Young voices add dimension to DVO

Talented kids get a great opportunity to sing,

perform and learn in summer immersion

By RICHARD A. ROSS

NARROWSBURG, NY — This summer, nine local students have a golden opportunity. All are gifted singers, some of whom are interested in pursuing careers in singing and/or theatre. The group, which includes kids from Delaware Valley High School, Monticello, Honesdale, Eldred and Sullivan West High Schools, is singing with the Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVO) in two productions, “La Perichole” and “Norma.”

Here’s a brief snapshot of each of some of these diamonds in the rough.

Adam Blackman just graduated from Delaware Valley High School. He participated in concert choir, chamber choir, District, Regional, All-State and the All-Eastern choirs. He will be attending Seton Hill University to study music therapy. Blackman is a tenor who notes, “This gives me a chance to sing a different kind of music.” Undaunted by the languages used in operas, Blackman has learned some Russian, Italian, German and Spanish. “I’m meeting so many new and talented people,” he notes.

Morgan Dux is a freshman at Honesdale High School. She is a mezzo-soprano who studies with Carol Diefenbach. Dux has been in choruses in school and in the community and has performed in musical theatre. She sang a Latin piece and a contemporary piece for director Jim Blanton at her audition and is part of the ensemble for both operas this summer. “This is my first opera and the chance to be with such talented and experienced people is wonderful. I aspire to be a singer or an actress one day,” she says.

Marina Lombardi is a sophomore at Monticello High School and no stranger to music, performance or the DVO. Lombardi has been taking voice lessons since age seven and has worked with the DVO since that tender age. Lombardi is a soprano who notes, “Singing is my life and has been for a very long time. I want nothing more than to be on stage to sing, dance and act forever.” She also plays violin and piano.

Juliana D’Abbraccio is also a sophomore at Monticello High School, where she sings in the chorus and the mixed choir. Her voice teacher, David Trombley, told her about this opportunity to sing with the DVO. Able to sing in a variety of languages, D’Abbraccio has drawn on her Italian background. “I would love to make a career out of music as an actress or a singer. I might even become a playwright,” she says. D’Abbraccio plays the viola.

Rob Snyder is a student from Eldred High School who performed in this year’s school’s musical “How to Succeed I Business Without Really Trying.” Snyder is a member of his school’s choir. He hopes to gain experience in singing with the DVO, and is finds the program fun and rewarding.

Kevin Pinkel just graduated from Sullivan West and will be attending Binghamton University in the fall. He has been a member of the school chorus, the All-County Choir, All-County Band and All-State Band. Pinkel looks at the summer program as a chance to gain experience and “just have fun.” Impressed with the talent and liveliness of the company, Pinkel, who plays trombone and piano, sees himself in the future as a composer of different kinds of music.

Lindsey Bauer is a sophomore at Sullivan West who has been playing piano since kindergarten. She is a member of the choir in school and in church and a veteran of productions including “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “The Music Man.” She heard about the audition from her vocal music teacher, Kim Eschenberg, who is also in the ensemble this summer. Bauer hopes to improve her sight-reading and allay her stage nerves. “I see music as a huge part of my life,” she says.

Laura Berger just graduated from Sullivan West and will be attending the Crane School of Music in the fall. An accomplished violinist and singer, Berger is truly one of the area’s most talented musicians and a veteran at All-County, Area All-State, and All-State performances.

The final performance of “Norma” is scheduled for Friday, August 10 at the Tusten Theatre at 7:30 p.m. La Perichole will be performed on Sunday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m.