Today we’d like to introduce you to Giancarlo Holland.
Giancarlo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I believe music has always been with me, coursing through my very being and this was prominent when I was apart of my first masterwork choral series by Felix Mendelssohn-Elijah. The chamber choir at Oklahoma City University combined with University Singers and Canterbury Voices performed the Oratorio at the civic center my freshman year and while rehearsing with costumes, I saw for the very first time, Elijah’s Aria-“It Is Enough” and this moment in time completely transformed my vision of what life could hold. It was since then I strived to better myself through opera, performing many mainstage operas on and off campus. While it has truly taken so much courage and determination to come to this spot in my life, it would have never been possible without all the people I’ve met and loved along the journey. I am excited to continue this Journey, God willing, and fall in love with music all over again, forever.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Originally I had been apart of this men’s choir workshop at Stetson University in South Florida where I was blessed to be a lead voice for the piece “River in Judea” and due to this I became fairly close with the head director of choral activities there, Dr. Peter. I, Unfortunately, was set on pursuing musical theater at the time and so I tried my luck with the University of Michigan and did not get in. This had made me feel a shame I hadn’t felt before because music was all I knew and to be denied the ability to use my gift was heartaching. I had assumed all was lost until my mentor, Devon Goffman, had called in a favor with Dr. Herendeen, the great opera and musical theater head director at Oklahoma City University. Within the span of a few text messages between he and I, I sent two videos of me singing and was admitted into Oklahoma City University. It wasn’t long before my spirits were brought down yet again, on April 28th, 2022, when my father had passed away while I was 17 years old and about to perform the last opening night musical of my senior career at school. My career and my life has been, inspite of everything, courageous. I plan on carrying this courage with me for the remainder of it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Opera Singer who specializes in Bass-Baritone repertoire, however, I would say I am most known for my personality. Life is simply too serious to not find time to enjoy it and I pride myself on always trying to make others laugh and especially, laughing myself. I’d have to say the thing I am most proud of, is when there was a masterclass hosted by the illustrious opera singer, Leona Mitchell, at Oklahoma City University my sophomore year. My great voice teacher, Dr. William Christensen, had asked me to perform for her and I made it my destiny to perform a piece that resonated with me so. This aria comes from the opera “Faust” and is sung by Valentin before departing his sister. The French aria, “Avant De Quitter Ces lieux” is about a brothers love for their sibling as he must journey far away. After the masterclass ended, I walked right up to Leona Mitchell and thanked her for this amazing opportunity and without missing a beat she says to me; “you have such a gift and when you make it, remember this”. I truly believe what sets me apart from others is my passion for this art form.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Love; it can be such a complicated idea that no one person has the right answer to, yet throughout our lives we will have loved and lost so many. Love can scar us and it can also heal us but the most important love in this world, is love for others. It can take so much out of a person to love oneself and even more to sustain that love for oneself, which is why it is important to show the love you have for others, for they may need it most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thegiancarloholland
- Facebook: Giancarlo Holland
- Other: Giancarloholland@gmail.com
