ADK Talks Podcast Episode: High Notes in the High Peaks

Behind the Curtain at the Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake

Adirondacks opera Seagle Festival Schroon Lake

What happens when world-class opera collides with the rugged beauty of the Adirondacks? 

In this episode of ADK Talks, we pull back the curtain on the Seagle Festival—America’s oldest summer vocal training program, a cultural institution with a rich legacy, tucked away in the charming village of Schroon Lake, NY.

Schroon Lake Seagle Festival

Seagle Festival historic campus.

Hosts Jane and Steve of ADKtaste.com sit down with Artistic Director Darren Woods, a visionary leader who has not only led but also transformed the Seagle Festival into a hub for boundary-pushing performances and emerging talent, inspiring a new generation of opera enthusiasts. 

Also joining us is Kate Morton, an electrifying young Mezzo-Soprano, who recently earned her Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. A former Seagle emerging artist, Kate’s extraordinary path to the stage is as dramatic and unexpected as the operas and musical works she performs.

🎶 In this episode, we discover:

  • How the Seagle Festival prepares the next generation of vocal talent

  • Why rural audiences are craving more bold, contemporary works

  • Kate Morton’s journey from small-town roots to center stage

  • What it takes to make it in the international opera world today

Whether you're a music lover, arts patron, or curious traveler planning your next visit to the North Country, this episode offers a front-row seat to one of the Adirondacks' best-kept cultural secrets.

Don’t miss the drama, the dedication, and the high notes.

Contemporary opera at Schroon Lake's Seagle Festival.

Photos courtesy Seagle Festival.

Mentioned in this podcast.

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