Paula Nesticó (’17)
Classical Singer, Granite Falls, WA
When she reflects on her time at Union University, the selfless love and compassion of many faculty and staff members stand out the most for Paula Nesticó, Union alumna in vocal performance. From professors who helped her pursue excellence to staff who opened their homes, Nesticó believes the pure kindness of Union’s community is truly unique.
“When I look back at it, I’m grateful for the people I met who called themselves Christians and really did exemplify Christ,” Nesticó said. “They were people who really loved me, and I didn’t do anything to deserve it. God just brought them into my life, and I can’t tell you how much more I appreciate that in hindsight.”
One of the many “pearls” she received at Union was Sabrina Laney Warren, assistant professor of vocal studies. During Nesticó’s first year, Warren encouraged her to pursue opera and helped her begin operatic vocal training. Nesticó said that moment changed the trajectory of her life forever.
“She was really the first person in my life that ever saw that gift in me, and … I even get teary-eyed just thinking about it because she looked at me and saw potential,” Nesticó said. “I’m so grateful to her because she gave me the gift of opera.”
Nesticó said Warren opened the world of opera for her — a world she says has become such a part of her. After graduating from Union in 2017, Nesticó completed a Master of Music in voice performance at Loyola University New Orleans and has performed in numerous operatic roles.
The Christian values her professors and mentors exemplified have remained central in Nesticó’s life as she continues in her career. These role models helped her understand her worth is not defined by how well she performs on stage, and she aims to encourage other performers and to “be a light for others in this line of work.”
Nesticó believes the music department’s biggest strength has been their ability to cultivate relationships with their students. Working with other performers, she said there are so many artists who are torn apart by their teachers, and for this reason, she appreciates the constant love and respect many of her professors extended at Union.
“They saw me as a human being and as a child of God — not just as a performer,” Nesticó said. “And those are people I look back and say, ‘You loved me so well.’”
By Suzanne Rhodes
Photo Courtesy of Patricia Regalado Photography