SHANNON URTNOWSKI
A&E Assistant
Wismann was the first-place winner at the National Opera Association’s (NOA) vocal competition Jan. 7 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
When Wismann found out she was the first-place winner, she could not believe the news.
“When they called my name, I just couldn’t stop smiling. My cheeks even started to hurt, because I just couldn’t stop,” Wismann said.
In addition to the experience, winners are rewarded with prize money and scholarships, Wismann said.
“The first place winner gets a $2000 cash prize and a $1200 scholarship to the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies summer program to Gratz, Austria,” she said. Wismann was thrilled that she was invited to compete.
“I have never been invited to an out-of-state competition, so for me it was quite an adventure and a huge honor,” Wismann said. Wismann was one of only six finalists from across the nation to be invited to participate in the annual competition.
She is Pepperdine’s second student finalist to attend the competition in the past two years. In 2005, Pepperdine’s Kelsie Villahermosa finished as one of the six finalists at the New York competition.
To partake in NOA’s competition, students from across the country enter a professional CD of different operatic selections. A committee in Florida reviews them and picks the six who will compete, Price said.
Henry Price, professor of music and NOA member, said NOA is an “association of opera producing schools, with members from all over the country. It includes all people who love opera and have an excellence in opera and opera education.”
Price coaches and directs Wismann in the operas and during the summer.
“NOA sponsors the competition for budding opera stars,” Price said.
Wismann was encouraged to enter the competition by her voice teacher Kathleen Roland. “I really didn’t think about it too much until the day it was due, and then I decided to enter at the last moment,” Wismann said.
Wismann was pleased with her decision to enter. “I had a wonderful time, and the positive atmosphere really made me feel comfortable when it came my time to sing,” she said.
The competition tested the talents of each finalist. “The judging panel presents a list of selections, and the singer picks a song of their choosing to perform,” Price said. “The panel also asks them to sing one more song.”
Wismann finished the competition with first place in her division. The competition has two divisions one 24 and younger and one for over 24.
One week after her NOA competition success, she won the New West Symphony Discovery Artist Competition.
Freshman Jaime Wilson said Wismann sings very emotional and expressive.
“I’ve only heard her sing once in a concert attendance class, and the character that she played was very convincing,” Wilson said.
“She doesn’t force the notes to come out, she just lets them,” she said.
According to Price, Pepperdine’s music division benefits greatly from the success its students continue to have.
01-19-2006
