Tyler Stauffer photo
Sophomore Christy Moore recently earned the opportunity to perform as a vocal soloist during the upcoming performance of the Young Artists Debut Orchestra (YADO) at Mercyhurst College.

Moore’s voice teacher, Louisa Jonason, the Mary D’Angelo Department of Music chair, recommended her for the performance.

“I love Ms. Jonason,” Moore said. “She is an amazing teacher. I have grown so much just in one year working with her, and my voice has become much stronger.”

Moore auditioned for the solo by singing an aria from “The Crucible” and was later faxed the performance piece to sing in audition. Out of a number of hopefuls, she was selected as the concert’s soloist.

Hailing from Harrisburg, Pa., Moore is a music major seeking a degree in voice performance while also completing a second degree in psychology. As a high school student, Moore sang with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Opera (CPYO) for two seasons, and she was a part of the children’s chorus of Capital Opera Harrisburg. Moore is a soprano, although she said she also enjoys performing contralto pieces.

YADO, as directed by Maestro Frank Collura, is a community orchestra that pulls its members mainly from talented middle school and high school students in the Erie area. The orchestra is in residence in the D’Angelo Department of Music, and Mercyhurst music majors are often included as members in this ensemble.

In the approaching YADO performance, Moore will sing the spiritual “Nobody Knows (the Trouble I’ve Seen),” as arranged by Harry Burleigh.

A native of Erie, Burleigh was not only a premier performer, but he is also considered to have been the father of spirituals, having brought that musical genre to the focus of the general public. In addition to Burleigh’s piece, the YADO concert will include several holiday selections.

The YADO performance will take place on Thursday, Dec. 10, in the Mery D’Angelo Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the public.

Moore said of the upcoming concert, “I performed in the PAC in “Don Giovanni” last spring, but I have never done any solo work in that theater before, so it will definitely be a growing experience for me.”