | Bryn-Julson Jillian Goldin Write to Jillian
Hi! My name is Jill Goldin, and I’m currently a third–year undergraduate at Peabody in the studio of Phyllis Bryn–Julson. In my first three years at Peabody, I have been challenged in ways that I never could have imagined. Entering as a freshman, my knowledge of operatic repertoire was next to nothing, and other than a few opera scenes at the Tanglewood Institute, I certainly had no experience performing it. During my sophomore year, however, I finally had the opportunity to work with Roger in his Acting for Opera class, and my eyes were opened. “Opera? What? Opera is theater? Hey, this is FUN!” By that point, I was enjoying myself so much that I thought it was time to seriously audition for some productions. In the spring of 2006, I performed the roles of Hyale in Charpentier's Actéon, and Pleasure in Masque in Dioclesian by Henry Purcell, two baroque operas. The shows were a blast, and I gained some needed self–confidence by finally putting myself out there. This fall, I was cast as Barbarina in Peabody’s mainstage production of Le nozze di Figaro, and it was—simply put—an amazing experience. Expanded statement

Write to Sarah Sarah Hoover D2 | sop | Bryn-Julson

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M2 | bar | Rainbolt Hirotaka Kato Write to Hirotaka
Hello! My name is Hirotaka Kato. This is my second year in the Master’s program at Peabody and my third year in the U.S. I’m from Japan. After I received my B.M. and Professional Performance Diploma from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, I enrolled at UMBC (University of Baltimore–Baltimore County) as a Post–Baccalaureate Certificate student in order to study English and prepare for an American Master’s degree program. Thanks to that program, I was prepared to get into Peabody. I think that Peabody is wonderful. I am enjoying Peabody because there are many opportunities to sing, the students’ professionalism is respectable and, most of all, my teacher Dr. Steven Rainbolt is a great teacher. Last year I sang the role of Pistola in Falstaff and this year I have sung the role Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro. Now I’m enjoying American musical life and I feel that I will have many more wonderful experiences at Peabody.

Write to Julian Julian Ledford M1 | bar | Shirley-Quirk
Greetings! I’m Julian, a baritone hailing from Mandeville, Jamaica. Prior to enrolling in the conservatory, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Music Composition and Romance Languages from Washington and Lee University. My very first week at Peabody was quite intense and somewhat intimidating. I quickly learned, however, that I shared a few commonalties with these people: a great love of music and the need of a practice room! With that said, I feel quite comfortable and happy here at Peabody. I marvel at the opportunity I get to study and work with the present and future leaders in their respective fields of music. In this, my first year at Peabody, I have had the honor and privilege to work with the Opera Department on various levels. I have taken acting classes and have received direction from Roger Brunyate; I have coached with JoAnn Kulesza and have had Garnett Bruce as a director. All these interactions have boosted my development and have helped to increase my musicianship. As I prepare to debut with the Opera Department in the chorus of Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann and as John in a scene from Robert Ward’s The Crucible, I look forward to collaborating with my instructors and colleagues and getting to know them better. I’m very optimistic and excited about my future at Peabody! Expanded statement

M2 | ten | Shirley-Quirk Kyle Malone Write to Kyle
In the Opera Department, I have been involved, musically, with two Opera Scenes programs, the Die Zauberflöte run–out show Papageno!, Baroque Chamber Opera, Opera Etudes, Professional Opera Coachings, Chamber Opera (The Rape of Lucretia), and am currently involved with the main stage opera Les contes d’Hoffmann. Consistently, the opera department has challenged me dramatically, musically, and stylistically in ways that allow for me to grow and rethink music. I have worked individually with Mr. Brunyate, Mrs. Kulesza, Mrs. Cornett, and Mr. Bruce and each session leaves me refreshed and contemplative. They always use enthusiasm, patience, and respect dealing with young singers. I feel more capable dramatically, vocally, and musically than ever before having had the extreme pleasure to work with the Peabody Opera Department. Expanded statement

M1 | sop | Bryn-Julson Ji Eun Park Write to Ji Eun
Hello, my name is Ji Eun Park, and I am from Korea. I received my BM from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea and am currently a first-year master’s student at Peabody. I came here because I heard many positive things about Peabody, such as their variety of opera productions (mainstage, outreach, and potpourri), so students had more opportunities to perform operas scenes. I was granted a main role (Countess) in Le nozze di Figaro at Peabody during the first semester. At first I was a little skeptical about playing a role with so many responsibilities, but the opera coaches, Roger and JoAnn, were very supportive of me, and my colleagues cheered me up. Peabody has been a great environment for my musical growth. I have become more confident and outgoing in my performance and it was so easy for me to adjust, because people at Peabody are so kind and friendly. So far I have been very happy with my choice that led me to come to Peabody. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, I am ready to answer all your questions!

Write to Natasha Natasha Sachs B1 | mez | Busching
When I first entered Johns Hopkins in the fall of 2004, I had not heard of Peabody because I was not looking for any Conservatories. I discovered Peabody when inquiring around campus for a place to find a music teacher. I had no idea that there was a top–notch conservatory just down the block.

The Opera department: Roger Brunyate, the artistic director, and JoAnn Kulesza, the music director, were very patient and kind with my unawareness of so many things. What I remember most about auditioning for the opera department my freshmen year is not so much that I sang “Mein Herr” from the musical Cabaret, it is that they gave me advice about my voice, recommended me to a teacher at Peabody, and told me they wanted to hear me try it again next year—in spite the fact that I sang “Mein Herr”! As an amateur singer most of my life, I really needed to hear the encouragement that day. Soon after, I studied with a Peabody minor teacher, who was instrumental in introducing many basic techniques to my singing. Ultimately, Ms. Busching, one of the Conservatory studio teachers, brought me under her wing. Three years since that fateful Cabaret song, I’m in Ms. Busching’s studio as a double–degree student. Expanded statement

M1 | bar | Sharp Andrew Sauvageau Write to Andrew
This is my first year here at Peabody. I am a native of Oregon, and I finished my undergraduate in, of all places, University of Oregon. My teacher there recommended that I study at Peabody, as she is good friends with my teacher, William Sharp. It turned out to be a very good match. The faculty is wonderful to work with, and the whole experience has been a lot of fun. This year, I’ve participated in our outreach program as Papageno in an adaptation of The Magic Flute, and am currently working on three roles for our upcoming production of Les contes d’Hoffmann. I also had the opportunity to sing with the Baltimore Opera chorus earlier this year. I was recommended by the Opera Department to fill a space that had been vacated by a colleague for one of their productions this season. All of these shows have been enriching experiences, and I have had the chance to make some good friends. I continue to be pleased with the opportunities that present themselves, and I am very happy to be studying here. Please don’t hesitate to email me, I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.

Write to Lindsay Lindsay Thompson B2 | sop | Bryn-Julson

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M2 | sop | Rainbolt Corinne Winters Write to Corinne
I am a second–year master’s student at Peabody, recently graduated from Towson University and originally from Frederick, MD. I have had the opportunity to participate in many facets of the Peabody Opera Department, including Peabody opera outreach (Pamina in Papageno!) and Peabody mainstage opera. This year, I will be performing the role of Antonia in Les contes d’Hoffmann, but I also got the chance to cover the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro. The use of assigned covers was new this year, but has proven to be very helpful in creating more opportunities for students. The Peabody Conductor’s Orchestra, although not part of the Peabody Opera Dept, uses students to sing excerpts from operas with orchestra as practice for the conducting students. This year, they used the Figaro covers to do excerpts from the opera, and we even got to do a staged performance! Between outreach, opera scenes, movement and acting classes, and the mainstage opera, Peabody’s Opera Department offers a diverse group of performing and learning opportunities. Feel free to contact me anytime!

 

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