Not all college music programs invite undergraduates to participate in full-scale operas. But in his four years at CU-Boulder, Colorado Springs native Chas Douthit has played roles in four.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淯ndergraduates and graduates can work together, which raises the bar and gives everyone a chance to learn and improve.鈥�
Douthit, who will receive his bachelor's in music education with a choral music emphasis on May 6, has always been involved in performing at the College of Music, whether as Alidoro in Eklund Opera鈥檚 La Cenerentola last fall or in the chorus of The Pirates of Penzance. He says the best piece of advice he could give to a young music student is to take advantage of every opportunity.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 been really fun for me is staying curious about a lot of different things,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are so many resources here to help you learn about a wide breadth of things.鈥�
One of Douthit鈥檚 favorite activities has been singing with vocal jazz ensemble Table for Five.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in the group for two years and it鈥檚 been wonderful to build a relationship with the other members as friends and musicians,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 satisfying to come to a group where everyone has a voice in where the music is going.鈥�
And while his schedule became busier this past semester as Douthit began student teaching full time, he says it鈥檚 been rewarding and exciting to be in front of a classroom every day.
鈥淪tudent teaching is a great way to learn by doing," said Douthit. "It鈥檚 really challenging but I鈥檓 learning a lot.鈥�
In addition to taking voice lessons with Patrick Mason, Douthit also learned valuable teaching skills as a learning assistant for School of Education professor听.
鈥淵ou should always get to know your professors whenever you can," said Douthit. "They鈥檙e here to help you鈥攁nd they want to get to know you too.鈥�
Douthit will address fellow graduates at commencement next week. As he and his classmates enter the professional world鈥擠outhit hopes to land a full-time teaching gig in the next three to five years鈥攈e says they must keep in mind that learning doesn鈥檛 end with your diploma.
"You have to be humble, and not let the differences between your actual self and your 'ideal-self' bring you down,鈥� he said. 鈥淚've learned that you must love and be kind to yourself exactly where you are in your learning.鈥�
This summer, Douthit will perform in CU NOW鈥檚听. He also plans to commit himself to his band, in which he collaborates to write and perform original rock music, and teach at a summer camp.
