Discover CRESCENDO! 2025
University Artist Outreach
CRESCENDO! offers motivated students the chance to refine their skills under the guidance of Union Avenue Opera’s esteemed professionals. We believe in fostering local talent and are eager to connect with the next generation of singers. Participants will also have the opportunity to compete for scholarships and paid roles in UAO’s 2025 productions of My Fair Lady, Pagliacci, and Salome.
Many past participants of CRESCENDO! have secured professional opportunities with Union Avenue Opera, including behind-the-scenes roles in the box office, supertitles, and stage management, as well as on-stage performance opportunities. These experiences provide valuable insight into careers in the performing arts.
The CRESCENDO! program begins in February 2025 and will conclude with a public recital on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 3:00PM held at Union Avenue Opera, 733 N Union Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108
To participate, interested students must submit the online CRESCENDO! application by January 24, 2025
*More than one absence will result in loss of eligibility for scholarship and chorus positions.
Experience the 2025 CRESCENDO! Program
Friday, January 24 | Midnight
Application Deadline! Complete the online application: Crescendo Application
Sunday, February 2 | afternoon, times to be assigned.
Crescendo baseline audition – Participants will present two arias/art songs of contrasting languages (program repertoire will be chosen from the student’s selections). There is a 5-minute maximum per selection.
Monday, February 10 | 7 pm – 9 pm
First Group Master Class — Participants will be assigned vocal coach and piece will be chosen.
Wednesday, February 19 | 7 pm – 9 pm
Diction Master Class — Participants will be divided by language.
Monday, February 24 or Tuesday, February 25 | 7 pm – 10 pm
Acting workshop with director Jennifer Wintzer
Saturday, March 1 | 10 am – noon
Stage Combat workshop
To be completed by March 3
Individual coaching sessions with Crescendo staff (at a time and place mutually agreeable to student and coach)
Monday, March 3 | 7 pm – 9 pm
Recital Run-through — Participants will have the opportunity to perform their pieces on the Union Avenue Opera stage and receive feedback from all the teachers.
Sunday, March 9 | 3 pm
Public Recital and Scholarship Presentation on the Union Avenue Opera Stage
Meet the 2025 CRESCENDO! Staff
Program Coordinator
Debra Hillabrand
Voice Instructors
Karen Kanakis, St. Louis University
Jacob Lassetter, Webster University
Stephanie Tennill, St. Louis University
Emily Truckenbrod, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Vocal Coaches
Jonathan Heany
Nancy Mayo, Webster University
Zach Neumann, University of Missouri – St. Louis
Robert Valentine
Acting Workshop
Jennifer Wintzer, St. Louis University
Stage Combat Workshop
Jack Kalan
Questions? Email Program Coordinator, Debra Hillabrand, at [email protected]
FREE CRESCENDO! Recital
Sunday, March 9th at 3:00 p.m.
Union Avenue Opera’s University Artist Outreach program, CRESCENDO!, will host a free recital on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. This performance marks the culmination of CRESCENDO!, a free, hands-on, performance-based training program designed to support local artists early in their careers as they prepare to join the St. Louis arts community.
The recital is free and open to audiences of all ages. It will take place on the Union Avenue Opera stage, located at 733 North Union Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. No tickets are required, and doors will open at 2:30 p.m.
Congratulations to the 2024 CRESCENDO! Scholarship Winners:
(L-R) Lily Kinnison (SLU), 3rd place and winner of the Jack & Betty Swanson Scholarship; Rita Schien (UMSL), 2nd place and winner of the John F. Lesser Scholarship; and Anna Edwards (Webster University), 1st place and winner of the John J. Prcic Memorial Scholarship; Scott Schoonover, Artistic Director
