Opera Abroad: UAF Students Take the Stage
The UAF Department of Music is celebrating an exciting achievement: Dr. Jaunelle Celaire, Steve & Cynthia Holmberg Choral Director Endowed Music Department Chair, has been named a recipient of the 2025 People’s Endowment Award. This recognition highlights her dedication to enriching students’ musical education through immersive performance experiences.
Dr. Celaire’s proposal for the People’s Endowment focuses on expanding UAF’s Opera Workshop, providing students with invaluable opportunities to perform both locally and internationally. Under her direction and with the musical accompaniment of Dr Dario Martin, students will present Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne in the Davis Concert Hall on April 5th and 6th before taking their talents abroad to the University of Costa Rica in May 2025.
This collaboration, initiated by Dr. Martin, will also feature master classes led by both him and Dr. Celaire. “It is really important for our studios to experience authentic performance opportunities outside of the university and State of Alaska. One of the ways to do this is to utilize the summer which allows flexibility with scheduling outside of the academic year.” said Dr. Celaire. “We thought it would be a really great opportunity for our students to go and study and perform abroad with the same repertoire they’ve worked so very hard to perform during the academic year,” she added.
Beyond technical skill, Dr. Celaire emphasizes the transformative power of performance. “It has been really amazing to see [the students] grow this academic year. Their confidence and consistency on stage has been wonderful to be a part of. They’re understanding for the art of opera and classical music keeps getting better and better. That’s what their education is about!” she shared. “The opportunity to exercise this performance in another country just allows them to have a bigger understanding of the art in another culture.”
She highlighted the significance of this experience, stating: “This genre of music is happening universally. Having the opportunity to exercise their skill through performance or education will only make them better educators, whether it be in the classroom or on stage. It is part of the methodology of teaching here in our department; authentic teaching, and performance experiences!”
Preparing for an international performance is no small feat, and students have been actively fundraising to make this experience possible. One upcoming event, Taco Night on April 11th, will help raise money for travel expenses. Those interested in supporting can also donate directly.
About Dr. Jaunelle Celaire
Dr. Jaunelle Celaire is a lyric-soprano, educator, and conductor with an extensive international performance career. Originally from Toronto, she has appeared as a soloist with the Maumee and Lima Symphony Orchestras, the University of Michigan Symphony, and the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, among others. Her operatic roles include Musetta (La Bohème), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Micaela (Carmen).
A dedicated music educator, Dr. Celaire has guided students to success at major institutions and opera programs. Since joining UAF in 2003, she has remained committed to excellence in voice instruction. She serves as the Artistic Director for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival’s Opera Program and the UAF Summer Music Academy. Her accolades include the 2020 Usibelli Distinguished Service Award.
About the UAF People's Endowment
The People’s Endowment at UAF supports faculty and student projects that foster innovation and engagement in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Dr. Celaire joins a distinguished group of CLA recipients for 2025, including Yue Sun (Music), Tori McDermott (Communication), Sarah McConnell (Music), Jericho Williams (English), Joe Holt (English), and Kevin Michael Carroll (faculty mentor: Jamie Smith) (Art).
About the UAF Department of Music
The UAF Department of Music provides rigorous training in performance, composition, and education, fostering a deep appreciation for the art of music. With a commitment to excellence and community engagement, the department offers students opportunities to collaborate with world-class faculty and perform in diverse settings.
