SU student chosen to sing, study music in Austria

Southern University voice student Alesi Ngemi is one of only 45 singers from across the United States chosen to participate in a program that will have them singing and studying in Salzburg, Austria.

Ngemi selection is part of the University of Miami School of Music Summer Program that will be held in July and August. He and the other students will not only sing and study music, they will also study German, be coached in vocal performance by veteran opera singers and participate in daily Master Voice Classes.

The graduate of McKinley High in Baton Rouge said he was stunned when he was notified he was among the few selected to study in the birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart.

“My first reaction was disbelief when I found out I was going because I guess you can say I was a late bloomer,” Ngemi said. “I have never gotten a scholarship or a chance to do something this extensive, but I am excited.”

He will also tour the surrounding Alpine District, attend operas and concerts during the world famous Salzburg Music Festival.

Interestingly, music is not Ngemi’s major. The voice student of Professor Richard Hobson is a senior animal science major with a minor in music.

This is Ngemi’s second time out of the country. The first was in 2006 with local music instructor and musical group leader Everett Parker. Ngemi was part of the gospel choir Parker took to Groningen in south France for 11 days.

On the upcoming trip, Ngemi and other students should arrive in Austria on July 4.

“I am thankful to be going and looking forward to spotlighting the education that I received from the music department here at Southern, and representing myself, family and faculty,” he said.