Ian Silverman came to the Frost School of Music as a multitasker pursuing not just one degree but two, double-majoring in classical vocal performance and music industry. In his final year, Silverman went one better with a remarkable triple-play star turn in a student production of the Stravinsky opera “The Rake’s Progress”—singing with what the South Florida Classical Review called “a pithy character tenor and spot-on enunciation” while simultaneously serving as assistant director and stage manager. Small wonder he won the Frost School’s Overall Outstanding Senior award for 2017.
Since earning his Frost School degrees and a 2020 Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music, Silverman has amassed an impressive list of credits as assistant and associate director with the Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Atlanta Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and other leading companies. He has also worked with some of the most renowned directors in the field, including James Robinson and Francesca Zambello.
This summer finds Silverman moving up to director for productions including “Little Women: The Musical” at South Carolina’s Varna International Muzika! Festival and “L’Italiana in Algeri” at Minnesota’s Northern Lights Music Festival. Working at this level requires not just insight and skill but passion, which Silverman has in abundance.
“When done right, there’s no greater art form,” he said. “Opera is a complete synthesis of music, theater, ballet, and visual art. There’s so much spectacle, and it’s a challenge to work on that scale. We’re telling stories that have existed for hundreds of years. Finding new ways to breathe new life into them is exciting.”
The Frost School provided a great launching pad for Silverman’s career, giving him the freedom to work and study in multiple areas, starting with the double major. That played a large part in drawing him to the school in the first place.
“The greatest benefit was getting a minor in business, which has come in very handy,” Silverman said. “I have so many skill sets to think about things from different angles. In choosing Frost, I was able to have so many experiences where other schools didn’t seem as flexible.”
Another solid Frost School advantage is its network, which connected Silverman to his primary mentor, associate professor Jeffrey Buchman. The two have worked together many times over the years.
“The opera world has so many moving parts, and directing is both creative and logistical,” said Buchman, the Frost Opera Theater’s program and stage director. “It’s a balancing act, and he has it. After high-level assistant and associate-directing, he’s getting the chance to do his own directing and doing really great work. He’s one of the up-and-coming people in the industry. I’m proud of the journey he’s made and confident he’ll go on to do big things.”
As an indicator of his rising status, Silverman finds himself being asked for career advice. His short answer is: be prepared.
“Success is opportunity meeting luck, but only if you’re ready,” he said. “You want to be the person that others want to be around. I pride myself on being a good colleague, the person who gets hired back. What we do is stressful but low-stakes. I hope we’re touching lives, but we’re not saving them. Keep things in perspective. Make art that’s a joyful, healthy experience.”
