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.

Music at Noon features Krzysztof Biernacki

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:40:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be treated to a free performance by Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki, (baritone, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Northern Florida) and Elinor Lawson (piano) in Tuesday's edition of the Music at Noon series.

Biernacki has established a strong reputation as a versatile artist and very talented teacher. Trained in North America and Europe his professional credits include opera, oratorio, concert, and recital performances on both continents.

Highlights of his operatic engagements include Barber of Seville, La Fanciulla del West, Un Ballo in Maschera, and Der Freischutz with the Vancouver Opera. Other engagements include Carmen and Rigoletto with the Manitoba Opera, Madama Butterfly and La Boheme with Orchestra London Canada, as well as Merry Widow, Don Pasquale, Dido & Aeneas, The Crucible, Cunning Little Vixen, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus, and Gianni Schicchi with various other companies.

Recently he has returned from the Czech Republic where he sang the title role of Eugene Onegin at the City Theaters of Jablonec and Usti and Labem.

Professor Biernacki's commitment to contemporary music is highlighted by world premieres heard on CBC Radio and CBC Saturday Afternoon at the Opera including a highly acclaimed production of Filumena co-produced by the Calgary Opera and Banff Centre for Performing Arts, as well as a newly commissioned work for the Vancouver Opera entitled Naomi's Road.

Respected as a solo recitalist, Professor Biernacki frequently performs song recitals ranging in repertoire from Haydn to Szymanowski, Rihm, and Britten. His concert and oratorio appearances include the Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Okanagan Symphony Orchestras as well as the Vancouver Bach Choir. Professor Biernacki's teaches applied voice and vocal pedagogy.

Music at Noon is a series of free admission events presented by the Faculty of Fine Arts and held regularly at 12:15 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570).

UNews - Calgary Opera

Trailblazing master's graduate has music in her soul

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Music at Noon features Krzysztof Biernacki

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