Student: Josmery Ramirez
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Baytown
Major: Vocal Performance
Creative activity: Prepared for and performed a selection of five songs for “Brilliance! V” showcase of rising young classical artists in Southeast Texas
Synopsis of Work: After Ramirez learned she had been selected for Brilliance! V, she worked with her mentor, Debra Greschner to choose pieces for a 12-minute program that would showcase her skill as a singer and entertain her audience. Working on her own each day and with Greschner in regular lessons and whenever Greschner had free time, Ramirez perfected the songs, then turned her attention to fine-tuning details. She and Greschner worked on performance details such as when to extend an arm, how to give an expression more clearly and what to wear on stage. When Ramirez left the stage that night, she felt proud of her performance for the first time rather than self-critical. She now is working with Greschner to build a repertoire for beginning singers of all voice types as part of an honors contract for her vocal pedagogy class.
Dates of Activity: Fall 2007 through Jan. 11, 2008
Presentations: Ramirez performed “Deh vieni non tardar,” “Tell me o blue, blue sky,” “O mio babbino caro,” “En tra la la y el punteado” and “Voyage a Paris” in the Jan. 11 “Brilliance! V” showcase at the Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont.
Faculty Mentor: Debra Greschner
Josmery Ramirez: “Ms Greschner is amazing. She’s more than just a voice teacher. She’s also a close friend. I have her cell phone number and I’ll think, ‘OK, she’s probably eating dinner right now, but I’m just going to call her real quick.’ She’ll take time out of her family time to help me with the small things, and I know she truly cares about my future.”
