UNews - Blaine Hendsbee

Abbondànza promises an evening like no other

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:54:37 +0000

Italian food, phenomenal entertainment and original artwork in support of students of the arts.

Student performances highlight the evening. JAIME VEDRES Photography

Bonjourno! Grazie! Vino! Amore! Abbondànza! Brush up on your Italian and get ready for Abbondànza, the Faculty of Fine Arts annual student scholarship fundraiser. Join the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Fine Arts for an evening celebrating abundance, Friday, Jan. 24, starting at 6 p.m. in Anton’s Ballroom at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge.

Abbondànza features jaw-dropping performances, must-have artworks and a mouth-watering four-course Italian meal by Prime Catering, all in support of the arts and student scholarships. Founded in 2002, the Faculty of Fine Arts partnered with Coco Pazzo restaurant owners, Tony Rose and Rocco Suriano, to create a unique fundraising event that showcased art, drama, music and new media students surrounded by an Italian theme and gourmet meal.

The 2020 event marks the 19th year of Abbondànza celebrations. Continuing with the Italian theme, Abbondànza is thrilled to utilize the European-style courtyard of the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge for the opening reception. With a fresh meal by Prime Catering, featuring Tony and Rocco’s “Let’s Pasta”, we’re honoured to connect the new venue with elements from the original Abbondànza fundraiser.

Exceptional art, from student and community artists, is available for auction. JAIME VEDRES Photography

The event kicks off in traditional style with the Abbondànza Chef Trio singing “Abbondànza” from Frank Loesser’s Most Happy Fella featuring vocalists from the Department of Music. Guests will be delighted by the guitar offerings of Department of Music instructor, Iliana Matos Vega, and students from her guitar classes. The U of L Opera Workshop, under the direction of Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, will serenade the audience with a sampling of operatic favourites, including a sneak peek of their Lethbridge Symphony collaborative production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Gondolier’s. Guests will also get a taste of what our dramatic arts students are up to, with theatrical performances acted and directed by current students.

The silent auction at Abbondànza is an opportunity to purchase art for a worthy cause from current students and alumni in a variety of mediums including screen prints, photography, ceramics, bronze sculpture and more. If that weren’t enough, patrons can bid on items donated from local arts organizations and supporters, with unique experiential items such as a Vancouver Arts Weekend (accommodations, dinners, and event tickets to the prestigious Vancouver Arts Club), tickets to local productions, gift certificates for art classes and more.

Abbondànza could not succeed without the generous contributions of our sponsors and donors. Since 2002, Abbondànza has supported a scholarship endowment that has provided more than 115 scholarships to high-achieving senior and graduate level students. Thanks to the community’s continued support, the Faculty of Fine Arts has been able to increase the number of students who can access these awards, including entrance and continuing students.

“Receiving the Abbondànza scholarship continues to make the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge an even more rewarding place to further my education,” shares Michelle Sylvestre, a second-year new media graduate student and 2019 Abbondànza scholarship recipient. “It allows me to focus and further my research and creative practice rather than worry about financial pressures. Receiving this award will allow me to attend conferences in my field as well as financially support my ambitious material explorations. Thanks again to the generous donors who support this and other scholarships. It means a great deal to me to have my achievements recognized and celebrated.”

Tickets for Abbondànza are priced at $150 (advance purchase only) and sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit go.uleth.ca/abbondanza or call Kelly at 403-329-2227 to find out more and to secure your tickets.

Music student Waldner earns prestigious internship opportunity

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 17:25:58 +0000

Fourth-year Bachelor of Music (voice) student Alyssa Waldner has been awarded an internship at the prestigious Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC for the spring of 2017. The Smithsonian Jazz Music Program’s internship is a combination of concert and program production as well as concert outreach and promotion, with the goal to equip interns with helpful tools for future work in music, museum, or event production and communication.

Waldner, a fourth-year Bachelor of Music student, applied for the opportunity through the Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program in January 2016.

“Academic appointments at the Smithsonian afford the opportunity for learning, study and research through our unparalleled collections, experts and facilities,” says Eric Woodard, director of Fellowships and Internships in Waldner’s acceptance letter. “In accepting this appointment (students) are exposed to new ideas… have a chance to get outside (their) comfort zone, explore, discover and share what (they) learn.”

Waldner applied for the opportunity through the Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program in January 2016. She was excited to find out in the fall that funding came through and she’d be able to attend in spring 2017.

“I’m always looking for things to do, especially travel opportunities,” explains Waldner. “I want to explore different areas outside of performance to help figure out what I want to do in the future. I know I love music and want to work in a field that involves music so this internship is a way to explore my options.”

As part of the internship, Waldner will work on the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 2016-2017 concert season and Jazz Appreciation Month. She’ll be involved in repertoire selection, content research, concert planning, musician organization and concert production. She’ll also get experience in audience development, communication and outreach tools for local and national audiences.

“I’m interested in music research and have been working as a research assistant with Dr. Paul Sanden,” shares Waldner. Because of this, she’s very excited to get there and work in the archives.

“I’ll be working on exhibits and displays for Jazz Appreciation month, and it’s Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial. They have everything! They have her baseball collection – not that it has anything to do with jazz,” laughs Waldner.

Waldner will spend 9.5 weeks in DC with the internship beginning on Feb 8.

“I get to stay and perform in our big opera production, then leave two days later,” says Waldner. “I’m just excited to learn things and not be graded or worried about marks – learning because I’m just curious.”

Waldner is a student of Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, and was featured last year as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and appears Feb 3 and 4 in The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan, in collaboration with the Lethbridge Symphony.

Britain and Britten share the stage

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 22:14:45 +0000

It’s a British invasion of operatic proportions!

With a nod to both British opera and British composer, Benjamin Britten, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Opera Workshop presents a sparkling sampler of engaging English opera Nov. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. nightly in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

The Opera Workshop offers a unique evening of entertainment.

“This year is Britten’s death centenary and a good opportunity to celebrate his influence and brilliance as one of Britain’s most famous contemporary composers,” says Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, Opera Workshop conductor. “Britten’s works are complex, dramatic and challenging. Our program reflects some of his great compositions and is a good introduction to his repertoire for both audiences and our student ensemble.”

The talented cast of the U of L’s Opera Workshop present scenes from Britten’s Billy Budd, The Rape of Lucretia, Peter Grimes and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

As well, the evening’s offerings include repertoire by British composers, Henry Purcel, and Gilbert and Sullivan.

“We are also performing a sampling of George Frideric Handel’s Julius Cesar and Rodelinda,” Hendsbee adds. “Although Handel was Italian, his operas were wildly popular in England.”

The program finale is a sneak preview of Opera Workshop’s upcoming fully staged production of The Marriage of Figaro.

“Audiences can whet their appetite for our spring production,” says Hendsbee. “It’s a night that has something for everyone!”

Tickets for Opera Workshop’s performances of The Best of Britten and Britain are available at the U of L Box Office (Open Monday to Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., or by calling 403-329-2616). Tickets are priced at $20 regular, $15 seniors/alumni and $12 students.

Tickets are also available online uleth.ca/tickets.

Vocal program draws talented singers

trevor.kenney — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:44:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Recital Hall is bursting with song this week as 43 talented young singers from across Western Canada take part in the 4th annual Southern Alberta Vocal Experience (SAVE), Aug. 12-18.

The SAVE vocal program offers talented young singers, aged 13 to 20, the opportunity to study and perform in close collaboration with established artists, teachers and vocal coaches. In addition to preparing musical excerpts, students participate in a daily regimen that includes choir, creative movement, private lessons and master classes, allowing them to develop vocal skills in a comprehensive program of studies.

Directed by Joanne Collier, the teaching staff includes U of L Faculty members Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, Dr. Sandra Stringer, Dr. Deanna Oye and Carolyn Herrington; U of L alumni McKade Hogg, Nicole Higginson-Swen, Acacia Doktorchik and Audrina Steciw; and guest artists David Shefsiek (managing director of Alberta Theatre Projects), Suzy Smith (Toronto-based vocal coach) and Winston Noren of Calgary's Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. They are joined by accompanists Gregory Knight, Elinor Lawson, Joel Goodfellow and Jesse Plessis and undergraduate student assistant Jana Holesworth.

The week of activity culminates in a pair of public performances, beginning with a Friday, Aug. 17 concert (7:30 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall) where SAVE singers will be presenting solos from the art song and concert repertoire, accompanied by piano. The program will open and close with a choral selection learned during the week. Admission for this performance is by donation at the door.

The final gala concert, One Enchanted Evening, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m., also in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall. Audience members will be treated to songs and tales from the lands of fairies and all things enchanting, including theatre classics from shows such as Brigadoon, Camelot and Cinderella, along with more recent selections from Into the Woods, The Secret Garden and Spamalot.

"All of the music has been chosen for its beautiful melodies, musical merit and ability to showcase each singer to the best of their ability," says artistic director Joanne Collier. "At the same time audiences will be treated to an array of musical maids and men, heroes, fools and villains."

Tickets are $10 each and available at the door.

Those interested in the SAVE program can contact the U of L Music Conservatory for more information: 403-329-2304.

Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:18:01 +0000

Thinking back, Emma Parkinson (BMus '08), up-and-coming mezzo-soprano with Opera de Montréal, remembers growing up in a household filled with music.

"My dad (Brian Parkinson) is a drama professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and my mom is an elementary school teacher. My older sister and I grew up playing piano, taking dance lessons and putting on little plays for our family. I loved it, the performing, the singing, the dancing, all of it really," recalls Parkinson. "My parents always had music of all different genres going on in the house, but I actually hated opera when I was growing up. It was the one type of music that would make me run out of the room."

Emma Parkinson followed her father, drama professor Brian Parkinson, to the U of L.

Parkinson spent her high school years singing with the LCI Chamber and Jazz choirs. During her last year of school, the choir went to Europe, singing its way through the south of France, Italy and Austria, an experience she describes as fantastic. After graduation, she enrolled in music at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, but remained unsure if she would enjoy studying solo voice until a summer workshop at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia turned her aversion of opera into a passion.

"It was a one week workshop filled with people of all ages, many of whom were more advanced singers. My eyes were opened seeing all these different pieces of opera coming to life. It was at that point that I realized opera was such a perfect combination of theatre and music," she says. "It just sort of came together for me and I remember thinking, 'wow, I really want to do that. I need to do that'!"

With this newfound passion, Parkinson continued her musical journey as a voice student at the U of L, working under the direction of well-known tenor and music professor Blaine Hendsbee. Hendsbee turned out to be the perfect mentor for Parkinson, balancing high expectations with great support.

"I had taken a couple of voice lessons with Blaine before I auditioned for studio at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, so when I found out that he selected me for studio I was really happy. He is my mentor forever and always. He is so passionate about opera; he really inspired me to stretch and grow, and he helped me come out of my shell and find my voice as a soloist. He has a professional quality and is very encouraging but still firm. He demands a very high standard, which is exactly what you need when you are pursuing any sort of art form," says Parkinson, who made the most of her time as an undergrad, participating in several music and drama co-productions and singing with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Singers.

"Because the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has a smaller program in terms of numbers, I was able to grow and blossom as an individual. I received opportunities that a larger school wouldn't provide, which put me at an advantage when I started my graduate studies. I got my first role in the U of L's production of Mikado. My dad was the director; I felt very privileged to work with him. He was very professional and it was nice to watch him work," says Parkinson. "I remember the first time performing Mikado on stage; I was ecstatic because we had these incredible costumes and an orchestra and I loved the overdramatic, evil-witch character I got to play. We had worked so hard to get to opening night that I wanted to go out there to have fun and entertain. I felt over the moon when the curtain dropped!"

Parkinson, singing Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen from the Banff Centre Opera as Theatre Program in 2009. Photo by Donald Lee

It is a feeling that has stayed with her throughout her busy musical career. Parkinson graduated from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with a BMus in 2008. She earned her master's of music in opera performance in 2010 from McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, during which time she starred in multiple operas and oratorio concerts. After her master's she auditioned for a two-year young artist training program, Atelier Lyrique of Opera de Montréal, one of only four such training programs available in Canada. She will complete the program with them in June. This summer she is excited to fulfill her first international professional contract in Berlin, where she will spend two months playing Mercedes in a new production of Carmen.

"The marriage of music and theatre is like nothing else and I really love it. I feel so lucky to spend my day working on beautiful music, singing beautiful music and performing it. At the end of the day, I can't imagine working on anything else."

GET THE FACTS

Parkinson has performed as a soloist or character role in more than 25 productions

In December 2011, she participated in a 14-day concert tour of China, singing with the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra

In 2011, she was awarded the Prix Jeune Espoir Lyrique Canadien, as well as the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Laureate honours

This year, she is preparing for roles as a soloist in Rossini et Ses Muses (with Atelier Lyrique), and Siebel in Faust (with Opera de Montréal)

This story first appeared in the March 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

trevor.kenney — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:53:15 +0000

Thinking back, Emma Parkinson (BMus '08), up-and-coming mezzo-soprano with Opera de Montréal, remembers growing up in a household filled with music.

Emma Parkinson followed her father, drama professor Brian Parkinson, to the U of L.

Parkinson, singing Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen from the Banff Centre Opera as Theatre Program in 2009. Photo by Donald Lee

GET THE FACTS

This story first appeared in the March 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Hendsbee embodies spirit

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:07:38 +0000

It didn't take long for Blaine Hendsbee to see something special in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Similarly, when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was looking to introduce operatic performance to its undergraduate student body, Hendsbee was a particularly perfect fit for the role.

"When I first came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ I was primarily an opera singer and I had a small private voice studio in New York City," says Hendsbee. "The job was looking for someone who had a strong interest in operatic voice performance and someone who was eager to develop an undergraduate voice operatic workshop."

Faculty of Fine Arts faculty member Blaine Hendsbee is a wonderful example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its faculty have matured over the past 45 years.

Hendsbee was that eager body, having gained an appreciation for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the Faculty of Fine Arts from a guest performance he'd made previously.

"I was giving a solo recital in Lethbridge about 12 years ago and I was immediately struck by the spirit and energy of both the students and faculty, as well as the incredible facilities," he says.

Hendsbee is a wonderful example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its faculty have grown over the past 45 years, with instructors that push research boundaries, are active in their field of study and who put great value in the undergraduate student experience.

"Working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has enabled me to combine all facets of what I love about singing and performing and teaching, all in one wonderful package," says Hendsbee. "I am able to still perform as an operatic solo performer as well as share that gift and love of operatic singing with a wonderful new generation of singers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

In fact, it was that particular aspect of his position, creating a new operatic culture on campus, which peaked his interest in the job.

"That I could bring forward my professional experiences in operatic performance to help open doors and opportunities for young singers who wanted to explore the genre was very appealing," he says.

He has helped nurture the artistic scene throughout southern Alberta and is thrilled to bring a new initiative to Lethbridge audiences this spring with Mozart's The Magic Flute.

"It's an exciting new collaboration with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Glenn Klassen," says Hendsbee of the Feb. 3-4 performances. "It's an incredible opportunity and exciting new venture for both the symphony and the U of L Opera Workshop as we'll be bringing this partnership to the wider community of Lethbridge to enjoy."

Hendsbee's active research centres on solo creative performance with a focus on English language repertoire. On Saturday, Jan. 14, he headlines the Faculty Artists and Friends Series when he presents Blaine Hendsbee & Friends at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

Ask him what his most memorable moment at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is and it has nothing to do with his own performances, but rather the growth of his students.

"I remember sitting at a performance of The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, and it was the final curtain call," he says. "The students were all coming out to take their bows before a wonderfully appreciative audience, and to see the radiant joy on their faces as they accepted this show of gratitude from the audience was wonderful. This was a culmination of so many hours of work, and to see how happy they were from that experience was something I'll always remember."

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

All in the Family opens Friday

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:33:37 +0000

It's a glitzy night of gowns, tuxedos, magnificent melodies and sparkling solos as Opera Workshop comes together for All in the Family, two nights of memorable operatic performances, Nov. 4-5, at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

All in the Family unites the vocal talents of Opera Workshop students with an engaging program of repertoire that focuses on family.

"Each scene features at least one familial relationship, be that brother and sister, mother and son, father and son, newlyweds or even chosenfamily, such as close friends," says Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, director. "We are staging scenes from well-known operas including Hansel and Gretel, The Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, the Pirates of Penzance and the Gondoliers, to name a few. With such a wonderful group of singers, including many new voices to Opera Workshop, the energy will radiate off the stage. Our singers bring such an incredible sense of vocal athleticism, polish and refinement to their scenes."

Tickets are $15 regular, $10 seniors/students and are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office.

Expect anything but a Little Solemn Mass

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:08:19 +0000

Petite Messe Solonnelle translates as Little Solemn Mass.

"However, it's not little and it's not solemn!," says Dr. Janet Youngdahl, Faculty Artists and Friends Series
co-coordinator.
"Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle is actually huge and bombastic. Written in 1863, this was Rossini's last major composition and it contains a lot of wit and humour not found in the usual style of religious music of the time."

Audiences can hear for themselves as an ensemble of music faculty, students and alumni come together to perform Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.

Written for 12 voices and piano, Youngdahl says the ensemble is performing the piece in the setting for which it was intended.

"The Petite Messe Solennelle is a curious cross between opera and sacred music. It was not written to be performed in the church. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall is the perfect venue for this piece."

In addition to Youngdahl (soprano), Dr. Blaine Hendsbee (tenor) and Dr. Sandra Stringer (mezzo-soprano), both from the U of L's music department are also performing. Joining them are Professor Emeritus Dr. George Evelyn (bass-baritone), alumni Kade Hogg (tenor) and Audrina Steciw (soprano), as well as a selection of talented senior students. Audiences will also be introduced to the newest music faculty member, pianist, Dr. Carolyn Herrington.

Co-coordinator Nick Sullivan emphasizes that this is a rare opportunity for audiences to see this work performed live. He adds that audiences of the Faculty Artists and Friends Series can look forward to an entire season of unique and extraordinary music.

"Our programs are built on pieces not often heard. Rossini Petite Messe Solonnelle is one of those rare live performances you can't miss. From the New Orford String Quartet on Dec. 3, to Blaine Hendsbee on Jan. 14 and Piano PIANISSIMO on Mar. 17, the series presents a lineup of unique repertoire, performed by our talented faculty and exceptional guest artists," says Sullivan.

For tickets to Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle, visit the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., or call 403-329-2616. Individual tickets are $15 regular, $10 seniors/students.

Trailblazing master's graduate has music in her soul

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:48:24 +0000

Growing up in rural Alberta, opera singer Acacia Doktorchik (BMus '09 distinction, MMus '11), always sang to the tune of a different song.

While most of her friends dedicated their time to stickhandling at the hockey rink or roping calves and barrel racing in the rodeo arena, Doktorchik spent countless hours perfecting her skills on the piano and developing her singing voice. Her passion for music, which led her to become the first student to graduate with a Master of Music from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, is soul-deep.

"I grew up in a very musical home, but when I thought about going into medicine after high school, I couldn't imagine music not being a part of my life," says Doktorchik, who hails from Drumheller. "My mom suggested that if I went into medicine, I could always teach voice or piano on the side if I wanted to. I thought about that for a few days, and it was just so depressing. I knew then that music would have to play a much bigger role in my life."

Acacia Doktorchik is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's first Master of Music graduate.

With the support of her parents and the encouragement of her voice teacher, Calgary Opera singer Shelley Fullerton, Doktorchik enrolled in a Bachelor of Music program in vocal performance at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2005. She took full advantage of the musical opportunities at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for both her piano and vocal skills.

"I thought about doing a double major in voice and piano, but with the performance criteria I just didn't have time. I didn't want to lose my piano skills, however, so I played for a lot of auditions the first couple of years. Although I wasn't really much of a choir person, I started singing in Vox Musica during my first year. It was so fun and so rewarding; it really changed my view of choir," recalls Doktorchik, who later joined the Women's Chorus and U of L Singers.

"In my second year I became a member of the U of L Opera Workshop with Dr. Blaine Hendsbee. It was my first experience performing in an opera. It was fantastic and I became really interested in opera. It is so dramatic and challenging and filled with emotion. It is so real in the most human way. I want to continue singing and performing it as long as I can."

Before her graduation in 2009, Hendsbee approached Doktorchik and told her about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's new Master of Music program, suggesting she apply.

"I was going to take a year off after my undergrad and I am so glad I didn't. I was the only person in the program that first year and the faculty were still working out exactly how it would run. They told me that they wanted me to write a thesis and I thought it was a fantastic idea. The U of L program has such a great balance between ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and performance, whereas most of the other programs I have heard about seem to focus on only one or the other," says Doktorchik. "Although it was busy and stressful at times, I was able to do so much and gained so much experience. I wrote my first thesis and had at least another 20- or 30-page paper due each semester. I performed in two operas and assisted with a third, had diction classes and language classes and was given the opportunity to teach and to conduct a choir. Being the first student to graduate from the program feels really wonderful. I was so lucky to work with such high calibre musicians and faculty and it is very rewarding to know that I had a part in shaping this program."

Throughout her master's studies, Doktorchik taught voice and piano through both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's and Medicine Hat College's Conservatories of Music. After completing her master's requirements this fall, she moved to Medicine Hat and began teaching voice, piano and theory full-time for the conservatory. Doktorchik returns to Lethbridge Oct. 15 to convocate at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for the second time.

"I have been given the opportunity to sing Oh Canada at previous U of L convocations, but this year they have asked me to read the invocation. Looking at it now, I realize how important these words are. The invocation says everything I want to say," says Doktorchik. "I am truly grateful for the faculty and for my parents, friends and family that have supported me on my journey."

· Doktorchik has performed in five operas, including lead roles in Menotti's The Telephone (Lucy), Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites (Constance) and Von Suppe's Ten Belles With No Ring (Sidonia).

· She performed as a soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah and Bach's Magnificat with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra.

· She is also an accomplished pianist, cellist, and Celtic and Highland Dancer.

· She has trained with the Cowtown Opera Summer Academy and the Southern Alberta Vocal Academy.

· Among her opportunities to sing Oh Canada, she has opened Lethbridge Bulls games.

UNews - Blaine Hendsbee

Abbondànza promises an evening like no other

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