At age three, most children are not able to read. What if your child was able to sing the Star-Spangled Banner? Would you look for a musical agent or let them discover what their talents would bring to their life?
Dylan Anderson, a 2021 graduate of Wayne High School and the son of Derek and Tracy Anderson of Wayne, could belt out the Star-Spangled Banner at the age of three. Even though he had this pure gift of music, he did not want to participate in music class during kindergarten and definitely did not want to play the piano. Dylan said at age eight he finally found the passion and love of music.
With his love for music, Dylan has been able to perform in Operas, musicals and, a multitude of solos not only locally but abroad as well. Along with achieving many honors and scholarships in music he is also academically gifted, graduating from high school as Co-Valedictorian.
After high school graduation, Dylan continued on his pursuit of music at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) majoring in Music education. His primary emphasis is in voice, but he will be certified to teach all aspects of music. He will graduate in May of 2025 with the dream of teaching music in Nebraska.
During his time at UNL, he met Dr. Kevin Hanrahan, Professor at the Glenn Korff School of Music. Dr. Harahan is Dylan’s voice instructor. Meeting Dr. Hanrahan opened up more opportunities than Dylan ever dreamed of experiencing.
During his first two years of college Dr. Hanrahan mentioned to his students, including Dylan, a program called American Institute for Musical Studies (AIMS) located in Graz, Austria.
AIMS, established in 1969 is a special music program held during the summer months. The program includes six weeks of in-depth musical training by some of Europe and America’s most renowned teachers. Participants in this program not only experience training in a very stimulating environment but also in Garza, a beautiful 850-year-old city filled with music history. Many students of AIMS become famous performers.
Dylan entertained the idea of attending AIMS, not taking it seriously until his junior year of college. Even after contemplating whether he wanted to go to AIMS, financially he did not think it was possible.
Dr. Hanrahan approached Dylan one day questioning why he had not taken an interest in AIMS. He explained the reasons for his hesitancy. With encouragement and guidance from his professor, Dylan decided to take the step of faith and sign up for auditions. Just because a person decides to attend AIMS does not mean they are accepted.
Dylan needed to prepare five vocal songs for the audition. Four of the songs were in German and one song he was able to choose on his own. He had decided to try audition for the Lieder Studio. Participants in this studio study German Lieder (German songs).
The time arrived for auditions. Due to the fact Dylan signed up at the last minute, he was the final person to audition for the day, but the good news was he was able to audition in Lincoln. After giving it his all, he was accepted into the program in the Lieder studio which guaranteed singing performances with piano accompaniment. A total of 32 students were chosen for four different Lieder studios.
Time came for Dylan to embark on an experience of a lifetime. On July 8 he arrived in the cultural capital of Europe. The first week at AIMS included orientation classes, meeting with coaches, and the most important class of the week for Dylan was German. He said he needed the lowest level of German class because the dialect differed from standard language and his knowledge of the German language was minimal. The title of the class “Survival German” deemed appropriate for him.
By day two Dylan participated in Hearings. Hearings could be compared to auditions except the performance is for all faculty. These are held to determine the performance level of each individual.
Once the second week in Graz rolled around, Dylan had settled into the busy schedule of voice and Lieder lessons each held two times a week. He enjoyed the Performance and audition skills class taught by Patricia Weiman. Weinman’s biography includes working with national opera companies and was past faculty of the New England Conservatory and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Anderson said, "She helped me to look well while I sang and encouraged me to start a resume of all of my vocal performances and accolades."
After one week, the Governor’s reception was held at Schloss Eggenberg and it was time to dress up in their finest attire. Schloss Eggenberg, formally a palace originally built in the 1600’s, now is a museum and park. This was time for everyone to mingle and enjoy some wonderful German cuisine.
Along with intensive training during lessons, classes and performances, students have opportunities to attend operas, operettas and participate in musical theater. Dylan performed in a collaboration of Stephen Sondheim musicals called “Only Sondheim.” This included Sondheim songs from the famous Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II since he was 15 years old. Notable works include “West Side Story,” “Todd Sweeney” and “Into the Woods.” Anderson, with his captivating voice, performed two duets and one solo.
During the six-week music program, musical performances were a part of Dylan’s experience with Lieder Studios. Every vocalist performed in LiederKonzerts (German word for songs concerts). These concerts were open for the public.
Anderson did break away from the busy schedule of AIMS to travel and enjoy Austria. He enjoyed Vienna and toured the city, the opera house and cemetery where Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Strauss are buried. He then traveled to Salzburg and climbed the hills which reminded him of the “The Hills are Alive” in the “Sound of Music.” He also saw the famous gazebo and the gate by the Abbey which were also in the movie.
As the end of six weeks approached, it was time to say goodbye to new friends, German food, the sights and sounds of music and return home.
Anderson said his favorite part of the entire trip was being able to connect with music and sing in a setting that was different and more in-depth than he had in Nebraska. The worst part was not having air conditioning in Graz. Physically adapting at 2 a.m. to intense heat which would cause him to receive zero sleep was very difficult.
As of today, Dylan is back settled into his final year of studies before he graduates in May. He attributes his success in music to his mother. He said, “she is an amazing role model and a vessel to push me.”
He also wanted to thank Dr. Kevin Hanrahan who gave him the tools to make him better at music and encouraged him to attend AIMS.
The final advice from Anderson for students entering a career in music is to take chances on programs, listen to a lot of music and put yourself out there. And most importantly, it is to take time for yourself and do not forget to have fun.
