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Shana Grossman, John Kaneklides, Ted Patterson, Krista Rose Wilhelmsen, Rachel Wood, Josh Barbour, John Fowler
Mitchell Community College will host Opera Experience Southeast (OES) on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Shearer Hall. The ensemble will perform selections from a variety of operas and Broadway shows. Featured selections will include repertoire from La Bohème, West Side Story, Les Misérables, Kiss Me Kate, and Sweeney Todd. Artistic director John Fowler is a native of the Barium Springs community. The program is free and open to the public.
“OES has performed complete operas and numerous recitals in the surrounding area, but this will their first visit to Shearer Hall,” said Dr. Curtis Abell, a local supporter of the fine arts who was instrumental in bringing the group to Statesville. “Some of the vocalists are coming from as far as New York and Indiana, where they are currently studying with some of the biggest names in their profession.”
Soprano Shana Grossman recently made her Carnegie Hall debut. She has a bachelor’s of music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing a master’s of music in vocal performance at Brooklyn College Conservatory.
Tenor John Kaneklides has undergraduate degrees in vocal performance and finance as well as a master’s of music degree from Winthrop University. He has trained with his mentor, Metropolitan Opera House tenor and diction coach, Nico Castel.
Bass baritone Ted Patterson graduated with a master’s degree in music from Winthrop University, where he studied voice with Jerry Helton. While there he sang in ensembles including the Winthrop Choral singers and Chamber singers.
Soprano Krista Rose Wilhelmsen is a graduate student at The Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. She joined Opera Experience Southeast as a young artist singing Mimi in La Bohème and Nedda in I Pagliacci.
Mezzo-soprano Rachel Wood, originally from London, Ontario, is continuing her vocal studies at Indiana University. She completed her master’s and bachelor’s of music degrees at the University of Western Ontario.
Pianist Josh Barbour, who joined OES in 2011, has a master’s of music from The University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s of music from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Director John Fowler, enjoyed a 30-year career as an international operatic tenor, performing title roles at most of the world’s premier opera houses. He received an Emmy for his portrayal of Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème as part of PBS’s “Live From Lincoln Center” television series. Fowler currently teaches at Winthrop University and Appalachian State University. Most recently students of his have won Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Shearer Hall is located on the main campus in Statesville. For more information, call (704) 878-4321.
About Opera Experience Southeast
Opera Experience Southeast, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, from a profound desire to nurture and promote emerging American-educated operatic talent. During past decades there were more opportunities to hone key components of the production and performance process than exist today. All too often aspiring young professionals hear the comment: “we love what you do…come back when you have more experience.” http://operaexperiencesoutheast.org/