Kathleen Lohrenz Gable, Musical Director

Kathleen Lohrenz Gable's professional career includes experiences as a recitalist, voice coach & accompanist, and as a musical director and rehearsal pianist for opera and musical theatre productions in Canada and the USA. Her studies have taken her to schools in Canada, the USA, and to Europe. Kathleen received her Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University; a Diploma in Lieder from the Franz Schubert Institute in Austria; her Fellowship from Trinity College in London; and her Master of Music in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan.

Kathleen has enjoyed an extensive teaching career in Canada and the United States, being called upon to share her expertise as both adjudicator and workshop clinician. Her students have won many top awards, including Regional, State, and Provincial competitions. After completing her graduate work, Kathleen served as Lecturer for the Piano Pedagogy program at the University of Michigan and as piano instructor at the famous Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan. She has also taught in the music programs for Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Windsor.

Currently, Kathleen teaches Applied Piano and is Music Director for the Music Theatre Ensemble at the University of Saskatchewan. Kathleen, with husband/bass-baritone Garry Gable, started The Opera Troupe of Saskatoon (TOTOS), a group dedicated to providing operatic performances for Saskatoon area singers and audiences. She has served as repetiteur and rehearsal pianist and has performed on keyboards with the Saskatoon Opera Association. Since 2004 she has been a part of the faculty as a teacher and music director for Edmonton's Opera Nuova, the national-level summer training program for opera singers and pianists. In 2009 she conducted Puccini's Suor Angelica and previously has conducted Copland's The Tender Land, and Hansel und Gretel for NUOVA. She regularly records live-music programming for the CBC, Saskatchewan.

Since 1997, Kathleen has collaborated with five of the Young Artist winner's for a recital tour of Manitoba and Saskatchewan cities. Kathleen has twice conducted the Saskatoon Symphony and TOTOS in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. She also regularly plays with the symphony. In addition to her university teaching, Kathleen maintains a full teaching/coaching studio at home. She has been a teaching musician in the Music Ambassador Program for the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Kathleen, with husband Garry, have twice been invited to perform and teach at the Tianjin Conservatory and the Wuhan University Conservatory of Music in China. They were heard nationally on the CBC Radio Two program Canada Live in August of 2007. Kathleen was repetiteur for Saskatoon Opera Association's productions of L'Elisir d'Amour and Rigoletto. In July of 2009 Kathleen was invited to Bangkok where she performed as an official pianist for the World Saxophone Congress, making four World Premiere performances. She was pleased to join Calgary Opera's production of "Little Women" as repetiteur in January of 2010 and has enjoyed being a guest coach for the Emerging Artists program. In July, Kathleen will be one of the Judges for the National Piano Competition at the CFMTA convention and will also perform, give workshops and master classes.

Natalie Burdeny, Contralto

Role: Dinah
Website: natalieburdeny.com

With her performances described as "human, multi-facited, emotional and real", Canadian Contralto, Natalie Burdeny is fast becoming a versatile and sought-after performer.

Having recently made her debut in the title role of Carmen, Hilary Clark (Review Contributor - Opera Canada Magazine), described her voice as "... perfect for the part of Carmen. She showed an enviable understanding of the role, careful use of the many nuances of her vocal arsenal, to portray the vagaries of Carmen's personality. Her card scene was particularly memorable as she was able to counter-point the darkness of her fate against the frivolity of sopranos Frasquita and Mercedes".

Her repertoire includes; Title Role (Carmen), Madame de la Haltière (Cendrillon), Dorabella (Cosi Fan Tutte), Mercedes (Carmen), Hata (Prodaná Nevesta), Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), and Mother’s Voice (Les Contes d’Hoffmann). Natalie performs frequently in concerts and recitals, including oratorio.

In 2009, after a year living and working in Germany, she was welcomed home as the Contralto Soloist in a performance of Verdi's Requiem with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Neil Weisensel.

In previous years, Natalie performed extensively as a Mezzo Soprano. Praised for her "warm mezzo" (Opera Canada – 2006), Natalie was a two time recipient of the Vicky Modeland Ridgewell Memorial Scholarship for Most Outstanding Mezzo Soprano.

In 2007, she was the mezzo soloist for the Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio with Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace. She has also performed chorus with Vancouver Opera, Banff Opera as Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria and Burnaby Lyric Opera.

A graduate of the Classical & Contemporary Music program at Vancouver Community College, Natalie also holds a multi-disciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria with a focus on Germanic Studies and Music History. In addition to her musical pursuits, Natalie is the Administrator for Lyric Opera Studio of Weimar (Germany), the Managing and Artistic Director for Vancouver Concert Opera Co-Operative, and the Founder and Artistic Director for Vancouver Summer Opera Studio.

Ed Moran, Baritone

Role: Sam

Among other roles Mr. Moran has been seen across Canada in the roles of Capulet in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Il Conte d'Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, and most recently as Frank in Die Fledermaus with Vancouver Island Opera.

Praised for his "gusto and panache", Mr. Moran made his professional American debut as Benoit/Alcindoro with Opera San Luis Obispo in their April production of La Bohème. Mr. Moran has also enjoyed introducing over 50,000 children to the world of opera with both Vancouver Opera In Schools and Opera Nuova Outreach.

Mr. Moran comes from Anchorage, Alaska where he received a Bachelors of Vocal Performance in 2005 and graduated from the UBC School of Music with a Masters Degree in Opera Performance in 2008.

Mr. Moran also enjoys spreading the joy of opera as Production Manager with VanCOCO. The tag line, "It's all about the Music" says it all.

Katherine Landry, Mezzo Soprano

Role: Trio

Lauded for her warm, rich tone and engaging stage presence, Katherine's performance credits include Dorabella in Così fan Tutte (Lyric Opera Studio Weimar) and Zia in Madama Butterfly (Vancouver Opera). Other credits include the Witch/Mother in Hänsel und Gretel, Meg in Little Women (Opera NUOVA), and Olga in Evgeni Onegin (Usti nad Labem Opera), as well as Alto Soloist in Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio.

Katherine recently created the role of Laura in Edward Top and Tom Cone's new short opera Love Thy Neighbour, and covered the title role in Carmen for Vancouver Concert Opera Cooperative. She also performed Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro for the Portland Summer Opera Workshop and 3rd Lady/3rd Spirit in Die Zauberflöte with Vancouver Summer Opera Workshop.

Upcoming engagements include performing the roles of Mother/Fairy in the 2011/2012 Vancouver Opera School Tour adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, as well as appearances with Vancouver's professional 12 member, self-directed chamber vocal ensemble 'musica intima'.

Paul Just, Tenor

Role: Trio

Hailing from South Dakota, lyric tenor Paul Just, is a graduate of St. John's University, Minnesota and an M.Mus graduate from the Opera program at the University of British Columbia under the direction of Nancy Hermiston. Paul currently studies with Canadian Baritone Peter Barcza. Paul has performed in a variety of operas, including roles in Le nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte, Die Fledermaus, La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Bohemian Girl and Rigoletto. He also had the distinction of premiering the title role in a new opera, The King's Tower, by American composer Tim Cheesebrow. Paul has been part of the Vancouver Opera Chorus since 2005, appearing in Turandot, Eugene Onegin and most recently, the world premiere of John Estacio's Lillian Alling.

Grant Wardlow, Tenor

Role: Trio

Tenor, Grant Wardlow is thrilled to be joining this talented cast of Trouble in Tahiti! Having studied music at The Victoria Conservatory of Music and McGill University, he is now under the tutelage of International Soprano Heidi Klassen. Grant recently received a glowing review in Opera Canada Magazine for his portrayal of the ugly stepsister, Dorothy, in Massenet's Cendrillon.

Andrea Rabinovitch, Choreographer

Andrea Rabinovitch, has made her living in theatre and dance as an educator, choreographer, writer, performer, publicist and administrator for thirty years. Having taught at five post-secondary institutions including UBC Theatre and Film and Studio 58 Langara College, created/ ran over three dance companies/schools (Mile Zero Dance, Dance Alberta, Stagecoach School Dance Division), choreographed over 20 musicals, and taught at studios and independently to students aged three to sixty three; Andrea's passion for theatre and dance is boundless. A graduate of the Grant MacEwan College Dance program, she was a member of the original Brian Webb Dance Company and has studied ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, African all over the world including New York where she studied with Lynn Simonson and so uses Simonson Technique as the basis for her jazz classes. Presently, she teaches dance in the general program at Arts Umbrella and runs her business Little Luxuries, Edible Art for All Occasions, with her business partner Jessica Knight.

Philip Schulze, Lighting Designer

Philip Schulze is an award-winning designer (winning the Best Lighting Design award from the Community Theatre Coalition), pyrotechnics designer, technical director/coordinator, and technical theatre instructor/designer. He was one of only 28 Follow Spot Operators for the Opening and Closing ceremonies at the 2010 Olympic Games. He has worked on many Vancouver Moving Theatre and Heart of the City Festival events and assisted significantly with the lighting design for "Bruce the Musical" for Theatre in the Raw. He is excited to be working with the VanCOCO team on this production.

Anthony Wade-Cooper, Stage Manager

Anthony Wade-Cooper has been lucky enough to work with some of Vancouver's favourite actors and directors in his short career in stage management. I am grateful for the opportunity to work on this rarely performed but really enchanting piece of Bernstein. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as we do!

Wayne Gilbart, Assistant Stage Manager

Wayne supports his theatre habit by working as an RN for Providence Health Care. Previous credits include 'What about luv?' (DSR Productions), Cinderella (DragonDiva Operatic Theatre) and Waste (United Players). Thanks to Verena for getting him into all this in the first place!

Robert Ashens, Conductor

San Francisco-based musician Robert Ashens, whose distinguished career as pianist and conductor has brought him to many world capitols, is Artistic Director of Opera San Luis Obispo and Artistic Director / co-founder, West Coast Opera (Opera Oregon). Recently, he made his Berkeley (West Edge) Opera and Anchorage Opera debuts and he co-founded the Johann Strauss Foundation of America. The Maestro also conducts ballet and symphonic works with companies nationally and internationally; he concertizes nationally as a solo pianist and chamber ensemble artist, while maintaining coaching studios in San Francisco, Oakland, Corvallis (OR) and Anchorage. He also leads cultural tours to Vienna, as well as coaching and conducting in various parts of Italy.

Robert Ashens is a member of Mid-Valley Rotary in Eugene, Phi Beta, and is listed in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN MUSIC.

With a repertoire of over one hundred operas, he has conducted to great acclaim for regional opera companies throughout the United States and in many major cities of Europe, especially in Italy. He has also accompanied many opera luminaries in concert. Ashens is in constant demand as a lecturer, accompanist and program director for concerts and recitals nationwide. As an educator for over thirty years, Ashens' unique style and commitment focuses on inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds through his dynamic, energetic and lively presentations of this exciting art form. His lively wit and humor continue to enthrall opera audiences wherever he travels.

Kinza Tyrrell, Piano Collaborator and Conductor

Victoria native Kinza Tyrrell has a Doctorate in piano and vocal coaching. Her musical education has been extensive, including study at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz, the International Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Merola Opera Program with world-renowned teachers Warren Jones, Martin Katz, Martin Isepp, Rudolph Jansen, Hans Graf, Gyorgy Sebok and Jon Kimura Parker.

In June 2003, Kinza competed in the Opera Coaching division of the International Belvedere Opera Competition in Vienna, winning the Bösendorfer Prize.

For the past three years, she has been on the music faculty at the Canadian Opera Company and has worked as Conductor, Assistant Conductor and Senior Repetiteur at Opera Nuova in Edmonton and the Opera As Theatre Program at the Banff Centre.

Currently, Kinza is the Principle Repetiteur and Music Director of VOIS at Vancouver Opera.

Dr. Tyrrell also freelances as a solo performer, and is in great demand as a vocal coach and recitalist, having had the pleasure of working with great Canadian voices such as Isabel Bayrakdarian, John Fanning, Benjamin Butterfield, Laura Whalen, Marc Hervieux, and Daniel Taylor.

Bernard Cuffling, Narrator

Bernard has been a member of the Vancouver theatre scene for over 35 years, both as an actor and director. Although he would class himself as a “would love to be” singer, he has appeard in musicals such as My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast, Gypsy, and many years ago he played the non-singing role of Frosch in Vancouver Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus (starring Richard Margison).

As an actor he most recently played the angel Clarence for the fourth consecutive year at the Arts Club Theatre’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life. Later in January he will be directing in Calgary then he returns to the Arts Club to appear in G.B. Shaw’s play The Philanderer. Later on in 2011 he will be seen as the Chemanius Festival Theatre as Salieri in their production of Amadeus.

Bernard is a past Jessie Award Winner (Theatre Awards), a recipient of the Sam Payne award for services to theatre, he is also a member of the B.C. Walk of Fame.

Natalie Burdeny, Contralto

Role: Carmen
Website: natalieburdeny.com

With her performances described as "human, multi-facited, emotional and real", Canadian Contralto, Natalie Burdeny is fast becoming a versatile and sought-after performer.

Having recently made her debut in the title role of Carmen, Hilary Clark (Review Contributor - Opera Canada Magazine), described her voice as "... perfect for the part of Carmen. She showed an enviable understanding of the role, careful use of the many nuances of her vocal arsenal, to portray the vagaries of Carmen's personality. Her card scene was particularly memorable as she was able to counter-point the darkness of her fate against the frivolity of sopranos Frasquita and Mercedes".

Her repertoire includes; Title Role (Carmen), Madame de la Haltière (Cendrillon), Dorabella (Cosi Fan Tutte), Mercedes (Carmen), Hata (Prodaná Nevesta), Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Berta (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), and Mother’s Voice (Les Contes d’Hoffmann). Natalie performs frequently in concerts and recitals, including oratorio.

In 2009, after a year living and working in Germany, she was welcomed home as the Contralto Soloist in a performance of Verdi's Requiem with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Neil Weisensel.

In previous years, Natalie performed extensively as a Mezzo Soprano. Praised for her "warm mezzo" (Opera Canada – 2006), Natalie was a two time recipient of the Vicky Modeland Ridgewell Memorial Scholarship for Most Outstanding Mezzo Soprano.

In 2007, she was the mezzo soloist for the Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio with Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace. She has also performed chorus with Vancouver Opera, Banff Opera as Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria and Burnaby Lyric Opera.

A graduate of the Classical & Contemporary Music program at Vancouver Community College, Natalie also holds a multi-disciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria with a focus on Germanic Studies and Music History. In addition to her musical pursuits, Natalie is the Administrator for Lyric Opera Studio of Weimar (Germany), the Managing and Artistic Director for Vancouver Concert Opera Co-Operative, and the Founder and Artistic Director for Vancouver Summer Opera Studio.

Eric Olsen, Tenor

Role: Don Jose

Vancouver born, Eric Olsen began to accumulate his professional experience with opera companies in Victoria, Edmonton and London, Ontario. He has performed featured roles in operas including Norma, Cunning Little Vixen, Eugene Onegin, Manon Lescaut, Daphne, Macbeth, and two productions of Madama Butterfly. Eric received significant training in the summer programs of Brevard, North Carolina, Opera NUOVA and the Banff Centre. Currently dividing his time between Toronto and Vancouver, Olsen's recent work has been with the outstanding professional choruses of the Vancouver Opera and the Canadian Opera Company.

Arianna Sovernigo, Soprano

Role: Micaela
Website: ariannasovernigo.com

Canadian soprano, Arianna Sovernigo, known as the Italian songbird, "never fails to wow her audiences with a beautiful and mature voice". She is making her debut with Vancouver Concert Opera Co-Operative as Micäela in their production of Carmen. In 2011, she will be performing her first Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with Burnaby Lyric Opera.

Recently, she returned to perform Frasquita in Manitoba Opera's production of Carmen. In summer 2010, The Winnipeg Free Press described her as "a powerfully voiced Frasquita". Her repertoire includes; the title roles in Die Lustige Witwe and La Périchole, Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Musetta (La Boheme), Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), and Euridice (Orfeo ed Euridice).

Equally comfortable on the concert stage, Miss Sovernigo was praised for being "passionate and warm in her rapport with the audience". She has sung the role of Pamina in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of The Magic Flute. Miss Sovernigo has appeared in recital across Canada and in Mexico, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Adding to her credits, Miss Sovernigo was named Western Canada District winner for the Metropolitan Opera National Council in both 2007 and 2006. She was a Finalist in the Czech and Slovak International Music Competition and twice selected as a Jeune Ambassadeur. She attended the University of Manitoba Opera Apprenticeship where she performed a school tour version of Gretel (Hansel and Gretel). She is a graduate of the Vancouver Academy of Music where she obtained her Bachelor of Music in opera performance. She has studied with renowned professionals and international artists, including her current vocal instructor, soprano Tracy Dahl.

Andrey Andreychik, Baritone

Role: Escamillo

Russian Baritone, Andrey Andreychik was born in Krasnoyarsk city, located in central Siberia, Russian Federation. In 2002 Andrey graduated from Krasnoyarsk State University with a degree in International Economics.

Andrey's first step into the singing world began at the age of 9, when he first visited the Krasnoyarsk State Philharmonic to sing in the boys and youth choir "Capriccio".

At the age of 12, Andrey started taking private classical vocal lessons with Mikhael Timofeev; main conductor and artistic director for the "Capriccio" choir. While singing with the "Capriccio" choir, Andrey began stepping out into solo recitals and competitions. His first success came in 1995, when he was honoured as a laureate in "All-Russia Boys and Youth Singing Contest of Classical Vocal" (Novosibirsk, Russia). Andrey achieved further success in the competition arena with the "International Youth Singing Competition" in 1998 (Ekaterinburg, Russia), and the "All-Russia Voice Competition" in 2008 (Abakan, Russia).

In the fall of 2008, Andrey began studies at the UBC School of Music and joined the UBC Opera Ensemble with the ambition to connect his professional career to Opera. Since then, Andrey has performed numerous roles with the UBC Opera Ensemble including: The Father in Hansel und Gretel, Escamillo in Carmen, the Title Role in Gianni Schicchi, the Title Role in Louis Riel (a contemporary Canadian Opera by H. Somers), Marcello in Puccini's La bohème", and the Title Role in Mozart's Don Giovanni. With the UBC Opera Ensemble, Andrey has performed in Vancouver, Prince George, Kelowna as well as several cities located in the Czech Republic (Teplice, Usti nad Labem and Hradec Kralove).

Currently Andrey studies voice with internationally acclaimed Canadian Baritone Peter Barcza.

Ed Moran, Baritone

Role: El Dancaire / Morales

Among other roles Mr. Moran has been seen across Canada in the roles of Capulet in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Il Conte d'Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, and most recently as Frank in Die Fledermaus with Vancouver Island Opera.

Praised for his "gusto and panache", Mr. Moran made his professional American debut as Benoit/Alcindoro with Opera San Luis Obispo in their April production of La Bohème. Mr. Moran has also enjoyed introducing over 50,000 children to the world of opera with both Vancouver Opera In Schools and Opera Nuova Outreach.

Mr. Moran comes from Anchorage, Alaska where he received a Bachelors of Vocal Performance in 2005 and graduated from the UBC School of Music with a Masters Degree in Opera Performance in 2008. Mr. Moran also enjoys spreading the joy of opera as a board member with DragonDiva Operatic Theatre, a New Westminster based company created to bring opera to new audiences and to create performances opportunities for young singers.

Peter Alexander, Bass-Baritone

Role: Zuniga (Vancouver) / Escamillo (COVER)
Website: www.peteralexanderbaritone.com

Peter's greatest passion is to perform on the world stage. Whether it is opera, oratorio, concert repertoire or choral music, he relishes every opportunity to share his artistry with everyone. His opera roles include Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief, Escamillo in Carmen, Belcore in L'elisir d'amore, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, Schaunard in La Boheme, and Frank in Die Fledermaus.

Opera Canada magazine recently stated "Peter Alexander dominated the evening by exhibiting excellent vocal command eminently suited to the Baroque period", for his performance of the title role in Pimpinone.

Oratorio highlights include Elijah, Messiah with the Vancouver Island Symphony, Haydn's Creation and Carmina Burana, which he performed in a Ballet BC production choreographed by John Alleyn.

Peter is also a professional choral singer; he is currently a member of the twelve voice chamber ensemble musica intima, hailed by the Globe and Mail as "One of the best small choirs in all the land!"

Jason Cook, Baritone

Role: Zuniga (Victoria)

Kathleen Morrison, Soprano

Role: Frasquita
Website: kathleenmorrison.com

Known equally for her powerful voice and dramatic abilities, Kathleen has enjoyed performing some of opera's most beloved heroines including Olympia in Offenbachʼs Les contes dʼHoffmann, Violetta in Verdiʼs La Traviata, Fiordiligi in Mozartʼs Così fan tutte, and Adele in J. Straussʼ Die Fledermaus.

Currently, Miss Morrison is expanding her repertoire to include the Mozart heroines Konstanze from Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Die Königen der Nacht from Die Zauberflöte, and Donna Anna from Don Giovanni.

This year, Kathleen will be awarded her Artistʼs Diploma in Opera Performance from the Vancouver Academy of Music after earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Lethbridge. She currently studies with renown tenor, Mr. David Meek.

Sarah Vardy, Soprano

Role: Mercedes

Acclaimed for her “emotional yet unaffected quality of performance with true clear voice”, Soprano Sarah Vardy has impressed and delighted audiences across Canada. “She stands out wherever she sings with a combination of vocal passion and rich characterization.” –Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Living and performing across Canada, Ms. Vardy has sung with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony, B.C. Conservatory of Music Orchestra, and members of the Victoria Symphony.

Equally at home in Soprano and Mezzo repertoire some of her stage credits include, Mercedes (Carmen), Giovanna (Rigoletto), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica), and Sandman (Hänsel and Gretel).

Also a performer of Oratorio, Ms. Vardy has performed Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Matthaeus Passion and Johannes Passion, Durufle’s Requiem, and Pergolesi’s Lauda per la Nativita.

In 2006, Ms. Vardy was the winner of the Gordon Wallace Opera Competition. In 2007, she was named outstanding vocalist by the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association, and was the grand prize winner for the vocal division of provincials.

2011 is proving to be a very busy season for Ms. Vardy. She is excited to be singing Mercedes with Vancouver Concert Opera Co-operative. In June she will be singing Countess in The Opera Project’s Marriage of Figaro, and the role of Marcellina with Portland Spring Opera Workshop. In August, Sarah will travel to Germany to once again perform Marcellina with Lyric Studio Opera of Weimar.

Ms. Vardy has made recordings with the Fireside Singers and the Pacific Singers as well as a solo recording of some of her favorite works. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from the Vancouver Academy of Music and is currently studying voice with internationally renowned Soprano Heidi Klassen.

Andrzej Jeziorski, Tenor

Role: El Remandado (Vancouver)

London, UK-born tenor Andrzej Jeziorski is a Diploma student at the Vancouver Academy of Music under David Meek, having moved into opera from years of singing pop and rock music. Recent operatic roles have included Don Ottavio in the Burnaby Lyric Opera production of 'Don Giovanni', Prince Charming in DragonDiva Operatic Theatre's Cendrillon, and Ferrando in the UBC Opera Ensemble production of Cosi Fan Tutte, performed in the Czech Republic and Ontario. Andrzej is also a regular member of the Vancouver Opera Chorus, having appeared in La Traviata, Lillian Alling, Norma and Eugene Onegin. He recently sang as a soloist in the Vancouver Bach Choir's annual "Sing-Along Messiah" concert at the Orpheum Theatre. Outside of his musical pursuits Andrzej is a magazine editor and journalist, specialising in aviation and aerospace.

Tina Chang, Repetiteur / Pianist

Piano Collaborator (Victoria)

Vancouver pianist Tina Chang has been exploring the versatility of the piano in Classical music. She has appeared in many recitals, including as a guest pianist on the St. Cecilia Chamber Recital Series in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as recitals across the province of British Columbia, Canada. She was most recently on tour with the Vancouver Opera in Schools' performances of Cinderella and Jack Pine where she was pianist and music director while on the road. She has been Pianist and Music Director for the San Diego Opera Ensemble where she coached and performed with young professional singers from all over the United States. Past teaching experiences include a faculty position at Dalhousie University where she coached students of various musical disciplines and taught 2nd year Keyboard Skills.

Summer 2011 sees Tina as a fellow pianist for the Aspen Opera Theatre Center of the Aspen Music Festival. Tina has served as staff pianist at the Summer Vocal Academy for the Victoria Conservatory of Music, as well as the Interlochen Center for the Arts during their summer session, where she coached various operetta scenes, was rehearsal pianist for multiple choirs and ensemble pianist with the Interlochen Philharmonic. She has been to the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara this summer after being named the Julia Stearns Dockweiler Fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara in 2007 and 2008. The last two summers has seen her involved with the Vancouver International Song Institute and will be part of the art song experience again this summer. This summer, she is the recipient of the 2011 Marc and Eva Stern Fellowship at SongFest at Pepperdine.

Born in Taiwan, Tina immigrated to Vancouver, Canada with her family when she was nine. She completed her undergraduate degree in music at the University of British Columbia and from there, she went on to complete her Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano at the University of Minnesota. Her principal teachers include Timothy Lovelace, Kenneth Broadway and Alice Enns.

VanCOCO Carmen Chorus

• Katherine Landry (Mezzo-Soprano / Cover-Carmen)
• Peter Alexander (Baritone / Cover-Escamillo) website
• Sarah Vardy (Soprano)
• Grant Wardlow (Tenor)
• Andrzej Jeziorski (Tenor)
• Jason Cook (Baritone)
• Kathleen Morrison (Soprano)
• Erika Olson (Soprano)
• Christina Lewall (Soprano)