Sigma Alpha Iota

44 Fall 2018 PAN PIPES 2019 SAI Annual Awards Philanthropies Ariel Downs attends a performance of Aida at the Wiener Staatsoper. Immersive German at the Goethe-Institut As an opera singer, proficiency in foreign languages, particularly German, Italian, and French, is immensely important to performing effectively across the operatic repertoire. Studying languages to the point of fluency is also very helpful for expanding options within the career path. This summer, with the help of a Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Development Grant, I participated in an intensive German language immersion program at the Goethe-Insitut in Vienna, Austria. I had the opportunity to learn the German language in a German-speaking country, as well as explore the musical and artistic culture over a two-week period. Each day, we had the opportunity to formally study the language from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over the course of program, we had over 50 hours of instruction in the German language! My class was comprised of students from the age of 21 to 60 from all different walks of life and representing the United States, Australia, Italy, Iceland, Serbia, Romania, Israel, and Ireland. I had studied French and Italian for several years, but this was my first time formally studying German. It was such a joy, and I learned so much about the German language and German and Austrian culture in such a short amount of time. Besides the intensive daily language study, I also had the benefit of being in Vienna where I could be fully immersed in the German language as well as experience the many musical experiences the city had to offer. Along with formal German training, I had the opportunity to experience musical culture in Vienna firsthand and explore what it might be like to explore and develop a career in Europe. I learned so much about what it could be like to live and perform in Europe, from meeting colleagues and professionals in the industry, to attending several performances. I had the opportunity to see Aida at the Vienna Staatsoper, Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the Klosterneuberg Abbey, and a song recital of Clara Schumann and Franz Schubert pieces at the very church were Schubert was baptized. Along the way, I met several fellow musicians with whom I now keep in touch and can connect with again should I return to Vienna to work or sing. It was a rich and immersive musical experience. It was a unique journey, getting to both study the language so intensely as well as share my love of music with the rest of the class, none of whom had experienced opera firsthand before. On the last day, at the request of my colleagues, I sang the "Prayer" from Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel (auf Deutsch of course!) as a thank you for the beautiful experience of learning the German language together. I have no doubt that this experience has bettered me as an artist and a professional, and it will contribute to my growth for many years to come. Danke schön, SAI! Ariel Downs is a soprano currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She was initiated into Sigma Alpha Iota in 2009 and was the Vice President of Membership for the Beta Delta Chapter of SAI in 2011-2012.

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