UNews - opera singer

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.

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 - opera singer

Hendsbee embodies spirit

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Trailblazing master's graduate has music in her soul

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