Russian pianist Maria Didur holds a Bachelor's degree in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music and Master's degree in music education from Hunter College in New York City. Ms. Didur was in high demand as a collaborative pianist in the San Diego area for the past eight years. She was the primary accompanist for SDSU choirs, SDSU graduate conducting studio, as well as vocal and instrumental studios at SDSU and USD. She has also worked with San Diego Opera Chorus and other high profile choirs such as Bach Collegium San Diego, San Diego Pro Arte Voices, Sacra/Profana and the San Diego Summer Choral Festival. She moved back to NYC in August and currently holds the position of music director at Manhattan School for Children.
Read moreWilliam Lewis
William Lewis, pianist/accompanist, vocal coach, arranger, and performer is beginning his fiftieth year as a professional musician. In 2014, he earned two nominations in the Charleston Theater Awards for his performances in “The Piano Man and the Diva” (Best Musical Director and Best Actor in a Musical) for the 2013-2014 season. In Savannah, Georgia, he won the People’s Choice Award during the American Traditions Competition. Mr. Lewis regularly appears with Irish tenor Ronan Tynan in concert and also plays for Marcello Giordano and violinist Gregory Harrington. He has served as vocal coach for the Santa Fe Opera, Lake George Opera Festival, Opera Omaha, Texas Opera, Opera Music Theater International with Jerome Hines, Central City Opera House Festival and Natchez Opera Festival. As a teacher, Mr. Lewis has served on the faculties of both the Boston and New England Conservatories and at Rutgers University. He has taught master classes across the U.S. and is presently an Artist in Residence at the University of Kentucky with Dr. Tynan.
Principal Music Advisor
William Lewis, pianista / acompañante, entrenador vocal, arreglista y artista está comenzando su quincuagésimo año como músico profesional. En 2014, ganó dos nominaciones en los Premios de Teatro de Charleston por sus actuaciones en "El hombre y la diva del piano" (Mejor director musical y Mejor actor en un musical) para la temporada 2013-2014. En Savannah, Georgia, ganó el Premio People´s Choice durante la competencia American Traditions. El Sr. Lewis aparece regularmente con el tenor irlandés Ronan Tynan en conciertos y también toca para Marcello Giordano y el violinista Gregory Harrington. Se ha desempeñado como entrenador vocal para la Ópera de Santa Fe, el Festival de la Ópera de Lake George, la Ópera de Omaha, la Ópera de Texas, el Teatro Internacional de Música de Ópera con Jerome Hines, el Festival de la Ópera de la Ciudad Central y el Festival de la Ópera de Natchez. Como profesor, el Sr. Lewis ha servido en las facultades de los conservatorios de Boston y Nueva Inglaterra y en la Universidad de Rutgers. Ha impartido clases magistrales en los EE. UU. Y actualmente es Artista Residente en la Universidad de Kentucky con el Dr. Tynan.
Read moreJennifer Peterson
Conductor, pianist, and harpsichordist Jennifer Peterson is the director of operamission, an arts organization bringing opera, chamber music, art song, and cabaret to audiences. Future operamission presentations and plans can be followed at operamission.org. Currently underway are productions of the complete output of G. F. Handel's 39 Italian operas, along with workshops and development of new operas, annual cabaret evenings, and all varieties of repertoire. Ms. Peterson has appeared at over seventy-five opera companies in the United States and internationally, including the New York City Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Des Moines Metro Opera, and the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel. She received her musical training at the Oberlin College-Conservatory of Music, the Indiana University School of Music, and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where she co-founded the Rochester Chamber Opera. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Jennifer grew up on the west coast and has been residing in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, since 1997 while maintaining an active vocal coaching studio in midtown Manhattan.
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