Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2022-23 Resident Artists

August 4, 2022
Chris Cox, Director of Marketing and Communications
412-281-0912 ext. 217
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Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2022-23 Resident Artists

Pittsburgh Opera is proud to announce its 2022-23 Resident Artists:

• Brandon Bell, baritone
• Darius Gillard, opera administrator
• Julia Swan Laird, soprano
• Evan Lazdowski, bass-baritone
• Daniel O'Hearn, tenor
• 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 by the generosity of numerous sponsors. The 2022-23 Resident Artists, and their coaches on the Pittsburgh Opera Music Staff, are sponsored by:

• John Battaglia (Haley Stamats)
• John and Virginia DiPucci (Emily Richter)
• Leslie Fleischner (Evan Lazdowski)
• Anna Futrell (Head of Music Glenn Lewis)
• Alice Victoria Gelormino (Emily Richter)
• The Hollinshead Family in memory of Sylvia Hollinshead and the glorious Pittsburgh Opera Chorus (Assistant Coach/Pianist James Lesniak and Director of Musical Studies and Chorus Master Mark Trawka)
• Susan Candace Hunt (Darius Gillard)
• Eileen and John Olmsted (Mark Trawka)
• Robert J. and Sharon E. Sclabassi (Brandon Bell)
• Steven Seibert (Julia Laird)
• John and Nancy Traina, (Daniel O'Hearn)

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.