Opportunity of a Lifetime
Author: Ashley Westbrook
While students prepare to return to Emmanuel in August, EC junior, Ethan Weaver will be living out a dream, performing at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia through the Honors Performance Series.
Out of thousands of applicants, Ethan was selected to perform in the Young Artists Honors Choir from July 31 – August 5 with artists from around the world. Along with Ethan will be EC Dual Enrollment student, Kate Hobson from Hart County HS. Kate was also selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in February where she performed in a choir under the direction of renowned conductors.
Ethan’s passion for music and theater began at the Capitol Church.
Author: Ashley Westbrook
While students prepare to return to Emmanuel in August, EC junior, Ethan Weaver will be living out a dream, performing at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia through the Honors Performance Series.
Out of thousands of applicants, Ethan was selected to perform in the Young Artists Honors Choir from July 31 – August 5 with artists from around the world. Along with Ethan will be EC Dual Enrollment student, Kate Hobson from Hart County HS. Kate was also selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in February where she performed in a choir under the direction of renowned conductors.
Ethan’s passion for music and theater began at the Capitol Church.
“When I did my first solo in a performance at church it was in the children’s choir,” Ethan remembered. “That encouraged the director of our music ministry to get me to audition for the Raleigh Boys Choir. I also started to pursue theater at church, which led me to community theater and high school plays.”
As a junior, music major (Vocal Performance with a minor in Theater), Ethan is confident that his time at Emmanuel has prepared him for this opportunity.
“My time here has helped me learn to understand music more,” he said. “I can read it a lot better now and it’s a process. Dr. Deborah Herring has helped me vocally by preparing me, making me a confident vocalist and have fun with it.”
It was Dr. Herring who nominated both Ethan and Kate for this opportunity, and she believes she couldn’t have nominated more deserving students.
“I am very proud of Ethan and Kate!” she said. “They both study with me privately and I direct them as singers in the Emmanuel College Chorale. They are hard-working, outstanding vocalists and have years of experience singing in a number of ensembles and choruses and deserve this wonderful opportunity.”
For Ethan, the end goal is to end up on Broadway one day.
“I love to perform and I’d love to make a living doing something I love,” said Ethan. “Since I’ve been at Emmanuel, I have felt God has put other things on my heart like doing music ministry and teaching, but I know wherever he wants me to go, I’ll go.”
What advice would Ethan give to others looking to pursue performance opportunities?
“Never, ever give up,” he said. “Block out any negativity and keep going. God has so much more for you.”
As a junior, music major (Vocal Performance with a minor in Theater), Ethan is confident that his time at Emmanuel has prepared him for this opportunity.
“My time here has helped me learn to understand music more,” he said. “I can read it a lot better now and it’s a process. Dr. Deborah Herring has helped me vocally by preparing me, making me a confident vocalist and have fun with it.”
It was Dr. Herring who nominated both Ethan and Kate for this opportunity, and she believes she couldn’t have nominated more deserving students.
“I am very proud of Ethan and Kate!” she said. “They both study with me privately and I direct them as singers in the Emmanuel College Chorale. They are hard-working, outstanding vocalists and have years of experience singing in a number of ensembles and choruses and deserve this wonderful opportunity.”
For Ethan, the end goal is to end up on Broadway one day.
“I love to perform and I’d love to make a living doing something I love,” said Ethan. “Since I’ve been at Emmanuel, I have felt God has put other things on my heart like doing music ministry and teaching, but I know wherever he wants me to go, I’ll go.”
What advice would Ethan give to others looking to pursue performance opportunities?
“Never, ever give up,” he said. “Block out any negativity and keep going. God has so much more for you.”