Michigan Opera Theatre Announces 2018-2019 Studio Artists

Michigan Opera Theatre is pleased to announce the 2018-2019 Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artists. The roster includes the return of tenor Michael Day and baritone Harry Greenleaf. Joining them are soprano Cheyanne Coss, mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung and bass Allen Michael Jones.

Entering its fourth year, the MOT Studio is the product of MOT Founder Dr. David DiChiera's long and passionate commitment to providing opportunities for talented young singers. Studio Artists receive up to two years of advanced training and performance opportunities as they hone their skills through master classes and individual work with an array of world-class professionals, guest artists, and coaches.

"Since its beginning, Michigan Opera Theatre has been committed to supporting the next generation of opera professionals in several disciplines," said MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord. "With the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio, we are able to Take That commitment a step further by offering young performers professional experiences while offering advanced training opportunities."

Celebrated American tenor Richard Leech continues to lead the program as Director of Resident Artist Programs with the support of Studio Principal Coach/Accompanist Tessa Hartle.

"Since the program's beginning in 2015, our Studio Artists have gone on to win major awards and perform with important opera companies throughout the United States and Europe," said Leech. "We look forward to continuing that momentum and nurturing this next generation of opera talent."

MOT Studio Artists have won honors including The George London Competition, The Hilde Zadek Competition, and The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. They have also performed in prestigious houses worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Theater an der Wien (Vienna) and San Francisco Opera.

Supported by a major grant from the William Davidson Foundation, the MOT Studio also serves as a central component of MOT's enhanced presence in the community through productions in the Detroit Opera House and community venues, as well as through concerts and special events. In addition to providing performance opportunities in its main stage operas, MOT produces a full-scale production dedicated to the Studio Artists. This season's Studio production will be Leonard Bernstein's "Candide," celebrating the late composer's centenary. The operetta will be performed at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts (Clinton Township) March 9 and the Berman Center for the Performing Arts, (West Bloomfield) March 16-17.

"The Michigan Opera Theatre Studio is a tremendous component of our organization," said MOT President and CEO Wayne S. Brown. "The program enables MOT to invest in the career development of extraordinary young artists who in turn provide our community of metro Detroit with a consistently high level of artistic performances and workshops."

The 2018-19 Studio Artists:

Cheyanne Coss

Soprano Cheyanne Coss is a recent graduate of New England Conservatory, where she performed the roles of Iphigénie in Gluck's "Iphigénie en Tauride"and Sandrina in Mozart's "La Finta Giardiniera." This summer, she will make her San Francisco debut in the role of Aminta in Mozart's "Il Re Pastore"with the Merola Opera Program. Cheyanne has also performed with Chautauqua Opera, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Cheyanne has won several competitions, including First Place in the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition, the David Daniels Young Artist Competition and second place in the FAVA Grand Concours Competition. Next season, Cheyanne will make her debut as Pamina in "The Magic Flute"with Opera Grand Rapids and Toledo Opera. As the new Michigan Opera Theatre Studio soprano, she will perform Berta in "The Barber of Seville," Dew Fairy in "Hansel and Gretel" and Paquette in "Candide." Cheyanne hails from Eaton Rapids, Mich. and is a proud alumna of Oakland University.

Michael Day

Tenor Michael Day hails from Rockford, Ill. and is a returning Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist. At MOT, he recently performed Spoletta in "Tosca,"Pablo Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald in Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek's "27" and Don Basilio in "The Marriage of Figaro." His performance credits also include Indiana University Opera Theatre, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Indianapolis Pro Musica, Bloomington Chamber Singers, and Utah Festival Opera. This past summer, he returned to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as a Richard Gaddes Festival Artist, singing the role of Al Joad in Gordon and Michael Korie's "The Grapes of Wrath." Michael is a two-time Metropolitan Opera National Council District Winner and winner of the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education and vocal performance as well as a master's degree in voice from Indiana University. Michael will return to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis this summer to perform the role of Leo Hubbard in Blitzstein's "Regina." Next season at MOT, he will perform the title role in "Candide" and reprise the role of Al Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath."

Katherine DeYoung

Mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung is a native of Traverse City, Mich. and is delighted to join the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio. Recently, Katherine completed her master's degree at the University of Houston where she performed Isabella in "L'Italiana in Algeri," Gertrude in "Romeo et Juliette," and Elizabeth Proctor in "The Crucible." Her favorite role performed is the title role in "Carmen" with Opera in the Ozarks. This summer, Katherine looks forward to joining Santa Fe Opera as a member of the apprentice singer program. Next season with Michigan Opera Theatre, she will perform Sandman and cover Hansel in "Hansel and Gretel," perform Old Lady in "Candide" and cover Olga in "Eugene Onegin." Katherine is a District Winner of the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and is an alumna of Michigan State University.

Harry Greenleaf

Wixom, Mich. native Harry Greenleaf is returning to Michigan Opera Theatre as the Studio's resident baritone. He made his debut with MOT in 2016 in the role of Top in "The Tender Land." His credits with MOT also include Leo Stein and Man Ray in Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek's "27," Sciarrone in "Tosca," Marullo in "Rigoletto," Le Bret in "Cyrano," Jake Wallace in "The Girl of the Golden West" and Moralès in "Carmen." He has been a Studio Artist with the Wolf Trap Opera Company, an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera and a Young Artist with the Glimmerglass Festival. He holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is an alumnus of the Michigan State University College of Music. This summer, Harry will reprise the role of Top in "The Tender Land" with Des Moines Metro Opera. Next season at MOT, Harry will perform Captain and cover the title role in "Eugene Onegin," as well as perform the roles of Fiorello and Sergeant and cover Figaro in "The Barber of Seville." He will also perform Maximillian in "Candide" and cover the father in "Hansel and Gretel."

Allen Michael Jones

With a commanding bass voice, Allen Michael Jones has forged a career not only in opera but also as a professional voice-over and radio artist. A native of Atlanta, he received a master's degree in voice from Georgia State University and is excited to join the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio. Previous roles include Sarastro in "Die Zauberflöte," Balthazar in "Amahl and the Night Visitors," Colline in "La bohème," Don Basilio in "The Barber of Seville," and Commendatore in "Don Giovanni." Next season, Allen Michael will perform Zaretski in "Eugene Onegin" and the governor in "Candide" with Michigan Opera Theatre.

For more information visit http://www.michiganopera.org/opera/michigan-opera-theatre-studio/.