BOSTON LYRIC OPERA
JANE & STEVEN AKIN
EMERGING ARTISTS

The pursuit of a successful career in opera is a challenging—and expensive—undertaking. Singers must continually hone their talent with regular coaching, expand their repertoire by learning new roles, and find opportunities to make themselves heard. BLO recognizes that the next generation of opera stars needs to be nurtured in order to flourish, and that the future of the art form depends on their success.

To that end, BLO has proudly expanded the opportunities we provide to Emerging Artists:

  • Public auditions allow hundreds of singers to be heard
  • Role and audition preparation in one-on-one sessions with both BLO’s Music Director, David Angus, and BLO coaches
  • Understudy key leading roles, serve on stage management staff and directing staff, to broaden their résumés
  • Perform principal and comprimario roles in BLO productions
  • Additional paid performance opportunities at BLO events
  • Stanford Calderwood General Director & Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Vernatter, and other leaders in the field provide career guidance and support
  • Introduction of Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artists to key artists’ managers

Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artists are identified during the casting process of each Season’s repertoire. The Artists have, in most cases, already established themselves professionally and are drawn primarily from the post-graduate and post-young artist fields. In certain exceptional cases, younger candidates who are appropriate for specific repertoire with the Company are considered.

2023/24 EMERGING ARTISTS

Junhan Choi
baritone

Sarah Joyce Cooper
soprano

Junhan Choi, baritone, Boston Lyric Opera 2021/22 Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist

Emily Jensen
soprano

Alexis Peart, mezzo soprano, Boston Lyric Opera 2021/22 Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist

Alexis Peart
mezzo soprano

Fred C. VanNess, tenor, Boston Lyric Opera 2021/22 Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist

Angela Yam
soprano

Fred C. VanNess Jr.,tenor, Boston Lyric Opera 2021/22 Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist

Fred C. VanNess Jr.
tenor

“ BEING AN EMERGING ARTIST AND BEING AT BLO IS LIKE BEING IN A BIG POND WITHOUT BEING THROWN INTO THE DEEP END.”

– SIMON DYER, EMERGING ARTIST ALUMNUS

PAST CLASSES

2022/23
Junhan Choi, baritone
Nicholas LaGesse, baritone
Brianna J. Robinson, soprano
Fred C. VanNess, Jr., tenor

2021/22
Nicholas LaGesse, baritone
Zaray Rodriguez, mezzo-soprano

2020/21
Nicholas LaGesse, baritone
Omar Najmi, composer
Brianna Robinson, soprano
Zaray Rodriguez, mezzo-soprano

2019/20
Brianna J. Robinson, soprano
Robyn Marie Lamp, soprano
Brendon Shapiro, pianist
Nathan Salazar, pianist
Melanie Bacaling, production
Nicholas LaGesse, baritone

2018/19
Brianna Robinson, soprano
Jessica Johnson Brock, mezzo-soprano
Nathan Salazar, piano
Brendon Shapiro, piano
Melanie Bacaling, production

2017/18
Antonia Tamer, soprano
Sara Womble, soprano
Emma Sorenson, mezzo-soprano
Jesse Darden, tenor
Vincent Turregano, baritone
Anderson Nunnelley, director

2016/17
Antonia Tamer, soprano
Sara Womble, soprano
Felicia Gavilanes, mezzo-soprano
Vera Savage, mezzo-soprano
Emma Sorenson, mezzo-soprano
Jesse Darden, tenor
Jon Jurgens, tenor
Vincent Turregano, baritone
Simon Dyer, bass
Maja Tremiszewska, piano
Rachel Arditi, stage manager
Anderson Nunnelley, director
Nathan Troup, director

2015/16
Heather Gallagher, mezzo-soprano
Vera Savage, mezzo-soprano
Emma Sorenson, mezzo-soprano
Jon Jurgens, tenor
Omar Najmi, tenor
Brad Raymond, tenor
Vincent Turregano, baritone
Bruce Stasyna, conductor
Nathan Troup, director

2014/15
Chelsea Basler, soprano
Heather Gallagher, mezzo-soprano
Rachel Hauge, mezzo-soprano
Jon Jurgens, tenor
Omar Najmi, tenor
Brad Raymond, tenor
David Wadden, bass-baritone
R . B. Schlather, director

2013/14
Chelsea Basler, soprano
So Young Park, soprano
Michelle Trainor, soprano
Nicole Rodin, mezzo-soprano
Omar Najmi, tenor
David McFerrin, baritone
Liam Moran, bass

2012/13
Michelle Trainor, soprano
Nicole Rodin, mezzo-soprano
Alan Schneider, tenor
David McFerrin, baritone

2011/12
Meredith Hansen, soprano
Michelle Trainor, soprano
Nicole Rodin, mezzo-soprano
Julius Ahn, tenor
Neal Ferreira, tenor
John Irvin, tenor
David Cushing, bass-baritone
Brett Hodgdon, piano
Allen Perriello, piano