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Daniel Armstrong Accepted as Member of Prestigious Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program
June 23, 2006 - Daniel Armstrong, former Pepperdine University Seaver College student, has recently been accepted as a member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program with the Los Angeles Opera Company.
The Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program, under the direction of General Director Plácido Domingo and Karen Ashley, is designed to develop the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature.
“Danny is an exceptionally fine baritone and has the potential for a highly successful operatic career. It is rare for someone of his age to be contracted for a young artist program,” said Pepperdine University associate professor of Music, Dr. Melanie Emilio. Though many singers selected for this type of program are generally older and more experienced, Dr. Emilio feels, "the directors of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program realize Danny’s potential and are eager to hone his talent regardless of his age. This is an incredible opportunity for him and the music faculty applauds his success.”
The L.A. Opera has chosen 8 young singers, 2 coaches, 1 conductor and 1 stage director in the early stages of their careers to participate in the Program which provides intense musical coaching, voice lessons, language studies, acting, movement, and performance opportunities. Armstrong will begin work with the company in August, 2006.
At Pepperdine University, Armstrong has most recently performed the role of Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro with the Flora Thornton Opera Program and performed the bass solo in Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ in the Masterworks Concert.
Armstrong studies voice with Dr. Emelio and coaches with Dr. Louise Lofquist.
The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program at Pepperdine offers a many-faceted approach to the development of the young singing actor. Performance opportunities each year in fully-staged productions of opera and musical theatre, summer study abroad and exposure to top professionals in the field are hallmarks of the program. Faculty members have extensive experience in many of the world’s leading opera houses. Recent opera productions, designed or supervised by an award-winning resident professional staff, have included Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Abduction from the Seraglio and Così fan tutte, Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Humperdinck's Hänsel and Gretel. One unique aspect of the program is the close cooperation of the Music and Theatre departments. All productions in both areas are cast by open audition.
