James McCully:  

nedy Center. Mr. McCully honored Banff Centre for the Arts at the Canadian Embassy for their outstanding international commitment to producing World and North American premieres; and presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to American Opera Composers Carlisle Floyd, Thea Musgrave, Robert Ward, Jack Beesom, Kirke Mechem and Seymour Barab. Mr. McCully has been a champion of young artists and artists training programs, and has perpetuated the art of vocal training for young talented artists aspiring to an international career through Master Classes with Metropolitan Opera stars Shirley Verrett, Ryan Edwards, Thomas Stewart and Evelyn Lear. The New York Times recently wrote about Jennifer Wilson an unknown soprano who suddenly burst onto the international opera scene by jumping in at the last minute as Brunnhilde in Wagner's "Gotterdammerung" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, just one day after singing the same character in a rehearsal of "Die Walkure". Artistry aside, this is a stunning athletic feat. Few people today have the vocal heft and stamina to get through even one of these roles, let alone take on both back to back. Ms. Wilson not only sang the killer leading role of the five-hour "Gotterdammerung" she also sang it so well, with a huge, beautiful sound and dramatic nuance, that she brought down the house. Ms. Wilson was discovered at the Master Class of Thomas Stewart and Evelyn Lear, under the direction of James McCully at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC. Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart helped to launch her career after hearing her perform in these Master Classes. The Washington Times writes about Cristina Nassif, 1st Place Winner of the Marjorie Lawrence International Vocal Competition, under the direction of James McCully: Miss Nassif blossomed. Her luscious, well-supported vocal gifts bloomed magnificently, swiftly transforming her into a Violetta to remember with love and admiration. Displaying great emotional maturity and a seemingly unlimited vocal range, she melded effortlessly with her character and made the magic happen, made the audience believe in a way that happens infrequently even with the greatest of companies. With these performances, the gifted Miss Nassif -- only in her late 20s -- could be on the threshold of a truly brilliant career. Military I was approached to serve as an Organist and Music Director at the Arlington National Cemetery's Old Post and Memorial Chapels. I enjoyed working with the "Old Guard" and met alot of great guys. The camaraderie was very memorable with plenty of horseback riding, fencing, and rappelling. I have found that the military men stationed in Military District of Washington are the cream of the crop. I established a number of long term friendships, and my military experience was most enjoyable.