 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Directors' Information
Mary
Ella Collins, President and Director of Mary Ella Collins
and Associates Artists Management and Arts Consultant, represents classical
singers, conductors and directors and serves as a consultant to arts presenters
and companies as well as musicians. Her practical lectures and workshops
on various aspects of professional performing careers in music, particularly
those offering guidance to emerging artists and their mentors, have been
presented in the U.S., Canada, and Austria. Dr. Collins holds a Ph.D.
from the University of North Texas (Higher Education; Music Teaching Field),
Master of Music from UNT, graduate study in Music Therapy, and a Bachelor
of Science in Music Education from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Collins, a member of the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, was elected to the NAPAMA Board in 2000 and re-elected in 2002. An active member of OPERA America, she has been their NAPAMA liaison. Serving as Arts Advocacy co-chair for NAPAMA, she serves as their delegate to the annual National Arts Action Summit and Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. An impassioned active Advocate for the Arts, Dr. Collins continues to interface with the arts organizations and local, state, and national government associations.
As teacher she headed the vocal program at the University of Texas at Dallas for ten years beginning with the university’s inception of Humanities programs, taught at the American Institute of Musical Studies Summer Institute for seven years (also serving as Dean of Instruction) in Graz, Austria, several other colleges, and privately. Concurrently she performed in concert, recital, and opera in the U.S. and Austria. Her teaching career has extended from 1st grade to university graduate level, beginning in 1955. Dr. Collins has extensive experience in Public Relations including the post of Coordinator of Performing and Visual Arts for UTD which mounted over 200 events annually, national publicity chairman for two conventions for NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), chairmanship of committees for the Dallas Communications Council, and professional public relations work for numerous organizations.
Active participation in organizations has included posts as NATS Governor of North Texas and Dallas Chapter President, UT Dallas representative to "Goals for Dallas", and Dallas Muscular Dystrophy Board. In recent years Dr. Collins has been developing a framework for harnessing the power of technology to bring the arts to all people. Towards this goal, she has launched the not-for-profit service organization, Classical Singers Collective: Integrating Voice, Mind, Body, and Soul.
Tasia Antahades, Director of the Orchestral Division, brings several years of business experience in public relations and marketing to her training as a musician. She is a product of the Booker T. Washington School of Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, with training in voice, piano and flute, and subsequently continued her studies at Southern Methodist University. Her performances as a coloratura include concerts and musicals. Since childhood pre-school days she has performed as a Ukrainian dancer with appearances at the Texas Folklife Festival for 25 years, as well as numerous engagements throughout Texas. Several months in Europe afforded practical experience for using her French and German. Her experiences include on camera work in television.
Charlotte Schumacher, Advisor to MEC&A Artist Management from its inception in 1985, passed away peacefully December 15, 2000 at her home in Dallas, following a courageous seven-year battle against cancer. Charlotte was a beloved mentor to innumerable musicians and a dedicated supporter of opera in Dallas for nearly 50 years.
The international stature of The Dallas Opera has Charlotte’s imprint from her nearly 25 years of working with the company. Invited by Larry Kelly and Maestro Nicola Rescigno, Charlotte was a part of the Dallas Civic Opera from its earliest days, first on a volunteer basis, then part-time, and later full time as Maestro Nicola Rescigno’s Executive Assistant. She was an indispensable and pivotal member of the staff, as she had great knowledge of all facets and details of the company’s operations, from the musical end to production.
Her life-long friends from her days at the Dallas Opera include many of the greatest singers from the ‘60’s through the ‘80s, among them Magda Olivero, Alfredo Kraus, Elena Suliotis, Graziella Sciutti, Christina Deutekom, and Marilyn Horne. Charlotte and Ms. Horne shared a dedication to furthering music. When Ms. Horne established a foundation for furthering the Vocal Recital, Charlotte chose to designate it as a recipient of funds following her passing. Other great singers Charlotte worked with in this period were Gilda Cruz-Romo, Maria Spacagna, Jon Vickers, Joan Sutherland, and Maria Callas. The newly published book about Dallas Civic Opera, La Scala West by Ronald L. Davis, contains several references to Charlotte.
The friend of countless professional singers in the world, Charlotte knew most directors and conductors, and had extensive experience in the intricacies of bringing singers and presenters together. Charlotte had a strong commitment to advising and encouraging the rising professional artists of our region. Upon "retirement" from The Dallas Opera, she again offered her vast knowledge of opera and the business as a volunteer Artistic Administrator for the Lyric Opera of Dallas, which engaged emerging artists.
Her abode was the scene for guiding and inspiring many of today’s great singers of opera. Charlotte was an avid collector of opera recordings, and would share her pick of great recorded moments with the parade of musicians and lovers of opera who graced her home. Her depth of knowledge provided the backbone for her informal coaching on style and tradition, guiding musicians in their artistic growth. Charlotte gave so much of herself, and also of her material resources. Through living a simple lifestyle and saving wisely, Charlotte was able to extend her love of music and people with generous gifts to the Florentine Opera (Milwaukee), The Marilyn Horne Foundation, Bryan’s Home (Dallas), Running Strong for American Indian Youth (Raton, NM), Feed the Children (Oklahoma City), and North Shore Animal League (Port Washington, NY).
Charlotte’s deep love of music and commitment to the highest artistic standards and traditions will continue to impact and enrich musicians in the future as the myriads whose lives she influenced carry her ideals forward.
E-Mail:
friends@mec-sing.com - Voice: (972) 661-9074 - Fax: (972) 661-9514
5025 Briar Tree Drive - Dallas, TX. 75248-6004