Tony-winning Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth took the stage in a recent masterclass at the Frost School of Music, where she offered performance pointers, advice, and inspiration to a dozen students who sang for her in a packed auditorium.
Chenoweth came to campus at the invitation of Dr. Frank Ragsdale, chair of the vocal performance department, while she was in the area for a concert performance. Ragsdale had personal connections to Chenoweth’s world from having previously taught at her alma mater, Oklahoma City University, and also through a Miami alumnus working on “Queen of Versailles” (Chenoweth’s new project with her “Wicked” collaborator Stephen Schwartz.)
“She’s well-known for her Broadway work, and she was also a classical major who sang a lot of opera,” said Ragsdale. “We try to train people at Frost to be working musicians, and Kristin is one of the greatest we have out there. She really bridges those worlds.”
In addition to her Tony-winning star turn in “Wicked,” the diminutive Chenoweth’s credits include recurring roles on “The Voice,” “Schmigadoon!” and “Glee.” Sophomore Grace Mineo, from Long Island, New York, was suitably starstruck even before singing the Stephen Sondheim/Patti Lupone standard “The Ladies Who Lunch.”
“I have been an admirer of hers since I was 12 years old,” said Mineo. “I’ve always loved musical theater, and to be able to sing for her was a dream come true. She was so kind, encouraging, and supportive. We hugged at the end which was awesome, and also funny because she’s so small and I’m pretty tall.”
For her part, Chenoweth had high praise for the students she heard sing at Frost.
“Working with some of the students, I became hopeful that more and more we are finding young, gifted artists in musical theater and opera coming out of Miami,” Chenoworth said in a statement. “I loved my experience and hope to be back and work with more talent. What an inspiring day we had together!"
Nicole Acosta, a sophomore from Miami, had an equally memorable experience singing “Gimme Gimme” from the stage musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She had to go first, which was nerve-wracking until Chenoweth put her at ease.
“I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous,” Acosta said. “But she was so into it when I sang, even stomping and cheering me on. That felt so good. One thing she told me that I’ll always remember: ‘None of us are singers first, we are actors telling a story. The vocal part will come, focus more on the character being present in the moment.’ She was amazing. Her advice is something I’ll use for the rest of my life.”
