Singer Spotlight: Cayla Rosche

Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?

I'm from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I was very involved in choir and band in high school. In addition to choir, I took private voice lessons and competed in several competitions. I decided that I really enjoyed making music with people and it was something I was good at, so I decided to go to Lawrence University and major in Voice Performance and Choral/General Music Education. After I was finished with my degree I taught middle school choir for a year in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and then decided to go back to school for my Masters degree in Voice Performance. Between my masters and doctorate degrees I spent another year in two long term substitute positions, one for middle school choir and one for high school choir. I enjoyed these teaching opportunities and learned a lot more about my philosophy of music education.

What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?

As a young singer I wish that I knew my voice wasn't finished growing yet. Had I known that my inability to perform the way I wanted would change over time as my instrument developed, I like to think, I would have been more patient.

Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.

After teaching middle school choir for a year I was really stressed out and having some voice issues. My audition into the masters program at UW-Madison wasn't great and I felt like I needed to rework my technique from the bottom up. I spent a lot of time reengaging with my body and voice during this time. There were many days where I felt depressed because my voice wouldn't do what it used to. Going back to the basics and being patient was the only way that I overcame this. All this hard work has paid off in my own singing and has helped me teach others to build their technique as well.

What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?

So far my most favorite role to perform is Lady Billows from Albert Herring. This character is so incredibly complicated which makes every scene fun to perform.

If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?

Every time you sing, use your entire body to tell a story. Being as vulnerable and authentic in your story telling as you can be will help your audience connect with the music and will also help align things in your singing.

Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?

I spent a lot of time focusing on getting into summer programs that my friends were getting into. I imagine I would have learned a lot from these programs, but spending time listening to music, taking lessons/coachings, and practicing is really what has paid off.

Where can we catch you performing next?

I have various concerts in Madison, Wisconsin this year as I finish my doctoral degree. On October 26th, I will perform at the Hamel Music Center in Madison, November 16th I will be giving a solo recital at Capitol Lakes in Madison, and in February I will perform the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart's Così fan tutte with the UW-Madison Opera.