Filene series to feature alumna Sylvia Stoner
Skidmore's Filene Alumni Concert Series presents operatic soprano, voice instructor, and vocal coach Sylvia Stoner, a 1994 graduate of the college, in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
Stoner, a Skidmore Filene Scholar while an undergraduate, holds a doctorate of musical arts in vocal performance from the University of Kansas and received her master's degree in vocal performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. She has performed more than 30 roles in such productions asNarnia, A Christmas Carol, Charlotte's Web, Manon Lescaut, Little Women, Hansel and Gretel,and The Magic Flute. Broadwayworld.com has raved about her "big soprano voice."
She has performed as a singer, actor, and stage director in a variety of opera houses, including the Des Moines Metro Opera, Lake George Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Union Avenue Opera of St. Louis, Kentucky Opera and Shreveport Opera. In addition, she toured the United States as Sharon Graham, the aspiring opera singer in Terrence McNally's play Master Class, which won both Tony and Drama Desk awards.
In addition to performing in operas, Stoner has directed opera and music theater, participated in directing residencies, and has extensive teaching experience. She is currently the director of opera and lecturer in voice at Washburn University in Topeka and previously taught voice at Skidmore.
On Nov. 9 at Zankel Stoner will present a solo voice recital accompanied by Ellen Bottorff and Wayne Hawkins. The program, titled "In Her Element," will feature works by Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Szymanowski, and a world premiere song cycle for lyric soprano and jazz pianist by Forrest Pierce. While on campus she will present a master class with Skidmore students on Monday, Nov. 12; teach individual lessons during the week; and stage direct seven students in arias and duets, which they will perform Thursday, Nov. 15. "To have one of our most gifted alumni working with our current group of talented students is extraordinarily special for all of us at Skidmore and we are proud to welcome her at Skidmore's Zankel," said Anne Turner, senior artist-in-residence, the Skidmore vocalist who coordinated Stoner's residency.
Admission for the Nov. 9, 8 p.m. Sylvia Stoner performance is $8 general admission, $5 seniors and Skidmore faculty/staff/retirees/alumni, and free for students and children. For advance reservation visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel.