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| Mariana López Levi and Matthew Reynolds at their senior recital Photo curtsey of Becca Bur |
Trinity University seniors Mariana López Levi, soprano, and Matthew Reynolds, baritone, gave their senior recital in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall on Saturday.
These accomplished musicians performed operatic arias, such as "O luce di quest'anima" from Linda di Chamounix, and Broadway show tunes, such as "Giants in the Sky" from Into the Woods, in front of a large audience made up of family and friends.
Among them was Liezelle Lopez, 23, a Trinity alum who knew López Levi and Reynolds from choir and voice lessons. She thought the recital was great and very entertaining.
Lopez was also impressed by how much the two vocalists have grown as musicians over the years. “Matt has grown a lot in terms of unifying his voice and making it more consistent overall,” Lopez said, adding that Reynolds is “phenomenal at emoting while singing.”
In the case of López Levi, Lopez noticed her “high range has been more consistent and there’s less tension,” and her high notes “seem to come more easily, and she floats them.”
Both López Levi, 22, and Reynolds, 22, are currently studying with music professor Dr. Chia-Wei Lee, who helped them put together a diverse program at their senior recital.
“Matthew has had a beautiful voice since his first year, and I tried to let him touch different ideas of music to develop his music ability,” said Lee. For López Levi, Lee said he put more focus on her technique so that “her natural talent with the music would show up.”
López Levi and Reynolds have been musically inclined since a young age. López Levi, of Monterrey, Mexico, first performed in a Christmas school play at age 7. She joined a children’s choir, but felt that her first real choir experience was at Trinity. She is currently a member of Trinity’s Chamber Singers.
She is also pursuing a degree in music education and hopes to direct high school students. The Spring Choral Concert on March 21 will feature López Levi as a student conductor directing the Chamber Singers performing “Northern Lights” by Ola Gjeilo.
In the case of López Levi, Lopez noticed her “high range has been more consistent and there’s less tension,” and her high notes “seem to come more easily, and she floats them.”
Both López Levi, 22, and Reynolds, 22, are currently studying with music professor Dr. Chia-Wei Lee, who helped them put together a diverse program at their senior recital.
“Matthew has had a beautiful voice since his first year, and I tried to let him touch different ideas of music to develop his music ability,” said Lee. For López Levi, Lee said he put more focus on her technique so that “her natural talent with the music would show up.”
López Levi and Reynolds have been musically inclined since a young age. López Levi, of Monterrey, Mexico, first performed in a Christmas school play at age 7. She joined a children’s choir, but felt that her first real choir experience was at Trinity. She is currently a member of Trinity’s Chamber Singers.
She is also pursuing a degree in music education and hopes to direct high school students. The Spring Choral Concert on March 21 will feature López Levi as a student conductor directing the Chamber Singers performing “Northern Lights” by Ola Gjeilo.
Music is an essential part of López Levi’s life. “I can’t picture myself doing anything else,” she says. She hopes to continue performing in the future while she is a music educator.
Reynolds, a music and urban studies double major, began his extensive music career in his hometown, Waco, Texas. He participated in the Waco Boys Choir in fourth and fifth grade. He took private voice lessons in high school from his sophomore to senior year.
Many of Trinity’s theatrical productions have featured Reynolds. He has starred in two musicals: Pippin during his freshman year and Three Penny Opera, his junior year.
Reynolds has also performed in three operas at Trinity, including Gianni Schicchi and The Consul. Last year, he directed and starred in the opera, Cavalleria Rusticana, which he described as "the most stressful and rewarding experience of my life.”
Last semester, Reynolds performed in his first professional opera production, as part of the chorus for a production of Carmen at the Tobin Center in San Antonio. “There’s nothing that makes me as happy as performing,” he said.
Lee, their voice teacher, hopes they will continue to enjoy the world of music. A piece of advice he wants to give them is to “learn more, listen more, and try more so that they won’t regret anything in their old ages.”
Last semester, Reynolds performed in his first professional opera production, as part of the chorus for a production of Carmen at the Tobin Center in San Antonio. “There’s nothing that makes me as happy as performing,” he said.
Lee, their voice teacher, hopes they will continue to enjoy the world of music. A piece of advice he wants to give them is to “learn more, listen more, and try more so that they won’t regret anything in their old ages.”
For now, they can enjoy a sense of pride for finishing their senior recital. The standing ovation at the end of their recital was a recognition of their talent.
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