This is part 3 of 6 as we highlight the First Place winners of each division from the 2020 CS Music Vocal Competition.
CS: What is your dream role?
Shavon Lloyd: Since I was a young boy, my musical theatre dream role was Coalhouse from Ragtime. Regarding opera, Crown from Porgy & Bess is a role that I’ve wanted to play since graduating from Crane. Seeing these characters portrayed by amazing black artists was life-changing, as they gave me the inspiration to pursue the performing arts.
CS: What advice would you give to future participants in the CS Music competition?
SL: The best advice I could give to any future participants would be to select repertoire that highlights the best attributes of your singing and acting. By doing so, you set yourself up to give a top quality performance.
CS: How do you feel that singing, and music in general, can have an impact on the world?
SL: One of the main reasons that I became a musician and educator is because of my desire to learn about the world. When I look at a new piece as a singer or conductor, I always delve into the story that the music is telling. We gain so much knowledge from different cultures and time periods that it causes us to understand people who are different from ourselves. Historically, I feel that people have had a general lack of understanding, causing so many issues between different groups of people. Participating in musical experiences are impactful because we get to explore those differences, learn, and grow together.
CS: Name some of your favorite professional singers and why they are so impactful.
SL: My favorite professional singers include Thomas Hampson, Kathleen Battle, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Audra McDonald. These wonderful musicians have been such role models in beautiful signing and captivating performances. My goal is to have the artistry that they have in bringing music alive for audiences around the world to enjoy.
CS: What was your experience like participating in a virtual competition and convention vs. the traditional live setting?
SL: I found singing in a virtual competition to be challenging. The live performance requires a level of spontaneity and confidence. There are rarely “do-overs”, so you have to be at your best. Plus, not having the audience was tough because I like making eye contact with people as I sing; it makes it more personal. Also, I would love to hear all the other participants and how their presence fills the room. I miss that most about music making; performers just owning a stage with their abilities.
CS: In terms of singing and performing, what has been your biggest struggle and how have you overcome it?
SL: My biggest struggle has been my performance anxiety. There was a point in time where I could barely walk out on a stage without wanting to pass out. This prevented me from doing shows until the 11th grade. To overcome this, I had to really challenge myself to perform and sing for people as often as possible. Participating in competitions like this, singing in choirs, teaching, and taking on roles has done wonders for my confidence and I can’t wait to do more when we can all be together again. Also, I had to take the advice of my voice teacher, Dr. Lonel Woods, who says the best way to beat anxiety is to be prepared. Since he told me that, I’ve gone to great lengths to make sure I know all the lyrics, translations and accompaniments to the repertoire I perform. It helps to create a stability and calm some nerves while performing.
Watch all of the winners of the 2020 CS Vocal Competition HERE.
