JAMES LESNIAK, ASSOCIATE COACH/PIANIST
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- Current Media Releases
- Pittsburgh Opera presents drama, intrigue, murder and more this fall
- Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2024-25 Resident Artists
- Pittsburgh Opera's 2024 Piano Sale is Aug. 22-25
- Music Director Antony Walker receives 5-year contract extension
- Pittsburgh Opera celebrates Mary Cardwell Dawson and Black Opera in Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh Opera to offer free childcare during La Traviata matinee
- Pittsburgh Opera announces its 86th Season
- Pittsburgh Opera announces first of its kind rideshare voucher program
- Pittsburgh Opera presents both old and new operas this winter
- Pittsburgh Opera presents beloved favorites, rare gems, and free concerts this fall
- Pittsburgh Opera announces new Board of Directors President and Members
- Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2023-24 Resident Artists
- Pittsburgh Opera's 2023 Piano Sale is Aug. 24-27
- Robert and Christine Pietrandrea commit $500,000 to sponsor Pittsburgh Opera productions
- Pittsburgh Opera presents two modern operas in May during international opera conference
- Emily Richter a Grand Finals Winner of Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition
- Pittsburgh Opera presents two modern operas in May during international opera conference
James Lesniak
James Lesniak, Associate Coach/Pianist
A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, James Lesniak joined the Pittsburgh Opera music staff in 2006. After initial studies with Sheila Wiesztort, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Indiana University, where he studied with pianists Menahem Pressler, Karen Shaw, and Evelyne Brancart, with the mentorship and influence of Nicolas Larin. His university credits include music staff work for Mississippi State University and the Indiana University Opera Theatre. Further studies included an apprenticeship with the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera for two seasons, where he gave his stage
debut in the non-singing/piano playing role of Lazinski in Fedora at the Kennedy Center, accompanying Placido Domingo in the opera. In addition, Mr. Lesniak has served on the coaching staff of Brevard Music Center, Glimmerglass Opera, Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, and the National Symphony. He has been an official pianist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and also made his conducting debut in 2017 with Pittsburgh Opera’s production of composer Laura Kaminsky’s As One and conducted Pittsburgh Opera's production of Tom Cipullo's Glory Denied.
Since 2018, James has served as a coach and accompanist for the vocal students at Slippery Rock University, and for over a decade has been an active member of the Pittsburgh Opera Trunks teaching artist presentation team, participating in engagement programs designed to enlighten and inspire youth throughout the region. For the summer months, he frequently returns to the music staff of the prestigious Santa Fe Opera, where he has served as Musical Director for their Winter Concert Tour and was on the music staff for the Grammy Award winning production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.
