“I had to think the opposite of how I do in the daytime,” Hanson said. “When 4:30 came around and it was time for rehearsal, I had to go into Hansel mode.”

In order to get into “Hansel mode,” Hanson tried to act like boys she knew and really let loose in the character.

Merrin, on the other hand, didn’t have quite the same difficulties.

“I enjoyed being a little girl,” Merrin said. “Elizabeth and I have good chemistry between us and it was fun finding new nuances of being a child together.”

Rehearsing for the big performance wasn’t all fun and games, however.

Faculty members who were involved brought a different atmosphere.

“Working with the faculty was a great experience,” Merrin said. “Faculty is not in things like this all the time.”

For Hanson, it was an experience to learn from.

“It was encouraging to see voice faculty learning along with you,” Hanson said. “You learn from watching them and it gives you a sense of confidence.”

Despite some of the challenges of performing an opera with such a large orchestra, it was a positive experience for both Hanson and Merrin.

“This is one thing I love doing,” Hanson said. “The final result was well received.”

“I had to think the opposite of how I do in the daytime,” Hanson said. “When 4:30 came around and it was time for rehearsal, I had to go into Hansel mode.”

In order to get into “Hansel mode,” Hanson tried to act like boys she knew and really let loose in the character.

Merrin, on the other hand, didn’t have quite the same difficulties.

“I enjoyed being a little girl,” Merrin said. “Elizabeth and I have good chemistry between us and it was fun finding new nuances of being a child together.”

Rehearsing for the big performance wasn’t all fun and games, however.

Faculty members who were involved brought a different atmosphere.

“Working with the faculty was a great experience,” Merrin said. “Faculty is not in things like this all the time.”

For Hanson, it was an experience to learn from.

“It was encouraging to see voice faculty learning along with you,” Hanson said. “You learn from watching them and it gives you a sense of confidence.”

Despite some of the challenges of performing an opera with such a large orchestra, it was a positive experience for both Hanson and Merrin.

“This is one thing I love doing,” Hanson said. “The final result was well received.”

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