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Kearney alumna to study opera in Germany
By Carrie Alexander
Opera singer Jenna Schroer got her musical start through the Kearney school district’s array of classes that accommodate hundreds of artistically blessed students each year. Under the guidance of Kearney High School music teacher Jason Elam, Schroer was able to spread her wings and fly to places both near and far and perform for large crowds.
“Jason Elam was a huge inspiration for me,” Schroer said. “He encouraged me and let me know that it was OK to pursue music as a serious career and not just a hobby. The education and experience I got from Kearney prepared me to achieve my goals.”
Now in her last semester of undergraduate study as student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Schroer sees that her dreams are getting closer and within reach.
“I leave for Germany on May 20 to study at the Goethe Institute,” Schroer said. “In my career, foreign language is pretty much a necessity. German, Italian, French and sometimes Russian are seen as requirements for opera singers to be familiar with.”
Schroer took two years of French while in high school but has since changed her focus to German.
“I studied French in high school but I was told that I have a Wagner voice,” Schroer said. “Wagner was a German composer who had a huge influence on opera. Since I have a Wagner-style voice and will most likely be singing that in the future, it made sense to focus on studying German.”
In Germany, Schroer will study four hours a day, five days a week in the classroom but her education will really begin when she leaves Kearney.
“Living here in a small town, I’m not really exposed on the level that I’d like to be even though I’ve taken two years of German classes,” Schroer said. “Being exposed there on a daily basis will give me more understanding of their culture, world and language. Diving in this way is a good opportunity to explore and experience a world beyond Kearney.”
Those who hear Schroer sing say that her voice is captivating and beautiful. For Bob Chichester, music director at the First Baptist Church in Kearney, that was the case.
“I was absolutely taken by her voice the first time I heard her sing,” Chichester said. “I know that I would certainly be willing to host a concert at our church for her to sing at. I think that it’s terrific that somebody of Jenna’s talent is from our area. It should be a source of pride for our community.”
While studying in Germany is sure to be an expensive venture, Schroer sees the investment in her future as one that will be a benefit for everyone and she hopes to be a role model for others hoping to pursue a musical career.
“I think that people can look at me as an example of someone who was determined to make their dreams come true,” Schroer said. “It’s possible for someone, even someone coming from a small town to do great things and make their dreams come true, I have.”
For more information, e-mail Jenna at JennaSchroer@gmail.com or visit www.myspace.com/JennaLeighS86 to hear some of her music.
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
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“Jason Elam was a huge inspiration for me,” Schroer said. “He encouraged me and let me know that it was OK to pursue music as a serious career and not just a hobby. The education and experience I got from Kearney prepared me to achieve my goals.”
Now in her last semester of undergraduate study as student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Schroer sees that her dreams are getting closer and within reach.
“I leave for Germany on May 20 to study at the Goethe Institute,” Schroer said. “In my career, foreign language is pretty much a necessity. German, Italian, French and sometimes Russian are seen as requirements for opera singers to be familiar with.”
Schroer took two years of French while in high school but has since changed her focus to German.
“I studied French in high school but I was told that I have a Wagner voice,” Schroer said. “Wagner was a German composer who had a huge influence on opera. Since I have a Wagner-style voice and will most likely be singing that in the future, it made sense to focus on studying German.”
In Germany, Schroer will study four hours a day, five days a week in the classroom but her education will really begin when she leaves Kearney.
“Living here in a small town, I’m not really exposed on the level that I’d like to be even though I’ve taken two years of German classes,” Schroer said. “Being exposed there on a daily basis will give me more understanding of their culture, world and language. Diving in this way is a good opportunity to explore and experience a world beyond Kearney.”
Those who hear Schroer sing say that her voice is captivating and beautiful. For Bob Chichester, music director at the First Baptist Church in Kearney, that was the case.
“I was absolutely taken by her voice the first time I heard her sing,” Chichester said. “I know that I would certainly be willing to host a concert at our church for her to sing at. I think that it’s terrific that somebody of Jenna’s talent is from our area. It should be a source of pride for our community.”
While studying in Germany is sure to be an expensive venture, Schroer sees the investment in her future as one that will be a benefit for everyone and she hopes to be a role model for others hoping to pursue a musical career.
“I think that people can look at me as an example of someone who was determined to make their dreams come true,” Schroer said. “It’s possible for someone, even someone coming from a small town to do great things and make their dreams come true, I have.”
For more information, e-mail Jenna at JennaSchroer@gmail.com or visit www.myspace.com/JennaLeighS86 to hear some of her music.
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.