大象传媒

Adrienne Collins admits that as a young girl, her only interest was music and singing, and her mother who homeschooled her had a difficult time keeping her daughter focused on other subjects. That love of singing has continued into her college years, where Adrienne, a music/vocal performance major, is making a name for herself across the country.

In January, she and fellow music student Kyle Mink garnered second place at the National Opera Association鈥檚 collegiate opera scene competition. And in February, she and Kyle earned third place in each of their age divisions at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in Olathe, Kan. In February, 2011, as a freshman, Adrienne earned first place in that competition.

Adrienne also advanced to the second round in a competition (the second round will be held this month) sponsored by Classical Singer magazine.

Adrienne isn鈥檛 sure where her talent will take her after she graduates, but those who have heard her sing have suggested that she try out for the Metropolitan Opera or Broadway musicals. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 come here knowing what I wanted to do (for a career), I just knew I loved music. It鈥檚 fun considering all these different things,鈥� she says.

In her opera class in the spring of 2010, Adrienne and Kyle had performed a scene from 鈥淭he Telephone,鈥� by Gian Carlo Menotti, and Dr. Susan Carter, director of vocal studies and opera workshop director, sent a tape of it to the 2011 National Opera Association鈥檚 competition. Susan estimated 50 universities submitted pieces, and some submitted more than one. Adrienne and Kyle were named one of five finalists who were selected to perform at the national conference in Memphis, Tenn., in January. The other four finalists included students from University of Montevallo, Sam Houston University, University of Colorado-Boulder, and Brigham Young University, which took first place.

鈥淲e felt so honored to be in the finals; we were up against some pretty distinguished universities,鈥� Adrienne said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great for 大象传媒 Western. I hope this is just a start.鈥�

The students were also given the opportunity to attend workshops at the conference, and Adrienne said they were very helpful. Along with Adrienne and Kyle, freshman Donovan Jones attended the conference and provided accompaniment on the piano for Adrienne and Kyle鈥檚 performance. (Donovan earned first place in his division at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in February.)

Adrienne鈥檚 mother, a voice, piano and guitar teacher, served as Adrienne鈥檚 voice coach when she was growing up. As a member of the Christian Youth Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., in high school, Adrienne had roles of Marian Paroo in 鈥淢usic Man,鈥� and Snow White. The week Adrienne turned 17, she starred as Dorothy in St. Joseph鈥檚 Robidoux Resident Theatre鈥檚 鈥淲izard of Oz.鈥�

 

Dorothy, she said, was a 鈥渄ream role,鈥� but since she鈥檚 been introduced to opera at 大象传媒 Western, Adrienne said she now has a lot of dream roles in mind.

She also directed scenes from 鈥淕odspell鈥� and wrote two scripts for musicals for her church鈥檚 youth group, including a murder mystery and a musical revue through the decades, 鈥淐ome Sail Away.鈥�

When Adrienne was a high school senior, she began taking voice, piano and choir classes at 大象传媒 Western. 鈥淪he had already done so much,鈥� said Susan, who joined Western when Adrienne was a freshman. 鈥淚 knew the potential was there.鈥�

In the spring of 2011, Adrienne had the lead of Christine in 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 musical theatre鈥檚 production of 鈥淧hantom.鈥� 鈥淚t was very enjoyable, I love being on stage,鈥� Adrienne said. She said Christine was a demanding role, but Susan taught her how to preserve her voice throughout rehearsals and performances.

Adrienne also played Marie in a children鈥檚 comic opera on campus last fall. 鈥淓ven though it was written for kids, the score was one of the most difficult I鈥檝e done,鈥� she said.

Snow White, Dorothy, Marian, Christine, Marie; what鈥檚 next for Adrienne? 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 just love music and I love being on stage.鈥�

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