Unlocking potential: Iain MacNeil (BMus’13)
By Dawn Morrison
Described as “a singer to be reckoned with” by Musical Toronto magazine, international award-winning baritone Iain MacNeil (BMus’13) has travelled the world singing opera. He recently sang the title role in the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio performance of The Marriage of Figaro, and won the male prize in the Emmerich Smola Foerderpreis competition in Landau, Germany. Iain was also a member of the 2013 Young Singers Project with the Salzburg Festival. Career highlights for this rising star also include representing the Canadian Opera Company in the Stella Maris International Voice Competition on board the MS Europa.
His voice has been described as possessing “uncommon beauty of tone and heartfelt expression.” Remarkably, it’s a talent he did not know he possessed when he arrived at Dalhousie. Under the tutelage of renowned mezzo soprano and professor Marcia Swanston, Iain’s initial plans went in a decidedly different direction.
“When I came to Dalhousie, I wanted to be a music teacher, and I had no real plans beyond that,” he says. “I picked Voice to study by process of elimination.”
‘You can do this.’
Iain says a pivotal moment came early in his studies that changed the course of his life and career. “It was about six weeks into my first term when Marcia said to me, ‘you’re learning fast. You could have a career in this field. You can do this.’ I realized I had this whole skill set lying within me. Marcia unlocked that.”
He calls his time in Halifax and Dal a truly immersive experience. In addition to the exceptional teaching within the Fountain School, he had opportunities for real-world experience by singing in church halls, recitals and other venues in the community as part of his program. He notes that the School and Halifax are also great incubators for performing artists — a fantastic Music program within a city that pulses with live music of every kind.
Iain also appreciated the small, close-knit and friendly classes in the Music department that were free from the competitive nature of larger schools. This supportive atmosphere enhanced his academic experience. “I truly feel I would have gotten lost in a sea of singers if I had gone to a larger university,” he says.
An expansion project ‘crucial to the performing arts’
Planning is underway for a critical expansion to the 45-year-old Dalhousie Arts Centre. The $27.7-million capital project will expand the scope of the Fountain School and address challenges posed by its aging facilities. The expansion will include a new, 300-seat concert hall, space for Costume Studies, as well as new practice areas and teaching spaces.
Iain says the planned expansion is an exciting development at his alma mater.
“Such a performance space would only have enhanced my Dalhousie experience. Quality performing venues such as a 300-seat concert hall are crucial to the performing arts for both the audience and the performer — and hold a special value when constructed in educational settings.”
Find out more:
Watch Iain performing Harlekin’s Aria (Ariadne auf Naxos) – R. Strauss »