|
Meet 3 Iowa City-area students who get to sing in New York's Carnegie Hall later this year The three Iowa City-area students, ages 9 to 18, study at North Liberty's Fryvecind Voice Studio, run by Mia Fryvecind Gimenez, a voice coach and a graduate of the University of Iowa's opera program. Isaac Hamlet Iowa City Press-Citizen Mia Fryvecind Gimenez is doing something right. The local voice coach, a graduate of the University of Iowa's opera program, is sending three of her students to Carnegie Hall later this year to compete as finalists in a globally ranked singing competition. After graduating from UI, Fryvecind Gimenez worked at a Chicago opera house, went out west, toured with a production of "Les Miserables" and performed with "Jerry Springer: The Opera" before roosting back in the Iowa City area in 2015. “I never thought I'd be a teacher," the founder of North Liberty's Fryvecind Voice Studio recently told the Press-Citizen. “It started with one student, like it does, and I’ve now blossomed, five years later, to 45 strong with a waiting list.” Late last year, three of those students — Coralville's Julia Kartvelishvilli, age 9; Iowa City's Ian Allen, age 18; and Coralville's Lovella Varner, Fryvecind Gimenez's 11-year-old niece — performed well enough in the American Protégé International Voice Competition to go on to represent Iowa in Carnegie Hall later this year. "These are high-stakes competitions," Fryvecind Gimenez said. “I’ve had students get recruited to colleges just by virtue of performing at these. You walk into a room, there are three adjudicators, it’s open to the public, you get one shot and it’s high stakes.” ► You may have seen Mia in :Coralville's City Circle Theatre kicks off its season with 'Songs for a New World' Kartvelishvilli, whom Fryvecind Gimenez has taken particular pride in over the two years she's been teaching her, was awarded second place in the competition's Classical Repertoire category performing Giacomo Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro" and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's "Se Tu M'ami." "They were really hard and I like singing songs that are a challenge," Kartvelishvilli said of the pieces. "I want to perform pop, classical and musical theater ... maybe it could be a career." "She'll learn a song in about a day and the next day she'll have learned it," said Fryvecind Gimenez, who also noted Kartvelishvilli's vibrato and perfect pitch. Varner was likewise awarded second place, but in the We Sing Pop! international competition for her age group with performances of Noah Cyrus' "July" (which she also played flute for), Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" and Alicia Keys' "Fallin'." She expects to perform at the Stern Auditorium stage in the June 2021 Summer Gala at Carnegie Hall. “(Fryvecind Gimenez has) been my teacher my entire life," she said. "I idolize her and I want to be like her ... I want to make a career out of singing and be on Broadway." Fryvecind Gimenez recalled how nervous Varner was when she first began lessons. Now, though, at the prospect of performing in front of a 2,800-seat theater, she says her neice is up to the task. "I'm definitely nervous — I get nervous just talking in front of people — but when I sing, I feel way less nervous," Varner said. Allen, a senior at Iowa City City High, was also awarded second place in his age group in the We Sing Pop! international competition and is also scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall in June. He's been studying with Fryvecind Gimenez since 2016. Allen is planning to attend the University of Colorado in Denver later this year, and has a life-long ambition of being a professional recording artist. He's been songwriting for three years and just recently was able to release his first single, "U Before Me." His second single, "Numb," is set to be released sometime this month. Both will appear on an upcoming EP, too. "I've been needing to do this since I was in kindergarten," he said, "since I knew what a pop star was." The We Sing Pop! competition also saw Iowa City's Abril Hamity and Coralville's Allison Reed land third-place spots alongside Kartvelishvilli. It's still unclear whether those who finished in third place will be invited to perform in New York City, as organizers continue to monitor what precautions will be necessary amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the virus first came to eastern Iowa, Fryvecind Gimenez has had to teach her students via web chats out of her home. That hasn't slowed the studio down any, though, as students have won these and other awards. But Fryvecind Gimenez says she isn't focused on the competition; rather, she just wants to give her students the opportunity to perform. And what first started out of her office in Nolte Academy has come to be its own full-fledged voice school run out of Fryvecind Gimenez's home office. Fryvecind Gimenez has plans for the future, though things are still falling into place. She wants to be able to do full musical productions with her students and hopes to get a physical space for them to perform in. She's also pondering holding a local benefit concert to help these students with travel expenses later this year. For the moment, though, she's content to continue instructing and building on the relationships she's formed with the dozens of students she's taken on. "I’m doing something right, but I wish I could put my finger on it," she said with a chuckle. "I don’t know how to put into words what we’re doing, but we’re on the right path, and all of these accolades and these constant competition successes are proof.” Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Press-Citizen. Reach him at [email protected] or (319)-688-4247, follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet. Getting to Know the Evitapus - Eight Women Take on an Iconic Role
There is something incredible that happens when you stir up the norm. City Circle Theatre Company’s concert presentation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly successful Evita will be electrifying the Coralville Center of the Performing Arts this weekend, Feb. 14-16 (tickets are $14-29). Their concept is unlike any Evita I had heard before, with eight capable actresses sharing the leading role of Eva Peron. ... As Eva’s life continues she is a beacon of hope for the people of Argentina. As the love the public has for her grows, so does Eva’s position in the community. Mia Fryvecind Gimenez’s Latina roots ground her breath-taking portrayal. “My father is from Cuba,” she said. “He came to the United States to play baseball, and he quit. He got called to service, he’s a minister. Now he is going on 30 years running a homeless shelter — working for the common, underprivileged, under-served man. So that part of Eva Péron’s journey absolutely resonates with me. I do believe at this point in her life, she genuinely does feel for the people. She’s been in the field, has sympathy and has the power to help them. I don’t think it’s gone to her head, yet.” Fryvecind Gimenez uses her incredible gift of music as her ministry. littlevillagemag.com/getting-to-know-the-evitapus-eight-women-take-on-an-iconic-role-at-the-ccpa/ |
|
|
|
|
Super Troupers: “Mamma Mia!”, at the Timber Lake Playhouse through August 4
-By Pamela Briggs River City Reader
...That wish goes for the entire cast, in fact, and there aren't words enough to give them all the praise they deserve. Kaitlin Lawrence, the "mamma" in Mamma Mia, and Lara Hayhurst and Mia Fryvecind Gimenez, who play her friends, completely dazzled me. Lawrence has lots to do and she does it all brilliantly; I'd like to be her when I grow up. For her part, Hayhurst is the best physical comedian I've ever seen live. Her "Does Your Mother Know" with Logan Dolence and the ensemble, was so delightful I never wanted it to end. And Fryvecind, with Darren Mangler, performs a very entertaining "Take a Chance on Me." In this number, her character is not a supplicant as the lyrics might suggest, but a dominant woman who is not asking – she's telling. These three women should tour together. And Mangler, James Tweedale, and Andrew Varela – who also log a lot of stage time – are appealing and manage both drama and comedy with ease.
https://www.rcreader.com/theatre/super-troupers-mamma-mia?fbclid=IwAR2ZK0Hfk_OLDyiArwvGVbjuMRU75CuQh0dAPd-ZikhNgHERmaD5jh3DRV0
-By Pamela Briggs River City Reader
...That wish goes for the entire cast, in fact, and there aren't words enough to give them all the praise they deserve. Kaitlin Lawrence, the "mamma" in Mamma Mia, and Lara Hayhurst and Mia Fryvecind Gimenez, who play her friends, completely dazzled me. Lawrence has lots to do and she does it all brilliantly; I'd like to be her when I grow up. For her part, Hayhurst is the best physical comedian I've ever seen live. Her "Does Your Mother Know" with Logan Dolence and the ensemble, was so delightful I never wanted it to end. And Fryvecind, with Darren Mangler, performs a very entertaining "Take a Chance on Me." In this number, her character is not a supplicant as the lyrics might suggest, but a dominant woman who is not asking – she's telling. These three women should tour together. And Mangler, James Tweedale, and Andrew Varela – who also log a lot of stage time – are appealing and manage both drama and comedy with ease.
https://www.rcreader.com/theatre/super-troupers-mamma-mia?fbclid=IwAR2ZK0Hfk_OLDyiArwvGVbjuMRU75CuQh0dAPd-ZikhNgHERmaD5jh3DRV0
|
'Fun evening at 'Mamma Mia!'
-By SAMANTHA PIDDE Carroll County News ...As always, the TLP cast gives a stellar performance during this production. ...Guest performers Mia Fryvecind Gimenez and Lara Hayhurst (through the Actor's Equity Association) are Donna's best friends Rosie and Tanya. Both inject a lot of humor and friendship into the roles. Hayhurst portrays the high maintenance and flirtatious Tanya wonderfully, especially in "Does Your Mother Know." One of the more entertaining songs in the second act is definitely Rosie's (Gimenez) aggressive flirtation of Bill in "Take a Chance on Me." http://www.mycarrollcountynews.com/opinion/article_bb08ce3c-ae24-11e9-9230-c70d378e5b8c.html Review: 'Chaplin' captures passion, pathos of silent film star's life...
|
|
Sunday in the Park with George, University of Iowa Mainstage
Rotten Eggnog at Riverside Theatre
"All three actors use the playwright’s words as jumping-off points to fully dive into their characters. During Sunday’s post-show talkback, we learned that the play has been a work in progress, with the 10th revision being what audiences are seeing onstage. Fryvecind Gimenez called the process “fascinating and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” All said they appreciated the way Lewis listened to their suggestions to shape the final production. - The Gazette 12/2/2018
www.thegazette.com/subject/life/arts-and-culture/rotten-eggnog-iowa-city-theatre-riverside-theater-review-20181202
www.thegazette.com/subject/life/arts-and-culture/rotten-eggnog-iowa-city-theatre-riverside-theater-review-20181202
Brash and jocular, ‘Rotten Eggnog’ is the perfect play for Christmas malcontents
"...Like Bad Santa, this is a hilarious and debauched holiday romp. The play is full of profanity and jokes about bad sex, monstrous mother-in-laws, penis enlargement, pornography at the library, sex cults and John Wayne Gacy lookalikes. The women beat up Santa Claus, break and enter a bar, rob an older woman of her jewelry and commit other crimes." - Little Village 12/3/2018
littlevillagemag.com/brash-and-jocular-rotten-eggnog-is-the-perfect-play-for-christmas-malcontents/
"...Like Bad Santa, this is a hilarious and debauched holiday romp. The play is full of profanity and jokes about bad sex, monstrous mother-in-laws, penis enlargement, pornography at the library, sex cults and John Wayne Gacy lookalikes. The women beat up Santa Claus, break and enter a bar, rob an older woman of her jewelry and commit other crimes." - Little Village 12/3/2018
littlevillagemag.com/brash-and-jocular-rotten-eggnog-is-the-perfect-play-for-christmas-malcontents/
Anything Goes
"There are a lot of strong performances here, led by two of the female leads. Mia Fryvecind Gimenez is a revelation as Reno. She’s a part of all the strongest musical numbers, singing duets on ‘You’re The Top’ (with Dustin Davis’ Billy) and ‘Friendship’ (with Jeffrey Allen Mead’s Moonface) and solo lead on ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’, and most notably of all the show’s title song, ‘Anything Goes’. She’s also on stage for the musical highlight of Act Two, being sung to by Sam O’Brien’s Lord Evelyn Oakleigh with ‘The Gypsy in Me’. Gimenez brings strong acting and dancing chops to her role in addition to her standout vocals." - David Pierce; IowaTheatreWordPress
|
|
|
Fiddler on the Roof
The highlight of the show for me was Tevye’s dream sequence. It’s one of the funniest and most fun moments of the show, and director Zahren pulled out all the stops to create a nightmarish experience. The ensemble was wonderful with their frenetically jerky movements as they surrounded the bed in which Tevye and Golda huddle. Bev Mead was perfect as Grandma Tzietel, showing off her pipes and stage presence. And Mia Fryvecind Gimenez was wonderfully scary as Lazar Wolf’s dead wife. IowaTheatreWordPress https://iowatheatre.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/a-review-of-fiddler-on-the-roof/
Rock of Ages
|
|
|
Les Miserables
|
San Jose Mercury News - Broadway by the Bay triumphs with luminous production of 'Les Miserables' By Joanne Engelhardt
"Mia Fryvecind Gimenez is heartbreaking as Fantine, who is fired for being a single mother and forced to turn to prostitution before dying and leaving her small daughter Cosette orphaned." March 10, 2015 |
Broadway By The Bay's production of Les Miserables
'Les Miserables' a glorious, fast moving production ... Adam S. Campbell is magnificent as Jean Valjean, his stunning tenor and counter tenor presents remarkable moments, especially when he plaintively prays for the life of Marius, his daughter's love with “Bring Him Home”. He carries a heavy load with an extraordinary delivery and is in almost every scene. Mia Fryvecind Gimenez as Fantine, Cosette's ill fated mother is another jewel. Her sound is clear and pure.The obsessed Javert is ably carried by Anthony Bernal who holds his own with this illustrious company. Erin Ashe as Eponine puts a poignant spin on the part and delivers with a moving, emotional charm. The Gilroy Dispatch by Camille Bounds http://www.gilroydispatch.com/lifestyles/columnists/les-miserables-a-glorious-fast-moving-production/article_f7201970-c846-11e4-94c9-d3bc59a54f63.html
|