AFA News
AFA Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Barnaby
AFA Alum Natalie Barnaby attended AFA as a middle and high school student, and was one of the first students in the Houston Girls Chorus. Natalie is currently pursuing a Masters in Opera Performance at Boston Conservatory. She recently directed her first production this past summer; Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” with Monterrey Summer Opera Academy.
How were you introduced to music?
I was always in love with music ever since I was young, but honestly my middle school choir teacher and my time with AFA was my first really major milestone that kept me on the music path.
Is there anything you learned as an AFA student that you have carried into what you are doing now?
I was with AFA for a long time and it really taught me the beauty of having community within the music world. I feel like sometimes even though the music community is relatively small in comparison to other industries, we can easily fall into isolating ourselves due to the fierce competition of everything. But finding and nurturing community amongst us is crucial in my opinion.
What do you enjoy most about performing and directing?
Although I don’t want to focus on performing anymore, it still brings me a lot of joy when I am singing. And with directing I really feel like I’m able to truly express my creativity in a much bigger way than if I were to just be focusing on one character within a story. I get to create the whole story. It’s like the adult version of playing pretend as a child. Nothing else has honestly ever made me feel more fulfilled as a creator than when I can watch an opera come to life from the ground up.
What would be your advice to a young musician thinking about a career in the arts?
If your heart and soul light up when you are creating and making music, follow that light! There are so many paths it could take you; even paths you may have least expected!
How can we find out more about what you’re up to?
I don’t have a website yet, but you can find me on Instagram and Facebook for now.
This interview has been edited and condensed.