Shepherd on the Rock: The Seasons That Shaped a Soprano

A luminous conversation with soprano Sierra Lary on storytelling, seasons of the soul, and the music that brings us home.This week on Classical Gassing, we look forward—not back—with soprano Sierra Lary, whose radiant performance in last season’s Carmina Burana left our audience and musicians spellbound. In this intimate conversation, Sierra joins Paul and Bernadette to talk about her upcoming chamber program, her deep-rooted philosophy of singing, and the emotional journey behind her artistry.Sierra shares how growing up with an opera-singing father shaped her musical voice, how COVID forced a necessary reset, and how teaching unexpectedly rekindled her passion. She reflects on storytelling as catharsis, the importance of emotional contrast in music, and the joy of guiding audiences through a full arc—from sorrow to radiance.Together they explore the heart of her new program, built around Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock: a musical cycle of seasons, renewal, and human experience. From Andrew Lloyd Webber to French chanson to German Lied, Sierra’s vision blurs genres and welcomes listeners of every background into the story.🎟️ Catch Sierra live:Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 PMApple Tree Arts – Great Hall