Vocal performance major Aileen Markovitz ‘19 was recently awarded the 2018 Advanced Training Scholarship from the Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL), a leading American opera company noted for its
longstanding tradition of discovering exceptional young singers and promoting American composers and librettists. Notre Dame voice faculty members Kiera Duffy and Alek Shrader both began their careers as members of OTSL’s Gerdine Young Artists Program.
“I am extraordinarily grateful for the support and guidance from OTSL, and hope to continue our close relationship” says Markovitz, a former Monsanto Artist-in-Training with the company. “The Training Scholarship will help me offset the cost of graduate school auditions and additional training, and will provide me with invaluable networking opportunities.”
This award is the culmination of an exciting summer for Ms. Markovitz, who further honed her technical and artistic skills at the Mikael Eliasen Voice Program at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the CoOPERAtive Training Program at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with prestigious faculty including Laura Brooks Rice, Mikael Eliasen, and Danielle Orlando, preparing operatic roles and art-song repertoire for the upcoming year.
According to Aileen’s voice teacher, Prof. Kiera Duffy, “Opera Theatre of St Louis is one of America’s premiere opera festivals. The company’s recognition of Aileen is an important validation not only of her talent, but of her unflagging work ethic as well.” Prof. Duffy adds that “Aileen’s acceptance into both the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music’s Mikael Eliasen Voice Program and Westminster Choir College’s CoOPERAtive Program—particularly amidst the exceptionally competitive nature of young artist programs today—indicates that her prospects are strong for a career in music. I am extremely proud of all that Aileen has accomplished this summer!”
During her senior year at ND, Aileen will sing the role of Belinda in Opera ND’s fall production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and will present her solo degree recital in the spring. In addition to her Music major, Aileen will graduate with a major in Economics and minors in the Glynn Family Honors Program and Constitutional Studies. After graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in vocal performance.