Alumnus Arnold Geis (‘12) will perform in his first show with the LA Opera this March as a professional vocalist. While an undergraduate at Biola, Geis was involved in the music program and traveled to Korea to perform with the King’s Men — Biola’s all male acapella group — in 2012.

William Lock, professor of voice at Biola’s Conservatory of Music, mentored Geis while at Biola.

“Arnold is an exceptional singer,” said Lock. “During his freshman year, and each of the following years, he studied challenging repertoire and presented outstanding junior and senior voice recitals. Moreover, during his years at Biola, he was a three time winner in the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions.”

Geis is currently working towards his master’s in vocal performance at the University of Southern California and thoroughly enjoying his new job with the LA Opera where he is currently performing in The Flying Dutchman. He recently answered some questions about his journey to the stage.

  1. When did you decide you wanted to pursue music as a career?

    I was introduced to music, opera specifically, at a very young age. One could say I was born into it. Both of my parents were professional opera singers in Europe. They moved to Washington state after my mother gave birth to my brother in Germany. In Washington, my parents ran an acting, singing and performing arts school. I was around music at a very young age but it wasn't until high school when I really started singing and competing in music. After the first musical I was in, I decided music was going to be my future and God has paved the way for me to pursue His preferred instrument for me — voice!

  2. Describe your experience at Biola, specifically with the music department.

    Biola's Conservatory is a great place for a young singer to study and get performance experience. The program is growing every year and the talent in the teaching faculty and students is doing the same. The faculty really care about the student’s development. I had the best teacher and mentor that a young performer could ask for. Dr. William Lock, even after 50 years of teaching, found new and interesting ways to motivate and "cultivate" his students. He was and continues to be a blessing to me. I was able to perform in a number of ensembles and projects at Biola during my undergraduate degree. From premiering new operas, outreach opera ensembles, to singing with The Kings Men, the experience now looking back was so amazing. I got to perform all over the world and see and experience so many incredible things. The recent King's Men trip to Korea was definitely a highlight. We were able to sing for hundreds of thousands of Christians around South Korea and travel with our friend and Biola’s president, Dr. Barry H. Corey. I felt blessed by the whole experience. Biola's music conservatory really gave me the tools I needed to succeed in a professional performance atmosphere by giving me hands on experience with performing and singing.

  3. What was your transition like from Biola to graduate school and the working world?

    The transition from undergraduate school to the professional world comes so fast and the transition is still in progress. Being proactive about your own career is really important in this business as much as any other. The difference is that your instrument or tool is part of your own body so it is hard to separate yourself from your work.  God and my wife and best friend, Rachel, keep me determined to progress and grow not only in my work, but also spiritually. There are many challenges that one faces while making the transition to graduate school. The trick is to take them on one at a time and keep an active prayer life. Having a community and church supporting you is so important. As far as working in the professional world, the transition is easy and, in my case, fun and exciting! Being able to meet really big names in Film music and having conversations with famous conductors and musicians is amazing.

  4. How did you end up working for the LA opera, and what has your experience been like thus far?

    I auditioned for LA Opera last spring. The audition called for two arias in contrasting style. This is standard for most big opera houses. I sang them both and then I left. A month later I received a contract in the mail! I have to say, singing with the LA opera has been overwhelmingly fun!  Being able to sing on the stage of the Dorothy Chandler, the very place that I was required to go to while at Biola for concert music credit, is exhilarating.

  5. What are you most excited about for The Flying Dutchman, and why do you think people should see the performance?

    I have already been so blessed by the whole experience of working this show. Singing with fantastic musicians and rehearsing, conversing and performing with some of the best singers in the world is amazing. God continues to bless me and my new family. I'm actually getting substantial pay for this project that I would probably do for free!  Being able to support your family doing what you love is incredible. This production in particular gives a new almost sci-fi look at the classic tale of the Dutchman. The music is fantastic and unlike most of Wagner's operas, it's only two and a half hours long.  This opera will keep you interested from beginning to end. I encourage everyone to see this interesting and outlandish production. One thing a lot of opera lacks these days is being captivating.  If there is one word that describes this production, I would say it is captivating.  Also opera is never as cheap as when you're a student so take advantage of the low ticket prices while you can!

  6. Now that you've been able to experience the professional music and theater world, what advice would you give to current music students pursuing a similar career?

    You get what you put in to music and the same goes for relationships and life in general. There are ups and downs but if you rely on God and trust that He knows what is best for you, then failure is not an option.  A performance career isn't for everyone. Being sure that you can handle rejection and keep moving forward is really important in this business and is something I still struggle with. If you have the passion, resilience, determination, and an objective and realistic view of yourself then you will succeed.

The Flying Dutchman runs from March 9-30 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.  

LA Opera’s Opera U program provides college students and faculty with the opportunity to receive tickets at discounted prices.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.laopera.com.

 

Written by Carissa Lehmkuhl, Media Relations Intern. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Specialist, at 562.777.4061 or at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.