Training
Training
Theatre
Mary began her theatre experience as a child, but really started developing a passion for theatre in high school. She participated in a number of shows through her high school, community theatres, and a dinner theatre. Highlighted roles include: Cinderella (Grace the stepsister), Into the Woods Jr (the Witch), Everybody Loves Opal (Opal), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Dorcas), and Crazy For You (Irene).
Mary continued her studies at the University of Kansas. She received training in many Theatre and Dance areas including: Acting, Movement, Voice and Speech for Actors, Acting for the Camera, Music Performance I, Musical Theatre Dance, Flamenco and Audition Techniques. Some of her KU Theatre and Dance mentors/professors include: Laura Kirk, Markus Potter, Santiago Sosa, Darcy Fulcher, Lusie Cuskey, Ryan McCall, Michelle Heffner Hayes, and Christine Colby Jacques. While at KU Mary has participated in several productions (see resume for more details).
Voice
Mary began singing very early with the guidance of her mother, René Spencer who also helped further her education as her high school choir director. In high school she was in several honor groups including: NAfME National Choir, Missouri All-State Choir (2 years), Missouri All-State Show Choir (2 years), and SWMO District Choir (4 years, and soloist). She studied privately with Robin Braun.
In college Mary studied with Roberta Gumbel for all four years. Mary also received additional vocal training in various courses Professor Joyce Castle, Dr. Broxholm, Dr. Genaro Méndez, Mark Ferrell, Neal Long, Lusie Cuskey, and Ryan McCall. While at KU Mary was in several choral ensembles including: Concert Choir, Treble Singers, Glee, GI (a capella), and Concert Choir. She was a soloist in several of these ensembles (photo of one of the solos at the Kauffman Center).
Opera
During her time at KU, Mary was involved in several Opera productions at the University. Through KU Opera workshop Mary performed as Clorinda in a scene from Cenerentola and The Paige in Amahl and the Night Visitors. She has also performed in several KU Opera’s. She could be seen in the ensemble of Candide, and Riders of the Sea (which she also played the synthesizer in the pit). She was also seen as Dulcamara’s Assistant in L’elisir d’amore (pictured to the right) where she also had a featured soprano saxophone solo. And lastly she was the Assistant Stage Manager for KU’s production of Giulio Cesare.
Saxophone
Before attending KU Mary took lessons for 5 years with Matt Bennett (Carthage, MO) and Dr. Keith Talley (Missouri Southern State University). While in high school, Mary participated in District Band every year, and her senior year was first chair Bari sax for the Missouri All-State Honor Band.
While at the University of Kansas she studied with Professor Vince Gnojek who helped her technical skills improve and helped to shape her into the performer she is today. She started her time at KU as Saxophone Performance and double majored with Voice and Theatre performance, before deciding to focus on Voice and Theatre. She continued studying with Professor Gnojek for her remaining time at KU.
Mary was a member of many ensembles while studying at KU including: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Basketball Band, Men’s Basketball Travel Band, Volleyball Band, and Saxophone Quartets.
In addition to playing in the classical setting Mary has played in many pit orchestras and has played on stage during theatrical productions. She played saxophone in many community theatre shows including: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Crazy for You, and for KU Opera’s production of L’elisir d’amore where she played saxophone on stage as Dulcamara’s Assistant.
