Published Monday, March 08, 2010
Budd loves singing for hometown friends
The Newnan Times-Herald
Courtenay Budd was home again Saturday night -- on the stage at Newnan's Charles Wadsworth Auditorium -- her angelic soprano rolling through the concert space to the delight of many who have known her for years.
Budd -- who was known as "Becky" when she was growing up in Coweta County -- was one of the performers joining with another musically talented former Newnanite, Charles Wadsworth, for the annual Wadsworth & Friends Concert.
"My whole family got to come on this trip," Budd said. They arrived "a bit early for my brother Candler's wedding," she said. Candler Budd married Emily Parrott, who also grew up in Newnan. Like Courtenay Budd, Emily is an an opera singer.
Budd enjoys singing for the hometown folks now, but it was not always so. "I used to be really afraid to perform at home, until I realized that nobody is more supportive or on my team than the folks in Newnan," she said. "I love singing here."
Saturday was not the first time Budd has sung as part of a Wadsworth concert. Wadsworth has tapped her talents for several of the annual concerts.
On Friday, she and pianist Steven Prutsman conducted Master Classes at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts -- classes attended by local Coweta students.
In addition to Budd, Prutsman and Wadsworth, performers at Saturday's concert were violinist Chee-Yun and cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper.
"Performing with Charles is always a thrill, not only because he is a wonderful musician and surrounds himself with such great people, but also because he is an utter hoot," Budd said.
"It's hard to say which is more fun -- performing, rehearsing or traveling with him," the soprano said.
"There are always plenty of stories. The one rule is that no one is allowed to take himself too seriously," Budd said. "And it's always fun to meet up with Charles' crew -- Chee-yun, Kristina and Steve are all amazing musicians and terrific colleagues."
After finishing Newnan High School, Budd earned a bachelor of arts in music from the University of the South. That was followed by a master's of music in voice performance and pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.
About three years ago, she released a CD, "Sleep is behind the Door." Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, proceeds from sales of the CD have been going toward Haiti relief. "Lately I've been busy mailing out my lullaby CD to folks who donate for Haiti. We've raised almost $3,000 since the earthquake," she said.
Budd said she was "enormously grateful for the support of Newnan folks" with the Haiti project. Two downtown businesses, Scott's Bookstore and Brothers' LTD., sold the CD to help with the effort.
Budd and her husband, cardiologist Anthony Caramico, live in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. -- about 90 minutes from New York City. They have two sons -- Asa, 4, and Alexander, 2.
Being a mother often trumps being a singer these days.
"When I'm not singing or practicing, I'm usually consumed with teaching or being a mom. It's a full-time juggling act, but I love every minute," Budd said.
"I also try to fit in yoga, life drawing classes and time with my church in Poughkeepsie," she said.
By no means has the former Newnan resident taken a break from performing.
"Lately I am singing concerts mostly, though I may get back into the opera world at some point soon," Budd said.
This spring Budd is looking forward to a New York performance with composer David Del Tredici. That event is planned as "a full recital of his songs accompanied by him on the piano," Budd said.
Budd is the daughter of Warren and Courtenay Budd of Newnan.
