Not only is mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato one of today's most critically lauded performers (The New Yorker recently proclaimed her 'perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation'), the Grammy Award-winner is a staunch advocate of the arts and education. She stressed the importance of education in a interview with Flatt Magazine:
"Music education... is the key to all the issues we are facing now. I do see it as criminal that the arts in schools have been cut down to nothing. We are stealing from our children (our future) and the chance to develop their imaginations, to find their expressive voices, to learn to think outside a prescribed box, or to think, God forbid, independently! This is a crisis of epic proportions and we need to address this."
The self-proclaimed 'Yankee Diva' was born and raised in the suburbs of Kansas City, where her humble beginnings started in front of a mirror, singing into a hairbrush. Her only dream was to be a backup singer. But soon she found herself in school choirs and musicals, which led to a pursuit of a degree in music education:
"... I went to college to be a music educator. I thought I would be the cool high school choral director that I had when I was in high school. And it's a bit cliché to say I got bit by the bug but that truly is what happened. And I just said, you know what, I'm going to go for this and see what happens. And in a way I feel like I'm still saying that — I'm just going to go for it and see what happens."
Earlier this year, DiDonato received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from the Julliard School. In addition, she delivered the schools 109th commencement address to the school's 289 students. She closed the speech with this heartfelt plea:
"The world needs you. Now, the world may not exactly realize it, but wow, does it need you. It is yearning, starving, dying for you and your healing offer of service through your Art. We need you to help us understand that which is bigger than ourselves, so that we can stop feeling so small, so isolated, so helpless that, in our fear, we stop contributing that which is unique to us: that distinct, rare, individual quality which the world is desperately crying out for and eagerly awaiting. We need you to remind us what unbridled, unfiltered, childlike exuberance feels like, so we remember, without apology or disclaimer, to laugh, to play, to fly and to stop taking everything so damn seriously."
Joyce DiDonato's most recent album, Stella di Napoli (Star of Naples) is featured on this week's episode of New Classical Tracks.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
