Missouri Western State University music major Donovan Jones will spend his summer performing professional opera with Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point, Eureka Springs, Ark.
Jones, a sophomore vocal performance major, said his career goal is to be a professional opera singer, and this is the first step toward that goal. Opera in the Ozarks, in its 63rd season, is an eight-week training program for young artists and is affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs. Jones auditioned last December in Lawrence, Kan., one of several audition sites across the country.
“I was excited and surprised,” Jones said about being chosen for the program. “I know I will learn so much.”
The summer 2013 lineup will feature Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” (“Elixir of Love”) and Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.”
Jones, who is from Tarkio, Mo., said he didn’t start music lessons until he was 12 years old, and that was on the piano. He loved it so much that he took the first book of lessons home and completed it before his next lesson one week later. A year later, he was accompanying choirs and soloists in his school, and by age 16, he was directing musicals for the local community theatre and singing in several productions and choirs. He started voice lessons as a freshman at Missouri Western.
Jones came to college intending to double major in vocal performance and piano performance, but has since decided to focus exclusively on vocal. Dr. Susan Carter, associate professor of music, is his voice instructor.
As a freshman, Jones placed first in a four-state vocal competition and he recently earned third place in the National Association Teachers of Singing competition in the lower (freshman and sophomore) university men’s division.
When he returns to Missouri Western in the fall, Jones will be cast in the University’s production of the opera, “The Magic Flute.”
“I love music. I understand it in a way most people don’t,” he said. “And I am so comfortable when I am performing.”
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.
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