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36 n e w h a v e n B I Z | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 8 n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m you're learning so much music so fast — and it really does help when you get out to the real world and you have to learn a new opera in a month that you've never touched before," Saturnino says. "ey really give you those skills to set yourself up for success. "Which is what makes it such a prestigious program — and also that they turn out great singers." Which is what Saturnino, who now lives in the Washington, D.C. area and is pursuing a professional opera career, is well on her way to becoming. What will Saturnino always take with her from her two years at Yale? "How close-knit the program was — all my colleagues were extremely supportive and encouraging," she says. Overall, Yale "was one of the most rigorous experiences I've ever had. ere's a very high expectation both for the [applied] music and for your academic work." Overall, "It's a great place to go to school, and you make so many connections," Saturnino concludes. "ey prepare you well for going out and doing what needs to be done in the real world. But once you're out there, it doesn't seems as difficult — because you've already done some of the hardest work of your life in grad school." On Elm Street, a nightmare no more Following a two-year renova- tion, Hendrie Hall on Elm Street was reopened last January as part of the shiny new Adams Center for Musical Arts, which connects Hendrie to Leigh Hall by way of a new structure that is anchored by a stunning orchestra rehearsal room for the Yale Philharmonia (graduate) and the Yale Symphony (undergrad) orchestras, and an atrium in which students from the School of Music and Yale College can connect. And maybe even make beautiful music together. e renovation/construction project also yielded many more individual practice rooms and faculty studios than existed pre- viously in the old Hendrie Hall, whose former north-facing brick exterior is now an interior wall in the atrium. "e Adams gi was transformational in every way," says Martin Jean, who heads the YSM affiliate Institute of Sacred Music. "Applications have more than doubled in the last 13 years. More international students from countries we've never heard from before. And much more significant talent and intellect" come to New Haven than ever before, he adds. "If anyone doubt this, all one needs to do is attend a performance of the Yale Philharmonic, or Opera, or a chamber music concert, or student recital," of which Sprague Hall on College Street hosts at least 100 each academic year — all free and open to the public. "Now this is a welcoming place for music in this community," adds Blocker. "Music brings hope to people," Blocker says. "You see how a gi like this can be inspiring to an entire community." n Continued from previous page A RT S & C U LT U R E A New Health Plan From Someone You Can Trust • Transparency • Control • Cost Savings • Turn Key Call Steve Glick from CIT at 203-795-9756 to learn more *Available to employers with 20 or more employees Dean Blocker: The Adams gift 'can be inspiring to an entire community.'

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