Can you introduce yourself to our New Mozart community? - Hello New Mozart community! My name is Nia Spaulding and I am a 23 year old soprano. I currently attend the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) for my Masters of Music. I also obtained my Bachelor of Music from the same university. My degree focus is voice performance where I am pursuing a solo operatic career.
How did your musical journey begin, and how old were you when you first started learning music? - My music journey began at New Mozart! I always loved music and my father, who taught guitar at New Mozart at the time, put me into Harmony Road classes when I was four years old. At the age of 10, I enrolled in the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) where my love of singing and classical voice grew. I distinctly remember my audition for SFGC. I was asked a few music theory questions and it was because of the foundational learning I received at New Mozart through Harmony Road and private piano lessons I was able to respond with confidence.
Who were your teachers at New Mozart, and who are you studying with now at the conservatory? - New Mozart’s Director/Founder Christine Shin was my Harmony Road teacher and I also took some private piano lessons with a teacher who has since left New Mozart School of Music. At CCM I have been studying with my voice teacher Dr. Gwendolyn Coleman for the past five years.
What are you currently pursuing in your musical career, and what inspires you most about it? - I am pursuing a masters degree in music, specifically voice performance. Again my focus is on solo classical voice and my main passion is opera. Something I love about opera is how emotionally driven it is. The orchestration, the libretto, and the human production of each show are so emotionally heightened. It moves us as artists but also moves audience members that are addicting to be a part of. Opera is such a collaborative art form and I always loved ensemble collaboration. Whether it was Harmony Road or the girls chorus, I deeply appreciate that the art form requires artists to work with their cast mates, the orchestra, the conductors and directors, and all of the crew from costumes and lights, to stage management. I may sing an aria on stage alone but I am never truly by myself.
If you could perform on any stage in the world, where would it be and why? - Wow, that’s a loaded question! Since I first discovered opera, my dream was to sing solo on the Metropolitan Opera’s stage in New York City. To share the stage with such beautiful artists and stars that I look up to in my craft would be absolutely incredible. The MET would be a dream, however, what intrigues me more are my dream operatic roles rather than dream venues. Roles I aspire to embody often are a part of shows I had the honor of being in, whether in the chorus or as a supporting role over the years. I can’t wait to sing my own Mimì (La bohème) or Suor Angelica one day!
What advice would you give to a young student who’s just starting their musical journey? - Take advantage of any opportunity to learn. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful support system that allowed me to explore and experiment in music so I found what I truly love. I took piano lessons, clarinet lessons at school, and even tried the cello, all while singing at SFGC. If you are a young singer I can’t recommend enough to take piano lessons and to continue learning. I wish I continued because it is such a wonderful skill to have. Knowing the piano will never not be useful in your musical career. Another piece of advice I’d give young musicians is to be patient. Musical progress isn’t produced overnight and it can be discouraging spending hours in the practice room and not getting the results you strive for. Progress is not linear and it took me a long time to accept that!
How do you stay motivated and disciplined in your music practice? - Sometimes I don’t! There are some days I have to accept that my mind and body needs a break and listening to that is so important. Finding time for self care within my studies allows me to become excited and motivated for any work I have to get done. When you have the opportunity to find and learn music that you love, use it! There will be times when you have to obviously learn and perform a piece that wasn’t your choice, so when you have the chance to do your own research and find pieces that excite you, it makes the learning process that much more enjoyable. As a singer I can’t sing in the practice room all day so finding ways to practice non-verbally is a game changer. Whether that’s score studying, translating my words, working on memorization, etc, exploring different ways of practicing is very important and keeps the wonderful work you’re doing engaging.
What’s one skill or life lesson you’ve gained from studying music that you think is valuable for everyone? - Music for me has always been a collaborative experience. Starting with Harmony Road, I learned from a very young age how important it is to put your all in your work not solely for your individual benefit but for the betterment of the group. There is something so fulfilling in realizing that the people around you like your teachers and colleagues all want the best for you. It is true that what you put in is what you’ll receive back. This applies beyond musical collaboration but into all aspects of your life.
Can you share how your experience in Harmony Road at New Mozart shaped your love for music and your career path? - One assignment I remember having in Harmony Road was composing a short piece. Mine was called “Bluesy Sun” and I can still vividly remember the picture I drew alongside it. While I am not pursuing becoming a composer, thanks to Harmony Road, composition has always been an interest of mine. Surprisingly enough, as much as I love learning and performing opera, it isn’t something I listen to all the time. I find myself loving to listen to instrumental music, specifically film composition, and I do believe that tapping into my own compositional skills in Harmony Road always gave me a deep appreciation for it. The musicianship skills I developed at such a young age at Harmony Road continue to be so valuable in my career. Having a good musical ear is something anyone can develop and is so important no matter the instrument.
What are your future plans, and what message would you like to share with our New Mozart families and students? - While I only have one more year to complete my Masters degree in voice performance, I’m quite sure I will not be done with my education. I anticipate that I will audition for multiple Artistic Diploma degrees across many schools so that I can deepen my operatic experience/resume and continue working with a voice teacher as my voice fully develops. Beyond education, I hope to be a part of a young artist residency. Currently, I work closely with Cincinnati Opera and am excited to be in their chorus this Summer for the second year. Reflecting on the past busy school year, I’m so grateful for every opportunity given and can’t wait to see what is next in store! New Mozart friends and families know that supporting your own or your child’s musical journey is a tremendous gift. Especially in this moment right now, the arts are needed more than ever to promote creative thinking and curiosity. I’ve found over the years how healing music is. It is a lifelong passion that has the power to deeply connect with people in ways you’d never believe and it is never too late to be a part of it.
