Toni Reece: Hi there. This is Toni Reece, and welcome to the Get Inspired! Project for Berks County Living Magazine. Today I have Ben Watts with me, who is a Board member and performer for the Berks Opera Company. Hi, Ben.
Ben Watts: Good morning.
Toni: How are you?
Ben: Wonderful, thank you.
Toni: Good. Ben, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Ben: I am born and raised in Berks County, a professional opera singer, and live my life through music, laughter and love. It’s very simple.
Toni: What a way to live your life. I love that. Let’s go into the Project. What does inspiration mean to you?
Ben: Inspiration is something that gets me out of bed in the morning. It is an endless respect for something that is greater than me, than humanity. But, inspiration is also being inspired by friends, colleagues and mentors. For me, inspiration is music. When I hear something great, I celebrate love and life through music. Basically the reason why I get out of bed in the morning is looking forward to making music and experiencing people.
Toni: Do you experience people through the music?
Ben: Absolutely, because music puts me in contact with some really gifted musicians. I’m awe struck most of the time getting to work with people of such tremendous caliber, personality and warmth. For me, it is an honor each time I get to sing or perform some of these master works.
Toni: Let’s talk about that, because I would imagine that’s part of the answer to the second question. You are inspired by music and by people around you, and it gets you out of bed every day – how do you take that inspired feeling and put that into practice here in Berks County?
Ben: For me to have received the invitation to be on the Board of Berks Opera felt like I was given a home after returning to Berks County after 15 years in Austin, Texas. Granted, I was also, prior to the Board invitation, in “Jack and the Beanstalk” with Yocum Institute as Jack, and that’s where I guess my return to the musical arena in this area began. “Jack and the Beanstalk” of course was for kids, and another great inspiration is to perform for children and see that sparkle in their eyes as they’re hearing something maybe they never heard before.
Where does the seed of music get planted? It’s within the hearts and souls of children, because that’s something that essentially could change their lives forever. I know as a child music was always present in my world, and I cannot think of a time when music was not present, whether it be within my family, or in school; there was always music. To have now come full circle to get to perform here in the area and elsewhere as well, but also to see what music does for children, that’s very important.
Toni: So that’s really what inspires you – part of it.
Ben: Yes. It’s of huge importance, because it had been a while since I had performed for kids, so to see that music is vital to the upbringing and education of children - there’s no question.
Toni: So not only as a performer do you get to put your inspiration in play, but you also as a Board member get to take that inspired passion and play.
Ben: It’s wonderful to be on the other side of the stage, to help shape a gem of an organization, to see it continue to grow and thrive when unfortunately in a lot of other areas regional opera companies are folding. We have a very special organization within this area.
Toni: That’s fantastic.
Ben: It’s a joy and an honor to be a part of.
Toni: Who in Berks County inspires you?
Ben: Besides family, friends and local musicians … it’s not just one or two people. I wouldn’t dare single them out. That’s a harder question, because I’m inspired by just the people around me, because I love people and hearing what they have to say.
Toni: Is there something about Berks County that inspires you? I understand not calling out individuals, but is there something about the area that inspires you?
Ben: I think for me being born and raised here and recognizing the rich tradition from which we all come. There’s a huge, huge support for the arts here; not just musically – dance, visual art. That’s special to be a part of when you go to other places around the country that aren’t as strong in that kind of support. We’re blessed.
Toni: We are.
Ben: To me, that’s very inspiring, knowing that we have continued support by the public and the County. It’s wonderful.
Toni: What would you like your legacy to be, Ben?
Ben: Just to be known for bringing love, laughter through music. I think for me it’s simply that he loved and laughed and sang.
Toni: So you are living your legacy.
Ben: I believe so.
Toni: What a way to go about your life. Thank you so much for showing up for the Get Inspired! Project.
Ben: Thank you for having me.
