Province/Territory: Ontario
City: Hamilton, Ontario
Role(s) in this year's festival:
Anna Gomez: "The Consul" (Menotti)
I am preparing for NUOVA's program by making sure that my voice is at its best and in the best possible shape! I am focusing on refining my technique and learning new repertoire through my Master's studies with Jackie Short at Western University. I am also preparing for this year's program by gaining performance experience in order to be ready for a live audience again. Most of my performances for the last year and a half have been online, so I have been seeking out every opportunity to perform, especially in front of an audience. I am currently preparing to perform in my 1st Year Masters solo recital and Opera Gala production in March. In addition to preparing my voice for NUOVA's program, I am preparing to perform in "The Consul" by studying the score, learning the music, and watching the opera to get accustomed with the show and my character. Lastly, I am preparing for NUOVA's program by making travel plans. Due to Covid restrictions, I have not been able to leave my small bachelor's apartment for awhile and planning a trip has been an exciting process. I have never been to Edmonton, or even Alberta before, and I am ecstatic to embark on a new adventure.
There are many reasons why I am attracted to NUOVA's programs. The first is that I believe this program will help me on my path to a career as an opera singer. I have heard nothing but good things from every single participant that has taken part in this program as it has been said that Opera NUOVA trains professional musicians at a high level and gets them ready for the "real world" outside of academia. I believe that this program will foster both vocal growth and artistic expression. I am looking to expand my performance experience in an operatic setting, and am also looking to refine my technique and artistry. I believe this program fits that mold as it will accomplish both simultaneously.This program will provide me with performance opportunities that will help prepare me for a professional career in the industry, as well as acting and movement classes, vocal coaching and lessons, and masterclasses that will help to refine my technique. I am also attracted to NUOVA's programs, and specifically their programs this year, because of the pandemic. I cannot express in words how excited I am to perform live again and feel the energy and adrenaline an audience brings. I am also looking forward to collaborating with faculty and fellow musicians. The pandemic taught us the importance of making connections with others as when it was taken away from us, it left us feeling isolated and alone. I look forward to creating bonds and friendships and receiving an education from such a renowned faculty. The world lost a lot this past year and needed music more than ever. I missed performing more than anything and feel so grateful that I get the opportunity to do so again.
Artist Bio
Ashley Carpenter is making her Opera NUOVA debut this year. She is a Canadian soprano from Hamilton, Ontario and has performed in South Korea, the Bahamas, France and, Minnesota. She has earned the Western Graduate Research Scholarship, the Willena Evans Scholarship in Music, the London Music Scholarship Foundation Endowment Award, and the Jean and Victor Redekopp Scholarship in Music. Currently based in London, Ontario, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Voice Performance and Literature at Western University after obtaining her Bachelor of Music with Honours in Voice Performance in Spring 2021, studying under Canadian soprano Jackalyn Short. Her most recent operatic roles include the Prima Cercatrice in Suor Angelica, and both Nannetta and chorus member in the Opera Gala at Western University last year.
Ashley’s passion for opera began when she was a chorus member of the Boris Brott Festival’s production of Carmen. She feels most comfortable on stage and enjoys both expressing her innermost feelings, and playing characters opposite to herself. In addition to opera, she has a love for musical theatre. Some of her roles include Sandy in WestWing Player’s production of Grease and The Narrator in WestWing Player’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is currently working on bringing her acting technique from musical theatre into her operatic studies.
Ashley begun her musical career with the Hamilton Children’s Choir at the young age of seven, singing with them for ten years, and has not looked back since. Choral singing has remained an important part of her musical journey and has provided her with many opportunities. With the Hamilton Children's Choir, she went on many international tours with her favourite memory from her years there being performing at the Roger's Centre for the closing ceremony of the Pan Am Games. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she remained active in the choral community, being a part of St. Cecilia Singers, Les Choristes, and Western Singers. Ashley also took part in Choir council serving as a section leader, choir representative, and choir president.
Through choir, Ashley was able to combine two things she loves the most, music and travelling, together and hopes that she can continue doing so. In addition to music Ashley loves trying new things and having new adventures. She is very active and focuses on both her physical and mental health playing sports, doing yoga and going to the gym. Ashley loves to be outside and when the weather is sunny and warm you can find her suntanning and swimming at the beach. Recently, she has a newfound passion for cooking and reading. Ashley is looking forward to inspiring audiences and continuing her love of performing for years to come and hopes to use performing as a way of healing others and bringing people and communities together.
