Miller Arts Scholars
Miller Arts Scholars
Wesley Diener

Wesley Diener

Semester of Mini-grant
Year of Mini-grant
2017
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
We, Wesley Diener, Jack Gereski, and Maelisa Singer, are applying for Art Scholar Minigrants to fund our participation in the Lab Series production of The Last Five Years. The Department of Drama’s Lab Series will present Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years on November 18 and 19. Wesley will direct the musical, Jack will portray Jamie, and Maelisa will design the costumes. This production provides unparalleled opportunities for undergraduate drama students to take on larger responsibility within a professional theatrical environment. Our active participation in classes and departmental productions has equipped us with the necessary skills to stand on our own as artists.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
The Last Five Years: Directing a Musical
Semester of Mini-grant
Year of Mini-grant
2017
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
We, Josephine Miller and Wesley Diener, are applying for an Art Scholars Minigrant to support our upcoming third year recital and associated fees. On February 12, we will offer a third year recital at the University Baptist Church. As music majors in the department’s competitive performance concentration, we both pursue active opera and art song performances schedules.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
Third Year Recital
Semester of Mini-grant
Year of Mini-grant
2016
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
I am applying for a Miller Art Scholar Artist Minigrant to support the costs of acquiring and developing professional audition materials for my applications in the coming operatic audition season.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
Professional Materials for Young Artist Programs
Year of Mini-grant
2015
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
Wesley will travel to compete at NATS Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition at College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
NATS Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition
Class Year
2018
Disciplines(s)
Arts Award Type
Proposal Outcome
Grant Description
I am applying for an Arts Award to travel to Perigeuex, France and participate in the Franco-American Vocal Academy program, where I will sing a full opera role and work intensely on French music and language. The Franco American Vocal Academy (FAVA) centers its mission on performance opportunities for young singers. While there are many summer opera programs that offer similar opportunities for technical training, FAVA distinguishes itself with a valuable combination of technical achievement, immersive language instruction, and most importantly, significant performance opportunities.
Original Proposal
Title
FAVA: Immersion in French Opera, Art Song, and Language
Class Year
2018
Disciplines(s)
Arts Award Type
Proposal Outcome
Grant Description
I am applying for a Miller Art Scholars Rising Fourth-Year Award to support my participation in Bel Canto in Tuscany, an intensive and immersive opera training program in Italy. This program, focused on advanced study in Italian vocal traditions, features a month of comprehensive vocal, musical, dramatic, and linguistic study.
Original Proposal
Title
Bel Canto in Tuscany: Learning the Italian Art of Vocal Technique and Expression

While Wesley Diener has intensely studied theatre, violin, and piano, his true passion is singing.  In his hometown of Vienna, VA, Wesley was surrounded by instrumental endeavors when he first discovered the beauty of singing in preparation for musical theatre roles.  Since then, he has truly fallen in love with the art form, performing lead roles in musicals such as Into the Woods, Seussical, and The Wizard of Oz, collaborating with Tony award-winner Jason Robert Brown, and singing in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall multiple times.  At UVa, he studies voice with Mrs. Pamela Beasley and piano with Mr. John Mayhood.  This year, he had the privilege of performing in Ash Lawn Opera's Amahl and the Night Visitors, UVa Drama's Wonderful Town, and First Year Player's The Producers.  Additionally, he is a member of the University Singers and the Chamber Singers, the incoming Fundraising Chair of First Year Players, and a member of the Student Council Arts Committee for the 2015-2016 school year.  This summer, he will be portraying Riff in West Side Story and Micah in The Bartered Bride with the Bethesda Music Festival.  He is thrilled to further explore UVa's artistic opportunities with the Miller Art Scholars!

2018