Duelin' Sopranos: Singing in harmony, raising voices in song, has been part of the musical tradition since the beginning of time. Why do we choose to du-it? For the joy of music, for the feeling of creating something greater than just one singer can produce, and to enjoy the indescribable sensation that takes hold when two such musical energies mesh.
Singers April Brookins Duvic and Vanessa Jump Nelson are both native Northwesterners, choral directors, and private voice teachers; were born in April, adore singing in French, and make a mean apple pie. Their performances have included the Old Church Recital Series, the "Think Lincoln" concert series, Saturdays@Central, Citizens for Cultural Arts, Tahoma Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Oregon Music Teachers Association, The Grotto, private French dinner parties, and a recent performance with pianist Mary Dibbern at the Atelier Concert Series in Paris, France. Pianist Paulette Hanchett and flautist Viorel Badiceanu bring their creative energies to this project, which was produced by Vijay Singh at Bartholomew Productions and engineered and mastered by Bart Hafeman.
This CD includes the Premiere recording of What a Night That Must Have Been, by ASCAP composer Vijay Singh.
"The concert was just wonderful...It was such a treat...Their program was so much fun, with comedy and also serious music offerings..." ~Citizens for Cultural Arts (C4CA) Vancouver, Washington, April 21, 2001
"The Duelin' Sopranos is a resource unlike any other, in bringing to life music history, foreign language, drama. Their program has spontaneity, color, and is full of emotion, which makes the listener eager for more." ~Doug Mrazek, Clark College Cultural Tapestry Days, May 8, 2002.
"Delightful!", "Beautiful!", and "very humorous" (this last for the Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti)...were some of the comments given.
Thank you very much,
Lillian McGovern
for OMTA, Portland District
VANESSA JUMP NELSON received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Education from Portland State University in 1986. A native of Portland, Oregon, she has appeared in numerous solo and shared recitals throughout the Northwest. She has served as soloist with the Oregon Symphony Pops, St. Helens' "Live: On-Stage," Portland Symphonic Choir, Bel Canto Northwest, First United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Cathedral and a variety of other churches and concert series in the Portland area. She was for several years a member of the Trinity Chamber Singers, was the soloist for the 2001 Washington County Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, and was recognized as a first place winner of the 1997 American Mothers, Inc., Oregon State Vocal Competition. Although well acquainted with all styles of music, she is particularly interested in the study and performance of French Art Song. While at PSU, she was the administrator of the Brown Bag Concert Series, studied composition with Tomas Svoboda and Bryan Johanson, and choral conducting with Bruce Browne and David York. Her vocal teachers have included Gwen Leonard, Ruth Dobson, David Jimerson, Richard Muhle, Frances Arnold, and Frances Hargreaves. She has received vocal and dramatic coachings and Master Classes from Julianne Baird, Ellen Faull, Richard Poppino, Nick Carthy, Jane Klaviter, and Christopher Mattaliano. Mrs. Nelson maintains a private voice studio in Northwest Portland and for the past two years was on staff at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church as director of the Sanctuary Choir and coordinator of St. Gabriel's Concert Series.
APRIL BROOKINS DUVIC received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Whitman College and her Masters of Science in Teaching from Portland State University. She has been on staff at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, since 1990, and was the 2001 recipient of the Exceptional Faculty Award, the college's award for academic excellence. She teaches Applied Voice, Music Education, and Music Appreciation and is directo
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