The Studio Artists program provides a platform for emerging singers to gain performance experience, cover MainStage roles, work with special guest artists in masterclass settings and receive acting, movement, and vocal training. Studio Artists also engage with the Central Florida community through in-school programs, retirement center concerts, and other outreach events.
Opera Orlando is currently accepting applications for its 2025-26 Studio Artists.
2024-25 STUDIO ARTISTS
soprano KRISTEN MARIE GILLIS
Black Mexican-American soprano Kristen Marie Gillis is a rising young artist sharing her passion for singing on both opera and concert stages. Most recently, she worked with Finger Lakes Opera as a Tomita Young Artist, performing Nella in Gianni Schicchi and covering the leading role of Florine in B.E. Boykin and Jarrod Lee’s Two Corners. She has also been a member of Opera Ithaca’s Apprentice Artist program, portraying the roles of First Wood Sprite and Turnspit, as well as covering the title role of Rusalka. Previous credits include Eliza in Dark Sisters, Mother in Hansel and Gretel, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, and Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. In concert, she has been the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Missa in C minor, Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, and Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai. Originally from Central Texas, Ms. Gillis holds degrees from Temple University and Abilene Christian University.
mezzo-soprano ERIKA VASALLO
Erika Vasallo is a Cuban-American mezzo-soprano born and raised in Miami, Florida. She has worked with local companies in South Florida including the New Presbyterian Church Concert Series and the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami singing the alto solos in Handel’s Messiah, as well as performing in concerts and operas with Magic City Opera and Orchestra Miami. Last season, she was a Handorf Company Artist with Opera Memphis, where she performed the role of Julia Child in Bon Appétit! and the role of Toledo in The Falling and the Rising. Prior to that, Ms. Vasallo was a Tomita Young Artist with Finger Lakes Opera and has sung notable roles with Taconic Opera. Other credits include singing the roles of Dorabella in Così fan tutte, La Zia Principessa and La Frugola in Suor Angelica and Il tabarro, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Luisa Fernanda, and The Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas.
tenor PEDRO VALDEZ
Tenor Pedro Valdez holds degrees from Texas State University and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is gaining attention for his effortless lyrical range. Last summer, he was a young artist with Finger Lakes Opera singing scenes from Lucia di Lammermoor, Rigoletto, and La Traviata. Mr. Valdez sang the role of Rodolfo in La Bohème with the Northern Lights Music Festival Apprentice Program. He has also been a member of Madison Opera’s studio program where he sang Don Cruzio in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Tenor in the trio from Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Brother in Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins, and 2nd Nazarene in Strauss’s Salome. Other roles include Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Alberto in La Curandera, and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte.
baritone THANDOLWETHU MAMBA
Eswatini-born Southern African baritone Thandolwethu Mamba has been described as having a “chilling refinement in bearing and voice.” Recent engagements include his Metropolitan Opera debut in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, Il Dancaïro in Carmen with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Frost Opera Theater, Baron Duophol in La Traviata with Opera Wilmington, Town Magistrate in Signor Deluso and Max in Stone Soup with Florida Grand Opera. His creation of the role of Don Calogero Sedàra in The Leopard by Michael Dellaria has been released on Naxos Records. Mr. Mamba is a recent double graduate of the University of Miami and Duke University.
To book Studio Artists to perform at your school, community center, or special event, email education director and Studio Artists program director Sarah Purser at SPurser@OperaOrlando.org or call (407) 512-1900.
2023-2024 STUDIO ARTISTS
Laura Corina Sanders, soprano
Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano
David Soto Zambrana, tenor
Jose Cuartas, baritone
2022-2023 STUDIO ARTISTS
Sara Lucille Law, soprano
Raphaella Medina, mezzo-soprano
Robert Hartfield, tenor
Geoffrey Peterson, baritone
2021-2022 STUDIO ARTISTS
Rachel Querreveld, soprano
Laura Zahn, mezzo-soprano
Logan Webber, tenor
Geoffrey Peterson, baritone
2020-2021 STUDIO ARTISTS
Kyaunnee Richardson, soprano
Gloria Palermo, mezzo-soprano
Brent Doucette, tenor
Andrew Thomas Pardini, baritone
2019-2020 STUDIO ARTISTS
Adriana Nieves, soprano
Anna Eschbach, soprano
Gloria Palermo, mezzo-soprano
Brent Doucette, tenor
Sean Stork, baritone
2018-2019 STUDIO ARTISTS
Courtney Ruckman, soprano
Kelly Kim, soprano
Emily Heumann, mezzo-soprano
Jonathan Iverson, tenor
Benjamin Ludwig, baritone
2017-2018 STUDIO ARTISTS
Kenneithia Mitchell, soprano
Arleen Ramirez, soprano
Samantha Barnes Daniel, soprano
Jillian Marini, soprano
Sarah Purser, mezzo-soprano
John Murray, tenor
Colton Brooks, tenor
Justin Morrison, baritone
Harrison Bumgardner, baritone
2016-2017 STUDIO ARTISTS
Elizabeth Ingram, soprano
Sara Stead, soprano
Sarah Purser, mezzo-soprano
Morgan Davis Peckles, mezzo-soprano
Ralph Pugh, tenor
Justin Morrison, baritone