I have been keeping up with the life and career of Rebecca Cummings Scales, mostly through facebook, for many years. Whenever her face pops up on my feed the smile is hard to miss. This summer I noticed she was touring with a New York Harlem Theatre production of Porgy and Bess. I asked Rebecca to give me a little update on her life and career since leaving Kettering. Rebecca - thanks for taking the time to write!
Michael Berning
Kettering Music
December 11th, 2019
From Kettering Fairmont to Porgy and Bess in Italy 2019!
Time passes way too quickly! I’m a proud graduate of Kettering Fairmont High School class of 1997. I learned many things at Fairmont. In the traditional sense for sure, but many of life’s lessons were also learned. I learned that being good is not good enough. You need to be great and even then, there will be someone better. I also learned that “You are only as good as your last performance”. The great band director Charles Craig taught me that. That was his mantra and he gave it to me. Work hard, learn your craft and if you’re lucky enough to touch even one person with your music, then it’s all worth it! While at Fairmont, I was a member of the Marching Band, eventually serving as Trumpet Section Leader and Drill Master. I was also a member of the Symphonic Band, fighting Patrick Cornell for First Chair every step of the way. At the request of Rodney Gradel, Choir Director at the time, I auditioned for the Show Choir. They needed some extra help in the alto section and I could read music and had a dance background. I was a music nerd and a band geek and loved every minute of it!! It absolutely was the start of my music career. I just didn’t know it at the time. My senior year took a devastating turn when we received the news that my favorite teacher, Mr. Craig, had tragically and unexpectedly passed away. Ryan Borger, our Assistant Director at the time, was charged with continuing the great work of Charles Craig, all the while consoling and supporting a huge music program of extremely distraught students. The music had to go on. When the world shatters you to your core,there is always the music and Ryan Borger did his best to help us continue to find hope through music. Mike Berning came into the program with a hefty burden placed on his shoulders to continue the great work, but also make the program flourish as it had been set up to do. Mike Berning has done just that and I’m so proud of the work that continues. Ryan Borger and Mike Berning hired me as a Marching Band Camp Instructor for 2 summers after I graduated from Fairmont. It was my first music gig that paid actual money! I learned very early that tomorrow is not promised and it is that certainty that has propelled me forward in my music career these many years.
I entered The Ohio State University in the fall of 1997 as an Undecided Major because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I tried to give up music several times and each time, music in some form or another kept finding me. I joined a friend’s vocal studio because she needed an extra student and for me it seemed like an easy credit and easy grade. Once in her studio, she checked my range and then informed me that I was a Soprano, not the Mezzo-Soprano I thought I was. She also said that she was going to groom me to be an opera singer and that she wanted me to audition for the school of voice. I told her, “No way! I’m a trumpet player.” She said that may be true, but when this school is finished with you, you will also be an opera singer. I eventually joined the vocal studio of Dr. Robin Rice, Baritone. His studio was known to be a Soprano Factory and he along with my coach, Ed Bak, whipped my voice into shape! They molded my professional singing voice. It’s weird to think that someone else saw something in me that I never even imagined. In fact, many people saw so much in me and nurtured my talent. I also picked up a business major because I was afraid to be poor! I heard my mother’s voice in my head saying, “Know how to do something else so you can pay for your music habit until it becomes your job.” It was such sound advice for anyone pursuing a career in the arts. I had no idea that it would actually become my job?
My Operatic debut was in Verdi’s Falstaff singing the role of Nanetta in American Singer’s Opera Project studying with Nancy Milnes and Mark Rucker in New York City. Once I graduated from OSU, I went right to work at Opera Columbus as a Resident Artist to get some experience performing and to continue honing my craft. I have been fortunate to sing all over Europe in some of the world’s leading Opera Houses and Concert Halls. I made my European Operatic debut in 2007 singing Clara in Porgy and Bess and have been fortunate to sing in that show many times, including this past summer, 2019, in Italy! I have also traveled extensively with Queen Esther Marrow and The Harlem Gospel Singers as their Choir Director, Dance Captain and Classical Soloist for many years all over Europe. I have had so many wonderful experiences and sang all over the world in many different productions. I’m also Co-Owner of Elegance Artistry an onsite makeup and hair services company. It has sustained me in between music gigs. I have learned over the years that there’s always a time when the music gigs are scarce. Again, KNOW HOW TO DO SOMETHING ELSE! I always think back to my foundation. Both of my parents are musicians and cultivated environments to learn as much as I could and a huge part of that was their decision to move to Kettering and send me to Fairmont. I learned that anything is possible if you work hard, study hard to learn your craft and have a little fun while doing it!
I am a proud Firebird and am so grateful for the energy and love that was poured into me by so many of the educators. They realized the Firebird in me was destined to soar! The flight is not over and there is still much more to learn and see!!
Thank You Kettering Fairmont High School! Go Firebirds!
Rebecca Cummings Scales, Class of 1997
