On March 23, soprano Julie Adams '13 steps onto the country's most hallowed opera stage to compete with 19 other singers in the semi-finals of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. For sixty years, the auditions have cast a wide net in search of the country's best young singers. Previous winners include a constellation of superstars such as Teresa Stratas (1959), Stephanie Blythe (1994), Sondra Radvanovsky (1995) and Conservatory Trustee Advisory Board members Thomas Hampson (1981) and Frederica von Stade (1969). But the auditions confer powerful prestige on all competitors who advance through its rounds.
It's a grueling process. To get to New York, Adams first had to win the Los Angeles District and Western Region titles last October. From the semi-finals, some ten singers are picked to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at the Grand Finals Concert held the following week. From this elite group, a handful of Grand Winners receive prizes of $15,000.
 Adams could ask for no better guide to lead her through the auditions than her teacher, faculty member César Ulloa. Another Ulloa protégé, Efraín Solís, made it to the Grand Finals just last year. Ulloa has offered one common piece of advice to both singers: to stay focused and trust themselves. "I say, 'We've done the technical work, now go out there and sing from your heart and let the music inspire you - take the audience there!'" Ulloa praises both students for their passion, dedication and willingness to learn. But he acknowledges that good competitors must possess a certain innate edge as well as good technique. About Adams, he says, "she is fierce and unstoppable and that is something that you definitely need to be successful in this field."
Ulloa, who also sang on the Met stage during the course of an international career, clearly brings a performer's passion and dedication to his role as teacher. When Solís made it to the Met finals last year, Ulloa returned to his old stomping ground to cheer him on. "When I first saw him come on stage at the Met and heard the applause before he even started to sing, I have to say that tears were flowing for sure." Ulloa is equally proud of Adams. Should she advance one more round, he's ready to buy another cross-country ticket.
Take Note: Conservatory News and Events, March 19, 2014
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