She chose pieces reflecting the life-changing event

University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance Alumna Amanda Frederick performed at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia for Pope Francis’ meeting with bishops and cardinals during the Pope’s historic visit to the U.S.

Frederick sang O Divine Redeemer (Gounod), The Holy City (Adams), Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod), Agnus Dei (Bizet), His Eye is on the Sparrow (Spiritual) and Laudamus Te (Vivaldi). She was able to choose the songs she wanted to perform.

“I felt these pieces were appropriate for this life-changing occasion,” Frederick said. “I love opera, but my favorite type of singing is concert, oratorio and sacred singing.”

Frederick performs at many special events for the archdiocese of Philadelphia and many of the Catholic clergy know her.

Frederick took this picture of Pope Francis from the loft at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

“I sang for a special mass a few weeks ago at the seminary, and the bishop and music director proposed this idea.” Frederick said. “We had to wait to get confirmation from the secret service and Vatican council.”

Frederick is from Philadelphia. She became active in the Philadelphia Catholic community at a young age, and continued through her college and post-graduate career. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, where she majored in voice and sacred music. In 2009 Frederick enrolled at the UMKC Conservatory to study with Vinson Cole, professor of voice and an internationally renowned tenor.

In 2011, Frederick graduated with a master’s degree from UMKC and moved back to Philadelphia, where she lives with her husband and daughter. Frederick works for a sports nutrition company, teaches voice at Widener University and performs throughout the region.

“I continue to keep in touch with my friends and fellow musicians in Kansas City. UMKC always embraced me with support and encouragement, and I am extremely grateful,” Frederick said.

When Frederick first learned of the opportunity to sing during the Papal visit, she immediately called Cole, her mentor and friend.

“I’m very happy for her,” Cole said. “She was a wonderful student.”

Frederick sang in Don Giovanni with the UMKC Conservatory Opera, was a semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York, and was a Kauffman Scholarship recipient at UMKC. She performed excerpts from the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera “Madame White Snake,” written by Conservatory Distinguished Professor of Music Zhou Long, in Kansas City and also at (le) Poisson Rouge (LPR), a trendy Greenwich Village club in New York City, at a special performance in 2012 spotlighting UMKC composers and performers.