World-renowned opera singer Carol Vaness will be featured as PCC’s First Annual Pamela L. Girard Guest Artist from May 6-9. The internationally acclaimed soprano will lead a Master Class Series in which students will be given the opportunity to work with Vaness in both private and public settings.
Former PCC student and music enthusiast Pamela L. Girard, who died in 2008 after struggling with cancer, funded the Master Class Series. Grateful for the education she had received at PCC, Girard gifted an endowment of $100,000.
“It’s amazing to have someone like [Vaness] come and work with community college students,” Professor of Opera Anne Marie Ketchum said. Ketchum said though it is common for accomplished performers to lead master classes at music conservatories and distinguished universities, it is very unusual to have someone of Vaness’ prestige at a community college.
Vaness will be privately coaching individual students chosen by audition on May 6.
“These are [students] who are serious about what they are trying to accomplish and they will be extremely well prepared before they even go in to work with Vaness,” said Ketchum.
Also on May 6, an Opera Scenes Workshop will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. in room 102 in the K Building. Vaness will be coaching students on a few scenes from the second act of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” which will be presented on May 9 at 8 p.m. in Harbeson Hall.
The PCC Opera Workshop will perform on Saturday, May 9 under the direction of Vaness at 8 p.m. in Harbeson Hall. In addition, Vaness will be singing one of her most famous arias, “Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’s opera “Tosca.” Vaness sang this aria opposite tenor Luciano Pavarotti in his last operatic career performance.
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