Conservatory student performs at the Met
Teresa Sheffield
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Culture
Move over, UMKC stage. Ben Gulley's moved onto one of the biggest stages in the world: The Metropolitan Opera.
The 24-year-old tenor beat out hundreds of singers to win the Midwest Division of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the chance to sing at the internationally renowned Metropolitan Opera.
"It was pretty surreal," Gulley said. "But at the same time my teacher and I have been preparing for this for two years."
The Met National Council Auditions are one of the most prestigious vocal competitions in the world. Some of today's most successful singers have competed in it, including Renee Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson and Samuel Ramey.
"The most important thing [about the Met auditions] is if you're a winner, it can bring you the possibility of getting management and gives you exposure for people to hear you," said Vinson Cole, Artist-in-Residence at the Conservatory, and winner of this audition in 1977.
Cole also said the cash prize is another major part of the auditions.
"As singers, we have to do things at the beginning of our careers to sustain ourselves, like waiting and working odd jobs, so going to a competition helps you to pay for living expenses and career necessities like coachings and voice lessons," said Cole.
Gulley is thrilled and proud to have won the Midwest Division of the contest.
"I felt good about singing, I'm glad the judges felt good too," he said. "It was nerve-wracking because they had me sing one song and then go sing the second one after an intermission."
Gulley said he's learned a lot from UMKC. He completed his Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance last spring, and now he is pursuing his performance certificate.
"I completely owe UMKC for all my success. I've met a lot of singers all over the world and they refine you as a musician with theory, ear-training and history."
He has also learned a lot from his voice teacher, Dale Morehouse.
The 24-year-old tenor beat out hundreds of singers to win the Midwest Division of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the chance to sing at the internationally renowned Metropolitan Opera.
"It was pretty surreal," Gulley said. "But at the same time my teacher and I have been preparing for this for two years."
The Met National Council Auditions are one of the most prestigious vocal competitions in the world. Some of today's most successful singers have competed in it, including Renee Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson and Samuel Ramey.
"The most important thing [about the Met auditions] is if you're a winner, it can bring you the possibility of getting management and gives you exposure for people to hear you," said Vinson Cole, Artist-in-Residence at the Conservatory, and winner of this audition in 1977.
Cole also said the cash prize is another major part of the auditions.
"As singers, we have to do things at the beginning of our careers to sustain ourselves, like waiting and working odd jobs, so going to a competition helps you to pay for living expenses and career necessities like coachings and voice lessons," said Cole.
Gulley is thrilled and proud to have won the Midwest Division of the contest.
"I felt good about singing, I'm glad the judges felt good too," he said. "It was nerve-wracking because they had me sing one song and then go sing the second one after an intermission."
Gulley said he's learned a lot from UMKC. He completed his Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance last spring, and now he is pursuing his performance certificate.
"I completely owe UMKC for all my success. I've met a lot of singers all over the world and they refine you as a musician with theory, ear-training and history."
He has also learned a lot from his voice teacher, Dale Morehouse.
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