Franklin School for the Performing Arts Presents Night of Opera Scenes 4/29

Students of the Music Department at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will present A Night of Opera Scenes on Friday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be held in the FSPA Recital Hall, 38 Main Street and admission is free.

The selected opera scenes will feature students from the FSPA Voice Program performing excerpts from The Magic Flute by Mozart, Candide by Leonard Bernstein, Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado, Gondoliers and HMS Pinafore; Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann and Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.

FSPA's Voice Program is under the direction of Hallie Wetzell and includes faculty members Leah Hungerford, Shauna Martin, Mariko Matsumura and Edwin Milham. The curriculum begins young singers in group classes that progress from basic vocal skills through sight-reading, singing in parts and perfecting technique, until students are prepared for private lessons as teenagers.

Students performing in A Night of Opera Scenes include Meghan Dean, Patrick Dutton, Ali Funkhouser, Galen Hancock, Melissa Mandia and Abby Miklas of Franklin; Michael Egan and Lexi Hassan of Hopkinton; Samantha Vita and Lindsey White of Mansfield; Alison Mandell of Medfield; Emily Peduto and Julie Wiles of Medway; Katie Ryan of Milville; Emily Harrington and Samantha Millette of Norfolk; Jef Mettler of Westborough; Emily Brady of Weston; and Corrine Falotico and Lindsay Tomas of Wrentham.

Many graduates of the FSPA Voice Program have gone on to conservatory programs and careers in opera and musical theater. Among these alumni is Lauren Kelleher, FSPA Class of '09, attending Oberlin College on a talent scholarship, who will sing the role of Gianetta in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore to be performed in Arezzo, Italy this summer as part of Oberlin's Oberlin-in-Italy program.

"Lauren Kelleher's achievement in being cast as a sophomore in the Oberlin-in-Italy program is testament to the fabulous training our students receive in the voice program at FSPA. Her preparedness for the rigorous voice program at Oberlin College allowed for this tremendous opportunity," states Hallie Wetzell, FSPA Vocal Director. "We are very proud of her accomplishment!"

Founded in 1985, FSPA brings all performing arts disciplines together under one roof, offering Music, Dance and Drama training to both students interested in serious study and those who enjoy the arts for recreation. Beginners are welcome, and classes are available for students who wish to begin or return to the performing arts as teenagers.

For more information regarding any of FSPA's programs or to register, call the School at (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.

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