Pete White: Tulsa Youth Opera Singer

A Carver Middle School seventh grader Pete White is experiencing his first year as a Tulsa Youth Opera (TYO) performer. Led by Music Director Aaron Beck, TYO gives students in grades 3 – 12 an opportunity to hone their singing and performing skills with a professional director – all at no cost. Young people may audition, usually in June, to become a member of TYO. No previous vocal training is required and, according to Pete’s mom, the auditions are comfortable and “nurturing.” Applicants are chosen based on potential, not necessarily current ability. They learn vocal technique, foreign language, acting, movement and performance skills. Pete has one word for his experiences with TYO – FUN.

TulsaKids: How did you get involved with TYO?

Pete: My older sister did it, and she thought it was a fun experience, so I wanted to try it.

TulsaKids: Have you done any performances yet?

Pete: We sang the National Anthem at a Drillers game, and we’re going to sing at an awards ceremony.

TulsaKids: The Tulsa Opera is performing “The Sound of Music” on Nov. 15, before this interview is published. Are you involved in that performance?

Pete: I have the part of Friedrich (von Trapp). So far, it’s been very fun. I’ve started to grow more (in my skills) by doing “The Sound of Music.” My voice is getting better.

TulsaKids: TYO will be performing “Noah’s Flood” in June. Do you have any performances coming up in December?

Pete: We’ll sing at Signature Symphony’s Christmas event. (The concert is Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13)

TulsaKids: Besides improving your vocals, what else do you enjoy about TYO?

Pete: I’ve met new people and made some new friends. My favorite thing is having the opportunity to do these performances. If I didn’t have Tulsa Youth Opera, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this. I also get to perform with an opera star. (Broadway award-winner Jenn Gambatese plays Maria, Sam Briggs is Captain von Trapp and Leona Mitchell is Mother Abbess in Tulsa Opera’s “The Sound of Music.”)

TulsaKids: Do you ever get nervous or have stage fright?

Pete: I usually get nervous at the first performance, but after that, I don’t get nervous.

TulsaKids: You’ve been in other performances with Theatre Tulsa and Clark Youth Theatre. Have you ever made a mistake on stage?

Pete: In “Ragtime” after my costume change, I usually had enough time to run to get some water. I got some water and was a couple of seconds late to go on stage. No one noticed, but the mother character had to do a little ad-libbing.

TulsaKids: You obviously love being in TYO. Is there any negative side?

Pete: I don’t get to do some other things like baseball this year, but I always wanted to do Tulsa Youth Opera. I still hang out with my baseball friends.

TulsaKids: How much time do you spend rehearsing?

Pete: Once a week. Then twice a week rehearsing for “The Sound of Music,” and then we’ll start doing more rehearsals, three or four times a week, when it gets closer.

TulsaKids: Has being in TYO helped you in other parts of your life?

Pete: Yes. It helps me be more respectful, and to respect authority. It also helps me with school projects because I don’t get nervous speaking in front of the class. And I’m good at singing “Happy Birthday.”

TulsaKids: What would you say to other kids who might be interested in auditioning for TYO?

Pete: Do it. It’s very fun!

TulsaKids: What else do you enjoy doing besides singing, acting and dancing?

Pete: I play the trumpet, and I’m in Boy Scouts, church choir and academic bowl at school.  I like to swim in the summer.

TulsaKids: What are your favorite things to do in Tulsa?

Pete: Howdy Burger! I also like both Brook restaurants, P.F. Chang’s and NEFF Brewery because my brother has celiac, and it’s gluten free.

TulsaKids: Do you have a fun fact to share?

Over the course of the interview, I discovered many fun facts about Pete: He is “missing an organ” – he had his appendix removed; he spent a week doing intensive training with the Royal Ballet in Richmond, England, when he was 10 (he liked the “toast machine” in the cafeteria); and he got to watch a pack of baboons playing in the pool at a friend’s house where his family was staying during a trip to Africa.