I hope you’ll indulge me for a few moments. I’d like to share some wonderful memories that have brightened my life over the last twenty years. In 2002 I left an incredibly successful role in corporate America to pursue a passion of mine – helping others experience the joy of performing. It was a big step that I’ve never regretted. I’d performed ever since I was a kid and had always loved it. Bel Canto Studios was launched with only two students, one in Grayslake and one in Barrington. At the time I was also teaching private and class voice in the Willow Creek Artz Center. There have been a lot milestones over twenty years, but here are some of the biggies:
In 2004, I opened my own space that had two teaching studios, 217 Park Avenue in downtown Barrington. Didn’t look like much until we fixed it up. Everyone loved it. It wasn’t long before I needed a second location and lots of teachers!
The Better Business Bureau has endorsed the studio since 2007.
Over the years students have signed with agents and managers in Chicago, LA, and NY.
Our alums have pursued performing careers at Juilliard, Belmont, Indiana, New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, and USC.
Entertainment moguls like Disney, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Creative Studios have sought out our talent.
ComEd, Chanel, Vogue, Calvin Klein, American Girl, Abercrombie & Fitch, Target, Kohl’s, and Claire’s have featured our alums in print and commercials; also NY and Paris runway
Students have been featured in CBS and NBC series’.
They’ve starred in shows on and off Broadway and in national tours.
Alums have been cast in supporting roles with film super stars, others as leads.
We even have a Grammy winner and Tony nominee who has emerged from our midst.
It’s been quite a ride for the last twenty years…fast-paced growth for such a long time, then all the inevitable change caused by a pandemic. I’ve completely re-vamped how I teach and moved to an online presence. All that change is starting to pay off. FaceTime lessons are reaching students across the country. The studio’s YouTube channel and video showcases allow families everywhere to enjoy performances they would not otherwise have been able to see. It hasn’t been easy, but Bel Canto Studios has survived Covid. Now it’s time to rebuild.
A huge thank you to everyone who has shared this journey with me. I consider all of you family.
~ Jeanie Carter
2005: Samantha Ceglarek sings in the children’s chorus for the Chicago Lyric Opera production of ‘Tosca’2009: Samantha Ceglarek is a finalist in the Chicago NATS classical voice competition.2010-2013: Russ Riendeau releases original CDs – Four Winds, Sudden Inspiration, Sounds of Mackinac Island, Guitar Gumbo, and Expressions.2012: Grace Hartzel debuts as a Paris and New York runway model, here for Chanel Paris.2013: Pippa Soo graduates from Juilliard2013: Pippa Soo cast as Lexi in the NBC hit series ‘Smash’2013: Pippa Soo stars as Natasha in the off-Broadway hit ‘Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812’2014: Samantha Ceglarek releases her CD ‘Getting Acquainted’ after graduating from Berklee College of Music.2015:: Grace Hartzel is featured on Vogue covers in nine countries.2015: Pippa Soo originates the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of ‘Hamilton’2015: Pippa Soo wins the Lucille Lortel award for most promising actress in New York2016: Pippa Soo is nominated for a Tony Award based on her role in ‘Hamilton’2016: Mac Dassati stars as Double J in the national tour of ‘Saturday Night Fever’2016: Grace Hartzel is chosen to be the face of Salvatore Ferragamo’s signature fragrace Signorina.2016: Entire ‘Hamilton’ cast wins a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album (Pippa Soo as Eliza Hamilton)2016: Taylor DiTola signs with Universal Studios-Japan. 2017: Austin Molinaro stars as Ralphie in the national tour of ‘A Christmas Story’2017-2020: Sela Anderson is the face of American Girl. She is featured in campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Kohl’s, Target, Kmart, and Claires.2017: Pippa Soo stars as Amelie on Broadway2017: Schyler Sisters (Pippa Soo right) sing at Super Bowl 512018: Pippa Soo stars as Oona in this film.2018: Taylor Ditola signs with Norwegian Creative Studios2018: Austin Molinaro is Fleance in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of ‘Macbeth’. He is also featured in a nationally televised ComEd commercial.2018: Pippa Soo stars as 1st Lieutenant Harper Li in the CBS series ‘The Code’2019: Emma Nelson co-stars with Cate Blanchett in the movie ‘Where’d You Go Bernadette’2020: Pippa Soo stars as Nadine2020: Pippa Soo cast as the voice of Thelma2020: Brooke Harthan releases a new single, performing for large crowds in Nashville.2020: Pippa Soo stars as Chang-e in the Netflix animated film2021: Emma Nelson stars as Emilie Malcolm in ‘The Unforgivable’ with Sandra Bullock2022: Pippa Soo portrays Cinderella in the star-studded cast of this Broadway limited-run.
