PSP's story
The Prairie Song Project is a trio featuring mezzo-soprano Katharine Goeldner, flutist Amy Morris and pianist Eric McEnaney.
Kathy and Amy share a love for music dating back to their college days at the University of Iowa. For years, Kathy and Amy talked of a collaboration that would celebrate their friendship, their love for their Midwestern roots, and the joy of music.
Kathy and Amy embarked on a large-scale project that focuses on bringing the talents of Midwestern composers, writers and artists to American and international audiences.
The trio has commissioned works by two composers. Rory Boyle, from Scotland, set the poetry of Nebraska author Ted Kooser. Peter Ash, originally from Iowa, and now living in London, chose words by Shakespeare combined with the poetry of Nebraska native Willa Cather.
They proudly released their self-titled first album in September, 2014.
The Prairie Song Project presents concerts featuring more standard repertoire, and offers master classes at educational institutions.
The Prairie Song Project is funded through grants, including grants from the Scottish Arts Council and A Very Small Arts Fund, and through donations.
The Musicians
Katharine Goeldner,
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Amy Morris,
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eric mcenaney,
Piano
Eric McEnaney enjoys a multifaceted career as one of the nation’s foremost opera pianists and vocal coaches. Known for his expertise in contemporary opera, Dr. McEnaney has assisted in the creative process of several revival productions and newly commissioned works, collaborating with distinguished composers Dominick Argento, Ricky Ian Gordon, Paul Moravec, Kevin Puts, Bright Sheng, and Robert Ward, among others. Young artist and professional singers frequently seek his knowledge of bel canto style, particularly in the operas of Donizetti, and Dr. McEnaney’s breadth of musical understanding and passion for opera education has garnered regular invitations to serve as guest lecturer for various companies’ performance previews. Twin Cities audiences often find him presenting innovative programs at the Ordway Center for the Arts in St. Paul as part of Minnesota Opera’s Opera Insights series.
As a recitalist, Dr. McEnaney has appeared with singers from the rosters of the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera, among others. His performances have been broadcast locally and nationally on Minnesota Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, Twin Cities Public Television, KSTP-TV's Twin Cities Live, and American Public Media's A Prairie Home Companion. He has assisted many of the most renowned vocal artists of our time in masterclasses and private sessions, including Christine Brewer, David Daniels, Elizabeth Futral, Denyce Graves, Marilyn Horne, Thomas Hampson, Frank Lopardo, Susanna Phillips, John Relyea, and Carol Vaness.
Dr. McEnaney is an alumnus of young artist programs at Music Academy of the West, Wolf Trap Opera Company, Des Moines Metro Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, and Minnesota Opera, where he worked four seasons as Resident Artist Coach/Accompanist. He holds degrees in piano performance and collaborative piano from Eastern Illinois University, The University of Iowa, and the University of Minnesota, and divides his time between the cities of Minneapolis and Milwaukee.
As a recitalist, Dr. McEnaney has appeared with singers from the rosters of the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera, among others. His performances have been broadcast locally and nationally on Minnesota Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, Twin Cities Public Television, KSTP-TV's Twin Cities Live, and American Public Media's A Prairie Home Companion. He has assisted many of the most renowned vocal artists of our time in masterclasses and private sessions, including Christine Brewer, David Daniels, Elizabeth Futral, Denyce Graves, Marilyn Horne, Thomas Hampson, Frank Lopardo, Susanna Phillips, John Relyea, and Carol Vaness.
Dr. McEnaney is an alumnus of young artist programs at Music Academy of the West, Wolf Trap Opera Company, Des Moines Metro Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, and Minnesota Opera, where he worked four seasons as Resident Artist Coach/Accompanist. He holds degrees in piano performance and collaborative piano from Eastern Illinois University, The University of Iowa, and the University of Minnesota, and divides his time between the cities of Minneapolis and Milwaukee.