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Reginald Smith Jr., a UK sophomore vocal performance
and music education major, is from Atlanta, Ga., and
was a Schmidt Competition winner.
Since 1995, UK has produced 15 district level winners of the prestigious l\/letropolitan Opera
National Council Auditions, four regional winners, and one national winner tenor Gregory
Turay '96, who has performed 1O consecutive seasons with the l\/letropolitan Opera.
By Robin Roenker
hen Daytona Beach, Ela., native With Lugo’s guidance, LaD ouceur gram just unveiled a new, state-of-the-art
]ulie LaDouceur came to the Uni- shone last semester in lead roles as Ann 1,500-square-foot rehearsal hall, and
versity of Kentucky in fall 2008 to pursue Rutledge —believed by some historians you’ll see those very words posted right
a master’s degree in voice, she knew how to be Abraham Lincoln’s first love — on the door.
to sing. But she hadn’t yet found her voice and Lincoln’s sister, Sarah, in UK’s world But as the curtain fell on (River q[Yirne”
— or at least the best way to use it. premiere production ofthe opera (River in October, ]oan Rue, UK Opera Theatre
That knowledge has come quickly, of Tirne,” which tells of Lincoln’s coming program coordinator, remembers turning
though, since LaDouceur joined UK’s of age. to McCorvey and saying, “Maybe we need
Opera Theatre Program and began train- But LaDouceur’s story isn’t unique. another goal. 1 think we’re there n0w.”
ing with Professor Noemi Lugo. Helping students find their voice is what
“She has been the best voice teacher UK’s Opera Program is all about.
match for me that 1’ve ever had,” said Ever since Everett McCorvey joined By many measures, the UK Opera Pro-
LaDouceur, who received her undergrad- the UK faculty in 1991 and took over gram has indeed already established itself
uate degree in voice from Stetson Uni- the opera program in 1996, the program as one ofthe country’s best.
versity. “She actually helped me discover has worked toward a single goal: Becorn- Consider UK students) success at the
my voice. Before 1 came here, 1 knew ing the éestyoung artist vocal training prestigious Metropolitan Opera National
vocal technique. 1 knew how to sing, but prograrn in Arnerica. Council Auditions, viewed as the premier
1 didn’t really know what worked best Walk into the Schmidt Vocal Arts Cen- competition of young opera talent in the
for me.” ter on Rose Street, where the opera pro- country. Since 1995, UK has produced 15
1 2 Spring 2010