An agricultural engineer, a budding neuroscientist, and ripped pants during a performance: We learned some of the inner secrets of the talented stars of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music who will be featured in our MOZART REQUIEM concerts this month.
Esther Tonea, soprano
1. Where are you from?
I usually say Buford, Georgia, but I was born in Hayward! Before starting my Masters at SFCM, I lived with my family in Georgia for 12 years.
2. Something people might be surprised to learn about you?
In the transition from high school to college, I was planning to study neuroscience and have music as my “side gig.” In high school I did a two year internship at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta studying the effects of the hippocampus on relational memory, and I was so fascinated by all of this research that I was certain I wanted to pursue a career in neuroscience. Well… things change, Jo. The moment I realized I needed to choose music was my freshman year when I was playing in the pit orchestra for Bizet’s Carmen. I was fighting tears just at the thought of a life without music, and that’s how I knew what I needed to do.
3. What is your Plan B?
What is this “Plan B” you speak of? Asking for a friend…
4. Do you play any instruments?
I grew up in a very musical family. My dad studied music (upright bass and piano) in Romania while growing up, and my mom took my sisters and I to zillions of private lessons and performances throughout the years. I tried bass, flute, and french horn until I fell in love with the cello. Now I have two Bachelors degrees in performance: one for cello and one for voice!
5. How has music changed your life?
Music has changed my life in more ways than I can count. When I first started playing in orchestra in middle school I began to learn how to work in groups, listening to each person’s musical contributions and ideas. Music taught me discipline, showed me inspiration, helped me explore passion… The list is endless and each individual component continues its refinement daily. I don’t know who I would be without music (and I’m not sure I even want to think about it)!
Kaitlin Bertschi, mezzo-soprano
1. Where are you from?
I’m originally from Long Island, New York but spent time living in New Orleans as well.
2. Favorite performance outfit?
Either my senior recital dress which I picked specifically because I was performing the Habanera from Carmen (lots of ruffles and flair!) or the beautiful Geisha costume I wore when I performed in Madama Butterfly with New Orleans Opera.
3. How has music changed your life?
Music, primarily singing, may be the most influential element of my life. It’s become all-consuming in the best way. Learning a role, or singing a text has served me as an avenue for processing my feelings. It’s been my vehicle for connecting and sharing with the people in my life. It’s taught me discipline, patience, and humility in a profound way like no other forces in my life. The text to Schubert’s An die Musik comes to mind when trying to sum up how music has changed and shaped me.
4. Nothing ever goes as planned — What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened during a performance?
This is so true. The first thing that comes to mind is a performance of the Verdi Requiem I sang in when I was pursuing my undergraduate degree. It was a collaboration with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and I just remember that music being so, so very powerful. During the performance, in the middle of the Dies Irae, the chorus, soloists, orchestra, and maestro were all shocked when the head of the bass drum exploded on stage after those major drum hits Verdi composed for the part. They had to replace the instrument with another, but I think the percussionist was able to flip it over and keep playing to finish the movement. The performance, of course, went on and I’m not sure the audience even noticed.
5. What is your Plan B?
I always thought it would be really nice to be a florist. Flowers are so pretty. People are always sending them to show a little love. Wouldn’t that be a nice thing to be a part of? But I think I’ll stick to Plan A.
Jimmy Kansau, tenor
1. Where are you from?
I’m from the Andes of Venezuela. But I should consider myself a San Franciscan since I’ve been here for 23 years. To some that’s a lifetime.
2. What is your Plan B?
I’m realizing it as we speak. A while back I was studying to be an agricultural engineer. Two classes left to graduate I said: I’m done.
3. How has music changed your life?
Music has allowed me to visit other countries and meet people. Music has opened a way to inspire others through mentoring. Music has allowed me to fulfill my dreams of working in some of the best venues in the world. But most importantly the friendships that have developed from it all.
4. Do you play any instruments?
I play the guitar to accompany myself or my siblings. I also play the Cuatro which is the big sister of the Ukulele brought by the Portuguese to South America.
5. Something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am the Studio Director and partner of an interior design firm JKA Design of San Francisco. I also used to paint landscapes and do architectural renderings back in the 80’s and 90’s. I love the mid-century sensitivity in architecture, design and music.
Brandon Bell, baritone
1. Where are you from?
I am from Suffolk, Virginia — the proud “Peanut Capital of the World!”
2. What is your Plan B?
When I was a junior in high school, I remember pressing one of the Young Artists at a local opera company for advice, particularly about going to college and studying voice. He left me with an incredible message that has stuck with me ever since. To paraphrase, he said, “If you want to succeed in this business, you have to give it everything you’ve got; all of you, with little-to-no doubt. You just go for it!” For me, that meant working 100% at my craft without carrying the uncertainties and potential instabilities of the career with me. So to answer your question, there is no Plan B, just complete dedication for now.
3. When did you start singing and when did you realize you wanted to do this for a living?
I’ve honestly been singing my entire life, and I barely remember a time when I wasn’t holding a microphone and forcing my family to endure one-man, living room, talent shows. In one of my second-grade projects, I stated that when I grew up, I wanted to be “either a singer or an astronaut.” Astronaut was essentially the go-to choice for boys back then, and my second choice career continued to evolve as I grew older. But throughout adolescence, high school, and the beginning of my young adult years, my number one want has always been to be a singer. I started taking voice lessons and singing opera in ninth grade, and for the first time in my life, my voice really felt at home. I pretty much made a commitment to it then.
4. Any musically talented relatives?
My dad is an INCREDIBLE singer and probably is the source of most of my musical gifts and love for performing. He spent part of his time as a soldier in the US Army touring and singing in a group that covered almost every genre of music imaginable. (Also: You didn’t hear this from me, but he does a killer Louis Armstrong).
5. What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened during a performance?
As a high schooler, I had the unique opportunity to be in the chorus of a couple of productions with Virginia Opera. I was lucky enough to be in the chorus of their 2009 production of Daughter of the Regiment. In our opening scene, was staged to drop down on one knee directly downstage center. So, we’re in performance, and I do my thing — I get down and I hear a loud *riiiiiiip*. I look down and find that I have completely ripped the inseam of my pants. Unfortunately for me, right after that moment we had a large group dance number, complete with kicks, which I had to meticulously navigate without exposing my ripped pants to the packed audience. Since then, ripped pants have kinda become my thing!
The California Symphony performs MOZART REQUIEM with the San Francisco Conservatory Chorus on March 17 at 8 PM and March 18 at 4 PM at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.
Visit www.californiasymphony.org for information.
