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Meet the Artists
Originally from Regina, Mezzo-Soprano Alicia Woynarski
completed a Bachelor of Music at UWO and graduated from UBC with a Masters
degree in Vocal Performance. Operatic roles include Cherubino in Le Nozze di
Figaro (Saskatoon Opera); the title role in Carmen (Vancouver Island
Opera); Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and the Third Lady in Die
Zauberflöte (European Academy of Music, Czech Republic); Tessa in The
Gondoliers (Westben Theatre); Florence in Albert Herring (UWO);
Principessa in Suor Angelica (Opera NUOVA). Other concert performances
include guest artist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Regina Symphony
Orchestra. Alicia is a recent recipient of a Saskatchewan Arts Board grant, a
winner of the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society Competition and a winner of the
Metropolitan Opera Western Canada District Auditions.
Lauren Woods is a coloratura soprano from Calgary,
Alberta. Lauren attended UBC where she played Countess Blavinskeya in the world
premiere of The Dream Healer, Nanetta
in Verdi’s Falstaff and Despina in Mozart’s Cosi
Fan Tutte in the Czech republic, Ontario and Vancouver. This year, Lauren was thrilled to play Susanna in Mozart’s La Nozze di Figaro with Opera NUOVA,
Sophie in Massenet’s Werther with the
Calgary Concert Opera Company, and the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with Cowtown Opera. Currently, Lauren teaches voice and
piano, works for Young Life and is a vocal coach for the Cantare Children’s
Choir.
Soprano Jill Hoogewoonink, a Sherwood park native, is a versatile performer who has graced the stages of opera, musical theatre and dance. On the concert platform, Miss Hoogewoonink,has been a guest soloist with the Chinese Children’s Choir. On their recent tour of China, she performed a solo recital in Hong Kong. Last May Jill sang the role of Pitty-Sing (Mikado) in a Japanese relief concert at MacDougall Church. She is an active member of the Edmonton Opera where she is often a featured performer within their education outreach program as well as at Opera al fresco. As a member of the Edmonton Opera chorus, Miss Hoogewoonink also appears in all mainstage productions. 104 Underground - an operascape marks her second appearance with Mercury Opera. Her debut with the company, was as a geisha in Madame Butterfly this past summer.
Soprano,Nevada Collins, who hails from rural Stauffer, Alberta has an extensive background in music from childhood. Having performed as a soloist with country and jazz bands, Nevada has also pursued musical theatre, receiving her first role at age 7. Since then she has performed leading roles as Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, Mimi in RENT and recently Kyra in Bare at this year’s Edmonton Fringe Festival. She is a graduate of The University of Alberta's Bachelor of Music Vocal Performance program, as a classical performer, participating in U of A Opera Workshop for three years, under the direction of Brian McIntosh and Elizabeth Turnbull. She has also performed three solo recitals as part of her Bachelor of Music Degree. She appeared as geisha in Mercury's Madame Butterfly this past summer. 104 Underground - an operascape, marks her second appearance with the company.
*Cast subject to change
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