Mira Costa Grad Heading to Juilliard

Mira Costa senior Hannah McDermott will perform her senior recital Sunday, culminating her accomplished singing career here in the South Bay, where her accolades include the Los Angeles Spotlight Award for Classical Voice and the top spot in Classical Singer magazines' national competition. This fall, Hannah will head to the most prestigious music school in the country, Juilliard, where her childhood dream will come true miles away from Manhattan Beach. Hannah chatted with Patch about the accomplishments so far and those yet to come.

Manhattan Beach Patch: For many young musicians, Juilliard is a lifelong dream. Has it been this way for you? When did you first set your sights on this prestigious school?

Hannah: In many ways Juilliard was a childhood dream of mine. I remember when I was about five my dad and I were discussing college. I have always wanted to sing, even at that age, so I when asked my father where I should go he shrugged and said, "I don't know, Juilliard." Consequently, I was hooked. Ever since that day Juilliard has been my dream school.

Patch: What was it like the day you found out you were accepted?

Hannah: It was very surreal. At first I thought that I was dreaming. It was a while before I could fully comprehend that I had in fact been accepted. Once the initial shock had worn off a wave of extreme happiness came over me. 

Patch: How has your time at Mira Costa helped develop your singing and musical talents? Any staff or club in particular that has been formative?

Hannah: Mira Costa has a wonderful music program. I think that it was very important for my development to be an atmosphere where the arts were appreciated. Although I must be honest, my vocal teacher Kathleen Martin and my coach William Vendice (not on staff at Mira Costa) have influenced me the most, in regard to singing.

Patch: What will you miss most about Mira Costa when you head to Juilliard next fall? No doubt the experiences will be very different.

Hannah: There are many things that I will miss about Costa. I think that I will miss the people most of all. At Mira Costa I have met all sorts of different people with such a wide variety of interests. I imagine that at Juilliard I won't meet too many people that have aspirations to become doctors or engineers. I will also miss having classes in a variety of subjects. I will probably never take a math class during my time at Juilliard. 

Patch: What can we expect from your recital today?

Hannah: The recital is mostly a collection of art songs. I think that the repertoire that I have chosen is a good representation of what I have been working on for the past four years. I hope that people find it entertaining. I certainly would love for people to come. 

Patch: Congratulations on the Classical Singer magazine win! Describe the format of a vocal competition. What does it entail?

Hannah: The Classical Singer magazine competition is such a wonderful competition because it is so informative. The first round is a regional round, mine was conducted at USC. If you advance from the regional then you go to the national convention. All in all, about 300 singers advanced to the nationals. The convention is great because it gives young singers [a chance] to receive instruction from professionals. That evening the 50 semifinalists are selected from the original 300. The semifinalists sing the next morning. In the afternoon, nine finalists were selected. The finalists sing ... and then there is a winner's concert later in the evening. It was a very exciting experience. 

Patch: What do you count as your biggest accomplishment so far?

Hannah: I think that for me being accepted to Juilliard was my biggest accomplishment because that is something I have been working towards for a very long time. 

Patch: If I were to ask you that question again in 10 years, what do you hope your answer will be?

Hannah: Well, I hope that in 10 years I am a working professional opera singer. I love music and dearly hope that I will be able to make it my career. 

Hannah's senior vocal recital is open to the public Sunday at at the corner of North Rowell Avenue and 10th Street at 1:30 p.m. Her piano accompanist is Hannah's vocal coach William Vendice, an acclaimed opera conductor. He's conducted multiple operas, including several for LA Opera and the NY Metropolitan Opera. The event is free, but donations are appreciated to cover recital costs.