FACULTY & STAFF

 

Sarah Purser

education director
SPurser@OperaOrlando.org

Sarah Purser is a longtime teacher, and her passion for music education serves her well in the role of education director for Opera Orlando. Ms.Purser has also been seen on Opera Orlando’s MainStage as Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, Hansel in Hansel & Gretel, and Tisbe in Cinderella. She is a founding member of the women’s vocal ensemble The Helena Collective, which was featured in Opera Orlando’s original, award-winning production 6/VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VIII. She has been a featured soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Space Coast Symphony, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, and the Messiah Choral Society. Ms. Purser also serves as general manager of Orlando Sings, and is a member of Solaria, their professional chamber group.

Sarai Goley

associate director
Sarai@OperaOrlando.org

Sarai Goley has been teaching and directing theater in Lake and Orange county schools for 13 years. She attended the University of Central Florida where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre studies with a double minor in Cinema Studies and Mass Communications. She then when on to receive a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Education from the University of Houston. Ms. Goley has worked in theater for 25 years with various organizations including the US Fringe Circuit and Orlando Shakes, and has directed a diverse array of titles including The Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Addams Family, and The Wizard of Oz.

 
 

Brittani Alphonso

Young Singers instructor
Brittani@OperaOrlando.org

Brittani Alphonso is an Italian-American soprano from Orlando. In 2017, she received a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College in music with a focus in vocal performance and conducting. At the collegiate level, she has understudied oratorio roles in Dvorak’s Stabat Mater, and Einhorn’s Voices of Light, as well as conducting full orchestra. After graduation, she toured Germany and Prague as a soloist under the direction of Dr. John Sinclair with the Bach Festival Choir. Additional roles she has performed include Luisa in The Fantasticks!, Cumie Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, and Polly in a Revue of Crazy For You. Ms. Alphonso has been a choir director for the last 3 years, and she sings full time at St. James Cathedral, Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine, and Holy Cross Catholic Church. 

John Korczynski

accompanist
John.Korczynski@gmail.com

John Korczynski is a classically trained pianist and accompanist, who received his training at Manhattan School of Music. He has spent the last eight years in Florida building the choir program at St. Sebastian Church where he serves as music director. Additionally, he runs a private piano and vocal studio of 50 plus students.

 
 

Robin Jensen

founder emeritus

 

Robin Jensen founded the Youth Company in 2009 while working for Orlando Opera. She continued to lead and operate the program under Florida Opera Theatre and then with Opera Orlando until her retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season. Ms. Jensen holds a master's degree in piano performance from Drake University, with additional opera and piano collaboration studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is the UCF opera program artistic director and is a collaborative pianist for the vocal arts program. Ms. Jensen served as music director for Opera Orlando’s productions of All Is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914, The Girl of the Golden West, and Hansel and Gretel. Ms. Jensen has been music director for Mad Cow Theater and is artistic director for Camp Madhatter, a summer intensive music theater camp in Minnesota. She also served as the first director of education and music administration with Orlando Opera, serving as that company’s assistant conductor.

MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Opera Orlando Youth Company was founded as a pre-professional training program transitioning in 2011 to the Florida Opera Theatre (now Opera Orlando). The heralded program is committed to building a powerful future for opera as an art form in Orlando, and it has already produced performers for the new millennium while building the character and artistic appreciation of all who have been a part of it.

SKILLS ADDRESSED

Opera Orlando Youth Company members receive training in all aspects of performance and music. Areas of concentration Include:

  • Acting and singing techniques focused on the ability to perform in a natural, healthy style.

  • Understanding and performing text in English and other languages.

  • Using the voice as a musical instrument, expanding company members’ artistry through creative improvisation and play.

  • Performance training to build self confidence and stage experience.

  • Professional crossover: members will have an opportunity to work with professional artists from the opera and musical theater genres onstage in Opera Orlando productions and through masterclasses and guest instructors.

THE WHOLE SINGER

The program takes a holistic approach to the process of building the world of young singers. It is includes a rich experience with a strong sense of team and community. Being a part of the Opera Orlando Youth Company instills a profound sense of responsibility, accomplishment, and pride.

The Company is an educational and performance program, with members required to attend both scheduled classes, production rehearsals, and performances. Company members who have commitment conflicts for any production will not be cast in these projects, but will remain a member of the Company, participating in all classes and other performance opportunities as available.

For more information regarding the Opera Orlando Youth Company email education director Sarah Purser at spurser@operaorlando.org.