“When I finish one song, I just can’t wait to get back to the stage and sing more,” said Kaitlyn Bourne about her junior recital on May 21. Bourne, a vocal performance major from Utah, performed eight songs in four languages: two in Italian, two in German, two in Russian, and two in English.Bourne said she and her professor worked together on choosing songs she connected with and felt were interesting. She said “Glitter and Be Gay” and “Oh, Never Sing to Me Again” were her favorite songs she performed in the recital. In “Glitter and Be Gay,” Bourne enjoyed portraying a crazy woman who has an emotional breakdown. Tzu Huan Yu, a senior from Taiwan majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said, “She looked stunning on the stage. I loved [Glitter and Be Gay]. It was crazy but funny.”Bourne said the Russian song “Oh, Never Sing to Me Again” is dark but beautiful both in its lyrics and melody.Connecting oneself with the songs is important to touch other people, said Bourne. “I am not singing stories about those characters. I am singing the song of my life and my experience.”Bourne’s parents flew in from Utah to watch her recital. “They thought that it was amazing. They said ‘I can see you singing in Europe,’” said Bourne. She said her whole family will be here to see her senior recital before she graduates.The junior recital was like a warm-up for her senior recital, said Bourne, which will be longer and more difficult. She said she has already started searching for the songs for next year. “It’s going to be another whole year of practicing, but I am so excited for that,” said Bourne.She shared the most challenging part in vocal performance, “You have to feel comfortable and confident enough to let go.” She said when she is nervous, she is not able to sing and portray songs with strength and emotions.Yan Luo, a freshman majoring in business management from China, said Bourne helped comfortable on stage. He said, “I think she is very talented in performing. She showed great energy and enthusiasm on stage, and you couldn’t see any fear in her.”Every minute of being on stage was enjoyable for Bourne. “Everyone feels comfortable in different fields. Singing on stage is just so fun for me,” Bourne said.Bourne began singing when she was very young, and she often participated in plays and musicals throughout elementary and high school. Bourne said she had confidence and great passion in vocal performing, so she decided to pursue a degree in it.
Writer: Teresa Hwang
