It was an instant attraction for Whitney Myers when, in first grade, she saw her first operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado”.

Later, he liked an opera by Giacomo Puccini. Most people discover opera through her famous operas such as “La Bohème” or “Madame Butterfly”, but she fell in love with her “Manon Lescaut”.

Myers is a spinto soprano and Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera Workshop at Northeastern State University. Inspiration came at the start of her freshman year of college with a vocal concert in New York City, where she also saw her first Metropolitan Opera production, Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”.

“I knew right away that I wanted to build my career singing the works of Verdi,” Myers said.

Education and training are essential. She received a Bachelor of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky and a Masters of Music from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

“I love opera so much, and it has held such an important place in my life. I always want other people to love opera as much as I do, “Myers said.” What I love about opera is the ability to tell a story with music. The words are so powerful, and they really have a way of creating an emotional response in all of us, but when you add an extra layer of music to that to enhance the emotion, it completely changes the experience. “

Think of a Hollywood movie, she said: The music from the movie always enhances the emotions and experiences throughout the movie.

“The same thing happens in opera, but the music is not part of the background; it is actually a direct part of the emotional experience. Music has the capacity to say much more than words, making it a dynamic experience on many levels, ”Myers said.

She decided that COVID-19 would not stop it from happening and accepted almost every project that was offered to her.

“Unfortunately, like all other artists during this difficult year, I have had major projects canceled due to the pandemic,” she said.

One of her main concerts this year has been performing as resident artist of Tulsa Opera Filstrup.

“Singing with Tulsa Opera brings me so much joy as they continue to provide music and opera to the Tulsa community throughout this pandemic when we need music and the arts the most” , she said.

In March, Myers took part in “Opera on Tour!” by Tulsa Opera! production of “The Billy Goats Gruff”.

“It was such a fun production. It was presented virtually to schools in Oklahoma to bring the opera to a younger audience, ”she said.

She has performed in numerous virtual recitals for venues across the United States throughout the year, featuring opera and musical theater favorites to lift people’s spirits during this difficult time.

In early March, she performed in a world premiere of the opera “Royal Flush” with Marble City Opera in Tennessee. In June, she was part of the famous internship program of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, one of 12 young singing teachers in the United States to participate in the NATS internship program. In July, she sang the role of the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro” for the Utah Vocal Arts Festival. In August, she returned to Oklahoma to begin virtual rehearsals for the role of Chrysothémis in Strauss’ “Strauss” for a Berlin company.

When not traveling to perform, Myers volunteers with the Tahlequah Arts Council and works on a project to bring opera to the community.

“We have to support all art forms, and this allows for collaboration in a way that we never would have thought of. We have learned throughout the pandemic, people need art, they don’t always realize how important the arts are in their lives. The arts create well-rounded individuals, foster collaboration and a sense of community, which to me is the most important thing. “

One project she is working on with ACT is establishing a collaboration with the NSU Music Department and the community through ACT.

“The Department of Music and ACT are both powerful forces in the arts community, and I think they could work together to create even more community bonds,” she said.

NSU Opera Workshop benefits from community involvement.

“If your organization would like students to come and perform clips of our shows, or if anyone would like to get involved, please check out our stage programs in the fall and our full productions in the spring,” she said. .

To be involved

Anyone looking to get involved and want to sing, act, act, design, etc. should contact Whitney Myers at [email protected]