Music students performing in Siena, Italy

Four students from the Western Washington University Department of Music are currently attending the prestigious Siena Summer Music program through Aug. 20 in Siena, Italy.

Each year, Siena Summer Music invites 45 student musicians from around the world to join them in Siena, Italy, for a series of educational opportunities, cultural experiences, and public performances.

A total of seven WWU Music students were offered positions in the 2012 program after auditioning during a spring residency with Sue and Dana Talley, WWU Music alumni and Siena Summer Music faculty members. Four students – Rachel Brown (Soprano), Danielle Bayne (Mezzo), Jonathan Suek (Baritone), and Liza Serova (Piano) – accepted the invitation and are participating in the twenty-day international program.

A junior majoring in performance, Rachel Brown grew up in Longview. Brown was heavily involved with theatre and music prior to attending WWU and is pursuing a career as a professional opera singer.

Danielle Bayne grew up in Everett, where she began singing in her church choir and taking private music lessons in fourth grade. Also a junior majoring in performance, she is an active member of the WWU opera program, has performed as a chorus member in “Pirates of Penzance” and “Don Giovanni,” and is pursuing a professional career in performance and as a private voice teacher.

Raised in Longview, Jonathan Suek is entering his senior year at WWU and majoring in music with a minor in business administration. Suek’s true passion is operatic performance and he hopes to sing professionally for his career.

Liza Serova graduated in June 2012 with a degree in performance and is originally from Moscow, Russia. She began her piano studies at the age of eight and has received several prestigious scholarships and awards, including the William Sanford Piano Scholarship and the WWU Department of Music 2012 Outstanding Graduate award. Serova is currently preparing auditions and working towards a master’s degree in piano performance.

For additional information on Siena Summer Music, please visit http://www.sienasummermusic.org/.