Opera Director Featured on NEA's 'Art Works'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 2, 2010) – The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has featured Everett McCorvey, director of University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, in its most recent "Art Works" blog and podcast.
The July 29 "Art Works" blog entry "Creating Collaboration" and the corresponding podcast interview by Josephine Reed explores McCorvey's work growing UK's prestigious opera program, as well as his work as founder of the American Spiritual Ensemble and as a performer.
A native of Montgomery, Ala., McCorvey received his undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a doctorate in musical arts, from the University of Alabama. A professor of voice at the UK School of Music, McCorvey is credited for the growth the UK Opera Theatre has achieved. Under his leadership and with the support of the Lexington Opera Society, the opera program has become one of the most sought after opera educations in the country, on par with other noted programs at Julliard, Florida State and Indiana. UK Opera Theatre boasts numerous successful alumni, a talented and renowned faculty, and opera productions that compete with major regional opera.
A member of the board of directors for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, McCorvey also established and directs the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group of professional singers who perform spirituals and other compositions of African-American composers, touring annually throughout the U.S. and abroad. McCorvey has been appointed by Kentucky's governor to two four-year terms on the board of directors of the Kentucky Arts Council and currently serves as vice-chair of the council. Additionally, McCorvey is currently serving as the executive producer of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The NEA developed the "Art Works" blog and podcasts to support its "art works" concept. "Art works" has three meanings: "art works" are the plays, paintings, dances, films and the other works of art that are the creation of artists; "art works" describes the effect of art on audiences and viewers, art works to transport, transform, inspire, and challenge us; and "art works' is a reminder that arts workers are real workers with real jobs contributing to the nation's economy.