Boston
Singers' Resource News Bulletin, November 26, 2002
A little over a year ago, BSR opened its doors to the public and Singer/Director/Teacher/Producer,
Beth MacLeod, joined. We were so drawn to Beths passion for providing
positive places for singers of all levels to learn and perform, that we
asked Beth to be our first BSR News Bulletin "Member Highlight."
To celebrate our one-year anniversary, here she is, back again and just
as positive. Her company, Opera by the Bay produces Hansel and Gretel
this month and ifeatures several BSR members. Cheers to you, Ms. Beth
MacLeod. Thank you for all the support and opportunities you give us!
BETH MACLEOD AND OPERA
BY THE BAY: Founded in 1999 by Duxbury resident Debra Jewell to introduce
and educate South Shore audiences about opera, Opera by the Bay has been
growing steadily and playing to sold-out audiences ever since. The group
features singers of all different levels and offers performances of full-length
operas, opera scenes, cabaret and a new CD. "Opera by the Bay is
committed to giving primarily South Shore classical singers a place to
be and grow, " says Beth MacLeod, Artistic Director, "but anyone
is welcome to come and audition for us."
The company rehearses and performs on the beautifully renovated campus
of the South Shore Conservatory where Artistic Director Beth MacLeod is
chair of the voice department and Music Director Hui Min Wang is chair
of the piano department. They talk excitedly about one of Opera by the
Bay’s education and outreach programs: "To keep the group close
and foster mentoring relationships, we have ‘songfests’ every
month, " says Ms. MacLeod. "We meet and sing for each other
with NO CRITIQUE. We bring food and wine and have a fabulous time...there
are no ‘diva attitudes,’ just people who love to sing and want
to learn."
Opera By The Bay’s full-length production of Hansel and Gretel goes
up next month in two South Shore locations. It features several BSR members
including Hansel - Alexis Parker, Beth MacLeod*; Gretel - Becci Olson*,
Elizabeth Canterbury*; Mother - Annemarie Powers; Sandman - Eve Montague;
Dew Fairy/ Gretel cover - Anne Louise Klaus*; Cover Hansel and Mother
- Marina Voronina; Witch - Gwynne Cushing Sousa* Contact bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org
for more information or visit their websitepage on www.southshoreconservatory.org
Ms. MacLeod has a Bachelor of Vocal performance from the New England Conservatory,
a Masters of Opera Performance from the Curtis Institute of Music, and
a diploma from the Opera Center of the Juilliard School of Music. She
has sung with numerous opera companies here and abroad, including the
Des Moines Metro Opera, the Santa Fe Opera Company, the Glimmerglass Opera
Company, The Pittsburgh Opera Company, The Bochumer Symphoniker - and
many others. Her most recent adventure had her performing Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s Phantom of the Opera over 970 times in Hamburg, Germany
- and she lived to tell the tale! Beth will be performing "Prince
Orlofsky" with The Cape Cod Opera in Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus
this coming February.
BSR: So, how is Hansel and Gretel going? Tell us about the artistic Staff
and double cast (THANK YOU for giving more people opportunities!)
BETH: It is going so well! Having the level of singer from BSR has really
made the difference with Opera by the Bay, and has been so fun for me.
I am stage directing it myself. This has been something I’ve done
for the last few productions and I find I really love it. The double casting
came about because I really wanted to give as many singers as possible
the opportunity to learn and perform the roles. Although we are a no pay/no
fee company, I keep the production quality as high as possible. We offer
coaching’s to the singers in the beginning to help them prepare as
well as any extra time they need along the way. As a singer, I know the
cost of hiring a coach to help with big roles. While we can’t take
the place of coaching’s, we can supplement them and help ease the
financial burden. That also means the singers have to be OPEN to the help
and willing to learn. I approach that always from a positive place. There
is no room for the "diva attitude" in the real world of opera,
and I don’t encourage it here. I try to discover the underlying problem
and help with that
.
BSR: I noticed that you have two performance venues. That must be a challenge
for the set designer?!
BETH: The set is designed by Med Hornecker (my husband) who has been the
TD for the Des Moines Metro Opera and Point Park College as well as many
other theaters. Because we are doing two different venues, it was challenging
to come up with a design that works in both places. The Ellison Center
for the Arts has what was originally conceived as a recital Hall. While
it is gorgeous acoustically, it has limitations - not a lot of wing space
,no fly space, etc. I think our design works for that venue as well as
Sanborn Auditorium which is an old High School auditorium space with wings,
curtains, etc. Moving the set around has been very challenging. I have
asked the cast members as well as other OBTB members to help with the
transport. While that’s not ideal, everyone is so invested in the
project by this point that its not a problem! We have amazing costumes,
as well, that were designed and made by Lanci Valentine, one of our Development
people here at the Conservatory. The production has a nice "design
feel" to it. The singers were excited to get the costumes and begin
rehearsing in them - that really helps.
BSR: Have you worked with many of the cast members before H and G?
BETH: I have worked with a few of the cast members previously - Alexis
Parker and AnneMarie Powers are my students, and Becci Olsen has been
a part of other OBTB productions with much success. Anne-Louise Klaus
is covering Gretel and singing the Dew Fairy, and this is her third production
with OBTB. Elizabeth Canterbury came to us through the BSR website and
is doing an amazing job as Gretel. Marina Voronina started as our Hansel
cover (yes, I offer cover opportunities for all the major roles, including
coaching and staging time when possible) and was so wonderful that I offered
her several performances of the Mother. Gwynne Sousa and I sing together
a lot, and she was a natural for the witches role. I am forever amazed
at the great quality we have out there - and they all need a home. I want
to be that home for them - a place to be nurtured, a place to risk and
try new things - and to succeed! Nothing makes me happier than to see
the look on a singers face when they GET it - whether a hard phrase, a
difficult staging move, or the first run through. I live for that.
BSR: I so agree! There is a TREMENDOUS wealth of singing talent in New
England and that is why I was so drawn to OBTB in the first place! BSR,
OBTB and several of the other groups we have highlighted all have the
same mission - to help NE talent be seen, heard and utilized!
BSR: Your biography shows that you have had a busy career as an international
performer both in opera and in music theater, what brought you back to
teaching and performing in the Bay?
BETH: My transition from "gypsy" singer to "settled"
was a fairly quick one. I spent three years (970+ shows) singing in the
Hamburg Germany production of Phantom of the Opera. (My agent sent me
to an audition in NYC where Phantom was looking for opera singers. The
cast was 80% or more American and with only a couple of exceptions, all
opera singers. The show takes place in an opera house and so the thinking
was - why not get opera singers to sing and give that sound?) It was an
amazing experience. I am still in touch with my colleagues, we became
one large family. I learned when to give my voice and energy and when
to hold back. I learned that its ok to call in sick! I loved absorbing
another culture and my German is excellent because of it. My husband and
I traveled extensively - I missed home, but knew the opportunity to visit
Greece, Turkey, Portugal and the rest of Europe was a "once in a
lifetime." Fate decided for us when my husband was diagnosed with
a brain tumor. Suddenly, it was more important to be near family and friends.
After the initial "gulp" period- 'yikes,
what to do' - I began the search for something that would keep me excited
and where I could give back some of what I learned in all my singing experiences.
The South Shore Conservatory hired me to teach voice and when Opera by
the Bay came to the school officially, they asked me to run it. I am now
the Assistant Director in charge of the Ellison Center, Chair of the Voice
Department and Artistic Director of Opera by the Bay. Most days I am so
busy that I forget to go to the bathroom - but I wouldn’t have it
any other way. My husband is currently undergoing Chemotherapy for his
tumor, and we go on day by day. The advantage of being here is that I
can continue to do what feeds me while being close to the people that
need me. I sometimes miss the other life- but not the traveling, hotels,
three weeks here, six there. I was fortunate to do 2 Santa Fe apprenticeships
as well as sing with companies like the Des Moines Metro Opera, Glimmerglass
Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and many more. While that "glamour"
is gone, I am still doing what I love the most - singing, learning and
giving back. In that respect, I haven’t lost anything but I’ve
gained so very much!
BSR: Beth, I am so sorry to hear about Med’s (and yours) battle with
cancer. It is such a horrible disease and treatment. Please take our prayers
and wishes with you for a speedy remission and let us know if there is
any way we can help.
** To learn more about cancer, cancer survivors, cancer treatment, and
what you can do to help, please visit the
American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org
BSR: Like many BSR members, you juggle many hats (producer, director,
singer, teacher...) How do you stay healthy (and SO POSITIVE, I might
add) with all your many activities and challenges?
BETH: Wearing many hats is challenging - but so rewarding! I love my Opera
by the Bay commitments so much, especially now when we are close to production.
Co-coordinating the children’s chorus ( Bel Canto Voices, directed
by BSR member Gwynne Sousa) the children’s ballet and two casts of
singers, costumes, etc - it can be daunting. I ask for a lot of help!
I try to get as much sleep as I can - for instance, while we’re in
production, I came into work 2 days at noon. I’m still working 10
hour days - but not 15 hour days! I try on the weekends to do at least
one thing outside of work - see a movie, shopping with girlfriends, etc.
I also take - vitamins, lots of vitamin c -and I see an acupuncturist
and drink lots of water. I recently revised my eating habits to include
NO REFINED SUGAR ( my nemesis as I love it and would live off of chocolate
if given the chance)as well as a diet lower in carbohydrates (not NO carbs,
just LESS carbs) and have dropped some weight and am feeling more energetic
since then. I am still a singer and act like one - I take time to study,
practice and get the rest I need. Have I said that I ask for a lot of
help????
BSR: Bravo to you for speaking up when you need help. So many of us don’t
and "burn out" because of it.
BSR: You have such dedication to singers of all levels and to providing
a place for all to sing. Can you tell us more about your "OBTB Song
Fests?" Also, about the BSR "Sing for Feedback" session
that you helped organize with Sarah Whittle. Are you having another "Sing
for Feedback?"
BETH: Opera by the Bay’s mission is " ...to provide a place
for community based classical singers to perform and perfect their craft
as well as a forum to educate and expand the population of opera enthusiasts
South of Boston." That to me means that singers need lots of performing
opportunities - so we do 3 productions a year including a summer scenes
program that involves as many singers as possible. We hold "songfests"
where we meet, eat and drink, and try new songs/arias in front of our
peers in a very supportive and non-judgmental environment. This has brought
in many new members who enjoy the chance to try something new without
fear! I will give feedback privately if asked - but many of our singers
are newer to opera, and they need a positive forum to sing. The "Sing
for Feedback" session we held was an offshoot of that - BSR singers
met and sang for each other and then we discussed what we saw. As someone
who runs an opera company, I’m in a special position to help these
singers as I sit on both sides of the table. We are holding another on
December 14th at 7 pm at the Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury, MA.
I LOVED the last one and hope we have many more people at this one. Many
singers are craving feedback and I think each one carried something away
from the session. Again, this was done in a positive manner. I don’t
feel that we can learn otherwise! Everyone was nervous, but settled in
when they realized it was relaxed and positive. Don’t we all work
better when we’re relaxed and able to concentrate? Please contact
me if you are interested in singing on December 14;
Bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org
BSR: Congratulations on your role as "Prince Orlofsky" with
Cape Cod Opera, by the way! I know Cape Cod Opera is very excited to be
in their second year of fully-staged productions (previous to this, they
only did concert versions). Please keep us posted!
BSR: What is next for Opera by the Bay and is your website Address the
same?
BETH: Yes, our website is still through SSC; www.southshoreconservatory.org.
We have added some sound clips from our recording so that people can hear
the quality of the group. OBTB’s next undertaking is in the spring,
a fund raiser where I hope to do two one act operas. I’m still hashing
out what they will be. I need to keep it on the lighter side if possible,
and I hope to make my decisions by Christmas. Also, our incredible music
director, Hui-Min Wang is expecting her baby in January, and I will need
to work my
rehearsal schedule around her delivery date. Then in late July we do our
scenes program that this year will be more
dramatic scenes (up until now I’ve kept it light because I was trying
to build our audience, but I think they’re now up for something more!)
As in every opera company, I’m actively recruiting more men, and
will definitely need them for this production. Singers of ALL voice types
should feel free to contact me if they have questions about Opera by the
Bay, our songfests, etc. I am always available to help and answer any
questions.bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org
BSR: Thank you, again, SO much, Beth, for your time, talent, and positive
dedication to New England singers. You are truly a JEWEL in this singing
community. Any final words of advice?
BETH: I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of so many singers’
lives. We are often told in Conservatory (I attended NEC for my undergrad,
Curtis for my Masters and The Juilliard Opera Center) that we should make
our own opportunities. Well, that takes two things: courage and money!!
The conservatory has been here to support the beginnings of this amazing
adventure and I have never been afraid to try something new. I encourage
ALL committed singers to find what they need. Opportunities are out there,
but won’t come to you. Don’t be afraid to meet new people, hear
new feedback and try something new. Don’t be afraid to seek out the
people who might help you in your journey to be the best singer you can
be. They are out there! Be discriminating - take what you need and be
open to the new while preserving and protecting what makes you YOU. Tito
Capobianco is one of my mentors, and he always told me I needed to fail
to finally succeed. With all the challenges that life has given me, I
go on because my soul is fed by singers and singing. Sometimes I fail
- but often I succeed and make many lifelong friends in the process. I
encourage all BSR members to do the same!!
OPERA BY THE BAY presents HANSEL AND GRETEL
December 6, Sanborn Auditorium, Hingham, MA 8:00
December 7, Ellison Center for the Arts, Duxbury, MA 1:00
December 7, Ellison Center for the Arts, Duxbury, MA 4:00
December 8 Ellison Center for the Arts, Duxbury, MA 3:00
Beth MacLeod* Artistic Director.
Cast to include:
Hansel - Alexis Parker, Beth MacLeod*;
Gretel - Becci Olson*, Elizabeth Canterbury*;
Mother - Annemarie Powers;
Sandman - Eve Montague;
Dew Fairy/ Gretel cover - Anne Louise Klaus*;
Cover Hansel - Marina Voronina;
Witch - Gwynne Cushing Sousa*
For more information, contact bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org
or visit their Website page at www.southshoreconservatory.org
HANSEL AND GRETEL CAST BIOS:
ELIZABETH CANTERBURY* - Soprano Elizabeth Canterbury is emerging as a
versatile young artist. Since receiving her MM from the Longy School of
Music in June 2000, she has charmed audiences with her silvery voice and
radiant stage presence. Richard Dyer wrote of a February 2001 performance:
"Canterbury sang with charm, warmth, and easy high notes. "
Beth’s recent operatic roles have included Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte
with Chrysalis Opera, Tebaldo in Don Carlo with Boston Bel Canto Opera,
Don Ettore in La Canterina with Boston Vocal Artists and Yum-Yum from
the Mikado. Ms. Canterbury is delighted to join Opera by the Bay as Gretel!
ANNE-LOUISE KLAUS* - Anne-Louise was recently seen as Lauretta in Gianni
Schicchi, the Novice in Suor Angelica and Flora in La Traviata at the
Shaker Mountain Performing Arts Festival in New Lebanon, NY. This past
year, she has also appeared as part of New England Conservatory’s
SCE Opera Workshop and Opera by the Bay’s Spring Fling. She gave
a recital of Finnish song at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Buffalo,
NY on the Cathedral recital series in May and at Saima Park in Fitchburg
in June. Ms. Klaus graduated with a Masters in Vocal performance from
Indiana University in May 2000. While at IU, she participated in numerous
choral and solo performances and was seen in the role of Micaela in the
vocal studio production of Bizet’s Carmen.
EVE MONTAGUE- Eve received her Music Education degree from the University
of Western Ontario and is a Board Certified Music Therapist. She is Coordinator
of Creative Arts at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton. She is
active in local community theater with the Bay Players where she was most
recently seen as Ruth in Pirates of Penzance and Edith in Jakes Women.
Eve has been singing with Opera by the Bay for 2 years, singing in Scenes
to Remember, Spring Fling and American Music and Beyond. She studies voice
with Gwynne Cushing Sousa. She lives with her two best guys, Dave and
Buddy, In Bryantville.
BECCI OLSON* - After graduating with a Political Science degree from Luther
College and teaching English in Japan, Becci moved to Boston to pursue
a career in music. Since coming here, Becci has performed with New England
Conservatory’s SCE Opera Studio and with Opera by the Bay in their
Spring Fling, American Music and Beyond and Evenings under the Stars performances.
She extremely excited to be performing in Hansel and Gretel! Originally
from Milwaukee Wisconsin, Becci wants to thank Beth and Hui-Min for all
the fun!
BETH MACLEOD- Artistic Director - Beth has a Bachelor of Vocal performance
from the New England Conservatory, a Masters of Opera Performance from
the Curtis Institute of Music, and a diploma from the Opera Center of
the Juilliard School of Music. Beth has sung with numerous opera companies
here and abroad, including the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Santa Fe Opera
Company, the Glimmerglass Opera Company, The Pittsburgh Opera Company,
The Bochumer Symphoniker - and many others. Her most recent adventure
had her performing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera over
970 times in Hamburg, Germany - and she lived to tell the tale! Beth,
a Duxbury native and graduate of Duxbury High School, is currently the
Assistant Director of South Shore Conservatory’s Duxbury Campus,
as well as Chair of the Voice Department. She can be heard in February
performing with The Cape Cod Opera as Prince Orlofsky in Johann Strauss’
Die Fledermaus. Beth and her husband Med are so glad to be back where
everything they love is literally "by the bay".
ALEXIS PARKER- Alexis began performing at an early age in her high school
madrigal group and as a cantor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean,
VA. She received her BM in Vocal performance from Indiana University.
Alexis performed in the IU Opera program and more recently as a soloist
in Piobbico and Urbania, Italy. This is her fourth performance with Opera
by the Bay, and she looks forward to many more. Alexis studies voice with
Beth MacLeod. When she is not singing, Alexis works as Membership Director
of Weymouth Club.
ANNEMARIE POWERS- AnnMarie is proud to be a part of her third Opera by
the Bay production. Her debut was when she covered the role of the Mother
in Amahl and the night Visitors, and she was heard in Opera by the Bay’s
Spring Fling. Past opera roles include Cherubino in Mozart’s Nozze
di Figaro, Miss Todd in Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief among
others. AnnMarie holds a BM in Music Education from Keene State College
in NH and currently enjoys her position as soloist at St. Brigid’s
Church in South Boston, MA. She studies voice with Beth MacLeod.
GWYNNE CUSHING SOUSA* - Gwynne received her Master of Music from the Boston
Conservatory, and a Master of Music in Opera from Temple University. She
has been featured throughout the Northeast in recital, opera, concert
work, and in musical theater. Gwynne currently teaches Voice full time
at South Shore Conservatory, as well as directs the Conservatory’s
new young adult choir, Bel Canto Voices. She resides in Pembroke with
her husband Kevin, also a singer. A multi-faceted performer, Gwynne was
recently featured as soprano soloist with The Fine Arts Choral in the
New England premiere of Handel’s The Roman Vespers of 1707.
HUI-MIN WANG- Musical Director - Hui-Min received the distinction of Excellence
Award in Young Talents from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan at the
age of 15. She soon entered the Staatliche Hochschule fuer Musik in Munich,
Germany. Hui-Min then furthered her studies with Bulgarian pianist Krassimira
Jordan, who was a pupil of the late Emil Gilels and Stanislav Neuhaus,
first in Vienna and later at Baylor University. After receiving her MM
in Piano Performance, Hui-Min completed a Graduate Diploma at New England
Conservatory. As an active collaborative artist, Hui-Min has performed
in the United States, China and Taiwan with various renowned artists.
She has appeared live on WGBH Boston numerous times, and recorded for
both NPR’s Alamo Classics and Boston Records label. Before returning
to the Boston area, she was Staff pianist and opera coach at the Hartt
School, University if Hartford, Connecticut from 1994-1998. In this position,
she had the opportunity to prepare singers in works that included The
Consul, Dido and Aeneas, L’incoronazione di Poppea, Suor Angelica
and Gianni Schicchi. Hui-Min joined the piano faculty at South Shore Conservatory
in 1998. As well as being Music Director for Opera by the Bay, Hui-Min
is Piano Department Chair and Dean of students.
For more information about Opera by the Bay or to participate in the next Songfest, or BSR "sing for feedback" session, please contact Beth MacLeod at bethmacleod@southshoreconservatory.org or 781-749-7565. You may also visit their webpage at www.southshoreconservatory.org.