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 our Emerging Artists:
- Public auditions that 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
- Understudying key leading roles and/or serving on stage management staff and directing staff to broaden their résumés
- Performing principal and supporting 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
- Being introduced to key artist managers in the industry
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.
2025/26 EMERGING ARTISTS
“ BEING AN EMERGING ARTIST AND BEING AT BLO IS LIKE BEING IN A BIG POND WITHOUT BEING THROWN INTO THE DEEP END.”
– SIMON DYER, JANE & STEVEN AKIN EMERGING ARTIST ALUMNUS
PAST CLASSES
2024/25
Angela Yam, soprano
Alexis Peart, mezzo-soprano
Mary Kray, mezzo-soprano
Morgan Mastrangelo, tenor
Fred C. VanNess, Jr., tenor
Devon Russo, bass-baritone
Zizhao Wang,bass-baritone
2023/24
Junhan Choi, baritone
Sarah Joyce Cooper, soprano
Emily Michiko Jensen, soprano
Alexis Peart, mezzo-soprano
Fred C. VanNess, Jr., tenor
Angela Yam, soprano
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, pianist
Brendon Shapiro, pianist
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, pianist
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, pianist
Allen Perriello, pianist