UT Grad Trains, Performs among Opera's Best
William Compton '04
More than 650 wanted to sing, but only 28 got the nod. UT graduate William Compton was one of them.
What inspired such spirited competition? The opportunity to perform for the summer at the renowned Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Compton ’04, a tenor, earned a slot in the opera’s Young American Artists program, which offers performance and study opportunities for some of the best early-career talent in the world of opera. Glimmerglass presents 43 productions of four operas during its annual festival season in July and August.
Compton says one of the highlights of the experience has been meeting established performers, many of whom were in the Young American Artists program at the beginning of their careers.
“Meeting successful opera singers who perform the main roles is very exciting,” says Compton, who’s from Memphis originally. “Some of them were once Glimmerglass Young Artists, and it shows that success in this career can be achieved. They offer their time and information to the young artists because they know what it was once like to be in our situation.”
As a Young Artist, Compton’s days are filled with rehearsing, performing, and individualized instruction in diction, acting, and non-performance skills such as business management and audition tactics. Glimmerglass also offers a “see and be seen” advantage as representatives from famous opera houses visit to scout the talent.
Compton’s ambition is to perform and later, perhaps, to teach. “I would like to perform in opera houses year round in America and overseas. Maybe once I’m finished traveling, I’d like to settle down and teach voice or opera direction at the collegiate level.”
At UT, Compton combined his music studies with a minor in computer science. He credits Sarah Searle, associate professor of music, with helping him balance the demands of the two programs along with extracurricular activities that included TeamVols, UT Chamber Choir, UT Opera Theatre, and the Knoxville Opera Company. His sisters Amy and Mary Compton also attended UT.
When the Glimmerglass summer season concludes at the end of August, Compton will head back to Cincinnati where he’s working on a doctorate in musical arts at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
