Hosting Pavarotti Foundation competition latest high note for vocal music program
- Bill Studenc
- Bower School of Music & the Arts
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
6 – minute read
Launched 18 years ago as a new degree track with six undergraduates studying applied voice, Florida Gulf Coast University’s vocal performance program has matured and has been hitting all the right notes preparing graduates for advanced study, international competitions and professional careers.
The program today boasts more than 60 student vocalists pursuing degrees in music performance, music education, music therapy and general music, according to Jeanie Darnell, professor of voice, director of opera and head of vocal studies.
As one of three founding music faculty members, Darnell has been at the Bower School of Music & the Arts since its beginning in 2006, when it was home to a single choir led by the school’s inaugural director. The school now has four choral ensembles — the University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Bel Canto Women’s Choir and Cantabile Men’s Choir — led by two full-time choral professors.
FGCU voice students regularly win awards at state and regional competitions, and last spring, students won or placed as finalists in major competitions in New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Among distinguished alumni, 2018 grad Marlina Karimi won third place in the AIMS International Vocal Competition in Graz, Austria, after receiving her artist diploma from DePaul University. Claudia Cespedes, who graduated in 2024, will sing in Opera Naples’ production of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflote” this spring.
The latest step in the evolution of the program happens Jan. 16-18 as the Bower School hosts the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. The final round, in the Music Building’s U. Tobe Recital Hall, is open to the public.
Since its founding, the program has produced dozens of graduates, many of whom have gone on to attend graduate school in music through scholarships or assistantships.
“We didn’t graduate a first class of students until 2010,” Darnell said. “So, for 14 years, I think we are doing very well as a still relatively young vocal program in comparison to long-established universities. I attribute it to our dedicated and talented faculty, who invest significantly in their students.”
Program alumni have pursued master’s degrees in vocal performance at prestigious institutions including the University of Michigan, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, University of Miami, DePaul University, University of South Carolina, University of Oregon, University of Memphis, Bowling Green University and Southern Methodist University.
“Opera singers aren’t ready to enter the large professional world of singing straight out of their undergraduate degrees. They must seek additional graduate and apprenticeship training before they audition for companies, agents and managers. It is a profession that takes some time to break into successfully,” Darnell said.
Well on her way in that regard is Arienne Fort Cannock, a native of Peru who graduated from FGCU in 2020 with a double major in vocal performance and music education before earning her master’s in voice performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
Cannock is currently refining her craft in Italy — the birthplace of opera — under the guidance of renowned baritone Roberto Servile while performing in Italy and Spain.
“The opportunities I’ve encountered here have been invaluable, allowing me to grow as an artist and bring new layers to my voice,” Cannock said. “Italy feels like the natural next step in my journey. I’ve always known that to truly refine my skills and gain the kind of depth I want in my artistry, I had to be where the tradition and culture of opera are so rich.”
Cannock credits FGCU for providing a solid foundation for her advanced study and international performance opportunities by preparing her for the artistic and professional aspects of her career.
“One of the biggest things that set FGCU apart was the focus on student success and guidance. The faculty genuinely cared about each student’s growth and took time to mentor us individually. I also had a wealth of performance opportunities that allowed me to not only work on my voice but also build confidence on stage,” she said. “Everything I learned at FGCU, from the technical aspects of singing to the emotional depth of performing, laid the groundwork for everything I’m doing now.”
Cannock aspires to continue growing as an artist and become an educator, sharing the knowledge she has been gaining along the way.
“One of the most important things I’ve learned throughout my education and career is the value of community and mentorship. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of individual achievement, but I truly believe my journey has been shaped by the people around me — the professors, fellow students and colleagues who have supported me, shared their wisdom and inspired me to reach for greater heights,” she said. “Being in Italy feels like a dream come true, but I will always carry the lessons, friendships and experiences from FGCU with me. It’s a place that helped me find my voice — literally and figuratively.”
There are no FGCU alumni vying in the Pavarotti Foundation competition, which was founded under the aegis of the famous tenor in 1981 but has been on hiatus. Darnell said they are still young in their careers compared to many of the vocalists competing at this level. She and Krzysztof Biernacki, director of the Bower School of Music & the Arts, will be two of the judges for the competition.
“Now that this competition is being re-established, I expect to see our alumni participate from time to time,” she said.
The event will be held on campus beginning Jan. 16. The final round, at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 in the U. Tobe Recital Hall, is open to the public. Tickets are available online through the Opera Naples website.