Originally from Denver, Annamarie Zmolek ‘05 earned a BM in Vocal Performance at Eastman. During her time at UR, she was part of the Eastman Opera Theatre and Eastman Musica Nova. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Rice University.

Tells us about what you’ve been doing since graduation.
Since graduation, I have been taking my time finishing my education as a singer. I knew I did not want to immediately get my Master’s after I graduated from Eastman, so I took a few years off. I spent fall ‘05 to spring ‘07 in Germany as a volunteer for my church, which was a great way to learn German and broaden my experience. When I returned home, I spent a year working in Denver and saving money for grad school. During this time I worked on getting my singing back in shape, and had many opportunities to perform in Denver. Now I am halfway finished with my Master’s at Rice, and am preparing to audition for opera companies and young artist programs.

What interests do you have outside of music?
My interests outside of music include working out, reading, and watching movies.

There’s been a recent focus in the Campus Times about the relationship between Eastman and the River Campus. According to University Vice President and General Secretary Paul Burgett, the exchange between campuses has flourished in recent years. What was your experience?
I never really had a lot to do with the River Campus as an Eastman student. I took a literature class there once, and occasionally would visit a friend I had there or go enjoy the better choices at their cafeterias. I used to blame it on the distance between the campuses. However, now I am at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and our music building is very close to the rest of campus, and there are certainly many other students at Rice majoring in a wide variety of interesting things. The music department keeps me very busy, and I still have almost nothing to do with the rest of the University. I think it is an issue of time and interest, for me.

How can this relationship be improved?
I think the relationship doesn’t really need to be improved. Generally those who want to have more to do with the rest of the University will do so, and those who want to focus on their area of study will also do so. I do think that students in the Humanities would benefit greatly from seeing an opera or symphony concert at Eastman, and Eastman students would benefit from taking more classes having to do with art history and European history, to have more of an idea of the cultural and historical context of their music.

Based on your experience so far, how is an Eastman degree perceived in the professional environment? Do you think it gives you an edge?
An Eastman degree is certainly valuable in the professional world, and in some circles it is really impressive. I always feel a bond with a fellow musician who has also gone to Eastman. But for many people who are hiring singers, they don’t really care where you went to school, they care about what you have to say as a singer, as a performer. In that respect, they don’t care if my degree is from Eastman, but I am glad I went there because it is what helped me become a performer with something to say.

As an alumna, how do you stay connected to the school?
I stay connected to the school by keeping in touch with my former voice professor and reading the alumni magazines.

Any advice for students studying vocal performance?
To students studying vocal performance, I would say work hard and really sink into the music you are studying. Read the source material the opera is based on, see as many versions of your aria on YouTube as you can, study what has been done in the past and what people are doing currently. If you don’t really enjoy that process of digging in deep and doing your homework on a role or song, then maybe consider if this is really a career for you. Also, make the most of whatever you are assigned to do, whether it is the leading role or a tiny solo in the chorus. Don’t waste your energy complaining; just do your best with what you have! Complaining won’t get you better parts, but working hard and being a good colleague definitely will!

Favorite place in Rochester?
I always loved Stromboli’s, Java’s, The Spot, First Rate Deli, and all those fun places to eat around Eastman. Also the children’s museum and the outdoor ice skating rink they had in a park downtown. There is also a huge soft spot in my heart for the ghetto mall.