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Classical artists reach out to CSUCI students

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Contributed by: Lisa Marie Ricapito on 10/18/2007

Most artists forget their beginnings once they hit the big time. Erica Strauss and Jerome Tan are the exception. The soprano and pianist recently returned to their college roots, spending time in Camarillo as part of a week-long residency at Cal State Channel Islands.

Strauss, a recent alumna of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, made her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as the Priestess in "Aida." She has starred in many popular operas throughout New York and Chicago, most notably in "Die Zauberflöte" and "Carmen."

Jerome Tan came to the United States from Singapore on a music scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Music and Master's Degrees in Solo Piano performance and Ensemble Arts. Over the past few years he has played at several famous venues such as Carnegie Hall.

The duo's residency involved visits to performing arts classes, as well as a workshop aimed at aspiring singers and accompanists. They also took part in a Q&A session with the Cal State Channel Islands Choir.

During the choir Q&A session Strauss and Tan discussed their careers and performing in general, while demonstrating the value of openness and humility. "We never come to a point where we don't want to learn, and that we know it all," said Tan in response to a question from a student about their music education. The duo shared their knowledge with the class, highlighting the importance of education and being open to possibilities while learning.

Erica reminisced about her years growing up in New York. Like many hopeful Big Apple performers, she had dreams of being on Broadway. Encouraged by her voice teacher, she instead pursued a career in opera. She was open to the challenge and has been enthusiastic about opera ever since.

Jerome's beginnings are also easy for students to relate to. He happily participated in the church band and choir as a youth. "I joined the choir even when others considered it unhip to do so," said Tan with a grin, assuring choir members that they were in the right place if they had any doubts.

Tan initially had groomed himself to be a concert pianist, but like Strauss he experienced a shift in focus. He was transformed one night at a performance of Francis Poulenc's "Fiancailles pour rire" - a song cycle for voice and piano. From then on, it seemed natural for him to be a piano accompanist. He feels being an accompanist is a rewarding challenge. "You have to have love for the voice and passion for the repertoire, your ears have to be trained in such a way that you can tell when a singer is out of breath...letting the singer know they can trust you to be there."

Among the tips given at the choir lecture is a classic piece of advice useful to all types of performers: practice. "Practice in front of the mirror, how you look and stand. Practice getting nervous and how your adrenaline gets a hold of you. You'll find with each try everything gets easier," Tan said.

Of course, practice can't always make perfect. Stage bloopers happen to everyone. "When you mess up on stage, own it as much as possible," Erica said. "Act like it's part of the act and move on."

Passion always plays a big role in successful presentation. "This is a life for people who can't imagine doing anything else," Tan emphasizes. It's especially important to give it your best always, especially during an audition. "Don't think of it as an audition, think of it as a performance. If you treat it as an audition, people will feel like there is heart missing."

Nothing was missing from Strauss and Tan's CSUCI campus recital on October 10th, as they continued their lessons through their music rather than words. Their concert was as full of heart as performances can be. Strauss was never out of breath as her vibrant and powerful voice carried throughout the campus. Tan was focused and expressionistic as he lost himself in his piano playing.

This residency proved to be an exciting opportunity for those involved in the university's Performing Arts program. The supportive attitudes of Erica and Jerome were a perfect fit for Cal State Channel Islands, a school that prides itself on giving students the attention they deserve.

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Lisa Marie Ricapito

, CA

Lisa Marie Ricapito has posted 9 stories and 0 comments since joining on 10/4/2007. Lisa Marie Ricapito 's average story rating is 5.

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