This preview has been provided by Karen Dear.
If you are a lover of opera and theatre you won’t want to miss this performance. Karen Dear announces her professional debut at Progress Energy Center’s Fletcher Opera Theatre on August 27, 2011 at 7 p.m. “Karen Dear & Friends, A Night in Opera & Sacred Classical,” accompanied by David Heid, led by Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Thomas Keefe will not disappoint. From vocals and acting to staging and lighting, Ms. Dear ‘s presentation will keep you engaged .
Karen has sung in productions with North Carolina Opera and in a recital performance with Triangle Opera Studios. She also performed as Sister Berthe in the 2009 production of NC Theatre’s Sound of Music where acclaimed Broadway director and choreographer, Richard Stafford writes:
“I had the great pleasure of recently directing Karen in the Sound of Music at North Carolina Theatre. She was a wonderful, funny, tuneful Sister Berthe. She has a great deal of talent and the artistry to portray many different roles. I very much hope to work with her again in the future.”
Her vocal coach and accompanist, David Heid comes to North Carolina after a successful career in New York City. As a composer, arranger and conductor he made his Lincoln Center debut in Alice Tully Hall in 1994. His coaching clients include past Grammy and Tony Award winners. He is currently on the music staff at Duke University teaching piano and residing as staff accompanist. He has worked with many of the area’s leading organizations including Durham Choral Society, The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, The Fletcher Foundation, Opera Company of North Carolina, Theater in the Park, Thompson Theater Summerfest and Long Leaf Opera. He was previously on staff of the renowned Juilliard School in New York City.
Karen has her Voice Performance degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, where she attended on scholarship and won the music award. She studied with Dr. Tamara Fudge. Dr. Fudge obtained her master’s degree from Indiana University where she studied with American Baritone Walter Cassel, then received her doctorate from Florida State University. Ms. Dear has a wide range of musical experience from roles in musical theatre, choral conducting, song writing, church soloist & flutist. Performing as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls to singing her original composition “He’s Everything” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California to playing her flute in an orchestra for a performance at Meymandi Concert Hall. She also has written a performance of original prose following traditional Methodist hymns such as, “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” “In the Garden,” “Softly and Tenderly,” “Are Ye Able” and the traditional Appalachian song, “Down to the River,” expressing an intimate spiritual journey which she performed at First United Methodist Church in Cary and also to the Glenaire Retirement community. She was accompanied on guitar by Francine Martin.
During the past 2 years Karen has sought vocal instruction from 4 local opera teachers. In seeking such a wide range of guidance, she has been intent on discovering what it truly means to sing opera, striving to learn the most faithful interpretations of Verdi , Mozart and Floyd while holding true to the classical tradition and art of singing bel canto. As a spinto soprano, she will be performing semi-staged scenes as The Countess from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Desdemona from Verdi’s Otello, Amelia from Verdi’s Un Ballo In Maschera, and Susannah from Floyd’s Susannah. She is thrilled to be joined by soprano Sara Womble & mezzo soprano Emily Haas. They will play a role in the aforementioned scenes. She will also welcome Ms. Patricia Cook, singing in duet Mendelssohn’s “Thy Secret Place.” Ms. Cook has her music degree from University of North Carolina, Greensboro and is currently Director of Children’s Music at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina. Other sacred songs to be performed include traditional spirituals such as “Give Me Jesus,” “Aint’a that Good News” as well as the traditional hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.”
Ms. Dear is hoping to gain support from her community and surrounding areas who will come and be a part of this effort. In creating her own opportunity she hopes to encourage other local artists to do the same. She is grateful to all whom have guided her in this most remarkable journey.
