Most people admit to singing in the shower, but professional opera singing? Not so much. However, sophomore Claire Walsh, a classically trained opera singer, has already been in five professional shows, most recently in the Minnesota Opera’s The Magic Flute. “It was really exciting to be able to be around so many really talented professionals and learn what the life is like,” Walsh said. “I was able to learn a lot.”

The show was performed nine times, running from Apr. 12 to Apr. 27.  One of the world’s most famous operas, The Magic Flute is a unique production known for its surrealist style. Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the late 18th century, the set featured only a white wall with trap doors from which performers emerged to sing. Other parts of the story were projected onto the wall as animations.

“The hardest part was the schedule; it was really intense. Over tech week, I ended up logging over 30 hours, in addition to school,” Walsh said. “The  best part was being able to gain experience with a professional company and being around people who enjoy the same things as myself,” she added.