Music Notes: Notable Student

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Veena Akama-Makia

Senior performance major, Veena Akama-Makia, is definitely finding her voice in the performing world. In January, Veena received the Metropolitan Opera Encouragement Award for her performance at the Arkansas District Metropolitan Opera Auditions; however, she is no stranger to success. In 2015, Veena was the selected recipient of a $2000 scholarship from the Kristin Lewis Foundation after participating in the first annual Kristin Lewis Vocal Scholarship Audition Competition held at UCA. Lewis, who is a highly successful opera singer and alumna of UCA, established her foundation to give vocalists much needed support for enhanced study. As Veena stated following her award, “One of my goals is to attend summer programs that will give me more exposure to the operatic world. My education has given me the skill needed to be accepted to these programs, but financially, it’s a challenge. The Kristin Lewis Foundation gives young musicians like me the chance to attend programs that will help us reach the next level in our careers.” Since that time, Veena has certainly made the most of her scholarship and her education at UCA.

Last summer, Veena completed a six week program at Si parla, si canta Opera Festival, the preeminent Italian language program for young singers in Urbania, Italy. She was selected to participate in the program for four weeks following a successful audition in Tulsa; however, she was one of the select few students invited to stay an extra two weeks with all expenses paid. Those two weeks afforded her the opportunity to participate in a final concert at the Sala Boscarini of Centro Studi Italiani. During her stay in Italy, Veena’s schedule was full of masterclasses, lessons, rehearsals, and performances with some of the world’s top professionals. Veena is now a featured singer on the the printed and social media promotions for “Si parla, si canta.”

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Veena is from the voice studios of Christine Donahue and Martha Antolik, who retired after last year. She is also a member of the UCA Opera, directed by Rob Holden and Louis Menendez, who also serves as her vocal coach. Veena has sung leading roles in the UCA productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors, Marriage of Figaro, Hansel and Gretel, and Hand of Bridge, along with numerous scenes programs. Veena also sings in the UCA Concert and Chamber Choirs directed by John Erwin. Thanks to Veena for being a representation of the students in the Department of Music at UCA.

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