This week's headlines

Phillip Dannels, son of Revs. John and Marylouise Dannels, was recently notified of his acceptance, through national auditions, to be one of just 30 singers to participate in OperaWorks' 2012 Emerging Artist Program held in Los Angeles this summer. Dannels was chosen from more than 300 applicants worldwide, deemed as an exceptional talent with potential for a successful performance career.

Dannels will join OperaWorks alumni who are on stage at The Metropolitan Opera, Canadian Opera Company, and Deutsche Oper Berlin to name a few. Now in its 25th year, OperaWorks is nationally recognized for its innovative approach to training opera singers. Gregory Buchalter, assistant conductor with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, said, "Without a doubt, OperaWorks stands above the rest in its unique ability to transform singers into complete artists. The OperaWorks method is far more creative. It encourages the individual singer to find and explore his or her own limits and go beyond."

Dannels, a 2007 graduate of Cedaredge High School, participated for four years in the award-winning Bruin Marching Band and led the ensemble as drum major during his senior year. He knew that he was destined for a career in music, but thought that his path would lead him to band or piano performance. Now a voice major with an emphasis also in piano at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif., Dannels has sung principal roles with Point Loma Opera Theatre in productions of Jules Massenet's Cendrillon (Cinderella) and the principal baritone role in Mozart's opera La Finta Giardiniera. He was recently cast as Danilo in Franz Lehar's perennial favorite Die Lusitige Witwe (The Merry Widow) to be produced in November 2012, sung in German. For its 2012-13 season, Dannels has also been elected president of Point Loma Opera Theatre, a student-led organization that provides semi-professional staged operas sung in their original languages with orchestra for the greater San Diego metropolitan area.

On Sunday, May 20, Dannels will present a benefit recital featuring both operatic and art song selections as well as solo piano pieces at the Cedaredge First Church of the Nazarene, 966 SW 11th Avenue. The recital will take place at 3 p.m. Donations for Dannels's summer participation in OperaWorks will gladly be accepted.

• < Prev
• Next >