Boston Conservatory Announces Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients for 2017 Commencement

Each year at commencement, Boston Conservatory honors an alumnus or alumna for his or her outstanding professional contributions and continued engagement with the Conservatory community. This year, in celebration of the school’s 150th anniversary, three alumni—one from each division—were selected to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. Their achievements exemplify Boston Conservatory alumni’s far-reaching impact on the performing arts and the world at large.

Boston Conservatory is pleased to recognize the following alumni at the 2017 commencement ceremony:  

Sandra Piques Eddy (B.M. '94, music education, voice), praised for her “dark, sensuous mezzo and charming stage presence” (Opera Magazine), created the role of Young Wife in the world premiere of Scott Wheeler’s Naga, part of the Ouroboros Trilogy, produced by Beth Morrison Projects in Boston. Recent highlights include Eddy’s role debut as Charlotte in Werther with Boston Lyric Opera, a return to the Metropolitan Opera roster as Maddalena (cover) in Rigoletto, Stefano in Atlanta Opera’s Romeo et Juliette, and Rosina in Opera Omaha’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Career highlights include numerous appearances to great acclaim as the title role in Carmen. Other signature roles include: Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Meg in Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Idamante in Idomeneo, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni.

With more than 100 performances with the Metropolitan Opera, Eddy’s roles on the legendary stage include: Fiona in the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Nico Muhly’s Two Boys, directed by Bartlett Sher in 2013; Mercédès in Sir Richard Eyre’s production of Carmen; Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro; Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana; Rosette in Manon; Zulma in L’Italiana in Algeri; and Dragonfly in L’Enfant et les sortilèges, among others.

A Boston native, Eddy’s professional concert debut was with Boston Baroque in Vivaldi’s Gloria at the Sanders Theatre and Portsmouth Music Hall. She has since had several reengagements, including Messagiera and Speranza in L’Orfeo, and Valletto and Amore in L’incoronazione di Poppea.

Eddy was the first place New England Regional Winner of the 2000 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a national semi-finalist. She has won competitions at both Opera Lirica and Boston Conservatory. Eddy graduated from Boston University’s School for the Arts with a master’s degree in vocal performance, and was an apprentice artist at the Boston Opera Institute. Additionally, she is a 2002 recipient of the Shoshana Foundation Richard Gold Career Grant.

Eddie Korbich (B.F.A. '83, musical theater) has performed in the original Broadway casts of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, A Christmas Story (Santa), The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), The Drowsy Chaperone (George, Drama Desk nomination), Breakfast at Tiffany’s, After the Night and the Music (Keith), Wicked, Seussical, Carousel (Mr. Snow, Lincoln Center Theatre), and Sweeney Todd (Tobias, Circle in the Square Theatre). His off-Broadway credits include Assassins, Godspell, The Gifts of the Magi, Flora, The Red Menace, A Little Night Music, Eating Raoul, and Taking a Chance on Love (Obie Award).

Korbich has appeared on more than 25 original cast albums. He appeared regionally in The Gamester (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Dracula (North Shore Music Theatre), and 3hree (Ahmanson). His film and television credits include Blue Bloods, Elementary, The Mysteries of Laura, Law & Order, Deadbeat, Jennifer 8, and Quiz Show. Korbich loves doing cartoon voices and has been a series regular on Doug, Pinky Dinky Doo, and PB & J Otter.

Karla Wolfangle (Cert. '65, dance), teacher and choreographer, danced with the Paul Taylor Dance Company for 14 years, touring the U.S., Europe, and South America. Wolfangle was also a member of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and Boston Ballet, and was codirector and cofounder of the Cliff Keuter Dance Company.

Wolfangle served on the faculty of the National Institute of the Arts in Taipei, Taiwan, the Harvard Summer Dance Center, the American Dance Festival, and University of Maryland. She was an adjunct faculty member at the New School and Barnard College, and was the guest choreographer and teacher for the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive for five seasons. She has also been on the faculty of Adelphi University and was guest artist in residence from 1995 to 1999 at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Her choreography has been presented in New York City at Citi Center, the Cunningham Dance Center, Dance Theatre Workshop, and at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. In 1999, Wolfangle choreographed and performed in Woody Allen’s feature film Small Time Crooks. Her choreography also includes a revival of Fiddler on the Roof. She currently serves as associate professor at Hofstra University, teaching advanced modern technique, choreography, and creating dances for Hofstra dance productions.

Wolfangle’s involvement with dance as a performer, teacher, and choreographer spans more than 50 years.

The Conservatory takes pride in its alumni and their achievements on stage and off. If you are an alumnus or alumna and want to receive information from the institution or share your accomplishments, submit your information through the Connect Form.

The 2017 commencement will take place on Saturday, May 13 at the Berklee Performance Center at 4:00 p.m., and can be viewed via livestream.