James Byrne

Westminster Choir College of Rider University alumnus James Byrne has received a Fulbright Scholarship to work as an English teaching assistant in Germany for one year, starting in September.

“I am overwhelmed by the fact that I was selected as a Fulbright grantee,” said Byrne, who graduated from Westminster last December with a bachelor of arts degree in music. “For two years I’ve desperately wanted an abroad experience in Germany. I’m very grateful to the Fulbright Commission for affording me this opportunity and making my dream come true.”

The German/Austrian roots in classical music drew him to the German language. Byrne maintains that the experience abroad will give him the opportunity to become fluent in German and gain a better understanding of the German culture. Although he studied four semesters of German at Westminster, his first breakthrough with the language came this past summer, when he attended the intensive immersion program at Middlebury College.

However, his prior participation in Westminster’s Florence Voice Seminar was what interested him in furthering his study of foreign languages. While Byrne continued his vocal training in Italy, he had the opportunity to communicate with Italians through their language. “After experiencing this high, I knew I needed more. I get an adrenaline rush when I communicate through foreign languages. The sensation is quite similar to the high I get when I perform.”

Just as Westminster faculty fostered Byrne’s talent in Italy, a faculty member at Middlebury’s German School, Dr. Cynthia Chalupa, saw something special and encouraged him to apply for the Fulbright. His interest in German increased as he developed his education as a singer and musician. Receiving the Fulbright has changed his life—a feat he attributes to his participation in the Florence Voice Seminar and Middlebury German Language Program, as well as invaluable guidance throughout his academic career from the Westminster faculty, particularly Laura Brooks Rice, Diana Crane and Lindsey Christiansen. “I am very grateful to these three extraordinary women,” said Byrne. “They each have different gifts to share, but the love and concern they show for their students is what amazes me the most.”

Graduating summa cum laude, Byrne’s other achievements include being named an Andrew J. Rider Scholar and to the dean’s list. In 2002 and 2004, he was the first-place winner in the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NJNATS) and in 2004 also the recipient of the Northeast Regional NATS Encouragement Award. In November 2005, he gave a poignant performance of Schubert’s song cycle, "Winterreise," with Westminster faculty pianist, J.J. Penna, as his senior recital.

For Byrne, a new world of possibility awaits. “I like to take one step at a time because life is unpredictable,” he said. “My goal right now is to become fluent in German. After this is accomplished, I believe different opportunities will arise which will help me clarify my career goals.”