Singer hits high notes with audience

Standing gracefully in front of a crowd of more than 50 Friday night at the James W. Black Music Center, Nicole LoPiccolo serenaded the audience at her junior recital, doing what she feels most comfortable doing these days-singing.

LoPiccolo – a vocal performance major – saw a window of opportunity a year ago when she was able to hit notes higher than before.

“All of a sudden, this time last year I sang my first A above the staff,” LoPiccolo said.

Jim Smith-Parham, LoPiccolo’s voice professor for the past three years, said she returned to VCU with a refreshing amount of energy after being set back for a semester her freshman year for medical reasons.

Smith-Parham said LoPiccolo’s daily practice enabled her to hit the higher notes.

“Opening up takes a while,” Smith-Parham said of LoPiccolo developing an ability to sing high notes. “Not only vocals, but your whole body.”

Friend and vocal performance major Vanessa Naghdi also was impressed with LoPiccolo’s singing capabilities Friday night.

“What I saw was incredible,” Naghdi said. “She hit (the highest notes) with such ease and brilliance.”

As she actively improves her vocal capabilities, LoPiccolo knows that as a performer, she must be well-rounded.

“I think the pressure is having the total package,” LoPiccolo said. “Being able to read languages . act and not being afraid to get onstage and make a fool (of yourself) in front of people (is very important).”

Performing, however, is not a foreign concept for
LoPiccolo, who participated in choir, cheerleading and dancing in high school. Though she dabbled in theatre, she still feels more comfortable acting when she sings, as opposed to just talking.

“It’s really easy for me to act when I sing, just because the music gives you so much energy,” LoPiccolo said.

Twenty-one-year-old LoPiccolo says she could have taken a non-musical route, but would have regretted it. Even though LoPiccolo said she will not be able to do anything professionally for a few years (female voices don’t fully mature until ages 28 to 34), she plans to attend graduate school after finishing her bachelor’s degree at VCU.

LoPiccolo looks to the future optimistically, even with an unpredictable career choice like singing.

“I really think if there was no hope for me . the teachers at VCU wouldn’t have passed me and let me continue this far,” LoPiccolo said.

LoPiccolo is ready to face the challenges her music career will bring as she moves to more complicated pieces of music.

“I’m getting to the point were it’s time to start learning stuff that I will be singing in real life, not things that I’m just singing because I think they’re pretty,” LoPiccolo said.

Each week, the Spectrum Section selects a talented student from the School of the Arts (music, dance, theater and visual) and showcases his or her achievements both in and around the VCU community. Do you want your name and work in the CT? E-mail spectrum@commonwealthtimes.com for consideration.