Lakehead Music Student Wins First Place in Crescendo Music Competition at Carnegie Hall

Earlier this month, Lakehead music student Jessica Hayes won first place in the opera category at the Crescendo International Music Competition, held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She performed Si, mi chiamano Mimi from Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème, a piece she had spent the last two years mastering. 

Jessica is in her final year of an Honours Bachelor of Arts (specialized music) with a primary focus on vocal performance and a minor in Women and Gender Studies.

A labour of love

In 2019, Jessica chose Si, mi chiamano Mimi in hopes of performing it at the 2020 Crescendo International Music Competition. Due to the pandemic, the competition was cancelled that year and only offered virtually in 2021. Wanting to perform in person, Jessica decided not to compete in 2021.

“That ended up being a good decision anyway because I got an extra year to really delve into the piece. I had obviously known how to sing it at that point, I can usually get a piece down and ready for performance within a couple of months, but this extra time gave me a chance to really learn the character and become the character”

Taking the extra year to master the piece, Jessica was able to further develop her operatic foundation and technique.

“I used the extra time to dive deeper into the emotional aspect of the work, and I think, in the end, that really enriched the entire performance immensely”

The piece, Si, mi chiamano Mimi, was suggested to Jessica by her professor, Kim Erickson. Jessica was not familiar with the opera before but explains that over time she began to identify with the character Mimi, who is portrayed in the piece. 

“The character Mimi is such a hopeful and simple person, finding happiness in the littlest of things. Having the opportunity to explore her character throughout the pandemic really helped me overcome some of my own hopelessness during all of the lockdowns. I guess I took a page out of Mimi's book and became more grateful for the things I did still have and that I could still do”

The Road to Carnegie Hall

At the beginning of December, Jessica submitted her video audition for the Crescendo International Music Competition. Applicants selected to move on to the final round would get the opportunity to perform in New York.

“Since singing at Carnegie Hall has always been a dream of mine, I decided to send in my recording and see what happened” 

Video submitted by Jessica Hayes

Shortly before New Year’s, Jessica received a late Christmas gift: an email saying she’d make it to the final round of competition! Jessica explains she was having coffee with her dad when she received the message. Upon opening her phone and seeing the word Congratulations, Jessica couldn’t help but scream.

“I was ecstatic when I found out. Like I ugly cried for sure! I felt like I was in a dream; it was such an incredible feeling […] Once I was able to gain enough composure to tell my dad about it, we both started crying. We were so excited”

In preparation for the final competition, Jessica practised the piece multiple times a day. She also worked weekly with Sean Kim, her Thunder Bay accompanist, to simulate the performance setting.

“My vocal coach, Kim, continued to coach the piece and encourage me right until I was basically packed and on the plane!”

Jessica expresses her gratitude for the unwavering support from both her vocal coach, Kim, and accompanist, Sean: “I really couldn’t have done it without them”

New York, New York

Jessica was awestruck upon her arrival at Carnegie Hall on February 14th: 

Image submitted by Jessica Hayes - Jessica outside of Carnegie Hall, New York.

 “The walls were lined with posters of all of the greats that had performed there before, including Maria Callas, a personal favourite of mine, and the singer I turned to initially learn the piece. I think at that moment I was just in shock that I was there, at one of the most prestigious venues, about to sing on a stage that so many incredible performers had also been on.”

She was also given a dressing room that was once used by renowned composer and conductor Gustav Mahler.

“At that point, I didn't even consider it a competition anymore. I was like, it's okay if I lose, I'm singing at Carnegie Hall – I've already won!”

While on stage, Jessica explains that she was so engrossed in the piece and her character, that she hardly remembered her performance. She described the experience as “euphoric”.

Photo submitted by Jessica Hayes

After her performance, Jessica enjoyed watching the other talented performers compete. Due to capacity restrictions, the awards ceremony took place in the green room.

“The producer and founder of the competition gave out the awards for each age division, and when he got to my category and said my name for first place, my heart was just beating right out of my chest.”

 Already overwhelmed by her success, Jessica found out she was selected to attend a touring exchange in Italy this summer.

“I nearly fainted. I was truly in shock. I was trying to text all of my family, friends, and professors back home, but I was shaking so hard I could barely make it through the texting. My entire body was just vibrating with excitement, and as soon as I could leave and go tell my mom, I sprinted over, and we just started screaming and crying in the street outside of Carnegie Hall.”  

Under the Italian sun

Jessica will spend the summer touring Italy, taking classes with renowned musicians, and performing in different auditoriums and conservatories. During this tour, she will visit Padua, Cremona, Venice, and Florence.

Jessica is looking forward to the opportunity to learn and perform while abroad:

“I know that I will learn so much this summer. I’m super excited to refine my skills more, especially going into a Master’s of Opera program next year at the University of Toronto”

Words of advice

 When asked if there was anything else she wanted to share, Jessica offered some words of advice for anyone considering pursuing music:

“I think going into a music career is scary and incredibly daunting, but once I got over my fears and put in as much work as I could, it has been so rewarding. So, I think I just want to put the message out there that if you're thinking of going into a career in music or wanting to get a degree in music, 100% you should. If you're willing to put in that work, you should because at the end of the day, even if things don't work out, at least you're not going to have any regrets or "what ifs" about it!

On behalf of the Argus, congratulations Jessica and buona fortuna in Italy!