About UNIPAC - History
The Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company started out as a dream sometime around August, 2000. It has now become a reality.
In July, 2000 I attended three performances of the Utah Festival Opera Company in Logan, Utah with my mom and grandma. We saw Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar), Carmen, and The Mikado. Also that year I began taking voice lessons. From these experiences my love of art song and opera began to grow. A short time later, I decided I wanted to have my own performing arts company, a way to bring more of this art form I was beginning to fall “in love” with, to more people. As time went on and I started doing vocal recitals, my love affair grew into a full-blown romance. Unfortunately, I had to lay my dream of a performing arts company on hold as I, at the time, did not have the means to begin such a venture.
I moved to the Salt Lake area towards the latter end of 2006. About 18 months later this dream that I had tucked nicely away (in the closet, so to speak), began to poke its head out of the door and sneak back into my life. I was developing my skills as a performer, as a poet, and especially, as a playwright. I needed (or dare I say, ‘wanted’?) a medium to present my material to the general public and a performing arts company seemed to be the right course of action. Such was the beginning of the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company. Of course, my love of opera took over (music is, after all, a harsh and jealous mistress).
This process has been a difficult journey; like anything that is worth doing. When we started preparing for Dido and Aeneas and the other plays (spring 2009), as I began to question my sanity (who would start an opera company in the middle of a recession?), I received great words of support from friends and family. I would like to take a moment and thank those whose support and words of encouragement have helped me to brave the storm. Of course, my parents, Brian and Pauline Calkins, are at the top of the list. They have indulged me in my musical “career” for years now despite the stress that it has put on my life and as a result, their lives. Sean Rogers, my accompanist, collaborative artist, and, most importantly, friend. Mark Walters, my friend, for his impeccable timing of encouraging words. (I don’t believe in coincidences.)
As we begin another season, I look back at all the things I have accomplished during the previous years (even the previous years with my solo vocal recitals), and a quote comes to mind. I don’t recall who said it, but it is very poignant. “If I have seen things that others have not seen; it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” To paraphrase; if I have accomplished things beyond myself; it is because of the assistance I received from greater men (and women) than myself.
And that is how the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company and Quest Music Productions began. So, sit back and enjoy the performances. You won’t be sorry.
- Joey Calkins, Founder/General Director
August, 2009
In July, 2000 I attended three performances of the Utah Festival Opera Company in Logan, Utah with my mom and grandma. We saw Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar), Carmen, and The Mikado. Also that year I began taking voice lessons. From these experiences my love of art song and opera began to grow. A short time later, I decided I wanted to have my own performing arts company, a way to bring more of this art form I was beginning to fall “in love” with, to more people. As time went on and I started doing vocal recitals, my love affair grew into a full-blown romance. Unfortunately, I had to lay my dream of a performing arts company on hold as I, at the time, did not have the means to begin such a venture.
I moved to the Salt Lake area towards the latter end of 2006. About 18 months later this dream that I had tucked nicely away (in the closet, so to speak), began to poke its head out of the door and sneak back into my life. I was developing my skills as a performer, as a poet, and especially, as a playwright. I needed (or dare I say, ‘wanted’?) a medium to present my material to the general public and a performing arts company seemed to be the right course of action. Such was the beginning of the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company. Of course, my love of opera took over (music is, after all, a harsh and jealous mistress).
This process has been a difficult journey; like anything that is worth doing. When we started preparing for Dido and Aeneas and the other plays (spring 2009), as I began to question my sanity (who would start an opera company in the middle of a recession?), I received great words of support from friends and family. I would like to take a moment and thank those whose support and words of encouragement have helped me to brave the storm. Of course, my parents, Brian and Pauline Calkins, are at the top of the list. They have indulged me in my musical “career” for years now despite the stress that it has put on my life and as a result, their lives. Sean Rogers, my accompanist, collaborative artist, and, most importantly, friend. Mark Walters, my friend, for his impeccable timing of encouraging words. (I don’t believe in coincidences.)
As we begin another season, I look back at all the things I have accomplished during the previous years (even the previous years with my solo vocal recitals), and a quote comes to mind. I don’t recall who said it, but it is very poignant. “If I have seen things that others have not seen; it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” To paraphrase; if I have accomplished things beyond myself; it is because of the assistance I received from greater men (and women) than myself.
And that is how the Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company and Quest Music Productions began. So, sit back and enjoy the performances. You won’t be sorry.
- Joey Calkins, Founder/General Director
August, 2009
