About the Grand Master Mutsuo Tomita Young Artist Program
In August 2019, Finger Lakes Opera received a large gift from an anonymous donor to rename one of its educational initiatives. Since that time, the program was named the Grand Master Mutsuo Tomita Young Artist Program after one of the donor's dear friends, who passed away in March 2019.
The gift has allowed FLO to elevate the Young Artist program in several ways:
The application window for the 2021 season is closed. Applications that were received by the 1/4/2021 deadline are currently being reviewed and final candidates will be announced by early March 2021. Candidates selected will participate in a month-long summer residency program where they will have the opportunity to work alongside the seasoned artists of Finger Lakes Opera's mainstage. Weekly stipends, a travel allowance and housing are provided.
The gift has allowed FLO to elevate the Young Artist program in several ways:
- FLO has been able to provide more positions for aspiring singers and to expand the current program to include collaborative pianists.
- FLO provides stipends for all its participants. In its first two years, the Young Artist Program required singers to pay a stipend that partially covered expenses for the program. While the company was able to provide scholarships to some of its singers, the majority still had to pay to participate.
The application window for the 2021 season is closed. Applications that were received by the 1/4/2021 deadline are currently being reviewed and final candidates will be announced by early March 2021. Candidates selected will participate in a month-long summer residency program where they will have the opportunity to work alongside the seasoned artists of Finger Lakes Opera's mainstage. Weekly stipends, a travel allowance and housing are provided.
2020 Young Artists
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Sydney AndersonRecently named an Eastern District Winner by the Metropolitan Opera National Council, Sydney has performed with the Buffalo Philmonic, Opera Saratoga and more. Sydney currently lives in NYC and is from Houston, TX.
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Matthew CampisiCurrently in his final semester as a Masters student at the Eastman School of Music, Matthew also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance. Matthew is originally from Connecticut.
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Nathaniel CatascaNathaniel, originally from Albuquerque, NM, recently received his Masters degree from the Eastman School of Music. He has served young artist residencies with the Florentine Opera Company (Milwaukee, WI) and Hawaii Opera Theatre. Nathaniel is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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Jongwon ChoiJongwon earned his Bachelors and Masters in Voice Performance from Seoul National University. He came to the US in the fall of 2017 to begin studies at the Mannes School of Music, where he is pursuing a Professional Studies Diploma. Jongwon is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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Nicholas DanknerCurrently a DMA in Vocal Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music, Nicholas sang the title role in The Marriage of Figaro with the Seagle Music Colony. Nicholas hails from North Carolina.
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Stephanie DocheStephanie, who has been lauded as having a “fervent, commanding vocal prowess” (San Diego Story) was a Handorf Company Artist with Opera Memphis in 2018-19. Stephanie grew up in Fairport, NY and currently resides in New York City. Stephanie is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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Robert RiordanRobert has performed on operatic stages across the United States as well as in Europe. Originally from Wisconsin, Robert currently lives in Kansas City, where he is an Apprentice Artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Robert is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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David Soto-ZambranaDavid is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. While earning his Masters degree from the University of Oklahoma, he received the Weitzenhoffer Opera Fellowship. Last summer, David sang the role of Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville with the New York Opera Conservatory (Peekskill). David is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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Robin SteitzRobin was a Voice Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in 2018 and 2019, and has won numerous awards including the 2019 Buffalo / Toronto District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Kneisel Lieder Competion at Eastman School of Music. Robin is originally from Washington, DC. Robin is returning for Finger Lakes Opera's 2021 season.
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Victoria ThomaschVictoria, who recently completed her residency with Gertrude Opera’s Studio Young Artist performance program in Melbourne, has sung with companies all over the world. She recently finished work on the 4th Annual Gala at Opera America to raise money for the refugee crisis. Victoria lives in New York City.
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Brock TjosvoldBrock is working towards a Doctorate of Music Arts at the Eastman School of Music in collaborative piano. In addition to his work as an instrumental and vocal collaborator, he is an active orchestral keyboardist and has performed with the Albany, New World and Battle Creek symphony orchestras.
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