Music, German student makes inroads into international opera

In summer 2024, Peter Kanda (B. Mus. Piano Performance, German Studies Minor ‘26) prepped his final year at UGA by participating in the Pehlivanian Professional Opera Academy in Slovenia. Founded under the direction of Maestro George Pehlivanian, the academy is a pillar of the international opera scene, offering comprehensive training for conductors and vocalists from all over the world, with a focus on refining their skills. Its summer opera productions in various Slovenian towns, enrich the local cultural scene – and presented a world of opportunity for Kanda to put his musical acumen and his language skills into action:

This summer, the production was Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart, and Kandra served as conductor. “Don Giovanni is one of the largest and most difficult operas in the repertoire,” said Kandra. “Getting to conduct it just a year and a half after my conducting studies began is a huge step in my career that not many students will ever get to make in their lifetime.

No stranger to studying overseas, this was Kandra’s second European educational opportunity. During his first year, Kandra studied in Freiburg im Bresgau, Germany through the UGA Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies. This time, Kandra was on tour. “The tour had nine professional concerts in different cities...I got to see every major city in Slovenia, and then some! Learning to work with an orchestra, whose members were ALL Slovenian, as well as working with other singers and conductors, none of which were American either, provided me with a very varied approach to the craft.”

Community-minded UGA students with a heart for international experience brings out the best in their aspirations and serve as a wonderful model of an engaged campus. Be prepare to excel!