Dr. Charles Smith, DMA. Nederland. On Sunday, May 17,2020, I noticed a post on Facebook from Lizzy Hayes stating that she was an opera singer and had announced her plans to sing in front of her home on East Street in Nederland.

With being involved with the Peak to Peak Players for the last couple of years, I am aware that there are many people who live in our community who have amazing talent and backgrounds. I have heard many of the truly talented instrumentalists and local musicians in our community and I certainly am aware of the history of the world famous Caribou recording studio. I have been amazed about finding out the incredible diversity of accomplishments of artists, authors, and computer and business experts. I performed at the Aspen music Festival for two summers. Five weeks in the Choral Institute. Wonderful musicians, master classes, and again, world famous musicians that would perform in the Festival tent.

I always had ice cream in the park with a young soprano who became a very good friend.  Sylvia Mc Nair went on to an amazing performance career, won two Grammy Awards, released over 70 albums, and sang all over the world. Talent and ability appears out of the blue and beyond. Hearing Lizzy brought back memories of meeting young singers who are gifted.

Central City Opera brings an array of world famous singers to our mountain community every summer. 

Opera is abundant during the festival. But in front of a house in Nederland? All that being stated, this opera event piqued my curiosity. 

I arrived at the residence for the 12:00 noon performance, found a semi flat rock to sit on, and this beautiful young lady stepped out in a flowing long blue dress.

Lizzy Hayes is a mezzo soprano. Her tone was present, and her communication to the approximately two dozen audience members was excellent. She sang without any amplification in French, German, Italian, and English. Her diction was crisp and clear.

Lizzy holds a degree in vocal performance from UConn. Her list of fourteen operatic roles includes three roles with the Boulder Opera Company.  She currently is a voice teacher with the Parlando School of Musical Arts in Boulder. 

I was impressed with the performance. To be able to sing outdoors in the natural conditions, and be successful simply to project is no easy accomplishment. 

I will keep my eye open for her next “driveway” performance.  Plenty of rocks to sit upon.

(Originally published in the May 28, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)