Imagine being able to fulfill a lifelong dream performing with an award-winning opera theater before hundreds of people. Two Shoreline Community College music students, Jeremiah Marks and Jonathan McKenzieSullivan are doing just that. The two are singing in the chorus of Seattle Opera's summer production of Wagner's Ring Cycle. The young musicians perform in the chorus of the fourth opera, Götterdämmerung.

"These two kids are the best in every way — their attitudes are wonderful — they actually shine," says Seattle Opera Chorus Personnel Coordinator Pauline Tobias. "I can hardly wait to see them when they open up the curtains the first night. I think they're having a wonderful time."

Tobias says they use community colleges as a resource and often call on them to augment their chorus. "We always go to Shoreline first because their students are so fabulous," says Tobias, who works with Susan Dolacky, Shoreline's voice, opera and musical theater instructor. "The Shoreline CC musicians come prepared and they learn their music well. We're so lucky to have them." Although university music students sing in the chorus, Shoreline is the only community college contacted for chorus members.

Marks was encouraged by his voice instructor, Bernard Kwiram, to audition for the auxiliary chorus for The Ring. Thrilled to have the chance to audition, Marks was asked to prepare three pieces ― one in German, one in Italian and one in English. His performance was so well received that he was not only asked to perform in The Ring, but to also be a permanent member of the auxiliary chorus. Kwiram is a member of the Seattle Opera chorus.

At only 19 years of age, he has already performed small roles with Bellevue Opera, and is currently auditioning for lead roles. Marks has also performed with Civic Light Opera and several other Seattle area choirs, including the Columbia Choirs, directed by Steve Stephens. A music performance major at Shoreline, he performed the tenor role of Léon in the opera Signor Deluso in the 2001 Opera Workshop Performances last spring. He hopes to continue has studies at Mannes College of Music, Boston Conservatory or possibly at Moores School of Music in Texas. He hopes to have a successful career singing opera and operettas on the East Coast. Marks is a graduate of Snohomish County Christian School.

Dolacky recommended McKenzieSullivan for The Ring chorus. "He had been thinking about auditioning, but was hesitant, not quite sure of his talent. I knew he had what it takes, and encouraged him to go for it," says Dolacky. The 21 year-old McKenzieSullivan is a baritone who has performed in several productions at the Tenino Young at Heart Theater, including the lead role as Joseph Cable in South Pacific and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. He is a music major at Shoreline and performed the roles of Signor Deluso in the opera Signor Deluso in the 2001 Opera Workshop Performances and the role of Tom/John in The Face On The Barroom Floor for the 2000 Opera Workshop Performances. Last spring he performed the role of Lancelot in the SCC musical Camelot.  McKenzieSullivan hopes to attend Westminster Choir College in New Jersey and to teach high school choir while continuing to perform in community opera.

Dolacky says, "both Jonathan and Jeremiah have beautiful voices and immense enthusiasm for the performing arts. Seeing their excitement after being selected to sing in The Ring and then continuing that enthusiasm to Ring rehearsals, reinforces why I have stayed at the college for so many years and why I still love to teach," says Dolacky, who has been teaching at Shoreline for 28 years.

For more information about Shoreline's music transfer program, please contact Sue Dolacky at (206) 546-4617.