A packed audience at the Collegiate School auditorium held its collective breath many times as Professor Cesar Ulloa, head of voice at the San Francisco Conservatoire, worked intensively in a public workshop with four Opera School students.
Soprano Alexandra Gandionco, 22, had the audience in thrall with her powerful, utterly beautiful voice.
Although Professor Ulloa adjusted her singing positions a few times even he felt compelled to say, "Well, for one so young your voice is incredible''.
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The professor was like a magician in that he made decisions within seconds after each student's arrival onstage.