Standing in a Cathedral in England during the Harrogate International Youth Festival at 17 years old and being asked to sing Art Is Calling For Me from the operetta The Enchantress by Victor Herbert is definitely an ah-ha moment, for Hanna Fettis.
Fettis, 19, said singing opera is the only way to express herself as big as she needs to go, and to keep the momentum going from that defining moment in England, Fettis has been enrolled in the University of British Columbia's prestigious opera program.
Fettis, along with Curtis Abriel will be singing Puccini to Pop at a concert at Westwood Church Sunday at 2 p.m. The show will be a fundraiser to help offset the costs the two young musicians will incur on their educational adventures, and will feature many other performers in this variety show.
Abriel will be a private pupil of Bruce Dunn, conductor of Kamloops Symphony and former professor of conducting at UBC. Abriel will study conducting, arranging and orchestration through the Kamloops Symphony School of Music.
Fettis has been asked a number of times why she doesn't just go and do Canadian Idol when they hear she is going into an opera program.
"For me that was never really an option. When I'm singing and how I want to express myself it just comes out fully and ultimately as big, huge classical stuff. Opera is so much more expressive for me. It's loud and dramatic and has that whole other acting element to it that I enjoy so much."
Guest singers for the show include Jaclyn Reimer, Jim Brinkman, Darrin Downey, Theresa Browne, Christin Fabriel-Leclerc, Jennifer Povoledo with piano accompaniment by Scott McDermid and Lyn Vernon.
Vernon, who also presents shows called Song in Motion, has choreography included in the fundraiser. Many numbers have full choreography as well as staging to keep things moving along.
"It's so special to find two young adults who are extremely talented that have such a strong work ethic as well as self-discipline that will guarantee their success in their chosen music careers," said Vernon. "That's why I am supporting them with this fundraiser. We need to help them."
Vernon and the performers have worked together for weeks to organize this event and Fettis wants to thank everyone involved in the show for volunteering.
"Especially to Lyn and Scott. Everyone has devoted many, many hours of their time for rehearsal and I am touched they are helping out with our fundraiser," said Fettis.
Tickets are $15 at the door at Westwood Chuch, 2658 Ospika Boulevard. There will also be a bake sale with all proceeds of the event going to the educational fund for Fettis and Abriel.
