Facebook is one darn good way of keeping in touch with AVA alums and resident artists. I have met some very interesting alums that way, one being Regina Zona. Our paths have not crossed in person, but I really became aware of Dr. Zona when I heard that another alum, baritone Edward Albert, was going to make his debut as the title character in Falstaff at the university where she teaches.
I sent her a few questions and I’m going to let her answer them in her own voice.
DP: When were you at AVA?
RZ: I was at AVA from 1993-1997
DP: What roles did you sing while you were at AVA?
RZ: At AVA I sang Madame Herz in The Impresario (co-production with ArtPark in Lewiston, NY), Alice Ford in Falstaff, Queen of the Night, Nella in Gianni Schicchi and some ensemble roles in Suor Angelica and Madame Butterfly. I sang in the Russian Recitals, the Spanish Recitals and won the Giargiari Competition. I think that's it.
DP: What opera companies have you worked with?
RZ: As far as groups/companies I've worked with, I attached a link to my website. It isn't completely up to date but it will give you the past highlights.
DP: What are you favorite roles to sing?
RZ: Favorite roles performed: Rosalinda (Fledermaus), Alice Ford (Falstaff), Musetta (La bohème)
Favorite roles partially performed: Tosca, Norma, Marschallin
DP: What did you take your education other than AVA?
RZ: I went to the Manhattan School of Music and received my Doctorate in 2007. After teaching at a small college in Rome, GA for two years, I am now the Opera Program Director/Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I direct two opera productions a year and teach voice to undergraduate and graduate voice majors.
DP: How do you like teaching and directing?
RZ: I've been teaching for over 20 years and I have always enjoyed it. While I have directed musicals, opera scenes, show choirs and the like, this is the first time I have been in charge of an opera program. I love directing opera and teaching young singers about the true joy and depth there is to this art-form. I focus a lot on how a singer needs to prepare a role and interact with the other characters on stage and how to take what the composer has written as the guide to character development. I have no greater pride than to see my students grow in a role and perform beyond their own expectations.
DP: How did you find Ed Albert to sing in your production of Falstaff?
RZ: I haven't heard from Eddie since I left AVA, but Facebook changed that! Facebook is quite the amazing invention! We were chatting on FB one day in the late summer 2008. I told him about my new job and that I was going to direct Falstaff. I asked him if he sang the role because if I didn't have a student who could sing the role, I just might call him! It turns out that is exactly what happened. He was a hysterical Falstaff!
DP: Do you keep up with any other alums?
RZ: I really don't keep up with a lot of people from AVA on a regular basis because I am pretty horrible at correspondence! However, I occasionally keep in touch with Melissa Parks, Michael Eberhard, Nina Edwards, Indra Thomas, Luis Ledesma, Nancy Herrera....that's all I can think of right now!
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