Junior Aurora Foster’s voice can be heard in every corner of the world

By Hanna McGuire
Sports Editor

For junior Aurora Foster, singing is more than a passion; it has given her the opportunity to see the world. This summer, Foster will be attending the Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy for one month to improve her opera singing.

Foster, who started singing at the age of three, has been a member of Mira Costa’s vocal ensemble for two years. Although she knew music was her calling, Foster only recently discovered her love of opera.

“In the middle of my sophomore year I decided that I wanted to pursue opera,” Foster said. “Being able to sing at Costa and have Mr. [Michael] Hayden and Mr. [Mark] McCormick as teachers has taken my passion for music to a whole other level.”

McCormick, who is both the staff accompanist and Foster’s music theory teacher, has been watching her improve as a singer and as a student.

“If I had one word to describe Aurora, it would be consistency. She is always on the top of her game with her voice sounding perfect,” McCormick said.

Along with training from music teachers Hayden and McCormick, Foster has started taking private singing lessons.

“Aurora is an exceptional music student, and I have no doubt that she will flourish in the Italian music experience,” Hayden said.

The Bel Canto Institute includes performance classes, private voice lessons, Italian classes, lectures and two concert performances in public venues in Florence. Foster also will be living with a host family while she is there.

“I’ve been to Italy twice already, so I’m familiar with the people and their way of life,” Foster said.

Getting to become a student at Bel Canto was no easy task. Foster had to compile an audition tape and send it in, along with many other hopeful applicants. Only nine high school students in the country have been accepted into the program.

“I was nervous when we sent in my tapes because I was sick when we recorded them,” Foster said. “When my mom told me that I got in, I was in total shock.”

After high school, Foster wants to major in vocal performance in college and achieve her goal of becoming a professional opera singer. This adventure in Italy is a large stepping stone leading Foster to where she hopes to end up.

“Singing is wonderful to me because when I’m standing on stage, everything just melts away, and it’s just me and my voice,” Foster said.