More about Opera Orlando’s 2024-2025 Studio Artists below:
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.
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.
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 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.
Applications to be considered for the 2025-2026 Studio Artists program are now open. Interested singers should submit their materials by December 1, 2024 via OperaOrlando.org/StudioArtists. To book the Opera’s Studio Artists or for more information about the program, please email education director Sarah Purser: SPurser@OperaOrlando.org.
The best way to see the Studio Artists this season is to purchase a MainStage subscription, on sale now through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 839-0119, ext. 0.
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About Opera Orlando
Celebrating, expanding, and sharing the world’s greatest art form, the 2024-25 season will mark Opera Orlando’s ninth season producing high-quality operatic entertainment and educational programs that engage Central Florida audiences.
Stay up to date with Opera Orlando’s season via their website at www.OperaOrlando.org, and follow and like the Opera’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts to share in all the Company has planned for 2024-25.
