Empowering Students
Music at Iowa

Katherine Eberle (music professor): At the University of Iowa School of Music, we have a tremendous program in that there's a full orchestra, five choirs, and an opera program that's excellent.

Gary Race (associate professor and Opera Theater director): We've been able to establish an atmosphere in which people are comfortable exploring and taking chances on things they've not done before. That atmosphere of exploration is critical to a young artist.

Heather Youngquist (vocal performance major): In rehearsals for The Merry Widow, Professor Gary Race always gives specific direction, knowing exactly what he wants from you, and helps you find everything inside of you that you've got to add to this production. ...Dr. Eberle not only gives me opportunities professionally, but she's also a good friend and she watches out for me.

Professor Eberle: She has the kind of voice and the energy and perserverence that one really needs to make it as a professional singer.

Professor Race: If this art form is to go into the 21st century, it's this generation of people who are going to take it there, and that path has not been walked yet. I cannot walk it with them. I cannot walk it for them, but I can lay it out for them and say 'Go.'

Heather: I feel that the University is empowering me to become exactly who I want to be, and teaching me everything I'm going to need to know for what it is that I want to do, which is perform.