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<title>Opera competition Archives - The Utah Statesman</title>
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<title>Opera competition Archives - The Utah Statesman</title>
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<title>Singer Lily Takemoto, fan favorite in local opera scene</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/singer-lily-takemoto-fan-favorite-in-local-opera-scene/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ella Stott]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Aria competition]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[audience favorite]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Caine College of the Arts]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lily Takemoto]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[music major]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Musical performance]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Opera]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Opera competition]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[vocal performance]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[vocals]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[<p>Opera may be associated with European countries and foreign languages in many people’s minds, but there’s an active opera scene…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/singer-lily-takemoto-fan-favorite-in-local-opera-scene/">Singer Lily Takemoto, fan favorite in local opera scene</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Opera may be associated with European countries and foreign languages in many people’s minds, but there’s an active opera scene at Utah State University in which students can participate in competitions and performances.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Lily Takemoto, a second-year student studying musical performance with an emphasis in vocal performance, specializes in opera.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“My mom is an opera singer,” Takemoto said. “I grew up listening to her and watching her perform.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>According to Takemoto, her mom performed a lot of choral music, which has similarities to opera.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I got to middle school and I started doing choir,” Takemoto said. “I then just came to the conclusion that singing was something I wanted to do.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Although Takemoto participated in musical theater as well, she realized her true passion and strength in singing lay in the classical.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I tend to feel free and just very relaxed,” Takemoto said. “It feels almost natural.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Takemoto won a competition in classical singing in high school and knew it was something she was passionate about. However, she didn’t always intend to go to college to study vocal performance.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I originally came here thinking I was going to do English education,” Takemoto said. “I really enjoy teaching, and English is one of my strongest subjects.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>According to Takemoto, she knew she still wanted to do something with music, so she committed to the music program as another option.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I started my first semester and I was like, ‘No, music is what I really want to do,’” Takemoto said. “It’s what I’m most passionate about, and it’s my favorite thing.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The difference between English education classes and music classes is a big one, but Takemoto said she is always excited about her different classes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“In the voice program, every Tuesday we have a guest master class, so a guest comes and teaches,” Takemoto said. “Then every Thursday, we all rotate and take turns singing to each other. It’s good performance practice.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Takemoto said the set-up of the different classes for vocal performance majors has helped them feel closer to each other.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“It’s a really great way for all of us to be supportive of each other,” Takemoto said. “I really like watching people improve and seeing how hard they’ve worked.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>According to Takemoto, there are also opportunities for music majors with different emphases to work together.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I really like interacting with other musicians,” Takemoto said. “It’s super interesting to see how musicians with different instruments think about music.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Takemoto said the staff in the music program is also a highlight because they’re supportive of the students and encourage different forms of musical thought.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We all make music so differently, we all process it so differently,” Takemoto said. “I just really enjoy collaborating with everyone.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Takemoto recently won the award for the audience favorite at the annual USU Aria Competition. The competition was put on by the Caine College of the Arts on Feb. 12. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The competition informed the audience on what opera is and condensed a three-hour piece to make it more accessible for the audience.</p>
<p>“You just sign up to compete, and you work with your vocal teacher to pick the right piece,” Takemoto said. “Whoever is judging the competition will pick the winner, and then we always do a poll for the audience favorite.”</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The winner of the competition receives a $500 scholarship, and the competition is advertised as a great kicking-off point for professional performance opportunities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“It’s pretty stressful, especially as a woman,” Takemoto said. “There’s so many similar sounding voices in female singing.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Takemoto said she enjoys the atmosphere of the competition, despite the challenges.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I don’t necessarily shoot to win, I more focus on getting performance experience,” Takemoto said. “I also really enjoy hearing my colleagues sing.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Dallas Aksoy, opera theatre director at USU, has been able to work with Takemoto the past couple of years and said her own involvement in the theatre started in high school.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I gravitated toward theatre, first as a pianist playing for musical rehearsals,” Aksoy said. “I love being able to combine great storytelling with music onstage.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Aksoy said she enjoys being able to work with Takemoto in rehearsals.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“She always comes prepared and ready to work,” Aksoy said. “She’s collaborative and quick and fun to make art with.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Takemoto said if she were to give any advice to her younger self, she would discourage singing outside of her range.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Don’t try to sing really high just because you can, because actually you can’t,” Takemoto said. “You need to pay attention to the fact that it hurts, because there’s a reason why it hurts.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Takemoto said some advice is to take chances and fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can hold people back from opportunities important to them. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I feel like a lot of people I know who think about pursuing music and then decide against it are just afraid,” Takemoto said. “I almost didn’t pursue music because I was afraid.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Takemoto said she was afraid of the idea of music in a collegiate environment as well as the idea of failing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The environment is a lot more supportive than you go in thinking it’s going to be,” Takemoto said. “It’s so fun to see yourself progress as a musician.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">According to Aksoy, Takemoto has the talent and dedication to do well if she chose to pursue opera beyond her college years.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“If Lily intends to sing professionally, I definitely think it’s something she could be capable of if that’s what she wants to do with her life,” Aksoy said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The department is putting on an opera April 11-13 called “The Elixir of Love.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“It’s a comedy, and it’s modernized in English,” Takemoto said. “It’s super funny, and it’s free for all USU students.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For more information on the opera program and upcoming performances, visit </span><a href="https://cca.usu.edu/music/programs/opera-theatre"><span data-contrast="none">cca.usu.edu/music/programs/opera-theatre</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For students looking into exploring music options and programs, visit </span><a href="https://cca.usu.edu/music/"><span data-contrast="none">cca.usu.edu/music/</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“It looks scary, but it’s not that scary once you’re in it,” Takemoto said. “Don’t be afraid.”</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/singer-lily-takemoto-fan-favorite-in-local-opera-scene/">Singer Lily Takemoto, fan favorite in local opera scene</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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