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Jacob Lay

@jcomposer12

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Jacob Lay
Baritone, Composer
Magic the Gathering Fanatic 💚🤍
Stilwell School of the Arts class of 2016!
Simpson College Class of 20' 🎓
UTK Class of 22'

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It's been a busy and eventful week, but let me give you a quick run down!

Last Friday we finished our final performances of the @theatlantaopera studio tour of The Barber of Seville! I couldn't have asked for a more fun and fulfilling tour, or a better group of cast mates to do it with. Love y'all so much! 💚

Also, dreams do come true! This past weekend I had the honor of performing my first Beethoven 9 as the Bass soloist with the @georgiasymphony. It's definitely a top 5 contender for best vocal entrances in all of classical music, and I had a Rockstar quartet of soloists. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done.

Finally, the end of the weekend, after I walked off the stage of beethoven, I noticed a text from @tyresebyrd_tenor, saying "Congrats!" because I had been named the recipient of the Marquita Lister Composition award from the George Shirley Vocal competition! My song, No Images, text by William Waring Cuney, is my most recent post, so check it out if you haven't!

I'm overjoyed and uplifted by what God has done in my life, and He has allowed me so much success. Next stop, The Wedding!! by @jcomposer12

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2 years ago

Hey everybody! I just made this big post over on Facebook, but I've been waiting a while to drop this one. I submitted this song, No Images, text by William Waring Cuney, for the composition division of the George Shirley Voice competition. I recently found out it's being considered in the finals, so I wanted to share it with all of you! 😁 Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to pick up the pencil again and start composing like I used to. As you can see from my handle, I am a composer, but I've let that take a backseat to my vocal work in the past 4 years. Well here I am again! I hope you enjoy, and please leave comments to let me know what you think! 💚 by @jcomposer12

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2 years ago

WE DID IT!
This weekend I participated in both the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Beethoven 9 competition AND The Metro Atlanta branch of the NANM vocal competition and placed FIRST in BOTH!! I'm so thankful to everyone who has supported me or prayed for me or thought about me on this journey. I'm ecstatic to get to perform the iconic Bass solo in May, and move on to NANM Regionals in Montgomery, AL soon.
So, a successful weekend to say the least 😁
#operasingersofinstagram #vocalcompetition #blackoperasinger by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

IT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH so here's an old favorite of mine: Idolatry by William Grant Still (1895-1978), the "Dean of African-American composers." I studied him and his music deeply while in college, and his music has had such a heavy impact on me and my musicianship.

I sang this song for the first time 7 years ago, so returning to it as a prepare it for the George Shirley Vocal Competition, I'm experimenting a little with this ending clip. I used to always sing the last note in complete falsetto. I think Still's music is very evocative of different colors so I try to display as many vocal colors as possible. The word "Air" being airy makes sense in my mind, but maybe the more solid fold closure is the more pleasing sound. I wasn't able to achieve that as a 19-year-old, but I'm starting to gain access to that. Curious as to what y'all think! I recorded both just so I can see the difference in effect.

#operasingersofinstagram #vocalcompetition #blackhistorymonth #blackcomposers by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

Well I said I was gonna post more at the beginning of the year, and then I didn't, so here's a little clip of some Beethoven!
I was having a really great vocal day today (after a couple weeks of rest from tour) and I'm about to tackle a few competitions next week, one of which is the finals of Georgia Symphony Orchestra Beethoven 9 competition. Beethoven 9 is one of my dream roles so if I win, I'll get the opportunity to perform the solo with the GSO. WISH ME LUCK! 💚
#operasingersofinstagram #practicepracticepractice by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

Full circle moment! I got to come back to the Theatre I grew up performing in for the first time in over 7 years, only this time as a professional! We brought the @theatlantaopera Studio Tour of The Bilingual Barber of Seville to an audience of arts students from several schools in the county, including my Alma Mater Stilwell School of the Arts.
Extremely grateful for the education I've received throughout my journey as a performer. Stilwell was the start of my singing journey. Getting to sing for students at Stilwell was electrifying. 💚
Thanks @travisthall for some artsy pics in the name of 🌟content🌟 taken in Clayton County Public Schools Performing Arts Center by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

New Year, NEW HEADSHOTS! My girl @tastefulteaphotography hooked me up hard 👍🏾 If you're Atlanta local or in a nearby area definitely hit her up. Thank you! 😁😁 by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

One of my Resolutions going forward is to be more attentive to my content creation and social media accounts, so I'll start with a little post for the New Year 😁
This year was looooong with so many changes, but we're figuring it all out one step at a time. Here's some pictures from some of my favorite moments of the year, including productions with Cedar Rapids Opera (Charlie and the Wolf) , Knoxville Opera (Le Nozze di Figaro), and The Atlanta Opera (The Shining, Rigoletto, and The Bilingual Barber of Seville). Also featured are a few pics shortly after the conclusion of the George Shirley Vocal Competition, where I placed 3rd (still can't get over this one 😅). I'm just so grateful for 2023 and how my career has developed from it.
2024 is uncertain, as every new year can be, but one thing I'm certain about is that I'm gonna marry my true best friend on June 22nd! 😍 @whoisabriahna It'll be the highlight of the year and my life. 😊 A lot of this year's focus will be going into the wedding, but I'm hoping to also do better to take care of myself physically, mentally, and financially. There's always improvement to make.
I included some silly pics because I'm just a goofy goober at heart so we gotta show that in the 🌟content🌟.
Love you all! Happy New Year! by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

Wrapped First Matinee show of The Atlanta Opera’s “The Shining” presented at The Alliance Theatre!

These two mafia gentlemen are handsome even with ghost make up and fake bullet holes. I can’t believe I typed that, but it’s true! Both with Angel voices too!

Show runs through October 1st—if you can find a ticket!

#TheShiningOpera
#TheShining
The Atlanta Opera

Jacob Lay
@Jcomposer12

Adriel A. Baralt
@adrielbaralt

https://www.atlantaopera.org/performance/the-shining-2023/

#ATLOpera
#ATLTheShining taken in Alliance Theater @ The Woodruff Art Center by @jcomposer12

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3 years ago

Happy Mother's day to two of the best, most beautiful women in my life. Dr. Mom, thanks for being exactly the way you are. Grandmama, you've always inspired me to be my best version of myself unapologetically. taken in TWO Urban Licks by @jcomposer12

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4 years ago

Hadn't fed Insta in a while 😏 Happy Valentine's to all, especially my roomie @_kylie_ren_ who just finished her comprehensive exams! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💚💚💚 taken in Knoxville, Tennessee by @jcomposer12

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5 years ago

Had one of the best weekends of my life all thanks to my better half 💚 @whoisabriahna. Thanks for making one of my dreams come true 😊
Also I MET MY FAVORITE SINGER GERALD FINLEY AHHHHHH!!
And Abri and I got smoothies and took pictures. Enjoy.
#southofatlanta #claytoncounty #planetsmoothie #spiveyhall taken in Jonesboro, Georgia by @jcomposer12

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5 years ago