Thursday, February 12, 2009

Upset that Westminster College professor Christopher LeCluyse lost his bid for a Grammy this past weekend?

Well, console yourself with the knowledge that South Jordan native and Weber State grad Kira Rugen, now living in Arizona, won a Grammy with her choir last weekend. (Her maiden name is Zeeman)

Rugen (left) is a member of the 26-member choir Phoenix Chorale, which won the Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance for their participation in "Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary," conducted by Charles Bruffy.

It is the second straight year the choir has won a Grammy, the soprano Rugen said in an interview.

According to Rugen's Web site (www.kirarugen.com): "In February 2008, she sang in Carnegie Hall's Young Artist Concert Series under the Direction of Ton Koopman performing the music of G.F. Handel. She has sung for several seasons with Arizona Opera and Utah Opera in such shows as Lucia Di Lammermoor, Romeo et Juliette , La Traviata, La Boheme and Il Pagliacci. Ms. Rugen has toured nationally and internationally as a soloist in the glorious performance halls of Santo Stafano al Ponte Vecchio, Florenze, SS. Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso, Rome, and Basilica Dei Frari, Venice. She has received several vocal awards including first place in Arizona and Utah NATS competitions."

She moved to Arizona after graduating from Weber State to pursue more education at Arizona State University, a Master of Music in Choral Education with a specialization in Vocal Performance.