EOU
soprano to train with Broadway's finest
By Dick
Mason
The La Grande Observer
Published: March 4, 2004
|
|
|
Deborah Winn will travel
to Minneapolis April 14-18 to peform for and be critiqued by
Broadway stars.
|
La Grande -- Eastern Oregon University soprano Debbie
Winn will learn from some of
Broadway's finest next month.
Winn has been selected to participate in three master classes at the
Music Educators National Conference in Minneapolis April 14-18. She
is one of 30 throughout the nation selected -- and the only one from
the Northwest.
Students will perform for and be critiqued by Broadway stars including
Jason Graae, Karen Morrow and Donald Pippin. Students will also perform
for and meet Jerry Herman, the composer of Broadway musicals like
"Mame," "La Cage aux Folles" and "Hello,
Dolly!" The master classes Winn will attend are part of the Jerry
Herman Legacy Series.
Students will be subjected to a high-pressure environment in the master
class, said Keith Koster, coordinator of EOU's music education program.
One reason is that people attending the conference will be able to
sit in and observe the classes. Students thus will be critiqued before
an audience. Koster said that being taught in such a setting helps
one develop a stage presence.
Koster believes that Winn will do well in such a setting.
"She seems to handle pressure well," Koster said.
Koster said that all musicians aspire to have the chance to work under
people like Graae, Morrow and Pippin.
"Musicians are always looking for the opportunity to work for
professional musicians and receive feedback receive from a higher
level," Koster said.
Winn, a music performance major at Eastern, has lived in La Grande
for seven years after moving here from Gaston.
"She is a model student. I really appreciate her attitude and
willingness to take on challenges," Koster said. "She is
a positive presence in the department."
Winn, a junior, is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I'm excited. It should be an interesting experience. I hope
to learn a
lot," Winn said.
