UGA Opera Theatre Student Spotlight
Evelyn Shreves
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
UGA program/major: Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
Year in school: Senior
What is your earliest musical memory? It is hard to say exactly when, since I grew up around music. However, my most early moment is probably when I was a few years old, dancing around to polka music my parents used to play on cassette or listening to orchestras on television while my mom would quiz my brother and I on the various instruments playing!
Does anybody else in your family work in music related business? My second cousin sang on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera.
Do you play any other musical instrument? I played flute and violin until studying here at UGA.
Do you have any experience, as an audience member, that influenced you as a musician? I think I am influenced by every performance I watch, in some way or another. With each performance I watch, I find more inspiration and drive to continue learning and making music myself.
When did you start considering vocal performance? Since I was a little kid, I always knew I wanted to sing and perform. However, my goals changed from wanting to sing musical theater to wanting to sing opera around my junior year of high school.
What do you consider as a milestone in your performance career? Probably singing the role of Pamina – I had a short time to learn the role, and it helped set a higher bar for me as I went above what I thought I was capable of doing. I also think being able to attend the International Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal this summer was extremely helpful in furthering my studies thus far.
What was your favorite scene in past UGA Opera Theatre productions? I cannot choose just one.
What is your favorite scene in the next UGA Opera Theatre production? I think the Quintet is most fun for me to sing and perform. But, I also look forward to the Toreador song and the Seguidilla.
Do you have any hobby? I love to take long walks outside and to cook.
If you could be or do anything else – what would it be? I cannot imagine doing anything other than something with music, and specifically performing. If I had to do anything else in life other than perform, I would make sure that it would still be in the music field.
If you could go back in time, when and where would you like to live? I would love to go back to any time in the early/mid 1900's, even if just for the fashion styles and to be around during the premieres of some of my favorite classic Broadway musicals.
If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? It is hard to choose just five, but Leonard Bernstein, Lincoln, Maria Callas, Carol Burnett, and Albert Einstein would be a good start.
What is your dream opera role? I would love to sing the role of Manon.
Your career goals: To always strive to be the best singer and performer I can be, to help others through my music in one way or another (to “touch” peoples' lives), and to travel the world.
Is there any interesting opera backstage story you would like to share? I enjoy watching everyone as they each have their own rituals before going on stage.
What one word would you use to describe yourself? Diligent