The prestigious Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute selects only a handful of gifted young opera singers out of hundreds of applicants to receive private coaching, attend workshops and take part in master classes. This year, they have selected Brigham Young University master student in vocal performance, Dru Daniels, who has been chosen to participate in 'The Song Continues.' She will share the stage with the famed voices of Marilyn Horne, Stephanie Blythe and Sir Thomas Allen. Much of Daniels’ successful path to Carnegie can be traced back to the vocal training she received from faculty at BYU. One teacher, assistant professor of voice, Darrell Babidge, had his own Carnegie debut in 2004 and understood what Daniels would have to do to be ready for this program.
“Dru has come a long way,” said Babidge. When she first arrived she had a few holes in her technique, and I have seen her work very hard to hone and polish these skills.” Babidge continues to train and work with students and alumni frequently. He assisted student, Rebecca Pederson as the second youngest ever to win the Metropolitan Opera Competition in 2013. Babidge understands the excellence of the Carnegie Hall program the intensive physical preparations one needs to sing, but he is confident in Daniels’ ability to perform. “Dru has worked really hard to get to this point,” said Babidge. “The week residency at Carnegie Hall will test her vocal and acting prowess, which she has learned so well at BYU.” While at BYU, Daniels has participated in several BYU productions including her performances as Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel and as Manon in the double-cast opera Manon. Daniels’ will be at Carnegie Hall January 18-23 in 2016.