CAST: Opera America Showcase January 16, 2025
Melissa Joseph – Alice Hutchinson & Mary (Soprano)
Taylor Dupont – Sadie Hutchinson (Mezzo)
Luz Jubierre Zapater – Choir (soprano)
Perri Sussman – Choir (alto)
Yunxuan Zhu – Choir (tenor)
Mark Blumberg – Choir (baritone)
Aron Frank – violin
Malachi Brown – cello
Sergey Iorov – piano
Melissa Joseph – Alice Hutchinson & Mary (Soprano)
Haitian-American soprano Melissa Joseph, celebrated for her vibrant stage presence, debuted as Musetta in La Bohème at Opera Philadelphia to critical acclaim. A 2023 Steans Fellow at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute and Gerdine Young Artist at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, she has performed roles such as Mrs. Gleaton in Susannah and covered the title role in Treemonisha. Upcoming engagements include her debut with Washington National Opera as Ama in The Cartography Project, while she continues to champion community service through nonprofit work and her involvement in the Grammy-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Taylor Dupont – Sadie Hutchinson (Mezzo)
Hailed by The Washington Post as a singer with a “beautifully rich & spirited” voice, mezzo-soprano Taylor- Alexis DuPont is a First Prize Winner of the 2023 Lotte Lenya Competition & the recipient of the inaugural Rebecca Luker Award from the Kurt Weill Foundation in 2021. She is excited to be Making her Opera Orlando debut as the title character Treemonisha and returning to the Glimmerglass Festival as Sally in the premiere of TheHouse on Mango Street later this year.
Luz Jubierre Zapater – Choir (soprano)
Bridging the worlds of art and science, this Spanish lyric coloratura soprano divides her time between performing and conducting neuroscience research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Perri Sussman – Choir (alto)
Perri Sussman has been on the rosters of prestigious companies such as New York City Opera Renaissance, St. Petersburg Opera Company, Long Island Lyric Opera, Brott Opera, After Dinner Opera Company, dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Bronx Opera Company, and Dicapo Opera Theatre. She received the Lynne Strow Piccolo award in the 2023 American Opera Idol Competition presented by Opera Connecticut, she was named the 2012 Grand Prize Winner in the voice category of the Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition, she was a finalist in the 2012 New York Lyric Opera Theatre Vocal Competition, and she made her Carnegie Hall debut in the 2011 Master Singer Finalist Concert for the Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition.
Yunxuan Zhu – Choir (tenor)
Xavier Yunxuan Zhu, a tenor based in New York City, is an emerging artist recognized for his versatile performances and global perspective. He has captivated audiences in opera, concert, and educational productions, bringing depth and artistry to every role.
Mark Blumberg – Choir (baritone)
Mark Blumberg (baritone) works as a film editor and director. He performs opera from time to time, and has appeared on stages in New York, Italy, and New Orleans.
Aron Frank – violin
Aron Frank is an award-winning composer, conductor, and violinist. A recent laureate of the Cité internationale des arts in Paris, Aron received his bachelor and master of music degrees at the Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Queens College, and Conductor of the Harmony Program Youth Orchestra in Manhattan.
Malachi Brown – cello
Malachi Brown (he/him) is a cellist and composer born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, currently residing in New York City. He has studied music composition and cello performance at Old Dominion University and Ithaca College. He is an advocate for collaboration between art mediums and is always eager to tackle a new project if it means adding his own touch.
Sergey Iorov – piano
Sergey Ioroff is a virtuoso pianist, opera coach, laureate of international competitions and festivals. Sergey graduated from Moscow State Conservatory as a solo pianist and trained as an opera coach of the Young Opera Program of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Sergey currently resides in New York City and works at The New School. He performs and collaborates with many outstanding classical singers and musicians in the US and Europe.