About our 2025 Artists
Amaan Atkins (Atlanta, GA), tenor, is so excited to be performing with Opera North for his first professional summer contract! He is a current graduate student at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, completing a Master of Music under Tutelage of Daniel Belcher. This past season at UH, Amaan performed Laurie (Little Women), Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Camille (The Merry Widow), and Le petit vieillard (L’enfant et les sortilèges). Offstage, he is an avid matcha consumer and reality show watcher! Amaan sends his love to his friends and family! Instagram: @Imbob26
Bryan Bennett (El Paso, TX), bass-baritone, is a master’s student in the Maryland Opera Studio. In 2024, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, studying under Sari Gruber. Bennett has performed several principle operatic roles, including Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Le Fauteuil (L’enfant et les Sortilèges), Father (Hansel and Gretel), and in the chorus for Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer at Pittsburgh Opera. A strong believer in new music, Bennett has been involved in several operatic world premieres, including Martha Hill Duncan’s Searching the Painted Sky and Ashi Day’s The Fishwife. In concert, he has been featured as a soloist in Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard, and Nancy Galbraith’s Smoke and Steel. Bennett is currently studying under Kevin Short.
Linda Brovsky’s innovative productions are found throughout the United States and internationally, including the Seattle Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Glimmerglass Opera, Palm Beach Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera with repertoire ranging from standard classics to world premieres. She recently made her debut with the Canadian Opera Company directing her critically acclaimed Seattle Opera production of Don Quichotte starring Ferruccio Furlanetto, Anita Rachvelishvili and Quinn Kelsey. Other credits include Aida for Opera Carolina, La Traviata for Cincinnati Opera, Tosca for Portland Opera, Il Barbiere Di Siviglia and Madama Butterfly for the Pittsburgh Opera, Rigoletto for Seattle Opera, Die Zauberflote for Portland State University, Guys And Dolls for Charlottesville Opera, L’elisir D’amore for Teatro Petrarca (Italy) and Indiana University Opera Theater, The Gypsy Baron for Manhattan School of Music, and Countess Maritza for Pacific Opera Victoria in British Columbia.
Diego Roberts Buceta, tenor, recently graduated with his master’s from Southern Methodist University, where he studied voice with Virginia Dupuy. Previously, he has performed as Anthony Hope (Sweeney Todd), La théière (L’Enfant et les sortilèges), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), Miles Zegner (Proving Up), and Alfred (Die Fledermaus). This summer, he is excited to be collaborating with Opera North. He would like to thank his family, friends, and educators for their uplifting support.
Alexandra Dietrich’s (Assistant Stage Director) 2024-2025 season opened with her company debut at Boston Lyric Opera where she was Assistant Director for Mitridate. Her season continued with directing Little Women at Marblehead Little Theatre, and then as Assistant Director for Boston Lyric Opera’s production of The Seasons. She directed Glory Denied at Opera Company of Middlebury in Fall of 2023, where her production was hailed as "stunning, unforgettable, constantly surprising". She has directed recently: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Marblehead Little Theatre), La tragédie de Carmen (Boston Opera Collaborative), and The Little Prince (Longy School of Music of Bard). In 2019, Ms. Dietrich joined the voice faculty at the University of Southern Maine. With Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Ms. Dietrich was an Associate Artistic Producer on the Grammy nominated recording of X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X. For updates: www.dietrichdirectormezzo.com.
George Dvorsky is thrilled to be back at Opera North after appearing as Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate. Broadway credits include the title role in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Passion, Marilyn: An American Fable and The Best Little Whorehouse… National Tour: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Off-Broadway: The Connector, The Fantasticks, Closer Than Ever, Pete N Keely, Dames At Sea and ‘And The World Goes Round. George starred in the NYC Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as Prince Charming at Lincoln Center. On PBS he was featured in the Emmy Award winning Passion: Live at Lincoln Center starring Patti LuPone and starred with Bea Arthur and the Boston Pops in Bernstein’s Broadway. His solo CDs are available on the JAY Records label. Feature Films: BROS 2022 release playing Luke Mcfarlane’s Dad. www.georgedvorsky.net Instagram: @gdvorsky
Casey Germain, bass, will be singing the roles of The King, Boabab, and a Hunter in The Little Prince, Don Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, and The Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha this Summerfest. Earlier this year, Casey Germain sang the role of Count Rodolfo in Bellini’s La Sonnambula with West Bay Opera. In 2024, Mr. Germain made his company debuts singing Juan Perón in Corpus Evita at West Bay Opera, and King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors at Arizona Lyric Theatre. In 2023, Casey sang The King of Egypt in Aida with Finger Lakes Opera, the Jailer in Tosca with Opera Theater of St. Louis, and Elder Ott in Susannah with Opera Theater of St. Louis. He has also appeared in opera productions with Bel Cantanti Opera, University of Maryland, and New England Conservatory. Casey has performed the roles of Capellio in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Gus O’Neil in Later the Same Evening, King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Littore in L'incoronazione di Poppea, and Colline in La bohème. Mr. Germain received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory and Master of Music in Opera from the University of Maryland.
Jordan Lee Gilbert, a New York City-based soprano, is pursuing her Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music as a President’s Scholarship recipient. A finalist in the Orpheus Vocal Competition and recipient of the Verdi Award, Jordan won first place in the Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra’s National Vocal Competition, performing with the orchestra in 2024. She made her role debut as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at Prague’s Estates Theater in 2024 and was named a Prague National Theater Artist for a second consecutive year with the Prague Summer Nights Festival. Her other roles include Drusilla (L’Incoronazione di Poppea), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Turnspit (Rusalka), and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro).
Ms. Hyemin Jeong, a collaborative pianist and coach, holds a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Warren Jones. She has worked with City Lyric Opera, Opéra Louisiane, and New Camerata Opera and has participated in renowned young artist programs such as the Merola Opera Program, Palm Beach Opera, Miami Music Festival, and Cleveland Art Song Festival. A highlight of her career includes performing in the Schwabacher Debut Recital at San Francisco Opera. Currently, Ms. Jeong is a staff pianist and coach at the Manhattan School of Music, collaborating with singers and specializing in operatic and art song repertoire. Her extensive experience and dedication continue to support the growth and artistry of musicians in the operatic world.
The 2024-25 season sees Romanian-American soprano Sara LeMesh join Florentine Opera as a Baumgartner Studio Artist, performing Galatea in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Luigia in Donizetti’s Viva la mamma!, and Frasquita in Carmen while covering the role of Micaëla. Summer 2025 sees her in residence with the Brooklyn Art Song Society at the Lake George Music Festival and Opera North (Lebanon, NH). Ms. LeMesh’s success at international vocal competitions includes a string of First Prize victories (PARTNERS for the Arts competition; Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition; and Federation of the Art Song Fellowship Competition). The rising soprano’s 2023-24 season saw her debut the titular role of Marie in La fille du régiment with the Opera Company of Middlebury (VT), as well as her Carnegie Hall debut in Poulenc’s Gloria with the New England Symphonic Ensemble; her Lincoln Center debut performing excerpts from Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter; the soprano solo in Richter’s Woolf Works with American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House; Isabel Perón in Franzetti’s Corpus Evita with West Bay Opera, and Narcissa in Haydn’s Jupiter’s Journey to Earth with the Little Opera Theatre of New York.
Mark Lonergan is a New York-based director/creator, and the Artistic Director of Parallel Exit, a three-time Drama Desk Award nominee for Unique Theatrical Experience. With Parallel Exit, he has created many original and award-winning works of physical theatre. Mark’s work has been seen in theatres and festivals in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. In New York City, he has presented work at The New Victory Theater, Lincoln Center, 59E59 Theaters, Symphony Space, and the Guggenheim Museum. Mark was the Guest Director for three productions of The Big Apple Circus, each a New York Times Critic’s Pick. Mark was the Physical Comedy Consultant for Tony winner Christian Borle in the City Center Encores production of Me And My Girl. He was also the Creative Director for Vermont’s celebrated Circus Smirkus for five seasons. Mark is thrilled to return to Opera North for his sixth season!
Sergio Manzo, baritone, revered for “a divine and natural voice” (von Otter Masterclass), recently performed Mr. Gobineau in Fort Worth Opera’s production of Menotti’s The Medium, premiered in Spanish, as well as the titular character in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Texas Tech University Opera Theater. Sergio’s other roles include Publio in La clemenza di Tito and Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus. He has also joined Portland Opera as Schaunard in Puccini’s La bohème and Dr. Bartolo in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. Native to Phoenix, Arizona, he has performed with NAU Lyric Opera as Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Sam in Trouble in Tahiti, and Enrico in Donizetti’s short opera Il campanello. On the concert stage, Sergio has also performed as the baritone soloist in Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. As a competitor, his accolades include Finalist in the Texoma NATS Eduard Baird Singer of the Year competition and three encouragement awards with the Metropolitan Opera National Council; additionally, he was a finalist in the Southwest Vocal Competition.
Stephen Menard is a Scenic and Costume Designer based out of Gainesville, Florida. Currently, Stephen is in the process of receiving his Master of Fine Arts degree in both Scenic and Costume Design from University of Florida. Recent projects from Mr. Menard include designing Meredith Willson's The Music Man with University of Florida, Hadestown: Teen Edition with Small Town Theatrics, the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition with Coal City Theatre Department, and Disney's Mary Poppins with Parker Arts Academy. In the fall, he will be designing the scenic elements for RENT with University of Florida as well as costume for his thesis production of The Visit. To see more of Stephen's work, visit www.stephenmenarddesign.com
Born and raised in Zahlé, Lebanon, mezzo-soprano Mariam Mouawad moved to the United States at the age of 13. She is the 2024 Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winner, and the First Place winner of the 2023 MTNA Young Artist Competition and the 2022 La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artist Competition. For the 24/25 season, she is a Resident Artist with Fort Worth Opera, where she will sing Tisbe and cover the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, and as well as cover the role of Meg in Little Women. Ms Mouawad was a 2024 Lehrer Vocal Institute Fellow at Music Academy of the West where she performed the title role in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges and covered the role of Carmen. As a 23/24 Resident Artist with Shreveport Opera, she performed Dorabella in Così fan tutte and Musetta in La Bohéme. Ms Mouawad will return to Shreveport Opera to perform the role of Carmen in spring 2025. She completed her Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Houston, under the tutelage of Melanie Sonnenberg.
Elaina Noto, mezzo soprano, is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at The Aaron Copland School of Music where she studies with Dr. Sherry Overholt. She has performed a variety of operatic principal roles: Nancy in Albert Herring, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Bradamante in Alcina, The Sandman in Hänsel and Gretel, Delfa in Giasone, and numerous opera scenes. She has also received the Clair Bartles Award, Discimus ut Serviamus Award, and the Barkai/Pershing Scholarship from the Aaron Copland School of Music. In addition to being a music student, Elaina is a member of the Macaulay Honors college. She is also a professional church singer at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and a part of the Queens College Vocal Ensemble. In past Summers, Elaina has attended Classic Lyric Arts to study Mozart’s operas, The Queens Summer Vocal Institute, and Music in the Alps. Elaina is so thrilled to make her professional debut with Opera North.
Baritone Sejin Park is active in Korea and the US as an opera singer and recitalist. Training programs include Diploma IV Repertorio de Opera from Ópera de Tenerife, Art Song Festival in Cleveland Institute of Music, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist Program and Palm Beach Opera Benenson Young Artist Program. Featured roles are Marcello, Belcore, Il Conte Le nozze di Figaro, Figaro Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Ford (cover), Sharpless (cover), Yamadori, Guglielmo (cover), Baron Douphol, Germont, Schaunard, Ping He will be singing the role of Taddeo L’italiana in Algeri with Opera in the Heights and Anchorage Opera in 2025. He won many competitions such as 1st prize ‘Citta di Pesaro’, 2nd Prize and Audience Favorite Award ‘8th Galina Vishnevskaya International Opera Singers Competition’, Grant Award from Giulio Gari Competition, 3rd Prize from Opera at Florham Competition and 1st Prize from Premier Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition. Recently, he won The Sachi Liebergesell Award from Opera Index Competition.
Hailed as “the assertive mezzo” (Wall Street Journal), Carlyle Quinn is known for her “vocal prowess and acting acumen” (Cleveland Classical). She is thrilled to return to Opera North this summer as a Resident Artist, portraying Marcellina in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Aldonza in Leigh’s Man of La Mancha. Carlyle’s operatic credits include Maddalena (Rigoletto), Vénus (Orphée aux enfers), Madame de la Haltière (Cendrillon), Madame de Croissy (Dialogues des Carmélites), Florence Pike (Albert Herring), Ježibaba (Rusalka), and Indiana Elliot (The Mother of Us All). She has appeared as the alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with the Lima Symphony and in recital series nationwide. A two-time Encouragement Award Winner in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Carlyle was also a semifinalist in the Dallas Opera Guild’s Lone Star Vocal Competition. She holds a Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music from Juilliard.
Alex Paul Sheerin is a stage director based on Long Island, NY, and is currently the Director of Opera at Queens College (Aaron Copland School of Music), as well as the Artistic Director of Hofstra Opera Theater at Hofstra University. Alex was the young artist director in residence at Indianapolis Opera where he directed Puccini’s Madama Butterfly as well as several virtual programs including The Three little Hoosier Pigs, an opera for children. Credits include Don Giovanni (Music on Site,) Hänsel und Gretel (Queens College), Alcina (Queens College), Die Fledermaus (Music On Site and Quisana) Rigoletto (Opera North), Carmen (Opera North), A Little Night Music (Quisisana), Cosi Fan Tutte (Hofstra University, Music On Site), The Medium (Chicago Summer Opera). Alex has received several awards from the National Opera Association, including their directing Fellowship, and an award for his production of The Turn of the Screw. This summer, Alex returns to Quisisana for Romeo et Juliette as well as Orpheus in the Underworld, to Opera North for The Little Prince, and to QSVI for Orpheus in the Underworld.
Noriko Yasuda began her career in Osaka Japan as an accompanist with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and Osaka College of Music Opera House. In that capacity, she worked with Seiji Ozawa, Toru Takemitsu, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Alfred Kraus, among others. An active vocal coach and accompanist in the Boston area, she has worked with Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Baroque, Handel and Haydn Society, Emmanuel Music, Chorus Pro Musica, New England String Ensemble, and La Donna Musicale. Her credits as opera continuo are Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi Fan Tutte, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, Orontea, Alcina, Xerxes and Dido and Aeneas. Currently, she is a member of the faculty at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She is the principal coach at Opera North, NH, and staff accompanist/coach at Brandeis University. In 2009 she received the George Seaman Excellence in Teaching Award from Longy School of Music of Bard College.
