Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions

Transcription

I took my first voice lesson when I was 16. [Matt sings] I thought that if I really, really, really wanted to do this… and I want to make a career out of this, I should do something with my voice because I feel that’s where I’m going to get the recognition. [Matt sings] My undergrad teacher thought we should look at some grad schools and Eastman was thrown around and I thought I could never, ever get into Eastman. It’s just too much of a special place. The thing that distinguishes us I think from just about any other music school is the absolute total dedication. There’s a tremendous level of excellence where the faculty can show the student the connection between theory and music history and their actual stage performances. [Matt sings] Not only have I gotten great training here in the studio, voice lessons and on the stage, but I feel like I’m a really well rounded performer as well, academically. I think I’ve been able to use that in not only my performing here at Eastman, but outside in auditions in the professional world. The National Council Auditions is an audition that almost every serious student of opera, every singer, is really aspiring to do As far as competitions in the United States it ranks as the most important one. There are so few that have gotten to the place that Matthew has gotten to. That is he’s one of the top five winners. When they called my name, I was in tears because it had been such a long process. There are four grueling rounds of competition and it was just too surreal and very emotional. My whole family was there, all the teachers I ever had were there at the finals. It was a really special day. [Matt sings] It’s a vindication of all the hard work that we put into training this voice. Matthew is the kind of person who goes through a period of being overwhelmed by a new situation, but he also has the ability to process that and to even it out in such a way that it doesn’t debilitate him, but rather inspires him. And that’s the mark of a true performer. [Matt sings] Each performing opportunity, I think I got a little more confident. Just being put on the stage of Kodak and also Kilbourn, you learn a lot about yourself in that situation. The school is completely on cloud 9 about his success. To say we’re proud is the world’s greatest understatement. When you feel like you have that support of not only your teachers, but also the people in the community, you feel confident going out there and being on the stage at the Met and singing at the Met. I think I came into that situation feeling like I could do anything.