LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The best and brightest performers come to Lexington for the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre program.
One of them is Ruthie Sangster. Musical talent runs in her family, and it did not take long for her to find her voice growing up in Simpsonville.
“I've always sung. I have musical parents who have been very supportive of me, and so I've always done theatre and choir all through school. In middle school I got involved with the Louisville Youth Choir and through that I began taking private voice lessons, auditioned for the Governor School for the Arts, and from there I was hooked on opera and musical theater.”
Sangster found a way to combine her love for both through the UK Opera Theatre program. She graduated with majors in vocal performance and arts administration.
“I think that it's something that is very strong and very amazing thanks to Dr. Everett McCorvey. And especially for a public university to have the kind of program that we do. We’re very fortunate to be competitive against all of the big major voice conservatories across the nation.”
Ruthie Sangster received valuable experience on stage at UK, from roles in “Showboat” to the annual production of “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.”
“Through UK OT we do two main stage productions each year. And then there's also an opportunity in the summer for ‘It's a Grand Night for Singing.’ So I've been fortunate to do that twice, and I've been in almost every main stage, since I started.”
For all the roles she has played, there have been plenty that she did not get.
“I just think it takes a lot of drive. It takes a lot of passion because there is a lot of rejection. It's a very competitive field and I've definitely had to kind of acclimate myself to all of the nos, but there always will be that one yes. And that's what you're supposed to be doing.”
She has this message for the Class of 2020. “Don't be discouraged. I know it's been a very tough time for everyone. It's been very unexpected. I would say that, but my my words of advice would just be persevere. Keep going, find find new hobbies, find something that you're passionate about and keep pouring into it.”
