The second concert in the RMMA series is brought to you as an early Valentine's Day present. We will be featuring John and Gail Carpenter, the Singing Sweethearts. Both John and Gail have sung with the Metropolitan Opera among many other venues during their careers. You will be delighted with the wonderful way they engage their audiences singing everything from Grand Opera to Broadway. They just might even give us the opportunity to join in a little bit. This is going to be a very special time of great music and fun. Bring your sweethearts and join us!!

About Gail Carpenter

• BME & MA in Voice Performance
• Sang with the Metropolitan Opera Singers
• Winner of the New Jersey State Opera Young Artists Award
• Appeared at Constitution Hall, Washington, D. C.

Gail Carpenter is a spinto soprano with a long and varied list of professional experience. Her range of voice and versatility allows her to move comfortably from jazz to musical theater to the classical repertoire to opera solos. From her start at age 14, Gail studied voice privately and (after appearing with the Fort Worth Opera company for Placido Domingo's American debut) she went on to study at Colorado College, American University in Washington, D.C., and West Texas University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BME in Voice. At Indiana University Gail advanced under the tutelage of Bernard Taylor. She went on to earn a Master of Arts from Denver University. She sought out the finest in voice teachers and studied with many of the greats, including Carolina Segrera-Holden, Todd Duncan, Maestro Signorelli, Martile Rowland and Vera Scammon. She most recently worked with Norman Phillips. Gail has performed all over the United States and in Europe. She was a soloist for the Air Force's “Singing Sergeants.” She has appeared at Constitution Hall in Washington, D. C., and has been heard on radio and television. She has performed with a number of symphony orchestras and opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Miami Beach Symphony, the Jersey Lyric Opera, Fort Worth Opera, and the Rocky Mountain Opera. Besides English, Gail sings in Italian, French, German, Spanish and even Czech. Gail has taught voice to students of all ages and levels, and she has the ability to bring them to their highest level of vocal performance. Gail is very dedicated to her students and enjoys the positive experience and process of coaching each student and letting them discover what their voice can actually do. She always teaches the basics and encourages study of classical Italian and other art songs, along with Broadway classics and appropriate contemporary songs. She encourages her students to go on to audition for Solo-Ensemble, All-State Choir, School Choirs and Musicals. She knows the experience of music - especially vocal music will enhance their entire life, as it has hers. She has been gratified to see many of her students go on to careers and win awards and high positions in the field of voice performance. Gail has always met with acclaim for her ability and performances and twice received full scholarships for university-level voice study. Besides twice graduating magna cum laude, she is the recipient of numerous awards and even state grants for her performance.

About John Carpenter

• John Carpenter, BS, MA, and ABD Voice (Juilliard, on full scholarship)
• First place winner Metropolitan Opera Auditions, NYC
• Winner of Richard Tucker Award
• Winner of Contract at Metropolitan Opera

John Carpenter began his musical journey at age four when he began to play Beethoven's “Moonlight Sonata” from hearing it on the radio. There were many exciting experiences to await him on his way. His first love was the piano. He studied with Dwight Anderson, then Dean of the Music School at the University of Louisville and as a double major in college while sharpening his skills as a singer. His voice teacher at the university was Fletcher Smith, who was linked to the great Manuel Garcia, the noted developer of the laryngoscope. He distinguished himself as a recitalist and stage performer with the Kentucky Opera Association. After receiving his Bachelor degree from the University of Louisville, he accepted a post as a tenor soloist with a touring outfit known as the “Singing Sergeants” of the U.S. Air Force. Winning numerous competitions such as the N.A.T.S. upper divisional, graduate division in two regions of the U.S. he received a Masters in Music from the Catholic University of America. As a finalist in the Chicago Lyric Opera Competition, he was chosen to perform the role of Rodolfo in Puccini's “La Boheme” with the Opera School. Other opportunities came quickly, including the Shreveport Opera and the Dallas Symphony. Then, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself when this winning tenor got the ultimate prize, a Metropolitan Opera contract. He was then hired as a principal artist at the Met for the next four years. While at the Met, John garnered the allegiance and support of the New York audiences. He performed most of his major roles in regional opera companies. John was privileged to study with the world's greatest coaches and teachers. These range from Todd Duncan, the original “Porgy” in Porgy and Bess, to the Metropolitan Opera coaching staff. Most recently, John has been working with the former leading baritone with the Vienna State Opera, Norman Phillips. His voice has matured into a spinto tenor, capable of the Dramatic Italian and Wagnerian repertoires. The second concert in the RMMA series is brought to you as an early Valentine's Day present. We will be featuring John and Gail Carpenter, the Singing Sweethearts. Both John and Gail have sung with the Metropolitan Opera among many other venues during their careers. You will be delighted with the wonderful way they engage their audiences singing everything from Grand Opera to Broadway. They just might even give us the opportunity to join in a little bit. This is going to be a very special time of great music and fun. Bring your sweethearts and join us!!