Fast Forward Friday with Andrew Moore
For this week’s Fast Forward Friday, we interviewed bass-baritone Andrew Moore. He is working for his MM in Opera at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Currently studying with Grammy-winning Eduardo Chama, Andrew starred in the Rutgers production of Beethoven’s Fidelio as Rocco, and as the title role of Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart. His previous credits include Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte (Guglielmo), Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortileges (L’Arbre), Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites (1st Officer) and Blow’s Venus and Adonis (Adonis).
Q: What are you currently working on? Tell us about it.
Currently I am preparing for two operas that I have coming up: Gianni Schicchi and Il Tabarro, which will be performed this February. It will be my final lead in my masters at Mason Gross School of the Arts.
Q: What was the inspiration and impetus for doing this project?
I really love Puccini and it will be my first Puccini lead as Gianni Schicci. This role is a lot of firsts for me such as a higher range and use of a character voice for Buoso Donati and I’m glad to be doing it now in my final year here.
Q: Who are your artistic heroes – who have had an impact on you and your work?
Some of my artistic heroes would be Feruccio Furlanetto (famous bass-baritone); my current voice teacher Eduardo Chama, who inspires me all the time; my mother; and all of my singer friends who are doing exactly what I am doing, which is going out there everyday and giving it their all.
Q: What keeps you motivated and inspired as an artist?
My support from my family and friends. who are always rooting for me and are so proud of the work that I do. What keeps me inspired is that when I see a show or opera and I am reminded that I get to make people feel the way I do when I see a show. It’s the constant love for performing that keeps me going.
Q: What other projects would you like to tell us about?
This summer I will be a participating in four operas as part of in Santa Fe’s Young Artists Program and I am currently learning music for this summer’s season.
Q: What is one instance of knowing you are living in your vision?
This past summer I was invited to be a part of the Merola Opera Program where I sang for more than 3,500 people with orchestra . To me, that was a definite sign that I am on the right path.
Q: If there were no barriers to entry, what is one thing you would be doing?
I would definitely want to get into voice acting and be a voice for a Disney animation film or some sort of cartoon show. I love doing funny voices and I would have so much fun doing that.
Q: What has been big your biggest obstacle in achieving your vision?
My biggest obstacle right now is my age. The roles that I want to play won’t be for another few years until my voice has really matured. If you were to compare me to a bottle of wine, I feel I am a classic 2016 Cabernet and I want to be that bottle from 1938 that is a rare find and has the best taste.
Q: What do you do to stay connected to your creative self?
I keep seeing shows and seeing my friends in their shows. This keeps the inspiration in me alive and I am able to remind myself how much I love performing in general.
Q: If you could let go of something that has held you back, what would it be?
This is a tough question. I guess I would have to say my thoughts that make me compare myself to other singers. It’s a bit inevitable in the business. “Why him and not me?” But at the same time, although this can hold me back at times, I find myself also inspired to push further and become personally better.
Q: What person do you most admire, living or dead?
Lucille Ball because she was told at an early age that she wouldn’t make it as an actress and now she is one the most recognizable actresses of the century. She believed in herself, really made an entire career for her and her family, and was such a wonderful person and a really amazing entertainer.
Q: If you could be known and celebrated for one thing, what would it be?
For being me! I consider myself to be one of a kind and I would want to be remembered just as I am.
Q: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?
Entertaining.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
This isn’t that bad but sometimes after a long day, there is nothing more I love than having just a few oreos and watching really awful, scary movies. It’s something about the really bad acting and predictable story line that makes me entertained.
Q: If you could sit down with yourself 15 years ago, what would you say?
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make it or that you’re not good enough because one day, you will prove a lot of people wrong.”
Q: Where would you most like to live?
Somewhere with a beautiful view and a beach. I’ve grown up by the beach, and water has always been a source of energy and leaves me with a sense of solidity.
Q: What is your idea of success?
Being able to support myself on my own and doing something that I love everyday.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
Removing negative people from your life and surrounding yourself with those who truly care for you, and you in return, care for them.
Q: Final Thoughts?
Everyday I am still working and striving for something greater. And although I am young, I cannot wait for what the rest of my life has in store for me.