Inspired: Graduate student takes the next step in pursuing her opera dreams
Kiara Walker left a job at Juilliard to earn a master鈥檚 in vocal performance
Kiara Walker remembers the first time she heard opera.
During her undergraduate years at Georgia鈥檚 Valdosta State University, she had leaned toward a theater major. That is, until she heard one of her best friends 鈥 a music major 鈥 sing an aria. The glory of the sound sparked a new passion for classical music.
鈥淚t was the first time I had ever heard anything like that, and I was entranced,鈥 said Walker, who will earn her master鈥檚 in vocal performance from 黑料视频鈥檚 music program this May. 鈥淚 said, 鈥業 need to do that.鈥欌
The Cortland native 鈥 a soprano 鈥 graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 in music, but her life took a different turn after graduation. She moved to New York City, where she spent five years working in higher education, first at New York University and then at The Julliard School, where she was the schedule and program associate for the Vocal Arts Department.
鈥淎fter a few years of working at The Julliard School, I realized my passion for opera and singing,鈥 she said.
Juilliard was also where she met vocal coach Diane Richardson, a 黑料视频 associate professor of music. When the pandemic struck, Walker moved back to Georgia and continued to work for Juilliard remotely while investigating her graduate school options. Remembering Richardson, she decided to apply to Binghamton and landed a scholarship.
She felt some trepidation initially; after all, she had been out of the student routine for some years and had only a month between leaving her job and starting her master鈥檚 program. The greatest challenge was navigating the department and its various personnel, readjusting after the end of the pandemic shutdown.
She was a frequent sight on the Binghamton stage, participating in all of the University鈥檚 opera performances since the fall of 2021.
On the classroom side, she particularly appreciates Assistant Professor of Musicology Sarah Gerk鈥檚 music history course, which gave her the opportunity to research Black composer Florence Price and her work, as well as activist, actor and singer Paul Robeson. That class, during her first year at Binghamton, inspired the April recital that comprised her master鈥檚 thesis: She performed works by Price and other Black composers, including Margaret Bonds and Harry Burleigh.
鈥淜iara鈥檚 enthusiastic curiosity and her devotion to the music she loves inspires me. She鈥檚 the kind of student I feel lucky to teach,鈥 Gerk said.
In addition to Gerk鈥檚 class, one of Walker鈥檚 greatest highlights was working with Assistant Professor of Voice Brenda Iglesias, she said.
鈥淪he is brilliant and really knows a lot about the voice,鈥 Walker said. 鈥淭eaching voice can be difficult; I can say this from experience because I have taught and am teaching, and it鈥檚 hard to describe something that鈥檚 in your body and which is very specific to each person. Dr. Iglesias and I were able to find a language.鈥
After Commencement, Walker plans to continue studying with Iglesias as she works on the next step toward her dream: finding an artist diploma program in performance.
Someday, she鈥檇 like to sing the part of Violetta in Verdi鈥檚 La Traviata and the Countess in Mozart鈥檚 The Marriage of Figaro 鈥 among many others; there鈥檚 no shortage of intriguing roles and challenging repertoire in opera.
鈥淢ozart is a difficult composer, especially for singers who are just starting out like myself,鈥 she reflected. 鈥淚 love opera. I love recitals. I love singing. I want to put myself out there and soak up as much as I can.鈥