Alumnus performs unique operatic melodies, songs

About 150 people from the UNC and Greeley community gathered as several School of Music alumni showcased their world-class talents in the form of song and verse.
The performers of the evening included lyric coloratura soprano Rose Sawvel, who graduated in 2002, and skilled pianist and music theater faculty member Michael Ruckles, who graduated in 2002.

Among her accolades, Sawvel has placed at the top of her division in the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions in 2007 and was selected as the sole Singer of the Year during the competition. Ruckles has also earned a prestigious reputation by serving as a backup singer for Sarah Brightman's "La Luna" tour with Josh Groban and working with famous singers, including Hugh Jackman, Raul Esparza and Paige Davis.

During yesterday's performance, Ruckles played the grand piano as Sawvel performed pieces from longer productions, such as Johann Bach's "Passio secundum Johannem," Libby Larsen's "Try Me Good King: Last Words of the Wives of Henry VIII," and Vincenzo Bellini's "I Puritani."

Sawvel said she and Ruckles will use the composition in two months as they vie for an award in a national competition hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

"I see (Sawvel) having the potential to do very well," said vocal professor Melissa Malde, who taught both Ruckles and Sawvel as undergraduate students. "She has all the ingredients; she's very smart, she's musical, she's beautiful and sings beautifully. But, what she needs is luck, and in any performance career, that's a major ingredient."

Sawvel said she would like to eventually become a professional opera singer, but also recognized the difficulties and constraints associated with her profession.

"You have to be really passionate about what you are doing," Sawvel said. "As with all arts careers, especially now, it's a difficult time to find people who will actually pay you to do your art, so you really have to be motivated and be dedicated to it. It's difficult when you graduate because you have to put it all together for yourself and find places to perform."

Some students and faculty members said they were pleased with the performance, and complimented Sawvel's vocal prowess.

"I thought it was lovely," Malde said. "I was particularly impressed with the ‘Try Me Good Kings' set. I think those songs are just really powerful, and the fact that it's in the native language of the audience helps to convey its meaning."

"I think this is really different from what other people have done in the past, but I really liked it," said Tyler Barnes, a freshman music education major. "Her voice was really clear and her high vocal register was amazing."