“I was first encouraged to audition for the Olga Forrai Foundation by a tenor colleague of mine, with whom I was singing Carmen, who knew I was about to embark on my first European audition tour. I was just beginning to sing dramatic mezzo repertoire, and had a Santuzza coming that was my first foray into verismo. I was at a point in my career where I was working regionally at good houses in America, but was having trouble as I was making the switch into this new Fach. Most houses would not consider me for this repertoire until I had actually performed it, and was older, and so Europe was very attractive for someone like me needed to get their feet wet in new repertoire over many many performances. I was in need of funds to prepare this new repertoire for my engagements in Europe, and I can actually say without the Olga Forrai Foundation that my career now would not be happening. The Olga Forrai Foundation allowed me to be true to myself as an artist and make the big leap over the pond! It is such a worthwhile Foundation, and I just hope they all know how much they have meant to me.”
