Posted on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Dr. Anne Hagan Bentz, ¾¨Ó㴫ý associate professor of music, attended the Classical Singer Convention May 28-30 in New York City.
Bentz attended master classes and performances to enhance her teaching; attended high school students' auditions for potential vocal majors; networked with other professionals concerning summer programs for ¾¨Ó㴫ý students; and distributed information about ¾¨Ó㴫ý.
Competitions at the high school, college, and professional levels provided opportunities for vocalists to gain feedback and experience in performing for judges. Colleges and professional organizations had the opportunity to recruit singers for their programs, opera houses, and performing arts groups.
"Probably the most exciting part of the weekend was watching the quality of the singers at all levels," Bentz said. "It put my own work at ¾¨Ó㴫ý in perspective, gave me new ideas, and reinforced my belief that what we are accomplishing here is on the right track. I hope to take several students with me to compete at future conventions to give them a 'leg up' in the real world of performance."
Bentz, who joined the ¾¨Ó㴫ý faculty in 2001, heads the voice division in the Department of Music and is director of Opera ¾¨Ó㴫ý. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, doctorate from the University of Maryland, and an artist's diploma from the Hochschule fur Musik in Hannover, West Germany.
Contact Bentz at (724) 946-6045 or e-mail bentzah@westminster.edu for additional information.
