Tamagini of NYC returns to Wakefield

Published in the August 16, 2018 edition.

By GAIL LOWE

WAKEFIELD — Lisa-Anne Tamagini, formerly of Wakefield and now a New York City resident, did not fall far from her musical family tree.

Like her mother, she pursued a career in music, voice in particular. A well-known singer and voice teacher in New York City, she has returned this summer to the town where she grew up to bring “Annie Jr.” (an abbreviated version of the original “Annie”) and “Spring Awakening” (a coming of age story respectfully and tastefully done) to the stage at The Savings Bank Theatre at Wakefield Memorial High School on Saturday, Aug. 18 and Sunday, Aug. 19. “Annie” will be presented at 2 p.m. both days while “Spring Awakening” will be presented at 7:30 p.m., also on both days. (For ticket information, see below.)

Monica O’Brien of Wakefield has four roles in “Annie Jr.,” including dog catcher, orphan, Mrs. Pugh and New York City usherette.

Many people in town can easily recall the Tamagini family — Lisa-Anne Tamagini’s mother (Dr. Patricia Capone Tamagini) was once the chairperson of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Our Lady of Nazareth Academy until the school closed in 2009 and later as director when the school reopened as Nazareth Academy. She passed away in 2011.

This weekend’s live performances are products of Tamagini’s brainchild and are part of the Summer Institute for the Vocal Arts (SIVA), a three-week summer music intensive program designed to serve gifted singing actors from the Boston area and New York City. SIVA’s mission is to expose talented young people to classes with top-level industry professionals from both cities while simultaneously producing two shows in the style of equity repertory theaters.

While providing the history of SIVA, Tamagini said that four years ago her friend and successful entrepreneur Briar Forsythe, a Cambridge native and owner of Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, encouraged her to develop a project that would satisfy both her stage experience and desire to pass on knowledge to the next generation of stage professionals.

Students take master classes, voice lessons, musical coaching and acting and diction classes with Broadway stars and esteemed conservatory teachers each morning. Afternoon sessions are spent in intensive rehearsals with reputable stage and music directors.

About Forsythe, she said: “Briar is a former singer and philanthropic supporter of the arts and offered Willowdale Estate as corporate sponsor so I would have the initial financial support needed to design a program that matched the needs of talented performers from the Boston area. They need exposure to this type of training and the opportunity to work with cast mates from New York City who are more accustomed to the high level of quality training.”

Tamagini added that Forsythe also lives in New York City and is heavily involved in the music and theater world.

The program is divided into two companies of actors: Young artists ages 16 to 24 who are either college theater majors or upper high school students heading to college conservatories.

The Apprentice Program, led by area Music Educator and Director Lora Tamagini (sister of Lisa-Anne), is for ages 11 to 15 and serves students with natural vocal abilities. The program helps to develop the students for future participation in the Young Artist Program. The Apprentice Program will present “Annie Jr.” while the Young Artist Company will perform “Spring Awakening.”

Students selected to participate are from a large applicant pool. The initial round is handled by video and then students of interest are invited to a series of callbacks held both live and via Skype. Interviews are also held to determine that students display the appropriate tendencies for collaborative nature.

“We seek students who are supportive of one another and humbled by the creative process,” Tamagini said. “They’ve come together for three weeks this summer, and the shows on Aug. 18 and 19 are their final project. The music is live and will be performed by experienced professional musicians from the area.”

The students, as well as Tamagini and Forsythe, benefit by fostering the paths of the next generation of stage artists.

I tell them to “stay sharp, work hard, don’t underestimate the task and practice, with a capital P.”

Students gain the present and reverberating lessons that come from learning from inspirational teachers and peers,” said Tamagini.

“We cannot think of anything more satisfying than encouraging artists of the future in a world that needs them more than ever,” said Tamagini. “I also get to spend the month in my hometown with family and friends, working to bring great theater to my town of origin!”

Tamagini credits her mother for the major influence she had on her life in terms of career and family.

“My mother was my first voice teacher, the first person to bring me to the theater and the only person to remind constantly of the value of educating young people,” she said. “My mother had four children and was of a different generation, so she did not engage in the business of music to the same extent that I did. She always reminded me that I had to pay the knowledge and experience forward and that I should always get up each morning and ask God where I am needed most.

“She was the best and most loving mother. I don’t know if I can be as good as she was, but I try.”

When Tamagini returns to New York City, she will be busy at her private studio. She is also part of the founding faculty of The Special Music School High School, which serves gifted high school musicians in New York City at The Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center in collaboration with the NYC Department of Education.

“I like to start things,” she said.

Tamagini said she is getting older now so she wants to put most of her attention on these projects.

“But I still have singing left to do and it is important that I stay in sharp vocal shape for my students,” she said.

In addition to Monica O’Brien, other actors include Lauren Abramson, Melrose; Alexandra Flammia, Stoneham; Anna Bryk, North Reading; Gianluca Maffei, Sophie Friedl, Caty Jones, Grey Poduska, Eva Poduska and Gabe Watson, Winchester; Ashley Shafman and Madison Vallerand, Burlington; Bernardo Sanchez, Jessica Cortes, Giselle Cortes and Jennifer Tran, Lynn; Sarah Nissenbaum, Swampscott; Adriana Korbly, Acton; Tina Kulow, Weston; Bianca Thompson, Belmont; Isabella Panagiotou, Bedford; Nick Aborouizk, Lowell; Denise Taveras, Lawrence and Ivis Tostes, Framingham.

From New York City: Richard Sanchez, Michael Sanchez, Finn MacDevitt, Celia Spero, Elijah Levi-Dabby, Javier Castellanos and Benjamin Knop.

Tamagini’s stage performance team includes Elaine Smith-Purcell, music director; Joseph Walsh, stage director; Lora Tamagini, apprentice program director; Carla Maniscalco, production director; Karla Abad, apprentice stage manager; J.J. Thomchick, assistant music director and band leader and Savanah Carlson, executive assistant and social media director.

“They are the best team,” she said. “I could not do without them.”

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $25 for reserved seating and intermission refreshments and $12 for students/seniors. Group rates available for 10 or more tickets ($10). Buy tickets at www.siva.org.