Presenting the Merola Artists for 2009
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Ryan Belongie countertenor
HOMETOWN: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice), Toby (The Medium)
SCHOOLS & YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Northwestern University
TEACHERS: Sunny Joy Langton, Karen Brunssen, Ken Smith
MAJOR ROLES: Alto soloist (Messiah), soloist (Carmina Burana), alto soloist (Bach Magnificat), soloist (Bernstein Missa Brevis), Yasha (The Cradle Will Rock), solo recital “Live from WFMT” Chicago
INTERESTS: Movies, dining, tennis, interior design |
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Susannah Biller soprano
HOMETOWN: Georgetown, Tennessee
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Euridice (Orfeo ed Euridice), Monica (The Medium), Elvira (L’Italiana in Algeri), Musetta (La Bohème); Caterina (L’Amico Fritz); Despina (Così fan tutte–cover)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Northwestern University; Opera North; The International Institute of Vocal Arts
TEACHERS: Wendy White, Mark Oswald, Cornelius Reid, Jane Bunnell, Diana Soviero, Richard Boldrey, Nico Castel, Howard Watkins, Jorge Parodi
MAJOR ROLES: Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Amy (Little Women), Nanetta (Falstaff), Tytania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Giulietta (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), Mélisande (Pelléas et Mélisande), Gilda (Rigoletto), Marie (Il signor Bruschino), Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Sophie (Werther)
UPCOMING: Oscar (Un Ballo in Maschera)
INTERESTS: Football, reading, spending time with family and friends, dancing (of any kind), fashion, shopping
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Aleksey Bogdanov baritone
HOMETOWN: Odessa, Ukraine
MEROLA ROLE: David (L’Amico Fritz)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Indiana University; University of California, Santa Cruz; Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Gerdine Young Artist Program
TEACHERS: Andreas Poulimenos, Brian Staufenbiel, Carol Vaness
MAJOR ROLES: Four Villains (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana), Blitch (Susannah), Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Tony Esposito (The Most Happy Fella), Bottom
(A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Abbate Cospicuo (Arlecchino)
UPCOMING: Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, Washington National Opera 2009-2011
INTERESTS: San Francisco Giants baseball, cooking, guitar, Napa Valley wines
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Evan Boyer bass
HOMETOWN: Louisville, Kentucky
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Taddeo (L’Italiana in Algeri), Colline (La Bohème); Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte–cover); Hanezó (L’Amico Fritz–cover)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: The Curtis Institute of Music; Northwestern University; The Tanglewood Music Center; The Chautauqua Institute
TEACHERS: Marlena Malas, Mikael Eliasen, Alan Darling, Bruce Hall, Richard Boldrey, Sherrill Milnes
MAJOR ROLES:Barone Trombonok (Il viaggio a Reims), Der Doktor (Wozzeck), Arkel (Impressions of Pelléas), Leporello (Don Giovanni), Alaskawolfe Joe (Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny), King René (Iolanta), José Tripaldi (Ainadamar), Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro), Seneca (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Lodovico (Otello), Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Prince Gremin (Eugene Onegin)
UPCOMING: Chicago Opera Theater, Oreste(Giasone) 2010
INTERESTS: Reading, drinking coffee and tea, eating, watching movies and cable television
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Gregory Carroll tenor
HOMETOWN: Des Moines, Washington
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert:
Erik (Der fliegende Holländer)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Washington; Western Washington University
TEACHERS: Jane Eaglen, Vinson Cole, Davida Kagen
MAJOR ROLES: Canio (Pagliacci), Cavaradossi (Tosca), Erik (Der fliegende Holländer), Florestan (Fidelio), Lohengrin (Lohengrin), Tartuffe (Tartuffe), Crespel (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Diktator (Der Diktator), Don Quichotte (Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho), Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd)
INTERESTS: Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks
football, cinema, travel, Thai food |
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John Chest baritone
HOMETOWN: Greenville, South Carolina
MEROLA ROLE: Guglielmo (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS:
TEACHERS: Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University; Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program
MAJOR ROLES: Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Owen Wingrave (Owen Wingrave), Bosun (Billy Budd), Ernesto (Il mondo della luna), Belcore (L’elisir d’amore)
INTERESTS: Reading, fitness, spending time with friends
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Lara Ciekiewicz soprano
HOMETOWN: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
MEROLA ROLE: Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Winnipeg; Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal; McGill University; Banff Centre for the Arts; Janiec Opera Company; Brevard Music Center; Opera NUOVA, Alberta
TEACHERS: Joanne Kolomyjec, Michael McMahon, Patrick Hansen, Gerald Martin Moore
MAJOR ROLES: Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Alcina (Alcina), Anna (Anna Bolena), Elisabetta (Roberto Devereux), Dama (Macbeth), Paquette (Candide), Antonia (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Anna (Frobisher), Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Princess Ida (Princess Ida)
INTERESTS: Fine dining and wine, dance, art, concerts of all sorts, theater |
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Kate Crist soprano
HOMETOWN: Agency, Iowa
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Senta (Der fliegende Holländer), Isabella (L’Italiana in Algeri)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Northern Iowa; Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Artist Program; Merola Opera Program 2008
TEACHERS: Jean McDonald, Korey Barrett, Sandra Walden, Robert L. Larsen, Anne Larson
MAJOR ROLES: Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Anne Putnam (The Crucible), Lady Billows (Albert Herring)
INTERESTS: Handicrafts, freshwater aquariums, cooking, reading |
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Sara Gartland soprano
HOMETOWN: St Paul, Minnesota
MEROLA ROLE: Suzel (L’Amico Fritz)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University Colorado, Boulder; University of Wisconsin, Madison; Des Moines Metro Opera
TEACHERS: Ashley Putnam, Robert Larson, Julie Simson, Nicholas Carthy, Robert Harrison
MAJOR ROLES: Alexandra (Regina), Norina (Don Pasquale), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Despina (Così fan tutte), Blanche de la Force (Dialogues des Carmélites)
INTERESTS: Baking, knitting, running
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Margaret Gawrysiak mezzo-soprano
HOMETOWN: Geneseo, Illinois
MEROLA ROLE: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Mrs. Nolan (The Medium)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Western Illinois University; Eastman School of Music; Steans Institute at Ravinia; Aspen Opera Theatre Center; Seattle Opera Young Artist Program; Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artist Program
TEACHERS: Brian Garman, Peter Kazaras, Carol Webber, Stephen King, Joyce Castle, Katharine Goeldner
MAJOR ROLES: Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Maman, La tasse, La libellule (L’enfant et les sortilèges), Madame de la Haultière (Cendrillon), Witch (Hänsel und Gretel), Mother Marie (Dialogues des Carmélites), Bessie (Mahagonny Songspiel), Mezzo-soprano soloist (Verdi Requiem), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti), Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Hippolyta (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Little Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore)
INTERESTS: Racquetball, reality television, baking, jigsaw puzzles
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Lori Guilbeau soprano
HOMETOWN: Golden Meadow, Louisiana
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Mimì (La Bohème), Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Manhattan School of Music; Intermezzo Festival; International Institute of Vocal Arts
TEACHERS: Patricia McCaffrey, Kevin Murphy, Gaït Sirguey, Dona D. Vaughn, Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet
MAJOR ROLES: Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Dorothée (Cendrillon), Mère d’Antonia (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Geraldine (A Hand of Bridge), Irenée Marguerite de Pointevent (Lord Byron’s Love Letter), Poppea (L’incoronazione di Poppea)
UPCOMING: Completion of masters degree, Manhattan School of Music
INTERESTS: Reading, playing poker, deep sea fishing, traveling, spending time with my niece and nephew
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Suzanne Hendrix contralto
HOMETOWN: Charles City, Iowa
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Mary (Der fliegende Holländer), Baba (The Medium)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Northern Iowa; University of Missouri, Kansas City; Des Moines Metro Opera
TEACHERS: Dr. Jean McDonald, Dr. Anne DeLaunay
MAJOR ROLES: Ma Moss (The Tender Land), La zia principessa (Suor Angelica), Zita (Gianni Schicchi), Florence Pike (Albert Herring)
UPCOMING: D.M.A. recital, University of Missouri, Kansas City
INTERESTS: Walking my dog/visiting the dog park, reading, cooking, sewing, quilting, traveling
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Brian Jagde tenor
HOMETOWN: Piermont, New York
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Rodolpho (La Bohème); Fritz (L’Amico Fritz–cover)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS:Purchase College Conservatory of Music; Virginia Opera Residency; Chautauqua Opera Apprenticeship; Des Moines Metro Opera Apprenticeship
TEACHERS: Michael Paul, Jacque Trussel, Bonnie Hamilton, Klauspeter Seibel, Robert L. Larsen
MAJOR ROLES: Danilo (The Merry Widow), Zaretsky (Eugene Onegin), Schémil (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Hermann (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Dancaïro (Carmen)
UPCOMING: Rodolfo (La Bohème) Syracuse Opera 2009
INTERESTS: Reading, web-surfing, cooking, language study, teaching, dining, going to shows
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Ellie Jarrett mezzo-soprano
HOMETOWN: Dallas, Texas
MEROLA ROLE: Dorabella (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Baylor University
TEACHERS: Robert Best, Stephen King, Andrew Hudson, Michael Johnson
MAJOR ROLES: Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel), Baba (The Medium), Frau Reich (Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor), Madame de la Haltière (Cendrillon)
UPCOMING: Mezzo-soprano soloist, Handel Messiah
INTERESTS: Reading, travel, movies, politics, eating hot wings
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Maya Lahyani mezzo-soprano
HOMETOWN: Hod-HaSharon, Israel
MEROLA ROLE: Beppe (L’Amico Fritz)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Mannes College of Music; International Vocal Arts Institute, Tel Aviv
TEACHERS: Ruth Falcon, Anthony Manoli, Joseph Colaneri, Regina Resnik, Susan Caldwell
MAJOR ROLES: Flora (La Traviata), Charlotte (Werther), Zanetto (Zanetto), Mère Marie (Dialogues des Carmélites), Carmen (Carmen), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Frugola (Il Tabarro), Rebecca Nurse (The Crucible), Drei Zoffe (Der Zwerg), Sorceress (Dido and Aneas)
UPCOMING:Pauline (The Queen of Spades), New Israeli Opera
INTERESTS: Reading, watching movies, hiking, spending time at the beach, jazz music
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Benjamin LeClair bass
HOMETOWN: Royal, Iowa
MEROLA ROLE: Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Northwestern University; Wartburg College; Merola Opera Program 2008; Central City Opera Summer Festival; Pine Mountain Music Festival
TEACHERS: Thomas Wikman, Gianna Panofsky
MAJOR ROLES: Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Méphistofélès (Faust), Boris (Boris Godunov), Banquo (Macbeth), Superintendant Budd (Albert Herring), Gremin (Eugene Onegin), Colline (La Bohème), Oroveso (Norma), Sparafucile (Rigoletto)
UPCOMING: The four villains (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Frank (Die Fledermaus)
INTERESTS: Craigslist, bicycling, Netflix, vinyl recordings
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Keun-A Lee apprentice coach
HOMETOWN: Seoul, The Republic of Korea
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS:The Juilliard School; The Manhattan School of Music; Ravinia Music Festival; Merola Opera Program 2007; The Music Academy of the West
TEACHERS: Margo Garrett, Warren Jones, Brian Zeger, Jonathan Feldmann
COACHING EXPERIENCE: The Juilliard School Opera Workshop (Gianni Schicchi and The Long Christmas Dinner), The Juilliard School Opera Center (Our Town), Merola Opera Program (La Cenerentola), The Music Academy of the West (Il viaggio a Reims)
INTERESTS: Cooking, reading, exercise
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Alex Mansoori tenor
HOMETOWN: Seattle, Washington
MEROLA ROLE: Ferrando (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: The Juilliard School; Seattle Opera Young Artist Program; Santa Fe Opera Apprentice; Aspen Opera Theater
TEACHERS: W. Stephen Smith, Steven Blier, Diane Richardson, Brian Garman, Edward Berkeley
MAJOR ROLES: Stage Manager (Our Town), Flute (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Lenia (Eliogabalo), Lenski (Eugene Onegin), Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte), Remendado (Carmen), Don Curzio (Le Nozze di Figaro)
UPCOMING:Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Tanzsmeister/Brighella (Ariadne auf Naxos)
INTERESTS: Dining out at new restaurants, cooking, reading, golf
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Caitlin Mathes mezzo-soprano
HOMETOWN: Dayville, Connecticut
MEROLA ROLES: Despina (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Cincinnati; Ithaca College; Chautauqua Opera; Opera Theatre St. Louis
TEACHERS: Barbara Paver, Carol McAmis, Marie-France Lefebvre, Robin Guarino, Nic Muni, Patrick Hansen
MAJOR ROLES: Ruggiero (Alcina), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), A Lady with a Hat Box (Postcard from Morocco), Ottavia (L’incoronazione di Poppea), The Secretary (The Consul), Dorabella (Così fan tutte)
INTERESTS: Reading travel magazines, writing letters, keeping house plants alive, going out for Sunday brunch, ping-pong, puns, etymology
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Fernando Parra Bortí apprentice stage director
HOMETOWN: Chihuahua, Mexico
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Southern Methodist University; Reid Hall, Paris; DePaul University
TEACHERS: Marciem Bazell, Charissa N. Terranova, Mary Therese D’Avignon, Richard Hamburger
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE: Director: The Three Sisters, The Border Crossings of Walter Benjamin, The Lesson; Assistant Director: La Tragédie de Carmen, Così fan tutte
INTERESTS: Blogging, traveling, foreign films, hoarding books, collecting anything Teresa Stratas
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Nathaniel Peake tenor
HOMETOWN: Humble, Texas
MEROLA ROLE: Fritz (L’Amico Fritz)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Houston; Michigan State University; Syracuse Opera Resident Artist Program; Merola Opera Program 2008; Opera North
TEACHERS: Patryk Wroblewski, Vinson Cole, Melanie Helton, Richard Fracker, Sheri Greenawald, Marie-France Lefebvre, Dean Williamson
MAJOR ROLES: Don José (La Tragédie de Carmen), Candide (Candide), Arcadio (Florencia en el Amazonas), Pang (Turandot), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni)
UPCOMING: Houston Grand Opera, Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore)
INTERESTS: Reading poetry, watching TV, traveling
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Stephanie Rhodes apprentice coach
HOMETOWN: Alpine, Utah
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Michigan; Utah State University; Houston Grand Opera Studio; Aspen Summer Music Festival; International Vocal Arts Institute, Tel Aviv
TEACHERS: Gary Amano, Richard Bado, Katherine Collier, Martin Katz
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Eugene Onegin, L’Amico Fritz
INTERESTS: Reading, traveling, waterskiing, hiking, college football, languages
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Eleazar Rodriguez tenor
HOMETOWN: Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Lindoro (L’Italiana in Algeri); Federico (L’Amico Fritz)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: San Francisco Conservatory of Music; SIVAM
TEACHERS: César Ulloa, Joan Dornemann, Denise Massé, Tito Capobianco
INTERESTS: Cooking, especially Mexican food and new recipes
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Tamara Sanikidze apprentice coach
HOMETOWN: Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
MEROLA ROLES: University of Maryland; University of Northern Iowa; Tbilisi State Conservatory; Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, Washington National Opera
TEACHERS: Marilyn Horne, Placido Domingo, Warren Jones, Steven Gathman, Giovanni Reggiolli, Nodar Gabunia, Rita Sloan, Ken Weiss
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Turandot, Eugene Onegin, Carmen, La Traviata, Alcina, Un giorno di regno, Rigoletto, Hänsel und Gretel, Don Giovanni, La Bohème, Il viaggio a Reims, Così fan tutte, Tristan und Isolde, The Merry Widow
UPCOMING: American opera scenes recital; zarzuela scenes recital; recital with Emily Albrink; European tour to celebrate Marilyn Horne’s 75th birthday
INTERESTS: Cleaning, reading, traveling, “The Golden Girls”, going to the zoo, movies, eating
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Paul Scholten baritone
HOMETOWN: Muskegon, Michigan
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Mr. Gobineau (The Medium), Marcello (La Bohème); David (L’Amico Fritz–cover)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: University of Michigan; Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music; The Tanglewood Music Center
TEACHERS: William McGraw, George Shirley, Martin Katz, Phyllis Curtin, Kenneth Griffiths, Donna Loewy, Marie-France Lefebvre
MAJOR ROLES: Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Schaunard (La Bohème), Krušina (The Bartered Bride), Bartolo (Il barbiere di Siviglia)
INTERESTS: Playing tennis, movies, traveling, good food, University of Michigan football
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Suzy Smith apprentice coach
HOMETOWN: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: The Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara; University of Western Ontario; Opera NUOVA, Alberta; University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Banff International Keyboard Festival
TEACHERS: John Hess, James Anagnoson, Mark Payne, Jane Coop
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Too Many Sopranos, A Wedding, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica, Così fan tutte, Little Red Riding Hood, Albert Herring, The Prodigal Son, Orphée aux enfers
INTERESTS: Wine tasting and traveling
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Michael Sumuel baritone
HOMETOWN: Odessa, Texas
MEROLA ROLE: Guglielmo (Così fan tutte)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS:
TEACHERS: Rice University; Columbus State University; Houston Grand Opera Young Artist
MAJOR ROLES: Leporello (Don Giovanni), Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi), Dulcamara (L’elisir d’amore), Mago Cristiano (Rinaldo), Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro)
UPCOMING: Houston Grand Opera: Dulcamara (L’elisir d’amore), Third Noble (Lohengrin), Sciarrone (Tosca), Narumov (The Queen of Spades)
INTERESTS: Religious studies, football, basketball, piano
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Miaomiao Wang apprentice coach
HOMETOWN: Lanzhou, Gansu, China
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: New England Conservatory; Peabody Conservatory; Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing
TEACHERS: Eileen Cornett, Cameron Stowe, John Moriarty, Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Irma Vallecillo, John Greer
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Un Ballo in Maschera, Le Nozze di Figaro, Les contes d’Hoffmann, The Yellow Wallpaper, Les Malheurs d’Orphée, The Old Maid and the Thief, Trouble in Tahiti
INTERESTS: Watching movies, cooking, handicrafts
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Yohan Yi bass-baritone
HOMETOWN: Pohang, The Republic of Korea
MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Mustafa (L’Italiana in Algeri), Schaunard (La Bohème)
SCHOOLS &YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS: Hanyang University; Bard College Vocal Arts Program
TEACHERS: Patricia Misslin, Gerald Martin Moore, Dawn Upshaw, Jennifer Ringo, Kayo Iwama, Scott Rednour, Robert Cowart
MAJOR ROLES: Alcade (La forza del destino), King/Merchant/Captain (A Bird in Your Ear), Marcello
(La Bohème), Schaunard (La Bohème), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Figaro
(Le Nozze di Figaro), Hanezo (L’Amico Fritz)
UPCOMING: Los Angeles Opera Young Artist Program 2009-2010
INTERESTS: Piano, movies, music training by ear
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