By Randy Gonzales<\/p>\n
HAYS, Kan. \u2013 It\u2019s a long way from Dighton to North Carolina. It\u2019s an even longer distance from Salina to France. A pair of Fort Hays State University vocal students have come a long way, and their talent is being showcased this summer.<\/p>\n
Clayton Capra, a third-year music education major from Dighton, was one of six artists selected from national auditions to be part of the Asheville Lyric Opera Summer Young Artist Program in Asheville, N.C. Jon-Luke Martin, a third-year music composition major from Salina, was invited to join the 2016 Franco-American Vocal Academy this summer in Perigueux, France. Both Capra and Martin are vocal students who are training under Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of music and theatre and director of opera at FHSU.<\/p>\n
Perniciaro, in his 11th year at Fort Hays State, has had two other students in the summer program in France and a little more than half-dozen total students participate in summer arts programs in his time at the university. This is the first time he has placed a student in the North Carolina program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only a few weeks away now; looking forward to the experience,\u201d said Capra, whose program in North Carolina runs from June 3 to July 27. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be really positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capra\u2019s positive experiences when he visited the FHSU campus — and also when he attended the High Plains Music Camp on campus while he was in high school — influenced his decision to enroll at Fort Hays State.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came to Fort Hays State because I liked the atmosphere here,\u201d Capra said. \u201cI also felt it was good for me, coming from a smaller school environment, to come here because it was large enough to facilitate good programs but at the same time it was small enough I could make close friends, make good connections with my professors.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also really loved the music department here, all the faculty,\u201d he added. \u201cI was excited to get to work with them. I think that\u2019s what really led my choice in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perniciaro and Capra met at FHSU\u2019s summer music camp, which expanded to include vocal instruction in 2012. Perniciaro started giving vocal lessons to Capra while Capra was in high school.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a good chance for high school students to get to know the voice faculty and our students,\u201d Perniciaro said. \u201cIt has been very helpful. I think a good number of them see the quality of education they\u2019re going to get.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin\u2019s summer program in France starts July 2 and runs through Aug. 15. He is leaving early to visit his sister, Bonnie-Jean Taylor, who is in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Germany. He applied for the program after learning of a cancellation, and he was accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very excited but also very nervous, because all of a sudden I had all this music to learn in not a lot of time,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
Composition is included in Martin\u2019s instruction. He will work with composer Isabelle Abouker and perform in her opera, \u201cLes Fables Enchantees.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited, considering I\u2019m a composition major,\u201d Martin said. \u201cI\u2019m really hoping to get some composition techniques, learning from her. I\u2019ve never had an opportunity like this before — it\u2019s really big.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin, a baritone, also will perform in Jacques Offenbach\u2019s opera, \u201cPomme d\u2019Api,\u201d as part of an intensive study program. He will take French lessons due to having speaking parts in his roles. He also will have voice lessons, musical coaching, role preparation and career counseling.<\/p>\n
Martin also participated in the High Plains Music Camp before enrolling at FHSU.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Fort Hays State,\u201d Martin said. \u201cThey\u2019ve given me a lot of opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin started taking lessons from Perniciario his freshman year at FHSU.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really liked him; I really liked the campus,\u201d Martin said. \u201cSo I decided I would come here to study under him. Dr. P definitely was one of the primary reasons I came to Fort Hays State.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capra, also a baritone, will perform a program of opera scenes while on tour in western North Carolina. He will have roles in \u201cMan of La Mancha\u201d and \u201cThe Tragedy of Carmen\u201d with Asheville Lyric Opera. He will also receive intensive training two or three times a week in diction, acting and professional development.<\/p>\n
FHSU played a large role in being chosen to participate in the program, Capra said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely believe this university gave me the tools I needed to succeed,\u201d Capra said. \u201cThat\u2019s what really propelled me to look for these kinds of opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perniciaro is confident his two students will make the most of their opportunities this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunities are hard to come by, but they\u2019re particularly invaluable experiences for the singers,\u201d Perniciaro said. \u201cI think these two guys are particularly prepared for these opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both very talented, continue to grow,\u201d he added. \u201cThese opportunities will only enhance that.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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