Opera Theatre celebrating 20th anniversary with alumni concert

In 1997, Grand Valley's Music Department felt a need to improve the performance levels of incoming first-year student vocalists.

To fill this need, Dale Schriemer, professor of voice, created GVSU Opera Theatre.

"Sherman Van Solkema, chair of the Music Department at that time, asked me what it would take to improve the vocal quality of our students. To that, I replied that they needed time to be on stage," Schriemer said.

Fast forward to 2016 when GVSU Opera Theatre is now celebrating its 20th season.

In honor of this milestone, the current ensemble will perform the comic opera, "Gianni Schicchi," October 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and October 9 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at Wealthy Theatre (1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids). 

Following each 50-minute performance of "Gianni Schicchi," alumni of the ensemble will return to perform and share personal anecdotes about their time with GVSU Opera Theatre.

Lynnae Meyers, for example, moved to Las Vegas in 2013 after graduating from Grand Valley in 2012. There, she has since performed in "Evil Dead: The Musical" and recently wrapped "Bring It On: The Musical," which she performed in this summer.

Meyers shared that she believes GVSU Opera Theatre has blossomed these past 20 years because both the students and faculty involved thrive on success and positive experiences.

"Opera Theatre is something magical at Grand Valley" said Meyers. "Everyone puts their hearts and souls into every single production. The experience showed me what the audition process is like; it taught me professionalism in all forms, and it made me grow as an actor and performer."

Since its inception, Schriemer explained that GVSU Opera Theatre has focused on exposing students to "masterworks," giving them opportunities to connect with the industry, and bringing professionals to campus to work with his students.

"My goal is for students to understand what the professional world of performing is by giving them an opportunity to connect with it so they can then make the appropriate choices about their learning path," Schriemer said. "I want to bring the world to Grand Valley."

To create a broad view of the performing arts, Schriemer prioritizes generating opportunities for students to perform with community ensembles, such the Grand Rapids Chamber Choir, Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet, and even the Grand Rapids Circus School of Circus and Performing Arts.

In the past five years, Schriemer has also taken students to New York for them to participate in courses and seminars in commercial acting, voice overs and on-screen movie acting, as well as to perform for casting agents.

"GVSU Opera Theatre set me up for my entire career," said Christine Amon, '09, who spent all four years of her Grand Valley experience in the ensemble, and is currently a professional opera singer. "As the operatic repertoire is growing to include all types of musical theater, my experiences at Grand Valley helped me become a versatile and marketable artist today."

Looking back on 20 years, Schriemer reflected on the fact that he is the most proud of the success of his students. 

"Someone has a chance at life in a particular way because of these opportunities," Schriemer said. "I didn't have the undergraduate experience that they have, and I'm proud of the fact that they have it. This is what education is all about."

For more information about "Gianni Schicchi" and the alumni concert, contact Schriemer at [email protected] or (616) 331-2573.