UOP Conservatory of Music: Training & Opportunities
Photos Courtesy of University of the Pacific
It would certainly surprise opera fans in Germany to learn one of “their” local talents is actually from the Sacramento area and was musically trained at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.
But it wouldn’t surprise the people running the music program at UOP. They’d tell you the success of singer Irene Roberts is a perfect example of the work they do to educate talented young people on the many careers in the music industry.
“That’s what I love about my position,” said Conservatory of Music Associate Dean Fred Peterbark. “I get to see student after student come in and make what was once impossible, possible.”
Irene is a freelance opera singer living in Berlin, where performing opportunities are far greater than if she and her family were living in the U.S. She arrived at UOP back in the early 2000s thinking she’d develop a career as a singer-songwriter along the lines of Alicia Keys. But her vocal education also involved exposure to opera under Professor James Haffner and it was life changing.
“He taught us the basics that a lot of my colleagues with European educations don’t have. Things like stagecraft, understating how to move on stage. It was my first opera role at UOP, in my junior year, and that’s what solidified my decision to be a professional opera singer. I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do.”
Irene was one of just three voice majors at UOP 20 years ago, so she might struggle to recognize what’s become of her school. UOP is teaching more music students than ever before, with the expansion of the program to 11 degrees, ranging from composition to music history, music management, jazz studies, music therapy and a variety of performance programs.
“I’m thrilled at the progress we’ve made,” said Dean Peterbark, who came to Stockton relatively recently with his own music degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Colorado. “We have 84 new students coming in this year. By my count, we’ve gone from a total enrollment of 219 to over 250. We are very much growing, which is what President Christopher Callahan is looking to do for the university. We’re well on our way to creating a fantastic problem. We’re going to have more students so we’re going to need more space. Then we can build a new building.”
The recent success of another graduate may assist the growth of UOP’s music program. Filo Ebid, a 2023 Voice Performance graduate, finished in the top 12 of last season’s American Idol singing competition.
Is Hollywood exposure like that guaranteed for a young person going to UOP? Of course not; however; “Filo came and took the skills and experiences that he was offered and was able to apply them, so he was on American Idol and in the top 12,” said Dean Peterbark. “The question for all our students is, how do you do what’s best for you? Can you be on American Idol? Yes. Can you perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York? Yes. Can you perform with the San Francisco Symphony? Yes, it’s possible.”
Or you might end up in Germany, where an opera gig makes perfect sense. The young lady from Carmichael, who hoped to have a career like Alicia Keys, realized that early on. “I was utterly terrified to sing anything like that in front of anyone, because it’s not what I’m good at,” said Irene. “My voice isn’t made for that. It was at UOP I realized I don’t have a jazz or pop voice; I have an operatic voice.”
It’s a career choice she clearly doesn’t regret. “Opera has everything. It has the story, characters, it has the full orchestra, singing, costumes, lights and sets,” said Irene. “When I’m on stage as a character, every part of me can be completely expressive. I’m completely in the moment, paying attention to the conductor and the orchestra. I’m the type of person where all my senses are engaged at the same time.”
One of the final things Irene said in our zoom interview might be the best selling point for UOP music students. She may be freelance, but “I have more offers than I can take.”
I am always looking for new and exciting gigs to showcase musicians in our community who deserve recognition. Stay tuned!
Feel free to reach out: tim@dalyvideoservices.com.
