Christine Louderman
Rising Star Singer's Opera Program
Rising Sun, IN
I am a Sociology major and this summer I went to Rising Star Singer's Opera Program, in Rising Sun, IN. Because of its noted faculty, composed of professional opera singers, and because of its success in preparing young singers to enter the Opera world, the program was recommended to me by my voice teacher at Augustana. I have been singing most of my life; I entered this program to figure out if this is something that I wanted to pursue. The only way to figure some thing like that out is to push yourself to your limits.
What I discovered about my limitations had little to do with voice and more to do with me. My days in the program were filled with lessons, coaching, and rehearsals. With every event, you were given feedback about your progress and they assessed your talents at every corner. This was a very stressful environment and each singer reacted differently to the pressure.
I learned a lot from being around other singers of different ages from around the world. Listening to them helped me realize how much I love helping people. This program was designed to show weaknesses and strengths, both of which I learn very quickly. Strengths I often ignore and this program helped me realize how I need to use my strengths to help other people. I will take all the information I learn at Rising Star Singers and try to take steps in my life toward my true vocation.
