Soprano Olivia Minhee Kang joined Pacific Opera Victoria and Vancouver Opera in the original opera The Flight of the Hummingbird, performing the role of Dukdukdiya (Hummingbird). The opera was performed publicly and went on a BC school tour in the spring of 2024.

Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kang completed her Bachelor's Degree in Voice Performance at the University of Seoul. After developing a strong desire to explore the world, she moved to Victoria, BC, in 2012. Falling in love with the country, she began a new chapter of her life while studying with Nancy Argenta and Ingrid Attrot. She completed a Master's in Voice Performance at the University of Manitoba under the guidance of Tracy Dahl. Currently, Kang performs and teaches in the Greater Vancouver area.

Among her recent projects, Kang directed, performed, and created A Lesson to a Life Journey, a captivating video collaboration with Manitoba Opera that showcased her deep passion for art songs, delivering a message of love and unity. Additionally, she curated a spellbinding Korean art song concert in 2023, fostering cultural understanding across generations with support from the Manitoba Arts Council. Last season, she performed in the chorus and understudied the role of Despina in Manitoba Opera's Così fan tutte by Mozart.

Kang's career highlights include winning first place at the Manitoba Provincial Music Festival and the Winnipeg Music Festival Scholarship, along with being the runner-up at the Winnipeg Music Festival Rose Bowl in 2021. She also won the University of Manitoba Concerto Competition in 2020.

Gustave Richard is a young lyrical tenor from Montreal, Quebec. A dedicated chorister, his training began with Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, before he focused on his solo career. While dabbling in both operatic and musical repertoire, Gustave worked alongside John Mac Master at McGill University's Schulich School of Music where he completed his Bachelor's degree. Today, Gustave sings in ensembles like the Opéra de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, as well as the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. He also appeared as Domino in Les Brigands with the Opéra Bouffe du Québec, Le Prince-Qui-Passe-Par-Là in Le Voyage dans la Lune with Production Belle Lurette, Marius in Les Misérables with the Full Circle Productions, and Baby John in West Side Story with the Université du Québec à Montréal. Gustave also had the opportunity to perform in a musical cabaret at the famous Feinstein's 54 Below in New-York City. Throughout his career, he was decorated with the 1st prize in the Relève Musicale de Québec in 2020 and 2019, as well as the 3rd prize at the Festival-compétition de musique de Sherbrooke in 2019. It is with great enthusiasm that he makes his debut with Opera Lirica in Vancouver.

Mexican-American soprano Catherine Thornsley is a two-time National Semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She recently completed her second summer at the Glimmerglass Festival. For the 2024 season, she made her principal role debut as the Queen in the world premiere of Jen Ibsen’s Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children, covered the role of Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and participated in the workshop for the world premiere of Derek Bermel’s The House on Mango Street. In the previous season at Glimmerglass, she covered the role of Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème.

Catherine earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University under the guidance of Dr. Judith Cloud. Her pursuit of musical excellence continued at the University of British Columbia, where she secured a Master's in Opera Performance under the tutelage of Nancy Hermiston.

As a member of UBC Opera, Catherine showcased her talent in notable roles like Madame Cortese in Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims and Contessa Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Her journey at the University of British Columbia also led her to perform the role of Marta in the Canadian premiere of Weinberg’s Pasażerka, and star as the title role in Antonín Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. After completing her master’s, Catherine joined Brott Opera to take on the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte.

Currently based in Vancouver, Catherine dedicates herself to sharing her passion for classical music and opera with the community, frequently collaborating with local opera companies and musicians focused on making music more accessible. She recently made her debut as Mimì in Burnaby Lyric Opera’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème in April. When not performing, Catherine finds fulfillment in teaching breathing and singing techniques to people of all ages.

Coloratura soprano Magdalena How is proud to be working towards her Doctorate of Musical Arts under the tutelage of Nancy Hermiston at the University of British Columbia. Having loved music all her life, Magdalena began to train classically at 16, proceeding to study voice performance at McGill University before returning to her hometown of Vancouver to continue her education at UBC. Her recent roles include La Fée (Massenet’s Cendrillon), Susanna (Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro), and Olympia (Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann) with UBC Opera, in addition to frequent performances around Vancouver. Magdalena was thrilled to welcome her first child at the end of May (a wonderful, healthy baby boy!), and is looking forward to her return to live performance with Opera Lirica.

For more information, please visit www.magdalenahow.com

Heralded for her “clear vibrant tone” (Opera Canada), Tamar Simon is an emerging Armenian-Canadian soprano embarking on a promising opera career. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Tamar was recently engaged with the Vancouver Opera Festival as the soprano soloist for their New Works Project. She also has sung with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as Valencienne in their Look of Love concert and with White Rock Concerts as Musetta in their production of La Bohème. In 2018, she also performed the role of Rosina in Burnaby Lyric Opera’s mainstage production of Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Tamar has also performed internationally, most recently as Zerlina in Hawaii Performing Arts Festival’s 2017 production of Don Giovanni. In 2016, Tamar continued her vocal and art song studies in Austria after receiving the Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship, which sponsored study at the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum under soprano Helen Donath and baritone Wolfgang Holzmair. Earlier that year, she traveled to Pilzen, Czech Republic and Nürnberg, Germany performing excerpts from La Bohème and Die Fledermaus

Tamar was a District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2016. She is a graduate of University of British Columbia’s Master of Music program in opera performance, studying under Patrick Raftery and Nancy Hermiston. At UBC, she performed many leading roles, most notably the role of Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro where she was described as “believable and engaging Susanna, passing from innocence to subtlety to assertion, always in control and always the unrecognized protagonist” (Opera Canada). She was also seen as Tytania in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ciboletta in Eine Nacht in Venedig, and The Foreign Woman in The Consul.

Praised for his “clarion tone” (Musical Toronto) and “impressive vocal colour” (Opera Canada),

Canadian-American baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg is currently a Resident Artist with Portland

Opera. In the 2018-19 season, he performed the roles of Marchese D’Obigny in La traviata, Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Nardo in La finta giardiniera with Portland Opera, as well as Schaunard in La bohème with Vancouver Opera. He was engaged with Calgary Opera for their 2017-18 season as part of their Emerging Artist Development Program, performing as the Sergeant in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Captain in Eugene Onegin, and Sciarrone in Tosca in their mainstage productions. He also recently sang Morales in Carmen (Opera Kelowna), Marcello in La bohème (White Rock Concerts), and Belcore in L’elisir d’amore (Music Academy of the West). In the 2019-20 season, he will perform as Harlekin in Highland Opera Studio’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos, Amantio in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of Il trittico, and will return to Portland Opera to perform as Ben, David, and Doctor Gregg in An American Quartet and as Charlie in Three Decembers.

Geoffrey has become a frequent performer around Vancouver, British Columbia. He has sung as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, both as Captain in a concert performance of Candide and as Danilo in selections from The Merry Widow in their The Look of Love concert, and was the baritone soloist in the New Works Project for the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival. He is regularly engaged with Burnaby Lyric Opera, having sung Sharpless in their mainstage production of Madama Butterfly as well as Belcore and Peter in their concert performances of L’elisir d’amore and Hansel and Gretel. Additionally, he has sung as a soloist in several oratorio concerts, including the Vancouver Bach Choir’s performances of A Sea Symphony (Vaughn Williams) and Requiem (Fauré), as well as Requiem (Duruflé) with St. Philips Choir and Wenceslas (Chilcott) with Jubilate Vocal Ensemble.

Geoffrey was the platinum prize winner in the first annual Vancouver International Music Competition, a prize winner in the 2016 Canadian Opera Company Centre Stage Competition, and a winner of the 2015 Western Canada District in the Metropolitan Opera National Council

Auditions. He completed his Masters in Opera Performance at the University of British Columbia under the tutelage of Peter Barcza, performing many roles during his studies including Eugene Onegin in Eugene Onegin, Lescaut in Manon, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Geoffrey has also participated in multiple productions overseas including Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro with Accademia Europea dell’Opera in Lucca, Italy and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with the European Music Academy in Teplice, Czech Republic.

Ian has been singing opera for the last 10 years, and singing other things even longer than that. Some of his past role credits include “Count Almaviva” in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, “Don Ramiro” in Rossini's La Cenerentola, “Rinuccio” in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, “Nikolaus Sprink” in Kevin Puts' Silent Night, “Tamino” in Mozart's The Magic Flute, “Don Ottavio” in Mozart's Don Giovanni, “Hoffmann” in Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, “Count Libenskof” in Rossini's Il viaggio a Reims, “The Prince” in Dvořák's Rusalka, and very recently as “Spoletta” in Puccini's Tosca alongside Gregory Dahl, Yonghoon Lee, and Rhoslyn Jones conducted by Jacques Lacombe.

Hailed by Opera Canada for his “clear and resonant tenor voice that blended well,” Turkish-Canadian Tenor Turgut Akmete performed with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, UBC Opera, City Opera Vancouver, Bard on The Beach, and other professional institutions across Canada, Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Turkey. He will be performing with Sound The Alarm in November 2022 and Vancouver Opera in April 2023.

Over a career spanning 10 years, Turgut Akmete has performed such leading roles as Walter in Weinberg’s Die Passagierin, Luigi in Puccini’s Il Tabarro, Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Boheme, Nikolaus Sprink in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, … to critical acclaim. He has sung professionally in Italian, German, French, Russian, English, Cantonese, Hoisanese, Mandarin, and other languages.

His “commanding presence, rich and clear voice” (Richmond Sentinel) led him to win several international awards, including Semi-finalist in Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition, Honorable Mention in the 3rd Sedat-Güzin Gürel Foundation International Voice Competition (Vienna and Istanbul), and 3rd Prize in 7. National Young Soloist Competition (Izmir, Turkey).

Turgut Akmete trained at the University of British Columbia School of Music under the tutelage of Nancy Hermiston and Heidi Melton.

D’Arcy Blunston is a sought after artist and collaborator who is able to adapt to a variety of genres and perform roles both on and off the stage. Among her performance credits as a classically trained soprano, D’Arcy was featured as a soloist with Vancouver-based Symphony 21 in February 2020, performing Emily Doolittle’s A Short, Slow Life. She was awarded first prize in the UBC Concerto Competition, performing Benjamin Britten’s Les Illuminations Op. 18 with the UBC Symphony Orchestra in April of 2019. D’Arcy’s opera credits include Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte (University of British Columbia Opera Ensemble; Chicago Summer Opera), La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi (University of British Columbia; Halifax Summer Opera Festival), and Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen (Halifax Summer Opera Festival). D’Arcy is a member of the Vancouver Opera chorus. Her other stage work saw her perform Psyche/Aphrodite/Hermes in Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses (Motyer-Fancy Theatre, Mount Allison University), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes, Garnet & Gold Musical Theatre Society) and Babette (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Garnet & Gold Musical Theatre Society). Motivated by the desire to create art during the Covid-19 pandemic, D’Arcy self-produced a series of digital mini-concerts featuring favourite arias and art songs in collaboration with pianist Emily Logan. In 2018 she produced a presentation of J.S. Bach’s Magnificat and Saint-Saëns’s Christmas Oratorio in collaboration with Les amis de l’orgue de la Cathédrale de l’Immaculée Conception d’Edmundston. Behind the scenes, D’Arcy has worked as a production manager (Legally Blonde, Garnet & Gold Musical Theatre Society), stage manager (This is for you, Anna, Motyer-Fancy Theatre), vocal coach and chorus master (Disney’s Tarzan, Garnet & Gold Musical Theatre Society), sound operator (Dr. Faustus, Motyer- Fancy Theatre), and production assistant (Performers’ Company Theatre, Sackville NB). D’Arcy is also a reputable voice teacher well-versed in classical, musical theatre, and CCM techniques. Her teaching philosophy is all about tailoring instruction and coaching to the unique voice and goals of each student that enters her studio. Students in private study under her tutelage have gone on to compete in music festivals, finishing top of their classes and going on to compete at the provincial level. She currently works as a voice instructor at Ava Music and Art Centre in North Vancouver, Delta Community Music School in Delta, and maintains a private voice studio in Vancouver. D’Arcy holds a Master of Music from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University.

A born Vancouverite, soprano Rachel Buttress (she/her) proudly makes her living as a performer, and as a music educator with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music (VSOSoM) and the Vancouver Bach Children's Choirs. Whether she is on the stage or in the classroom, Rachel strives to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all. She wholly believes in the power of music to build connection with one's self and with others.

Rachel was an inaugural student of the VSOSoM’s Performance Preparatory Programme, studying with Diane King. She holds a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia under tutelage of Marisa Gaetanne and Prof. Nancy Hermison. Rachel has a Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison graduating with distinction, as well as a Diploma of Music and Conducting Certificate both from Capilano University.

Rachel is an accomplished performer in concert, recital, and on the opera stage. She has performed as soloist for many large works, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, and Handel’s Messiah. She has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for their Traditional Christmas Concerts over the last three seasons. Performances with UBC Opera include Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park, Gianetta in the Gondoliers, The Brothel Keeper in Shadow Catch, and Frau Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor.

Named one of CBC Musics’ Top 30 Canadian Classical Musicians under 30, Calgary born Samuel Chan has been praised by critics for his “naturally produced, forwardly placed, attractive baritone” (Ludwig van Toronto). Most recently, Samuel made a surprise role debut at the Canadian Opera Company as the title character in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, replacing an indisposed Vito Priante. Other recent season engagements include Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus for Saskatoon Opera, Messiah for Kitchener Waterloo’s Grand Philharmonic Choir, and Faure’s Requiem for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Past engagements include multiple roles with the COC, Elora Festival, The Festival of the Sound, Gala Cantos para Hermanar al Munro, Windsor Classic Chorale, Cincinnati Chamber Opera, Cincinnati Camerata, and City Opera Vancouver. Future engagements include company debuts with Pacific Opera Victoria, Tapestry Opera, Opera on the Avalon, and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has had further training with the National Arts Centre’s Young Artist Programme, Highlands Opera Studio, the Vancouver International Song Institute, Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, and the Toronto Summer Music Festival. Competition highlights include 2nd place Lieder/ 3rd Place Oratorio with the 2019 Stella Maris International Vocal Competition, 2nd Place at the COC Centre Stage Competition, and district wins/encouragement awards with the Met National Council Auditions Western Canada/Ohio Districts.

Dae Hyun Justin Cho is a Korean-born tenor currently based in Vancouver, Canada. Justin received his bachelor’s degree from University of British Columbia in 2019 where he studied with Peter Barcza. During his time at UBC, he appeared on their mainstage as Franz in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Jonathan Dale in Silent Night, and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni. He has also taken part in UBC’s masterclasses, where he sang for Sumi Jo and Ben Heppner. Outside of UBC, he appeared as a soloist with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in their Traditional Christmas Concert series. In summer of 2019, he travelled to the Czech Republic to perform Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with the European Music Academy. Most recently, he was an understudy for the co-production of Vancouver Opera in schools and Pacific Opera Victoria’s The Flight of the Hummingbird, where he made several appearances in lower-mainland schools and in Victoria.

Ming-Xuan started his musical endeavours at the piano at the age of 6, eventually completing his LTCL in piano performance. He didn’t come to singing until he joined the SFU Choir, completing his BSc at SFU. Having discovered his passion for singing and Opera during his time in the UBC Summer Voice Workshop, he has decided to do a whole other degree in Vocal Performance. Ming-Xuan has sung in the chorus for Opera Opulenza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, NSLOS’ Die Fledermaus, Once Upon a Mattress, the Steward in Into the Woods. BLO’s production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia as Fiorello, chorus in L’elisir D’amore, Heroic Opera’s production of Elektra, Macbeth, and Opera Mariposa’s production of Un Ballo in Maschera as the Judge.

Shani Cohen’s rich, powerful mezzo-soprano voice is comfortable whether on the opera stage, the concert hall, or the synagogue sanctuary. She moved to Vancouver from New York in 2021. She received a Master of Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston in 2013, after which she pursued a Master of Sacred Music and Cantorial Ordination at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Past opera credits include Giulietta in Offenbach’s Les Contes D’Hoffman, Tisbe in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Kara Sondstromm in Pasatieri’s Frau Margot, and Vera Boronel in Menotti’s The Consul. Recently, she has performed in concert programs through the Chutzpah! Festival, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and Temple Sholom synagogue.

Nadine Cornelius was born and raised in South Africa where she was involved in music from a very young age. She sang with the South African National Youth Choir and toured across the continent performing and recording with African chamber groups in various movie soundtracks, chamber concerts and competitions. She has performed with many renowned South African artists including Lebo M, The Drakensburg boys choir and Katlego Maboe. It was only when she moved to Canada that she started studying opera under world renowned dramatic soprano Frances Ginzer, and went on to sing with the Calgary Opera Chorus for many years. Title roles include Maurya in Riders to the Sea and the Old Maid in Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief with Mount Royal University, as well as small mainstage roles with Calgary Opera throughout her time with the chorus. Most recently Nadine has been involved in productions with Opera Opulenza, Burnaby Lyric Opera, and Heroic Opera.

Srinath grew up in a small village in Kerala, India. He can’t remember a time that he didn’t love to sing and use his voice. Alongside singing Sri is equally passionate about writing music. His love for poetry and art songs has pushed him to reach out and collaborate with poets to create and to perform new art songs. He is presently working on his first song cycle.

Southern Alberta-born soprano, Madison Craig, holds a Master of Music in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge. Her versatile voice has allowed her to perform in operatic works from baroque to contemporary. Most recently she appeared as Anna Sørenson in Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize winning opera, Silent Night. Past highlights include her performance as Elvira in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri with the European Music Academy, Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel, and Soprano Soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana. In addition to her concert and operatic work, Madison has also been the recipient of multiple awards, including third place at the Federation of Canadian Music Festival’s National Music Festival in 2017 and an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2016.

Holly Duerichen, mezzo soprano, is a 4th year undergraduate student in the UBC Opera program and will complete her Bachelor of Music Degree in 2023. She recently performed the role of 3rd Wood Sprite in UBC Opera’s production of Rusalka as well as Inez in The Gondoliers. In addition, she understudied the roles of Jezibaba in Rusalka, Duchess of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. She will be featured in UBC Opera’s upcoming performances this season, including The Witch in Hansel and Gretal, Shepherd Boy in Tosca, and Frau Reich in The Merry Wives of Windsor. As an equal lover of both operatic and musical theater repertoire, Holly has performed several musical theater roles, including The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods. She was also the musical director for three productions with Dream theater, including an original composition: Eoniea, the Musical. Holly is the recipient of several awards including the Elizabeth Lamberton Scholarship in Voice, the Mildred Johnson Scholarship in Music, and the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir Scholarship. Holly has been a soloist since she was 3 years old, learning to sing from her mother Julie Duerichen, a trained opera singer. Beginning her university voice studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Holly studied with Gail Suderman and is now continuing her undergraduate studies at UBC in the studio of Marisa Gaetanne.

Soprano Julie Duerichen is a scholarship recipient of Calgary Opera and a 2008 laureate of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques programme in Montreal. She was also a finalist in the Marie E. Crump Vocal Competition in Washington D.C. in 2002.

Julie holds a Master of Music Degree in Opera Performance from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Calgary, both graduating with honours. In 2005, she studied in Hannover and Cologne, Germany, and attended the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart.

Julie recently appeared in East Van Opera’s premiere of Alma, singing the role of Kelsh. She performs regularly with Burnaby Lyric Opera at the Pan Pacific Hotel in the Live Opera Buffet Concert. She was also featured with Burnaby Opera as Euristene in the world premiere of La Spartana Generous and Musetta in highlights from La Boheme. Performances with Opera Pro Cantanti include the roles: Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Gilda in Rigoletto, and Violetta in La Traviata. She has also sung with Calgary Opera, Annapolis Opera, and Washington Opera in Washington, D.C.

Solo oratorio work includes Fauré’s Requiem with Vivaldi Chamber Choir, Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor with the Capilano Unveristy Singers , and Messiah with the Abbotsford Symphony and Handel Music Society.Julie has trained with such international artists as: Carol Richardson, Leon Major, Donald Bell, and Delores Ziegler.

Andrew Greenwood has been praised internationally for his rich baritone and superb portrayals on European and North American stages. At home equally in opera and in oratorio, he brings elegance and panache to dramatic and concert stages here and abroad.

Andrew’s recent engagements include the “Four Villains” in Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffmann” for Opera Opulenza; Frank in Die Fledermaus for Vancouver Opera; Amonasro in Aida for the Stadttheater Hildesheim; Zuniga in Carmen and The Doctor in Samuel Barber’s Vanessa for Pacific Opera Victoria; the title role in Rigoletto for the Stadttheater Hildesheim and the Stadttheater Wolfsburg; the roles of Prince Yamadori and The Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly for Vancouver Opera; the role of the Emperor in Der Kaiser von Atlantis for City Opera Vancouver; and guest appearances with UBC Opera in the title roles of Falstaff and Eugene Onegin.

Matthew Kim recently graduated from the University of British Columbia, earning his master’s degree in opera performance. In his time at UBC, Matthew studied with Dale Throness and Peter Barcza. His favourite roles have included Dr. Miracle/Lindorf (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Leporello (Don Giovanni), Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos), and Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro).

Matthew enjoys singing contemporary works and telling new stories to current audiences. He had the unique opportunity to sing the roles of Edmund Bertram and William Dale in Mansfield Park and Silent Night – both composed in the last decade. He also has a strong fondness for classical and romantic opera and German lieder.

In addition to his performance pursuits, Matthew enjoys exploring culinary experiences both in the kitchen and out, playing video games, watching the UFC, working out, and discovering new movies. As the head counselor at UBC’s summer music institute for four years, Matthew has enjoyed working with youths to broaden their musical horizons.

Matthew began his professional singing career in the summer of 2020, singing outdoor concerts with local companies in Vancouver and Calgary. He looks forward to continuing his opera career by applying to young artist programs, participating in concerts, and collaborating with other musicians.

Canadian soprano Leila Kirves began studying voice relatively late compared to many classical singers. She had her first voice lesson at the age of 20 and started formal music studies two years later. Leila has since earned her Masters degree in Opera Performance in the spring of 2020 from the University of British Columbia. As a soloist in the UBC Opera Ensemble, Leila has sung the roles of the First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Giulietta in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, SS officer Anna-Liese Franz in the Canadian premier of Mieczysław Weinberg's The Passenger, the Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and most recently as the Foreign Princess in Dvořák’s Rusalka. In December 2021 Leila was selected as a winner of the Canada district of the Metropolitan Opera Competition, and in March 2022 placed third in the northwest regionals of the same competition. This past June, Leila concluded her formal studies at UBC under the instruction of Nancy Hermiston and Dale Throness. Leila will be joining the young artist program at the Opera Theatre of St Louis in Missouri this Spring.

Matej Kockovsky, tenor, started singing in Ad Una Corda choir at the age of 22. While performing with the choir he decided to study singing. At the age of 23 he was accepted to Bratislava Conservatory to the class led by Gurgen Ovsepian. He is currently studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava under the leadership of Dagmar Podkamenska-Bezacinska. At the same time he is completing his pedagogical training at the State Conservatory in Bratislava.

During his studies in the second grade he performed as a member of Slovak Philharmonic Choir at the prestigious festival BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in several performances of the opera Khovanshchina (M. P. Mussorgsky) in Vienna State Opera and in Germany. He also took part in concert tours in Israel and Canada with Ad Una Corda choir. In 2018 he was awarded 1st prize in solo category over 21 years at a singing competition International Choral Kathaumixw in Powel River city in British Columbia, Canada. In the same year he studied the role of Dalis in a baroque opera Erindo by Johann Sigismund Kusser as part of the Opera Studio of Bratislava Conservatory. He also studied the role of Tamino from Mozart’s Magic flute, together with Child’s Opera Harmonia. In 2019 he participated in premiere performance of two Slovak operas. Moreover, he participated in ANTI-GONÉ by a contemporary composer Peter Graffinger as Haimon, and performed the role of Pilate and Isachar in minioperas Apokryfy by Lubos Bernath. In February he performed in a famous duet Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from Verdi’s La Traviata along with Symphonic orchestra of Bratislava Conservatory in the concert hall of Slovak Philharmonic. Some of his latest performances include a concert at Austrian Culture Forum in Bratislava dedicated to 150th anniversary of Vienna State Opera. In August 2020 he taught singing classes as part of summer acting courses for children and youth at the Conservatory.

At present he has also been preparing for the role of Nemorino from L´elisir d´amore by Gaetano Donizetti which he is to perform at an opera studio in Teatro Palladium, Rome.

Thomas Lamont is an up and coming tenor from New Westminster, British Columbia. He performs regularly across the lower mainland primarily as a classical repertory artist but studies other genres, keeping a diverse rotation of projects. Some of his recent engagements include Almaviva in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia with Burnaby Lyric Opera, soloist for Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri with Early Music Vancouver, Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with UBC Opera, soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra, Orin Scrivello (The Dentist) in Little Shop of Horrors with Alchemy Theatre, Freddy in My Fair Lady with Royal City Musical Theatre, soloist for J.S Bach’s St. John’s Passion with the UBC Symphony Orchestra, and chorus in Vancouver Opera’s La Cenerentola. Thomas is on the roster of Burnaby Lyric Opera, Opera Opulenza, and City Opera Vancouver, and participates in public concerts, galas, and fundraisers. He is passionate about making opera and classical music accessible and enjoyable for all people of all backgrounds. Thomas studied music performance at the Vancouver Academy of Music and Kwantlen Polytechnic University before earning a Diploma of Musical Performance Studies at the University of British Columbia, studying under Nancy Hermiston and Dale Throness.

Description Sodam Lee Milavic is a lyric coloratura who has a warm and colorful voice. Sodam has performed roles including Olympia in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with the production of UBC Opera, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, and Mimi in La Bohème. She has achieved success as a soloist in oratorios and mass settings including F.Poulenc’s Gloria, R.V.Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, W.A.Mozart’s Coronation Mass, J.E. Turner’s St. Cecilia Mass, and Jongchul Lee’s Mass. She won the Kyungpook National University President’s Award for Graduate of Honor as a top of her class, the People’s Favorite Choice Award in the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, Encouragement Award in the Korean Art Singing Competition and the Second Place in the Chung-ju University Singing Competition. She grew up in a very musical family; her father had been a professor in opera and her mother is a pianist. Sodam started to pursue opera with her father, Euichun Lee, when she was seventeen years old. She was able to establish the foundation of singing; skills of using breath and muscles. She studied with Professor Nancy Hermiston at University of British Columbia for the Master’s degree, and with Professor Soyoung Yoo at Kyungpook National University for the Bachelor. She completed her Bachelor’s in Opera at Kyungpook National University in South Korea and her Masters also in Opera at University of British Columbia. Currently, she performs as a professional opera singer and teaches voice not only operatic vocal but also musical and pop vocal, and piano as well.

Yenny Yeeun Lee is a Korean-Canadian mezzo soprano, known for her powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and passionate performances. Praised by the Vancouver Sun as "simply wonderful", Lee has made a name for herself as one of the most exciting young opera singers of her generation.

Lee's talent has been recognized both nationally and internationally, having represented Canada in the prestigious competitions including the Belvedere International Competition and Concorso Viotti. Lee has graduated the University of British Columbia with Director's Prize, and won at Vancouver International Music Competition (1st place), and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (District winner & People's choice).

Lee was critically acclaimed with her performance as Hoisan Singer in the world-premiered opera Chinatown by Alice Ho. Her performances have been praised for her technical skill, expressive interpretation, and her ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.

Rachael McAuley is a mezzo soprano who was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. After having made the move to the west coast a few years ago, Rachael is finding her footing in the Vancouver music scene. She is grateful to have had recent performance opportunities with Vancouver Chamber Choir, Early Music Vancouver, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Rachael is also a proud member of the Vancouver Bach Choir, under the direction of Leslie Dala. Rachael holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Western University where she studied under the instruction of baritone, Ted Baerg. She is currently studying with Marisa Gaetanne at the University of British Columbia. Most recently, Rachael competed in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and is thrilled to have been a winner of the Western Canada District. Some of Rachael's past role highlights include Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (Western University), Serse in Serse (Accademia Europea Dell'Opera), and Mercédès in Carmen (Western University).

Canadian soprano Katie McCullough has always been passionate about connecting with others through music. Throughout her musical career Katie has explored many different genres of music such as opera, jazz, pop, musical theatre, and sacred music. Katie’s love for music led her to complete a Diploma in Voice Performance at Mount Royal University, a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Ambrose University College, and a Master’s Degree in Opera Performance at the University of British Columbia. As well, she attended The Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy and the European Music Academy in the Czech Republic. She has performed the roles of: Despina (Così fan tutte), Antonia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Anna Maurrant (Street Scene), Frasquita (Carmen), Nannetta (Falstaff), Rosina (The Barber of Cowtown), and Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica). In addition to operatic roles, Katie has performed concert repertoire with the Calgary Civic Symphony, The Instrumental Society of Calgary and The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Her accolades include Winner of The 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions-Western Canada and People’s Choice Award, as well as being an Award Winner at the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions- Northwest Regional Auditions.

Peter Monaghan is a recent graduate from the Yulanda M. Faris young artist program with Vancouver Opera. Recently Peter played Antonio/Figaro understudy for Vancouver Opera’s production of Le nozze di Figaro. Some of his most recent credits consist of: The father, Hansel and Gretel; Beast, Beauty and the Beast; Peter, Company; Don Pedro, Béatrice et Bénédict; and Colline, La Bohème. Up next he will make his debut with Opera Kelowna as Colline in La Bohème. Peter is also excited to debut with Opera Opulenza, and thanks his wife and family for their never-ending love and support.

An alumna of the Vancouver Opera Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists program, soprano Elaina Moreau has performed a variety of roles, from early music to world premieres of new operas, across Canada, the US, and in Europe. Past performance highlights include Gianetta in Vancouver Opera's L'elisir d'amore, a Dora Award winning performance as Young Ava/The House in the world premiere of Rocking Horse Winner with Tapestry Opera (Toronto), and the title role in L'incoronazione di Poppea with the Trentino Summer Music Festival (Italy). She has also performed the roles of Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Dalinda in Ariodante, Ida in Die Feldermaus, Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Olympia in Les contes d'Hoffman, Gilda in Rigoletto, and Bettina/Celidora/Mirza in The Lost Operas of Mozart.

In concert, Elaina has appeared as the soprano soloist for Handel's Messiah (Vancouver Bach Choir and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra), and as the soprano soloist in Carmina Burana (Vancouver Bach Choir). She was a semi-finalist in the prestigious VIII Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in Finland (2019) and was a three-time Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2016, 2014, 2011). Outside of performing, Elaina maintains a small private voice studio, and her students have also won numerous awards including being the Intermediate Voice Winner at the Performing Arts BC Provincials competition. Elaina is a proud alumna of the University of Toronto, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Aspen Opera Theater Center. She can be seen next on stage as the soprano soloist for the Faure Requiem with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra in May 2024.

Mark Pepe, operatic tenor, holds a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance and Music Education, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. His last appearance with Opera Opulenza was as Turridu in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. Recent appearances include the leading role of King Gustavo in Giuseppe Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera with Opera Mariposa and Heroic Opera, concert performances in Milan and Busseto, Italy with Operavision Academy, as the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Mass in C minor with Capilano University and the West Coast Symphony, Morales and Dancairo in Georges Bizet’s Carmen with Burnaby Lyric Opera, Don Basilio in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with Vancouver Island Opera, and recently joined the Vancouver Opera Chorus in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, and will appear in Tchaicovsky’s Eugene Onegin this spring. He has also appeared with Opera Nuova, Vancouver Academy of Music, the UBC Opera Ensemble, University of Victoria Symphony and Chorus, and at Bard on the Beach. He is a music teacher, choir director, and concert band director at Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School and at Immaculate Conception Delta Elementary School.

Lyric coloratura Emma Petersen’s recent roles include Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Contessa di Folleville in Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims, Jean in Brigadoon, Yvettte in the Western Canadian premiere of Weinberg’s The Passenger, Orpheus in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, La Fée in Massenet’s Cendrillon, as well as understudying the roles of Lucia in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia and Olympia in Offenbach’s Les Contes D’Hoffmann. She has performed concert and recital works such as Strauss’ Brentano Lieder, Edvard Grieg’s Sechs Lieder, and Prevost’s Musiques Peintes. Her choral experience includes the Helios Ensemble, Tucson Masterworks Chorale, and singing alongside True Concord for a concert of Verdi’s Requiem. She has worked in masterclass settings with Jane Archibald, Barbara Bonney, Sasha Cook, Heidi Stober, Jennifer Johnson-Cano, and Corinne Winters. She has performed in the University of Miami Frost School of music’s summer program in Salzburg, Austria, and she attended Taos Opera Institute. She was the featured soloist in the finale episode of The Amazing Race Canada’s 2022 season, performing Libiamo from Verdi’s La Traviata. She received her Bachelors of Music in Voice from the University of Arizona and her Masters of Music from the University of British Columbia. She is currently in the third year of her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Voice degree at the University of British Columbia.

Mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater is a versatile performer with a strong investment in the future of opera. Applauded for her “dramatic and vocal thrust” (Opera Canada), she has trained at Opera NUOVA and the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, has performed concerts in Germany and the Czech Republic with UBC Opera, and was the recipient of a 2019 encouragement award at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Western Canada District). In addition to her performance endeavours, Taryn works in development at Vancouver Opera, is a mentor with Opera InReach, and frequently applies her arts marketing experience to her own projects. She completed her opera performance studies at the University of British Columbia under Krisztina Szabó and Marisa Gaetanne while simultaneously earning degrees in business management and linguistics.

Canadian violist Tawnya Popoff enjoys an exciting and versatile international career. Currently, in addition to being principal violist with the Vancouver Opera (BC), she is a member of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (TX), Turning Point Ensemble (BC) and a founding member of Microcosmos string quartet/Kessler Academy (BC).

She is passionately devoted to developing and performing music by living composers and has been involved in performing over 100 commissioned works, more than half being by women and underrepresented communities. Valuing education immensely, she has served on the faculties of the Perlman Music Program, University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, SUNY Buffalo, Bowdoin International Music Festival, The Walden School, and Artes no Camiño (Spain), the Vancouver Academy of Music and in her private studio. She studied with Gerald Stanick (Fine Arts Quartet) and Martha Katz (Cleveland Quartet).

Alyssa Nicole Samson is a Filipino-Canadian mezzo-soprano based in Vancouver, BC. Her artistic presence is inspired by her continued curiosity and dedication in bridging the gap between her Western classical education and her Filipino heritage. Driven by her passion to connect with the community through the operatic art form, it enabled Alyssa to tour and perform internationally in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Austria and the United States, in addition to working with musical communities within the Lower Mainland.

Notable roles include Jezibaba (Rusalka), Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), Lady Bertram (Mansfield Park), Dritte dame (Die Zauberflote), The Spirit of the Maple Trees in Shadow Catch (a collaborative contemporary chamber opera by Dorothy Chang, Benton Roark, Jennifer Butler and Farshid Samandari), and Bronka in the Canadian premier of Weinberg's Pasazerka. Most recently, Alyssa collaborated with Re:Naissance Opera, Sound the Alarm Theatre, Loose Tea Theatre, Array Music and Turning Point Ensemble during IndieFest 2022 performing the role of Mrs. XE in the Canadian premier of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning opera, Angel's Bone by Du Yun.

In addition to her time on the classical stage, Alyssa is the assistant artistic director of Wings Vocal Collective (WVC): a multi-genre ensemble consisting of singers from a multitude of career paths who are connected through the power of music. With WVC, Alyssa has performed in a variety of community engagements including the Vancouver General Hospital's Telus Night of a Thousand Stars Gala.

Acclaimed for his sensational interpretation as lead in the world premiere of Stickboy with Vancouver Opera, Sunny Shams is known for his beautiful, rich, velvety and expressive tenor voice, and his dramatic connection with the characters whom he portrays on stage. Starting piano lessons when he was eight, Sunny found his love for jazz and embarked on a career in jazz piano. Pursuing a degree in music as a jazz pianist but also wanting to learn to sing like Frank Sinatra, he took voice lessons while in college. His teacher quickly persuaded him to study classical technique, opening the door to the world of opera. After experiencing singing in the chorus for a season with Pacific Opera Victoria, Sunny was convinced that it is the ultimate art form and set out on his operatic career which has seen him around the world working with teachers such as Peter Barcza, Heather Thompson, Virginia Zeani, Montserrat Caballé, Daniel Okulitch, and with his late mentor, tenor Melvyn Poll.

Sunny’s career has given him the opportunity to perform in many concerts singing arias and ensembles, symphonic works such as Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, as well as portraying many lead roles in operas including Carmen, La Bohème, Don Giovanni, Falstaff, Die Fledermaus, Die Lustige Witwe, and Rusalka, in Vancouver, Seattle, Montreal, Madrid and touring in the Czech Republic. Sunny recently debuted as the title role in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Opera Opulenza in Vancouver, and reprised the role of the Prince in Rusalka in a concert production in Vancouver with acclaimed coach and pianist Luke Housner from the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

Pavol Simoncic, baritone, has an international reputation as a singer, choir director, and educator. Currently he directs the Vancouver-based Greater Moravia Choir, and has led the ensemble at festivals such as the European Festival and the Slavic Festival. Before settling in Vancouver, Pavol performed regularly with the Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, as well as the Slovak National Theatre Opera Chorus, rehearsing under the respective batons of Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, James Conlon, Serge Baudo, and Lorin Maazel. He holds a Masters Degree in Music Education.

Chinese baritone, Yuhui Wang, completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of British Columbia's School of Music. Since 2015, Yuhui has been a student of Canadian baritone Peter Barcza and a member of Nancy Hermiston’s Opera Workshop. With UBC Opera, he has performed major roles including: the Count in Le nozze di Figaro; Escamillio, Zuniga, and Moralès in Carmen; Dandini in La Cenerentola; Taddeo in L’Italiana in Algeri; Barone in Il viaggio a Reims; Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos; Daperttuto in Les Contes d’Hoffmann; Secret Police Agent in The Consul, Horstmayer in Silent Night; Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream; De Brétigny in Manon; Barone in La Traviata; and Marcello in Burnaby Lyric Opera’s production of La Bohème. In Alice Ping Yee Ho and Madeleine Thien’s opera Chinatown, Wang performed the role of Uncle Toy.