Post by deanna on Mar 20, 2013 13:00:48 GMT -7
by Carolyn Gonzales
Sheilah Garcia has always
had a great interest
in music. She studied
piano and encouraged all five
of her children to learn to play,
too. Her appreciation of music
transcends listening to CDs or
sitting in the audience. Garcia
recently gave $50,000 to the
UNM opera program to endow
student scholarships.
“I know that schools across
the country are strapped for
money. I am aware that there
were no scholarships for the
opera program and I’ve always
loved opera and what UNM
does,” Garcia said, adding that
she is happy to provide for the
endowment.
Leslie Umphrey, director,
Opera Theatre, and vocal area
coordinator; and her colleague
Sam Shepperson, are an oper-
atic team. Umphrey said, “Sheilah
knows more opera than I’ll
ever know. She has a passion.
This gift goes right to my heart
and my heart is full.”
Shepperson added, “We are
most grateful for the students.
The program is for the students.
This helps us build something
tangible. We sense that we are
growing, making progress.”
When Garcia arrived at
Umphrey’s office to sign the
endowment paperwork, the
College of Fine Arts had a
gift for him. Javier Gonzalez,
a graduate student in music,
sang two pieces for Garcia:
Vesti la giubba from the opera
Pagliacci, and Granada. He
was accompanied by Luciana
Simoes, a graduate student
in collaborative piano. Garcia
was moved and delighted by
her private concert.
Umphrey said that although
the students in the opera
program number around 30,
the opera program provides
opportunities for many other
students in the arts. “When we
present our spring program,
the UNM orchestra will accompany
us. Dancing, lighting,
stage design, costumes and
technical assistance engage
students and faculty across the
college,” she said.
“Every student gets a part.
We’re proud of that,” Shepperson
said. He noted that the
students started working on
the music for the spring performance
in November. Opera
students sing through the winter
break.
He added that giving all
music students the opportunity
perform provides long term
benefits to the art of opera and
music. “They become music
teachers and tell students of
their opera experiences,” he
said, adding that between 20
and 30 percent of the students
are music education majors.
Garcia, who also provided
funding to the School of Architecture
and Planning for its
Garcia Honda Auditorium, said
that support needs to transcend
funding. “People need to attend
programs. Sponsorship is only
part of it.”
Sheilah Garcia has always
had a great interest
in music. She studied
piano and encouraged all five
of her children to learn to play,
too. Her appreciation of music
transcends listening to CDs or
sitting in the audience. Garcia
recently gave $50,000 to the
UNM opera program to endow
student scholarships.
“I know that schools across
the country are strapped for
money. I am aware that there
were no scholarships for the
opera program and I’ve always
loved opera and what UNM
does,” Garcia said, adding that
she is happy to provide for the
endowment.
Leslie Umphrey, director,
Opera Theatre, and vocal area
coordinator; and her colleague
Sam Shepperson, are an oper-
atic team. Umphrey said, “Sheilah
knows more opera than I’ll
ever know. She has a passion.
This gift goes right to my heart
and my heart is full.”
Shepperson added, “We are
most grateful for the students.
The program is for the students.
This helps us build something
tangible. We sense that we are
growing, making progress.”
When Garcia arrived at
Umphrey’s office to sign the
endowment paperwork, the
College of Fine Arts had a
gift for him. Javier Gonzalez,
a graduate student in music,
sang two pieces for Garcia:
Vesti la giubba from the opera
Pagliacci, and Granada. He
was accompanied by Luciana
Simoes, a graduate student
in collaborative piano. Garcia
was moved and delighted by
her private concert.
Umphrey said that although
the students in the opera
program number around 30,
the opera program provides
opportunities for many other
students in the arts. “When we
present our spring program,
the UNM orchestra will accompany
us. Dancing, lighting,
stage design, costumes and
technical assistance engage
students and faculty across the
college,” she said.
“Every student gets a part.
We’re proud of that,” Shepperson
said. He noted that the
students started working on
the music for the spring performance
in November. Opera
students sing through the winter
break.
He added that giving all
music students the opportunity
perform provides long term
benefits to the art of opera and
music. “They become music
teachers and tell students of
their opera experiences,” he
said, adding that between 20
and 30 percent of the students
are music education majors.
Garcia, who also provided
funding to the School of Architecture
and Planning for its
Garcia Honda Auditorium, said
that support needs to transcend
funding. “People need to attend
programs. Sponsorship is only
part of it.”