Founding Artists
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The art of uniting text and music into one beautiful, cohesive statement is the gift of vocalist Margaret Sewell. Specializing in the performance and interpretation of German, French and English Art Song, Ms. Sewell holds Master and Bachelor of Music Degrees in Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University.
A Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society member, Ms. Sewell was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship in Music Theory and Voice and has received numerous accolades in the areas of music performance and scholarship. Along with piano and vocal instruction in her private studio, Ms. Sewell taught as a Master faculty member of Barthelmes Conservatory and has been a guest instructor for the Amadeus Piano Festival as well as presenting music education and enrichment programs to Tulsa home school groups. Ms. Sewell began her relationship with the Tulsa Opera after receiving a vocal scholarship and chorus invitation during undergraduate study.
In addition to her concert appearances, Ms. Sewell is a Psalmist and Cantor at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church. Sewell is an active volunteer and enjoys working with the St. Bernard choir and working as a Tulsa community leader. Always ready to try something fresh, Sewell has been exploring a new area of music, choral composition.
Margaret Sewell, Vocalist
Farren Mayfield is a diverse musician
with a wide array of performing and teaching
experiences ranging from classical to jazz.
Farren Mayfield currently serves on the Northeastern State University music faculty as instructor of Class Piano, Rock Music History, and Music Appreciation. He also operates a piano studio and works as a collaborative pianist in the Tahlequah area. Mr. Mayfield performs solo piano recitals throughout the Midwest and works in a variety of genres.
Mr. Mayfield graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, suma cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts of Education. Soon after, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he obtained a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy.
Mr. Mayfield has worked as an adjudicator for many festivals and OMTA related events and is also a member of Music Teacher National Association.
As a music lover, Farren enjoys all kinds, particularly those authentic traditions not tainted by the mainstream. Farren has two children; Farren Traz and Chloe Dawn, who always remind him of life’s gifts and possibilities.
Dr. Anne Watson joined the music faculty at Northeastern State University in the fall of 2008. An active performer, Watson performed as principal clarinet with the Arizona Opera Orchestra of Phoenix, AZ for ten years and in 2004 was named as finalist to the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami, FL. Watson has performed with the Tulsa Symphony, the Tulsa Ballet, the Phoenix Symphony, Ballet Tucson, Tucson Symphony, Phoenix Metropolitan Men's Chorus, Arizona Women in Tune, and the Phoenix Bach Choir. Since 2005, she has been a recording artist with the Carl Fischer Music Co. She actively performs with touring Broadway productions.
Watson holds degrees from West Texas A&M University (BM), where she won the University's Concerto Competition at the age of 18 and Arizona State University (MM and DMA), where she completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree under the tutelage of Robert Spring.
Guest Artists
Anne Watson, Clarinet
Farren Mayfield, Pianist
Ben Hay is a native of Oklahoma and new resident of Tulsa. Ben holds degrees from Oklahoma State University (B.M. Performance) as well as the University of New Mexico (M.M. Performance). Currently, Ben serves as an adjunct instructor for Tulsa Community College, where he teaches trumpet, chamber brass, and jazz combo.
An active orchestral and freelance musician, Ben has performed with the Tulsa Symphony
Orchestra, Tulsa Signature Symphony, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the North
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has also performed as a member of
the University of New Mexico graduate and faculty brass quintets. In 2009, Ben was
selected to be a part of the International Festival-
www.tulsabrass.com
Ben Hay, Trumpet
University of Tulsa Opera Workshop — Opera Workshop is open through audition to all
qualified students interested in exploring the Opera experience. Programs of opera
scenes are given, drawing from the standard and contemporary literature of opera
and operetta. Character and music development are stressed as well as backstage organization
and proper stage deportment.
University of Tulsa Opera Workshop Vocalists
With Professor Brady McElligott