Alumni News: Dorothy Gal

Dorothy Gal

Recent 2nd place winner of Houston Grand Opera’s 30th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition, soprano Dorothy Gal (LLL ’13, ACF ‘14 alumna) will join HGO’s Young Artist Program in the 2018-2019 Season, scheduled to make her company debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Recent roles at Rice University include Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Amy in Little Women, and Sandrina in La finta giardiniera. Since participating in Classic Lyric Arts’ summer programs in Italy and France, Ms. Gal sang in Marilyn Horne’s "The Song Continues" at Carnegie Hall, was a Vocal Fellow at Ravinia’s Steans Music institute and New Horizons Fellow at the Aspen Summer Music Festival. Ms. Gal will perform the role of First Wood Sprite in Des Moines Metro Opera’s mainstage production of Rusalka this summer. She is a recent graduate of Rice University, where she received the Renée Flemming and Cecilia Bartoli Endowed Scholarships in Voice.

Brava Dorothy! Classic Lyric Arts is super proud of you. Wishing you the best always!

(Photo by Douglas Marquez - Headshot, Photo by Ted Washington - Group Shot as Amy in Little Women at Rice University)

Alumni News: Haley Clay

Congratulations to Haley Kathleen Clay, a CLA Italy 2016 alumna.  She will attend Boston Conservatory at Berklee in the Fall to begin her candidacy as a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.

Haley is currently in Bardstown, KY performing with the award-winning Steven Foster Story.  She has worked with Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts for several seasons and has just finished a season-long contract at Florida Repertory Theatre for 2017-18 and is a graduate of Morehead State University from which she holds two degrees, a BA in Vocal Performance and a BA in Strategic Communication.

Haley is immensely thankful for the guidance of Glenn and the entire Classic Lyric Arts Italy team. With their help, she learned the power of her voice and its never-ending ability to change the world. She is so excited to take that same joy with her to Boston as she continues to pursue her career in musical theatre!

Alumni Spotlight: Jia-Jun Hong

The Chinese baritone and pianist, Jiajun Hong (nickname: Richard), studied at Guangzhou No.2 High School in Guangzhou, China (2006-2009). He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (Grade 3.3) from Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China (2009-2013); Master of Music degree in Classical Voice Performance (as Baritone) from Manhattan School of Music in New York City (2013-2015); and his Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying also from Manhattan School of Music (2015-2017).

Jiajun Hong has worked as a piano teacher at Shanghai Five Arts Music School in Shanghai, China (March 2012-March 2013; Teaching children from 5-15 playing piano); Accompanying Pianist at Manhattan School of Music (since September 2015); and as Associate Music Director at Brooklyn Christian Church in New York (since May 2017). He was featured as a soloist for Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir in J.S. Bach's B Minor Mass (BWV 232), under the direction of Kent Tritle (February 2014). He currently lives in New York City.  He currently serves as Extra Chorus in the Metropolitan Opera Chorus for their 2017-18 season.  Congratulations, Jiajun!