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                         Phillip Huscher
                         The Santa Fe Opera
                        
     An American Pioneer


                                               


    2008 Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Awards Announced

    2008-09-26

    This year 44 singing apprentices and 68 technical apprentices, representing 33 states and 7 countries, participated in The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Programs.  The following young men and women were announced as the recipients of this year’s outstanding apprentice awards.

    “The Santa Fe Opera is pleased to acknowledge the exceptional work of The Santa Fe Opera apprentices,” said General Director Richard Gaddes.

    The singing apprentice award-winners are:

    The Agnes M. Canning Memorial Award is given in honor of the longtime Santa Fe Opera supporter.

    Erica Brookhyser          mezzo-soprano            Newport, Oregon       
    Tom Corbeil                bass-baritone             San Diego, California
    Siân Davies                 soprano                     Bloomington, Indiana
    Rosalie Sullivan           mezzo-soprano           Newton, New Jersey

    The Donald Gramm Memorial Award is given in memory of the distinguished baritone who appeared with The Santa Fe Opera over a period of a dozen years, as well as with other leading opera companies.

    Nicholas Pallesen        baritone                       Alexandria, Virginia

    The Richard Tucker Foundation Award is given in memory America’s reigning tenor of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

    Jon-Michael Ball         tenor                            Olive Branch, Mississippi

    The Anna Case MacKay Memorial Award is given in memory of the early 20th century Metropolitan Opera prima donna.

    Valerie Vinzant           soprano                        Spring, Texas
    Abigail Nims               mezzo-soprano             Delaware, Ohio
    Kelly Markgraf            baritone                       Cedarburg, Wisconsin

    The Donald & Luke Graham Memorial Award is given in memory of the former member of The Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors and his wife, Luke.

    Alexander Mansoori     tenor                            Seattle, Washinton
    John N. Chest             baritone                        Greenville, North Carolina
    Stephen Hartley          baritone                        Plainfield, Indiana

    The Katharine M. Mayer Award is given in memory of the former president of The Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors.

    Chad Sloan                 baritone                       Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

    The National Federation of Music Clubs Award 

    Jamie-Rose Guarrine    soprano                        Peoria, Illinois

    The Campbell Wachter Memorial Award is given in memory of Santa Fe Opera patron Sam Campbell and his sister June Wachter.

    Tyler Simpson             bass-baritone                Sabetha, Kansas

    The Judith Raskin Memorial Award for Singers is given in memory of the acclaimed American soprano who appeared with The Santa Fe Opera in many of its early seasons.

    Jennifer Forni               soprano                        Seattle, Washington

    The Lillian Caroff Mayer Award is given by Santa Fe Opera patrons Barry and Natalie Beller in memory of Mrs. Beller’s mother to assist young singers with the costs associated with auditions and career development. 

    Merideth Woodend        mezzo-soprano              Kissimmee, Florida

     

    The technical apprentice award-winners are:

     

    The Gustave & Jane Baumann Technician Award is given in memory of the celebrated Santa Fe artist and his wife, Jane.

    Rihoko Honda              props (crafts)                   Tokyo, Japan              
    Kyra Tietjen                 props (run)                      Stockholm, South Dakota

    The Agnes M. Canning Memorial Award is given in honor of the longtime Santa Fe Opera supporter.

    Shawna Lucey               production service crew       Houston, Texas

    The Katharine Mayer Technician Award is given in memory of the former president of The Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors.

    Karman L. Moyers          wigs & makeup                 Fort Defiance, Virginia

    The Marshall L. McCune Memorial Award is given in memory of the philanthropist who helped establish The Santa Fe Opera.

    Zachary Ciaburri            electrics                            Tucson, Arizona

    The Lawrence Reehling Technician Award is given in memory of the late scenic and costume designer who worked with The Santa Fe Opera during many of its early seasons.

    Benjamin Wozniak         audio/ video                     Lincoln, Nebraska

    The Craig J. Miller Memorial Award is given in memory of the late lighting designer.

    Vince Modugno              electrics                           Addison, Illinois        

    The Greg Teakle Memorial Award is given in memory of the late interior designer and longtime Santa Fe Opera volunteer.  

    Andrew McQuade            stage crew                       Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    The Margaret Weyerhauser Driscoll Memorial Award is given in memory of the former Vice President of The Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors.  

    Mia Bednowitz                costumes                         Mt. Kisco, New York

     

    The Apprentice Programs are funded in part by proceeds from the Gala Opening Weekend Celebration, income generated from endowment funds, and contributions to the annual operating fund.

     

    September 26, 2008

    Contact: Dolores McElroy/ (505) 946-2409

    press@santafeopera.org

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