Kentucky Opera Studio Artists

Resident Artists | Apprentice Artists | Intern Artists

Daniel Anderson
A rising young tenor, Daniel completed his master's at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in spring 2010. In the past year Daniel has been a featured soloist with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Lexington Symphony, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and, most recently, with the Dayton Philharmonic. Daniel has been invited as a studio artist to companies such as Wolf Trap and Central City Opera. In the fall of 2009, Daniel sang Carlson in OF MICE AND MEN with Kentucky Opera. He has performed otheroperatic roles such as Alfredo in Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA, Candide in Berstein’s CANDIDE with LSU Opera, Henrick in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC with Springfield Regional Opera and Brighella in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS with CCM Opera.

Brandy Hawkins
Brandy is a recent graduate of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. With Washington National Opera, she performed Mercédès in CARMEN, Wellgunde in GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG, Cherubino in the YA production of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, performed with Mo. Domingo at the opening of the Reignwood Theater in Beijing andgave the world premiere of the title role in Let Freedom Sing: The Story of Marian Anderson, a new opera commissioned in collaboration with Washington Performing Arts Society and WNO. Recently, Ms. Hawkins traveled to Milan, Italy with other young artist to perform a concert of arias, songs, and scenes at La Scala.Other performancesinclude Hansel (HANSEL AND GRETEL) with University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, Suzuki (MADAME BUTTERLY) with Houston Ebony Opera, Lucy Perez in the premiere recording of THE HOTEL CASABLANCA on Albany Records and the title role in CARMEN with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre. Her concert appearances include Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Ms. Hawkins was the winner of the June Miller Rosenblatt award in Connecticut Opera’s Guild Competition and the Kentucky District Winner of the Metropolitan National Council Auditions. Ms. Hawkinswas an Apprentice Artist with theSanta Fe Operain the summer 2009, where she will return in the summer of 2010 to sing the Mother and cover Suzuki in MADAME BUTTERFLY. Ms. Hawkins will also perform Suzuki in the last performance of MADAME BUTTERFLY with the Santa Fe Opera. As a Resident Artist with Kentucky Opera, she will perform Lola on mainstage for CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA as well as Rosina in partnership production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra.

Gabriel Pressier
Originally from Apopka, Florida, Gabriel received his bachelors in music at Florida State University and his masters in music at the University of Houston where he performed such roles as Riolobo in FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS, Tom Joad in THE GRAPES OF WRATH and the title role in both DON GIOVANNI and ELMER GANTRY. At FSU he was seen as Pooh-bah in THE MIKADO, Death in SAVITRIand Achille in GIULIO CESARE. He has also taken on the roles of Papageno in Mozart’s DIE ZAUBERFLÖTEwith the Intermezzo Program, Prince Ottokar in DER FREISHÜTZwith Des Moines Metro Opera and Ubalde in Lully’s ARMIDE with Mercury Baroque. His oratorio work includes such composers as Handel, Bach, Schütz, Mozart and others. Gabriel was a regional finalist in the 2010 Metropolitan Opera national Council Competition and a finalist in the 2010 Lois Alba Competition. This season with Kentucky Opera, he can be seen as Yamadori in MADAME BUTTERLY and Figaro in IL BARVIERE DI SIVIGLIA while covering Silvio in I PAGLIACCI and Belcore in L’ELISIR D’AMORE. He is very grateful for his ever-supportive wife and for the wonderful gift of singing.

Andrea Shokery
Ms. Shokery, soprano, is a dynamic young performer quickly garnering attention for her high flying coloratura and engaging interpretations. Recent performances include Rosalinde in DIE FLEDERMAUS at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), the title role in Pasatieri’s LA DIVINA with Wolf Trap Opera Studio, Rosina in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA at CCM and her European debut as Musetta in LA BOHÈME with the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy. Ms. Shokery has been recognized by various competitions including The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, as well as the Tri-State Vocal Competition. Future engagements include a return to Wolf Trap for the World Premiere of John Musto's THE INSPECTOR.

Naoko Suga (Coach/Accompanist)
A native of Southern California, Ms. Suga received her Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and also holds a degree in Solo Piano from the University of California, Los Angeles.During her time at UCLA, she studied with esteemed professors Walter Ponce and Jennifer Snow. She also worked in the studios of Paul Coletti, Jens Lindemann, Gary Gray, Antonio Lysy and Andrew Schulman. While in Boulder, she pursued her studies under the guidance of Professors Anne Epperson, Mutsumi Moteki, and Maestro Nicholas Carthy. She was granted a Graduate Assistant Scholarship and worked as the studio assistant in the Collaborative Piano Studio. Ms. Suga has also participated in many festivals including the prestigious Music Academy of the West in 2003 and 2004, Brevard Music Festival in 2005, and Salzburg Music Festival in 2006. In the winter of 2007, Ms. Suga traveled to Paris, France to study with vocal coach Mary Dibbern and pianist Noel Lee. In the past two years, Ms. Suga has also had the opportunity to perform internationally in such countries as Austria and Japan. In 2005, she toured Japan as the pianist of Arnica Duo. Future tours are being planned for 2009. For Kentucky Opera, Ms. Suga is responsible for preparing the Studio Artist singers for all of their role assignments as well as coaching arias, scenes, and playing outreach events.

Apprentice Artists

Tomasz Sadownik is from Gliwice, Poland. He graduated from Secondary School of Music in Gliwice with distinction in instrumental (oboe) and vocal performance. In 2001, he joined Vocal and Acting Faculty at the Music Academy in Katowice and graduated with distinction in 2006. In 2001, he was awarded third prize of L. Różycki Vocal Competition (Gliwice) and in 2005 the special prize of H. Halska Polish National Vocal Competition (Wrocław) and second prize of Slavic Music Vocal Competition (Katowice). In academic year 2005-06 he was awarded The Ministry of Culture of Poland Scholarship for outstanding achievements. Since 1997 Tomasz has worked with the Academic Musical Ensemble of the Technical University in Gliwice as a soloist, conductor’s assistant and voice teacher. In 2007-08 he was a conductor of the Cathedral Boys Choir in Gliwice. In 2009 he was the conductor of Men’s Chamber Ensemble “Calvi Cantores”, with whom he won several prizes at choir competitions in Poland and recorded a CD with sacred choral music titled “Krzyżowi Twemu”. Tomasz is currently studying at the University of Louisville. In April 2010 he sang the role of Gianni Schicchi in UofL Opera Theater’s production. As a Kentucky Opera Studio Artist, he will sing in the chorus for mainstage productions of CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA/I PAGLIACCI and THE ELIXIR OF LOVE. He will also perform the Imperial Commissioner and cover the role of Sharpless for MADAME BUTTERFLY and perform Fiorello and the Sergeant for the Owensboro Symphony/Kentucky Opera concert opera THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.

Intern Artists

Rebecca Blackwell, a senior Vocal Major and Musical Theatre Minor at the Youth Performing Arts School, is thrilled to make her debut performance with Kentucky Opera. Rebecca has performed in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Schoolhouse Rock Live! and will be seen next in YPAS’ fall production of Big River. Rebecca plans to study vocal performance and music education in college, and wishes to pursue a performance career in opera. She would like to thank the many people who have supported her with her musical aspirations as well as Kentucky Opera for this fantastic opportunity.


Michael Burnette is a senior baritone at the Youth Performing Arts School and is delighted to return for his third season with Kentucky Opera. His debut with Kentucky Opera was in 2008 as a member of the chorus for DON QUICHOTTE AUF DER HOCHZEIT DES CAMACHOS. Michael was a member of the chorus for 2009’s LA TRAVIATA and returns for the 2010 Fall Season chorus for CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & I PAGLIACCI and THE ELIXIR OF LOVE. He is a recent graduate of the Governor’s School for the Arts, a three time All-State Baritone and has worked on many solo works including Handel arias, Dvorak Biblical songs and Mozart’s solo voice literature. Michael plans to pursue music in college and in the future.


Emily Furnish is a senior vocal major at the Youth Performing Arts School and is very excited to be a part of Kentucky Opera for the first time. She has been a part of many choirs and ensembles, including Kentucky All-State Chorus, All-County Chorus, and the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music. Ms. Furnish is also a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, member of the National Honors Society, President of Tri-M Music Honors Society and part of the Concert and Chamber choirs at her school. She has been singing and playing piano since she was nine years old and hopes to continue studying music and voice in college.


Lili Kinman is a senior double major at the Youth Performing Arts School and will be attending college as a Vocal Performance major. Lili is making her Kentucky Opera debut in the chorus for the upcoming production of CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & I PAGLIACCI. She has been studying with Annie Bolden for the past seven years and is grateful to her teacher for her support and experience. Lili is proud to have been invited to participate in Kentucky Opera's chorus and thanks her family for all their support as she pursues a career in music.


Paige Middleton is a senior vocal major at the Youth Performing Arts School where she has performed in numerous shows during her tenure. This is Paige’s debut with Kentucky Opera's chorus in THE ELIXIR OF LOVE. She will also participate in the off-stage chorus for CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA. Paige is currently a performing member in the Louisville Chorus and performs in concerts throughout the greater Louisville area.


Jessica Pouranfar, a senior vocal major at the Youth Performing Arts School, is delighted to be making her debut in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and I PAGLIACCI with Kentucky Opera. Jessica was last seen in the YPAS production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and will be a part of Big River this fall. She is planning to continue her studies in music after high school in hopes to pursue a career in opera. Jessica wants to thank all of her friends and family for supporting her in every performance she’s been a part of thus far.

Jarrod Priddy is a vocal major at the Youth Performing Arts School. This is Jarrod’s debut with Kentucky Opera chorus where he will perform in the upcoming CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & I PAGLIACCI production. Jarrod has performed numerous solo vocal pieces and participated in many major works at the Youth Performing Arts School. He hopes to sing for the rest of his life.


Andrew Villier is a student at the Youth Performing Arts School and is very excited to be making his debut in the chorus of Kentucky Opera. Andrew will perform in the upcoming production of THE ELIXIR OF LOVE. He is thankful for this incredible experience and would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.



Shelbie Wilson is a senior vocal major at the Youth Performing Arts School. This is Shelbie’s debut with Kentucky Opera where she will perform as a chorus member in the upcoming production of MADAME BUTTERFLY. She is ecstatic about this opportunity to be a part of the opera chorus and would like to thank her voice teacher, Jennifer Diamond, for all her help and support over the past few years.

 

For more information contact Deanna Hoying at 502.561.7938.