August 14, 2023
Chris Cox, Director of Marketing and Communications
412-281-0912 ext. 217
Contact via email
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Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2023-24 Resident Artists
Pittsburgh Opera is proud to announce its 2023-24 Resident Artists:
- Brandon Bell, baritone
- Julia Swan Laird, soprano
- Fran Daniel Laucerica, tenor
- Evan Lazdowski, bass-baritone
- Jazmine Olwalia, mezzo-soprano
- Emily Richter, soprano
- Haley Stamats, stage director
Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program is one of the country's leading training programs for young singers. More than 500 applicants from around the world vie for just a handful of openings. After completing advanced education such as graduate degrees, Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists further their careers under the guidance of the opera world's leaders and innovators, including master classes with opera legends. They study languages, diction, movement, and acting, while developing their vocal skills, expanding their repertoire, and performing on stage in Pittsburgh Opera productions.
Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program has fostered the careers of many singers that now perform on the world stage. Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists have gone on to headline at the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera. Notable alumni include:
- Marianne Cornetti
- Audrey Luna
- Eric Ferring
- Sean Panikkar
- Kevin Glavin
- Craig Verm
- Alexandra Loutsion
- Rolando Villazón
Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program is made possible, in part, by the generosity of individual sponsors. The 2023-24 Resident Artists, and the Pittsburgh Opera Music Staff, are sponsored by:
Premier Sponsors*
- Robert J. and Sharon E. Sclabassi (Brandon Bell)
Sponsors
- John Battaglia (Haley Stamats)
- Edwin H. Beachler, Esq. (Evan Lazdowski)
- John and Virginia DiPucci (Emily Richter)
- The Bernadette G. Callery Endowed Fund for Resident Artists (Evan Lazdowski)
- Anna Futrell (Head of Music Glenn Lewis)
- Alice Victoria Gelormino (Emily Richter)
- The Haley Family Fund (Jazmine Olwalia)
- Susan Candace Hunt (Jazmine Olwalia)
- Steve and Gail Mosites (Julia Swan Laird)
- Eileen and John Olmsted (Director of Musical Studies and Chorus Master Mark Trawka)
- Steven Seibert (Julia Swan Laird)
- John and Nancy Traina (Fran Daniel Laucerica)
*Premier Sponsors underwrite the full stipend of an artist’s residency
Pittsburgh Opera is profoundly grateful for these sponsors, who are helping to develop the next generation of opera stars. For information on how you can become a Resident Artist sponsor, please contact Rachel Kisic, Assistant Director of Development for Individual Giving at 412-281-0912 x226 or via email.