Jad Bernardo
Coach/ Accompanist
Knoxville Opera Studio 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Coach/Accompanist, Lucia di Lammermoor
Opera Antics !, Knoxville Opera Outreach
The Telephone, Knoxville Opera Outreach
Accompanist, numerous outreach performances, master classes, and recitals.

“In my two years with the Knoxville opera studio, I was afforded many opportunities to advance my skills in accompanying and opera coaching. Because of the small number of students, the atmosphere was supportive and an overall sense of camaraderie pervaded. The Knoxville Opera Studio was perfect for my needs and prepared me for the demands in the world of opera.” - Jad Bernardo

Gennard Lombardozzi
Tenor
Knoxville Opera Studio 2002-2004

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Opera Antics!, Knoxville Opera Outreach
Arturo, Lucia di Lammermoor
Edgardo (understudy), Lucia di Lammermoor
Chorus, La Boheme
Parpignol (understudy), La Boheme

“Coming to the University of Tennessee and participating in the Knoxville Opera Studio has done nothing but “fantabulous” things for my performing. The hands-on experience and chances to observe the professional vocalists has heightened my enthusiasm for opera, especially the acting aspects of performing. Great things can be said about the Knoxville Opera Studio, but I believe the real light should shine on the people who make it possible, both at the University of Tennessee and Knoxville Opera.” - Gennard Lombardozzi

Kathryn Tremper
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Lucy, The Telephone
Knoxville Opera Outreach
Sofia, Il Signor Bruschino
Valencienne, The Merry Widow
Juliette, (understudy), Romeo et Juliette
Musetta (understudy), La Boheme
Lucia (understudy), Lucia di Lammermoor
Elvira (understudy), L'italiana in Algeri

”I learned so much working with such talented professionals. Everyone involved in the program have been kind, nurturing, AND fun! My abilities and confidence has grown as a result of the work I have done here and getting all these roles on my resume didn't hurt either! Most important though is that I feel the staff members really care about our personal and professional development and really believe in us.” - Kathryn Tremper

Lori Smithey
Soprano
University of Tennessee Graduate Student in Opera 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Elvira, L'Italiana in Algeri
Sofia, II Signor Buschin o

“The chance to make my professional opera debut while obtaining a master's degree in vocal performance was a great one. I can't thank Knoxville Opera and Maestro Frank Graffeo enough for making this collaboration with the University of Tennessee possible. Any singer interested in a master's degree plus great performance opportunities should definitely look into this program.” - Lori Smithey

Nicole Begué
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Lucy, The Telephone
Knoxville Opera Outreach
Director's Assistant, Romeo et Juliette
Stefano (understudy) - Romeo et Juliette
Stage Manager, Signor Bruschino
Stage Manager, Suor Angelica
Stage Manager, Lucia di Lammermoor
Lauretta (understudy), Gianni Schicchi

Other Experiences in the Knoxville area:
Nancy, Oliver! Clarence Brown Theatre
Hodel, Fiddler on the Roof, Bijou Theatre Opera Cat, Cats, Cumberland County Playhouse

“Being a member of Knoxville Opera Studio has allowed me to explore a variety of jobs in the performing arts. The technical side of opera has always fascinated me. Through the support of Andy Wentzel, Carroll Freeman and Maestro Frank Graffeo, I have been able to explore the wealth of possibilities available in opera production. The Knoxville Opera Studio has also been very supportive of my desire to perform musical theatre. All of the teachers, coaches and staff (even the opera board!) have been supportive of my work with The Clarence Brown Theatre and the Bijou Theatre.” - Nicole Begué

Scott Guinn
Baritone
Knoxville Opera Studio 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
1st Villager - Pagliacci
Mercutio - Romeo et Juliette
Gaudenzio, Il Signor Bruschino
Schaunard, La Boheme
Enrico, Lucia di Lammermoor
Ben, The Telephone, Knoxville Opera Outreach

“My time in the Knoxville Opera Studio was truly a fantastic two years. The instruction you receive from the faculty at the University combined with the 'real world' experience you are a part of at Knoxville Opera is priceless. It is a nurturing environment that provides you with the tools you will need to pursue a career.” - Scott Guinn

Shawn Farrar
Mezzo-Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2002-2004

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Opera Antics !, Knoxville Opera Outreach
Chorus, La Boheme
Alice, Lucia di Lammermoor
Zulma (understudy), L'italiana in Algeri

“Being a member of the Knoxville Opera Studio has provided me with a wealth of learning and performing opportunities within a nurturing environment. We are blessed with the experience and knowledge of artists and teachers like Andrew Wentzel and Carroll Freeman. As a studio member I have been able to both observe and work with established professional singers and technicians as well as my colleagues. And we are given the opportunity to sing under Francis Graffeo's baton, in both Knoxville Opera and student productions.” - Shawn Farrar

Valerie Nicolosi
Mezzo-Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2001-2003

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi
Stephano, Romeo et Juliette
Thisbe, Cenerentola
Cenerentola (understudy), Cenerentola
Zulma, L'italiana in Algeri
Isabella (understudy), L'italiana in Algeri
Opera Antics !, Knoxville Opera Outreach
Various Knoxville Outreach Appearances

Other Knoxville Opera Engagements
Cherubino, The Marriage of Figaro in the 2004 Rossini Festival

“I was nervous about going back to school and taking off time from pursuing professional opera gigs to get my degree. The Knoxville Opera Studio gave me the opportunity to pursue my Masters for free while building up valuable professional stage experience on my resume. Now I have a Masters Degree, no student loans, and several more credits on my resume! Thank you Knoxville Opera!!

As a Studio member in Knoxville I was assigned to understudy the role of Cenerentola in their spring production of La Cenerentola. This was a big role to learn while pursuing my Master's degree and singing Thisbe in the Rossini Festival. A few months later, however, I was offered my first Cenerentola with Providence Opera. The opportunity to understudy this difficult role with the staff at the University of Tennessee and to observe it in "process" at Knoxville Opera gave me invaluable material on which to build my own preparations.” - Valerie Nicolosi

Caroline Selia
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Liu (understudy), Turandot
Rosalinda (understudy), Die Fledermaus
Countessa Almaviva (understudy), Le Nozze di Figaro
2nd Lady, The Magic Flute, October 2004
Peep-Bo (understudy) The Mikado, February 2005

"To attain a high level of artistry you must first work with fine artists, and that's exactly what I get to do here in the Knoxville Opera Studio. With the guidance of Maestro Graffeo, Carroll Freeman, Marjorie Stephens, and Nathalie Doucet, I've learned many new ways to become not just a better performer, but also a better person. This is the kind of program that teaches you how to survive in a world where great singing is only the first ingredient."—Caroline Selia

Caroline Selia
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Caryn Marlowe
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Lucy, The Telephone
Ensemble, Turandot
Adele (understudy), Die Fledermaus
Rosina, The Barber of Seville
Papagena, The Magic Flute, October 2004

“Singing in the Knoxville Opera Studio has been a tremendous experience! A program which incorporates Art Song, Oratorio, Musical Theatre, Sacred Music and Opera in one two-year Masters Degree seems too good to be true; actually, being able to do it all with your baritone husband for free has been the best gift we have ever received! Thank you Maestro Frank Graffeo, Carroll Freeman, Andy Wentzel and of course, voice teacher extraordinaire, Marjorie Bennett Stephens!”—Caryn Marlowe

Caryn Marlowe
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Crystal Stroupe
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
“Opera Antics,” Knoxville Opera Outreach
Peep-Bo, The Mikado, February 2004
2nd Lady (understudy), The Magic Flute, October 2004
Bertha, The Barber of Seville
Susanna, (Understudy) The Marriage of Figaro
Sally, Die Fledermaus
Ensemble, Turandot

“I believe without a doubt that my choice to come to the University of
Tennessee as a member of the Knoxville Opera Studio has been the best career decision I have made yet. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. While working towards a master's degree, this program gives me the performing opportunities of an apprentice or young artist program at a professional opera company. Both the faculty at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the staff at Knoxville Opera understand young singers, with all of our insecurities and needs. They offer continuous support and advice from their own careers as teachers, directors, and performers. I know that the information and training I take from this program will help me reach my full potential, not just as a singer, but also as an operatic performer.” –Crystal Stroupe

Crystal Stroupe
Soprano
Knoxville Opera Studio 2003-2005

Laura Maune
Soprano
University of Tennessee Graduate Student in Opera 2002-2004

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Ensemble, Lucia di Lammermoor
Turandot (understudy), Turandot
Ensemble, Turandot
Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro

“Having the opportunity to understudy a role, despite not being a member of the Knoxville Opera Studio, such at Turandot and witness how professional singers manage such roles was an invaluable experience. Then, to make my professional opera debut in the same year, as Marcellina was an exciting adventure I will never forget. The staff of the University of Tennessee School of Music and Knoxville Opera is so very supportive and helpful. Between people such as Marjorie Stephens, Carroll Freeman, and Dr. Christy Lee, and Francis Graffeo, a student can learn how to emerge as a young artist. While this program is very demanding, it is one that is well worth the effort. The chance to learn so very much from such great people is one risk I am glad I took.”—Laura Maune

Laura Maune
Soprano as Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro

LeeAnne Galioto
Mezzo-Soprano
University of Tennessee Graduate student in Opera, 2003-2005

Performance Experience with Knoxville Opera and the Knoxville Opera Studio:
Opera Antics! Knoxville Opera Outreach
Mrs. Ott, Susannah
Ensemble, Turandot
Ensemble, Die Fledermaus
Prince Orlofsky (understudy), Die Fledermaus
Cherubino (understudy), Le Nozze di Figaro

“University of Tennessee and Knoxville Opera have created a great place for students to learn and grow as singers. Because there are numerous opportunities to take advantage of, this program had been a great chance to learn more deeply about my craft and earn a well-rounded degree. I have been able to work with many professionals because of UT as well as performing with them in Knoxville Opera.” –LeeAnne Galioto

LeeAnne Galioto
Mezzo-Soprano in Opera Antics