Soprano Rebecca Pedersen, a sophomore at BYU, was selected as one of six winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Sunday, March 10, in New York. Of her performance, The New York Times wrote that Pedersen was “a precociously polished 21-year-old soprano who sounded particularly alluring in ‘Stridono lassÁ¹’ from ‘Pagliacci.’” The Associated Press also praised her “polished technique and potent sound.” Pedersen had previously advanced through the Salt Lake locals, the Denver regionals and the New York semifinals. She was the youngest of the ten finalists selected from 1800 singers across the nation. In addition to the $15,000 prize, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions carries tremendous weight. As the Metropolitan Opera noted in its press release, given the reach of the auditions, the number of applicants, and the long tradition associated with them, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are considered the most prestigious competition in North America for singers seeking to launch an operatic career. Many of the world’s foremost singers, among them Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, Ben Heppner, Jessye Norman, Samuel Ramey, Frederica von Stade, Deborah Voigt and Dolora Zajick have received awards from the National Council. Annually, approximately 100 former auditioners appear in Metropolitan Opera productions. Pedersen studies vocal performance with Darrell Babidge. She is also mentored by world-renowned mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick and is a resident artist at the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Recent solo engagements have included concerts with the Utah Symphony, conducted by Thierry Fischer. Ms. Pedersen won the Utah Salute to Youth competition in 2010 and 2012. As a freshman, Rebecca won both the BYU Singer of the Year Award and the Concerto Competition, soloing with the BYU Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Pedersen also maintains a close working relationship with the Utah Lyric Opera Company, where she was cast in their recent productions of La Traviata and La Bohème. Roles include Fiordiligi (CosÁ¬ fan tutte) at BYU, and Genevieve (Suor Angelica) with Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company. Photo: Metropolitan Opera

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts will host the well-renowned documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee this week, March 10—16. On Thursday, March 14, the public is invited to attend the film screening of “Photographic Memory” in the Nelke Theater at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, March 15, students and faculty of BYU are invited to attend McElwee’s guest lecture at 1:30 p.m. in F201 HFAC.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present the classic comedy “The Servant of Two Masters’” in the Pardoe Theatre Wednesday, March 20 through Friday, April 5, including matinee performances on Saturdays.

Soprano Rebecca Pedersen recently advanced to the final round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She will compete for one of approximately five Grand Winner awards on Sunday, March 10 in New York, accompanied by the Met orchestra. The concert will be broadcast nationwide on the Metropolitan Opera Radio Network.

BYU piano majors Hilary Heideman Mauler and Tiffany Winkel Delgado recently won first place in the United States International Duo Piano Competition (USIDPC) in Colorado Springs.

Friday the 8th, from 10:00 p.m. until 1 a.m., the HFAC will be the place to be! The Student Association of the College of Fine Arts and Communications along with the dean's office is holding the second annual Night at the HFAC event. The HFAC will be open late on Friday to throw a party for all the fabulous CFAC students.

The March 2013 Brigham Young University arts calendar features plays, recitals and concerts with talented guests as well as BYU faculty and student artists. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office at 801-422-4322, or online at byuarts.com/tickets.

Joined in performance by BYU Folk Music Ensemble

Top performing ensembles from India, Sri Lanka

Coming to Brigham Young University as part of the 2012-2013 Performing Arts Series, New York’s Aquila Theatre will present Edmond Rostand’s classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac” in the de Jong Concert Hall Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Mary Farahnakian, a professor of design and technology in the Theatre and Media Arts Department at Brigham Young University, will present this year’s Harold B. Lee Library’s annual Alice Louise Reynolds Women-in-Scholarship Lecture.

Student soloists from Brigham Young University’s School of Music will join the BYU Philharmonic with Kory Katseanes, conductor, in an “Evening of Concertos” Tuesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.