Marcello Giordani in Italy

Thank you for taking a moment to visit my page! As many of you know, I am a freelance opera singer based out of Houston, TX where I received my Masters degree from the University of Houston in 2012. Before moving to Houston, I lived in Minneapolis, MN for 6 years where I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. I took two years between degrees where I did a couple recitals and freelanced as often as possible, learning as many roles as I could and always looking for another opportunity to perform.

Opera has been the perfect outlet for me, as I've wanted to be onstage since I was a toddler and opera allows me to do what I love most; to sing. I have known from an extremely early age that the one true and consistent thing for me was music. I have had the privilege to work with amazing teachers, coaches, directors, conductors, and choreographers over the last 10 years and every new experience has always confirmed my desire to be a performer.

On August 1st I received an email from the Marcello Giordani foundation telling me that I am qualified to participate in the fourth annual Marcello Giordani Competition in Taormina, Sicily from September 6th through the 10th. This is an incredible opportunity for me, as I have not yet been to Europe. Italy also happens to be the birthplace of opera and having an opportunity to do what I love most where it originated would be very special to me.

This competition has many prizes, ranging anywhere from $5000 euros to contracts with Italian and other European opera houses. In 2013 there were 13 singers that were awarded prizes. Many competitions do not offer that many prizes, so this means I have a better chance of winning something. For more information about the Marcello Giordani Foundation and the Competition, click here: http://www.marcellogiordani-foundation.org/competition/

Roundtrip airfare is currently about $1500 from Houston to Catania (the closest city with an airport to Taormina). I will also be responsible for lodging and food. Any donations to this are greatly appreciated, as you will be helping me get one step closer to one of my oldest dreams as an opera singer! Below you will find a video of me singing one of my favorite Italian arias, "Quel guardo il cavaliere...so an'chio la virtu magica" from Donizetti's opera Don Pasquale; I plan on singing this aria for the competition. My GoFundMe photo is from a production of Don Pasquale that I did in 2013 at Opera in the Heights. Stefano de Peppo is playing Pasquale to my right. 
Please feel free to pass this website or my personal website www.juliaengelsoprano.com along to anyone who you think may be interested. My best wishes to all!