Sydney Harris

2014 Singing Scholarship Recipient

Since her childhood, Sydney has harbored a deep passion for opera and classical music, influenced by her parents' involvement in the opera industry. She views opera as a living embodiment of classical paintings and believes it provides a delightful way to learn the Italian language. Having participated in several Italian operas, Sydney finds that studying the lyrics exposes her to romantic and poetic words, enhancing her language skills more effectively than traditional methods. Her dedication to learning Italian extends beyond formal lessons, as she immerses herself in the language while exploring Little Italy and engaging in conversations with her parents' Italian colleagues. Sydney envisions attending an Italian immersion program in the future, confident that it would greatly advance her fluency and complement her college studies.

With a profound love for Italy's towns, cuisine, people, and culture, Sydney yearns to further immerse herself in the country. She seeks to foster connections with fellow opera enthusiasts, delve into the history and art history of Florence, and receive high-quality voice training that will support her aspirations of performing as Tosca in the future. As a homeschooled student, Sydney possesses a unique opportunity to pursue her passions, including music, art, art history, languages, and performing arts. She actively attends operas, classical Italian concerts, and engages in both acting and singing roles in various productions. Under the guidance of her father, a respected operatic baritone, Sydney focuses on classical voice training with an emphasis on Italian art songs and occasional arias. In addition to her musical pursuits, she showcases her talent on the accordion, performing several Neapolitan and Italian songs. Sydney's commitment to her musical journey is unwavering, with her resolve to continue studying music for the rest of her life, starting from college and beyond.