Midcoast musical theater actor Sarah Duggan is taking on a new role: wedding ceremony singer.

Why sing at weddings?

After “The Secret Garden” run at the Waldo Theater ended last year, she sang at a cousin's wedding, accompanied on piano by Sean Fleming. Duggan enjoyed the experience and received accolades from the guests. Duggan performed two classical pieces, “Panis Angelicus,” C. Franck and "Laudate Dominum," by Mozart.

Fleming, a well-known pianist and conductor, describes Duggan as a "seasoned performer" and a "specialist in music of the 1920s through the 1950s" possessing a "high, clear soprano voice."

"Sarah is comfortable with many singing styles, including classical, Broadway show tunes and popular standards," Fleming said. "She has a large repertoire of works by classical composers such as Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, and 20th century composers such as Kern, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Porter, Berlin and many others."

Indeed from classical to 20th century composers and lyricists, Duggan has approximately 40 songs in her repertoire. They are all love songs; many performed in vocal recitals, such as "And This Is My Beloved," "If I Loved You," "Lover," "Make Believe" from "Showboat," and "So In Love," from "Kiss Me Kate."

“My specialties are classical, Celtic Woman and Broadway songs,” Duggan said. “No rock and roll.”

Brides and grooms can choose from a list that includes: “Ave Maria,” Bach and Schubert versions, “Panis Angelicus,” C. Franck, “Always,” Irving Berin, “Til There Was You,” M. Willson, “The Man I Love,” George and Ira Gershwin, “From This Moment On,” Cole Porter, “The Prayer,” C. Bayer Sager and D. Foster, “Laudate Dominum,” Mozart, and “Scarborough Fair,” traditional, Arr. D. Downes.

If a couple's special song is not on Duggan's list, and they simply must have it in the ceremony, Duggan is willing to learn it. In such case she would need one month to prepare and to arrange for an accompanist.

A singer since childhood, Duggan has been a voice student since the fourth grade with Mary Miller, drama teacher at Boothbay Region High School. She has also studied with Ginny Bishop (co-founder of Y-Arts) and Linda Blanchard, Fleming's wife.

While attending the University of Maine at Augusta, all of her electives were voice lessons, including some with Jazz and Contemporary Music Faculty member Tim Johnson.

Duggan continues to exercise and stretch her vocal talent as a student of Beth Preston, head of vocal music at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle. She has studied with Preston since 2007, traveling to Preston's home studio in Nobleboro.

"We have been working on music to sing at weddings, both classical and lighter pop music," Preston said.

Duggan has performed in musicals on stages throughout Midcoast Maine including "Oklahoma," "Anything Goes," "Brigadoon," "No, No Nanette," "Hello Dolly," "The Secret Garden," and, most recently, the "HMS Pinafore" with Lincoln County Community Theater, under the direction of conductor John Mulcahy. She has also appeared in the Cabaret Nights at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor.

Duggan sees it all as a logical progression — from theater stage singer to wedding singer.

Singing makes Duggan happy, and what could be a happier occasion for a singer than a wedding?

“My mother told me I should use my gift. This is one way I can do what I love to do — sing,” Duggan said, smiling.

For more information, contact Duggan at 207-350-6821 or bwaystar@gmail.com.