Sunday, November 8, 2015

5 Questions with Ryan Bauer-Walsh



Ryan Bauer-Walsh (BFA ‘o6), studied Music Theatre at Hartt from 2002 to 2006.  He is currently living in New York City. 


What have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?

After Graduating in 2006 from the Theatre Division at Hartt I moved straight to NYC. I had worked with Goodspeed’s Festival of New Artists through the Music Theatre divisions relationship with their theatre company and it helped them get to know me. After a few auditions in NYC, Goodspeed cast me in Nell Benjamin’s PIRATES! It was a new take on Pirates of Penzance and I got my Equity card.  Getting my card helped me make the transition from school to performing professionally. I went on tour after that with Theatre Works USA for my first national touring experience with Paul Revere. It was a great way to see the country and it really developed my work ethic.

After that I realized the only way to work in NYC was to audition constantly. I did about 260 auditions in one year back when you could go to four a day. I was running between audition studios and getting to know all the casting directors in town and finally I booked my first Production Contract. Lonny Price, who I had met at the American Theatre Wing’s SPRINGBOARD boot camp two years prior, cast me in BROADWAY: 3 GENERATIONS at The Kennedy Center. It was my birthday that day and he called me personally to let me know I was going to be part of the show. It was life changing to work with that team of creatives. After that, I did the First National Tour of BILLY ELLIOT, the International tour of ZORRO, toured Europe with Silver Sea, ENCORES Most Happy Fella, and I’ve worked regionally in theater around the country.

I also have built a career as a Voice Over actor, as an illustration artist, commissioned painter and I recently published my first book; Rusty The Rescue- which proceeds from the sales go to help shelter dogs. 

What are you involved with right now and is there a specific career highlight?

I was recently invited back to reprise my role as Pietro, with the Prospect Theatre Company in their production of Death For Five Voices. We will be doing a developmental residency to workshop the production in Gesualdo, Italy- which is where the story in the musical takes place.  We will be performing in the castle where the protagonist lived. I also just made my debut as Jean Valjean in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of Les Miserables— which to date was one of the most thrilling experiences I have had on stage.

But I think one of the best experiences I have had as a performer in a while was actually just this last month. I was invited by The New York Special Olympics to perform at their opening ceremony on October 16th. Over 1000 athletes gathered with supporters and fans at the Glenn Falls Civic Center for the event. Meeting such an amazing group of people and being able to be a part of that evening was incredible! The event is completely built on the strength of volunteers. We had less than 20 minutes to tech the performance, but in that time we were able to create a flash mob of 60 dancers who took to the floor while I sang a version of Katy Perry’s FIREWORK— for which Hartt Professor Michael Morris created an amazing orchestration for the evening. Thank you again, Mike!!

What is one of your most memorable moments from your time at Hartt?

Sunday, November 1, 2015

5 Questions with Trevor Johnson



Trevor Johnson (MM degree Oboe Performance ‘95) studied at Hartt from 1993 to 1995. He is currently living in Jeffersonville, Indiana (suburb of Louisville, Kentucky).

What have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?
A few months after graduating from Hartt, I won an audition for a position with the Louisville Orchestra, and with the exception of two seasons’ leaves of absence, have been 2nd and Assistant Principal Oboe ever since.  In the past few years, I have also been playing English horn regularly with the orchestra.  In 2000, I was the host/conference coordinator of the annual meeting of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) when it met in Louisville.
What are you involved with right now?
Coaching double reeds in a local high school, and a recording project with the Louisville Orchestra to provide the soundtrack to Thunder Over Louisville, the largest fireworks display in North America.
What is one of your most memorable things about your time at Hartt? What is a career highlight?
Performing with the Emerson String Quartet and traveling to New York with Performance 20/20 to see performances at Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Performing under the baton of John Williams, and accompanying Rostropovich in a performance of the Shostakovich Cello Concerto.
What did you learn during while at Hartt that you did not appreciate or recognize until after time passed and you had some time to reflect?
Not only did I receive excellent performance instruction and opportunities while at Hartt, but I also had hands-on experience with other aspects of being a musician that are necessary to make a career.  As part of my financial aid package, I learned a great deal about behind-the-scenes responsibilities as stage manager for the Conductors’ Institute Orchestra, manager of the Hartt Contemporary Players, and producing aspects of the first Performance 20/20 CD recording.
What is next for you?
I plan to continue to work with the ever-rising Louisville Orchestra and collaborate in a recording project with my chamber music group, the Ceruti Chamber Players. I also will serve on the Executive Board of the local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians.
If people to get in touch, how can they do so?