NSU Student Accepted for Prestigious Opera Institute
Released May 7, 2010
(Aberdeen, S.D.) Northern State University student Michelle Monroe, Pierre, has been accepted to the Johanna Meier Opera Theatre Institute for this summer. The institute will be held on the campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish in June, and is part of the Black Hills Summer Institute of Arts. The institute was created by Johanna Meier in 1997 who grew up in Spearfish and made her debut with the New York City Opera and went on to a major international career as a member of the Metropolitan Opera for fifteen years, achieving recognition as one of the foremost Wagnerian sopranos of her era.
Michelle is the daughter of Jeff and Debbie Monroe of Pierre, and is majoring in music education at NSU. She was encouraged submit a taped audition for the institute by Dr. Darci Bultema assistant professor of applied voice, music appreciation and opera at NSU, who compares the similarity in Michelle’s personality and vocal skills as “effervescent and lovely, embodied with warmth and sweetness.”
“Michelle has always had a naturally pretty voice, and for someone who formally began singing as a college freshman, it has been amazing to see her transformation into the fine singer she is today,” said Bultema. “Her work ethic, intelligence, positive personality, combined with talent made her progress quite quickly in the studio. I am very proud of her, and I look forward to seeing her further growth through her participation at the Johanna Meier Opera Theatre Institute. The opera world can be quite competitive, and it is indeed a great honor for Michelle to be chosen for this program.”
According to information obtained from the Johanna Meier Opera Theatre Institute Web site, the two week program offers concentrated study in a supportive environment, with intensive individual attention offered by the faculty. Participants will work in an ensemble atmosphere where the camaraderie develops an important understanding of future rapport with colleagues, coaches and those in charge of opera production. It is designed to help students prepare for a professional career by offering courses in body movement, stage presence, diction and interpretation and the business of music with staged performances, recitals and master classes.
Michelle is currently a junior and NSU. She has appeared on stage as a cast member in “The Light in the Piazza" and "Miss Saigon.” She is a member of the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Also an accomplished musician, Michelle plays the French horn for the symphonic band, orchestra, brass quintet, brass choir and was a member of the pit orchestra for the NSU productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Three Musketeers,” and “Eurydice.” She hopes to attend graduate school for vocal pedagogy once she completes her studies at NSU.
“I will teach someday, but if I get the opportunity to perform I would totally love it,” said Michelle.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a premier residential, liberal arts institution characterized by outstanding instruction, extraordinary community relations, and unparalleled co-curricular opportunities. In August of 2009 NSU was again named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best undergraduate public institutions in the Midwest. For more information about NSU, visit our Web site at www.northern.edu.