Oberlin Portrait: Concerto Competition Winner Marcy Stonikas

Soprano Marcy Stonikas performed Samuel Barber's Andromache's Farewell with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, guest conducted by Michael Palmer, on February 22

Soprano Marcy Stonikas' distinctive and resonant laugh (an interval of a minor ninth, which she inherited from her mother) instantly identifies her as a singer. Her laughter accents her story of her earliest singing memory: "When I was a little girl I would tape myself singing Christmas carols, then send copies of the tape as gifts."

The senior vocal performance major from Elmhurst, Ill., recalling other beginnings, says that her parents met in church choir. "My mother tells me that there were always singers in the family, and I am carrying on the tradition."

Stonikas has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments in the years since she recorded Christmas carols. One of the most notable occurred last year, when she was selected to attended the prestigious Music Academy of the West Summer School and Academy in Santa Barbara, Calif. She spent last summer at the Academy, studying with mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne and with Edward Zambara of the New England Conservatory, former teacher of mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves '85, hon. '98. She also had coachings with Warren Jones of the Manhattan School of Music's accompanying faculty. "I sang in master classes where there was typically an audience of more than 300, primarily patrons of the academy," says Stonikas.

Stonikas' demeanor and sense of humor belie any negative diva stereotypes. She describes herself as "just a normal person and an animal lover" -- she has three dogs and nine cats.

A student of Professor of Singing Daune Mahy, Stonikas says she chose Oberlin for several reasons. "I really love the atmosphere the people create, and the fact that music and art are appreciated in the town. I also love how many opportunities there are to perform all types of music."

She has certainly taken advantage of the many varied performance opportunities Oberlin has to offer. She performed the role of Skookum 1 in the Oberlin Opera Theater production of Henry Mollicone's Coyote Tales. She sang the title role in Puccini's Suor Angelica, performed the role of Bubikopf in Ulmans' Der Kaiser von Atlantis, and sang in Steve Reich's Music for Eighteen Musicians.
A concerto competition winner, Stonikas performed Barber's Andromache's Farewell with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra in February.

"The text is very powerful," she says. "I am glad the words are in English because it's easier -- for the performer and for the audience -- to identify with the story."

Stonikas originally planned to audition for the competition with Strauss' Four Last Songs; Mahy had given her the music after her senior recital as a gift. But with only two weeks to the preliminary auditions, Stonikas says, "I felt that I couldn't do the Strauss pieces justice. So I learned Andromache's Farewell instead."

Was it stressful to have such a short time between learning a piece and auditioning with it? "I learn music quickly," says Stonikas, "but I had the auditions hanging before me. Yet I felt better able to get a handle on this piece; it felt very comfortable technically, but it can make for an interesting sing because the text is so moving. It is very easy to cry. In the dress rehearsal I did cry, but luckily there was a long interlude that allowed me to recoup."

While she is looking forward to graduating in May, Stonikas anticipates her leave-taking will be bittersweet: "I have made many lasting relationships here; after graduation, I'll definitely miss a lot of Oberlin people. I hope that no matter where I go I will find someplace similar.'

What inspired you to be a musician? What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
I love music. On discouraging days I enjoy teaching other students and having a good lesson because I remember what it was like to have huge breakthroughs in the beginning that allow you to progress by leaps and bounds. It is nice to help someone else discover that.

What is the most memorable performance you have seen and why?
A lot of things come to mind, but I would have to say seeing Deborah Voight recently in recital. She is my idol right now. I love everything she does!

If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be? What would you perform?
I would be honored to sing with Kiri Te Kanewa, Renata Tebaldi, and a number of other great sopranos in a Carnegie Hall recital. To be included in that group would be more than I could handle.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
I've always wanted to play the harp. I am so amazed at people who can play it. It's astounding.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose? What profession would you definitely NOT choose?
I would be an allergist because that's what my mother wanted me to become. She thought that my becoming one would help with my family's allergy problems.

I would definitely not want to be a car salesman or a telemarketer, because most people don't want to deal with them and people put their guard up when approached by them.

What do you listen to for inspiration? In your free time?
I listen to the Four Last Songs because it's mind-blowingly beautiful. The lyrical nature of the melody and the interaction of the vocal writing and instrumentation blow me away! In my free time, when I am in the car by myself, I listen to mindless pop music, but if my boyfriend is in the car with me I listen to classical or NPR. When I'm in my house I listen to more unknown alternative rock artists.

What do you like to read?
Anything you put in front of me. Whether it is a magazine, newspaper or novel.

What are three words that best describe you?
Marcy Lynne Stonikas.