Jason Lamont - Vocals
Jason attended The University of Western Ontario where he completed an Honours Bachelor of Music in Education and a Bachelor of Education. Upon completion of these degrees, Jason moved to Germany to continue his studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany where he took part in Hochschule and Opernschule productions. Upon his return to Canada, Jason again attended The University of Western Ontario for a Master of Music in Performance & Literature. Upon completion of this degree, Jason attended the University of Toronto Opera Division. Jason has been active in opera, having sung such roles as Eisenstein in Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Reverend Parris in Robert Ward's The Crucible, and Abdallo in Verdi's Nabucco with companies in Canada, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has also sung much of the standard oratorio repertoire including Bach's Magnificat, Weihnachts-Oratorium and h-moll Messe, as well as several cantatas, Handel's Messiah and Samson; Haydn's Creation, various Mozart and Schubert Masses, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Verdi's Requiem.. He has also been active in recital repertoire including songs and cycles like Schubert's Die Winterreise, Schumann's Dichterliebe, Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, and Vaughan Williams On Wenlock Edge and Four Hymns for Tenor, Viola & Piano.
Susan Suchard - Vocals
Soprano Susan Suchard is an active soloist, choral singer, teacher and conductor. Susan has sung with the Canadian Opera Company Chorus and in the chorus for Opera Atelier. She holds a solo position at Rosedale United Church in Toronto and sings regularly with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. This summer, Susan was a soloist in the Royal Conservatory's Summer Opera Scene Study productions. Susan studied music and education at the University of Western Ontario and this season will begin a Master's degree in vocal pedagogy at the University of Toronto. She initiated the choral program at Adam Beck in the Beaches where she produced and directed three musicals, each with a cast of more than 100 students. Last season, Susan was musical director for Tapestry New Opera Works' touring production of James Rolfe's children's opera Elijah's Kite and was assistant conductor for Sanctuary Song, a co-production of Theatre Direct and Tapestry New Opera Works for the 2008 Luminato Festival.
Nicole Bellamy - Piano
Originally from Charlottetown, P.E.I., Nicole Bellamy now lives and works in Toronto as a collaborative pianist. Nicole holds a M.Mus. degree in Piano Performance (Collaborative Piano) from the University of Western Ontario, and a B.Mus. degree from the University of Prince Edward Island. Her special interest in vocal accompaniment, both in art song and opera has also led to additional studies at Opera Nuova in Edmonton, the Banff Centre of the Arts, the Brevard Music Centre in North Carolina and Songfest in Malibu, California where she studied with renowned collaborative pianists Martin Katz and Graham Johnson. She has also been awarded grants from both the PEI Council of the Arts and the Canada Council of the Arts to pursue her studies in vocal accompaniment. As a pianist she freelances in Toronto, works in the vocal studios at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory, and has also worked with the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, the Upper Canada Choristers, Bravo’s Bathroom Divas (season 2), The Charlottetown Festival, Opera New Brunswick, Tryptych Opera, Opera York, Brampton Lyric Opera as well as York University’s and the Royal Conservatory’s Summer Opera Programs.
Francesca Blandizzi - Vocals
Ever since the age of five, when she first began singing opera at the dinner table, Francesca Blandizzi has been sharing her gift of music in song. She is at home in many genres: jazz, blues, musical theatre, folk and pop. Ms. Blandizzi has sung as a guest and solo artist in a wide variety of locations such as the Kobayashi Hall, Enwave Theatre, Le Select Bistro, Leah Posluns Theatre, Renaissance Café and Theatre Aurora, to name a few. Some of her mentors and past teachers include Peggy Mahon, Danny McErlain, Louise Lambert. Ms. Blandizzi's background as a performer encompasses training in voice, piano, guitar, acting, Latin dance, jazz dance and African hand drumming. Ms. Blandizzi is not only an accomplished singer, but she is also a prolific songwriter whose compositions have been described as having a "soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating" effect on her listeners. Others have acknowledged her work as being "raw, vibrant and alive". Without a doubt, the common element in all of her songs is that honest, gutsy, soulful quality that never fails to touch the listener. For the second year now, Ms. Blandizzi has taken on a new role as Co-producer for The Naked Emperor. A yearly event in Toronto helping to showcase established and promising artists, while giving back to the community by donating 50% of the profits to charities. Music is Ms. Blandizzi's vocation in life: she intends to continue sharing with her listeners the gift of healing through song, as well as develop new ways to support and encourage other artists in their individual journeys towards success. Find out more at www.allegriamusica.com
Phil Disera - Guitarist
Phil has been a freelance musician in the Toronto scene since the early 80's. His versatility has taken him down a wide variety of avenues. With a Diploma in Music Performance at Humber College, Phil has played Jazz for decades. Also trained Classically, he is amongst those rare players who can bridge the gaps between styles. Whatever the setting, Phil brings a high level of musicality to any situation. Phil has also composed music all his life, although mostly as an aside to his playing. As time has progressed though, his composing has become more prevalent in his career. His endeavors include composing for ballet, solo guitar compositions for the Royal Conservatory Repertoire publications, and most recently his own albums of original compositions "Inside Outside", and "Placitudes I". A father to two children, Phil is presently working on several different projects, playing freelance, and helping to raise his family. Find out more at www.phildisera.com
Chantal Ferris - Dance Choreographer
Chantal Ferris, innovative dance choreographer, began her dancing career at age 4 under the tutelage of Barbara Treleaven & Denise Cote. At 11, joined amateur dance troupe The Performers to perform & compete throughout North America and Spain . Achieved high results on Canadian Dance Teachers Association exams. Received numerous awards, including 1994 scholarship to the Dance Educators of America Ballet Workshop and Competition- New York City. Training in dance disciplines includes: ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and lyrical jazz. York University : explored the worlds of modern dance, dance kinesiology, pedagogy & choreography; graduated with a BFA in Dance. June 2002: received bursary to attend the Dance USA Roundtable Convention in Miami. 2006: passed exam to receive Assoc. designation w/ the Society of Russian Ballet in Canada. May 2007: co-choreographed dance piece for As Promised Productions to win Chum Television's Greenbelt Prize Competition. Chantal continues to hone her dance and teaching skills by attending master classes & workshops across North America. She lives and teaches in mid-town Toronto and is and is the proud mom of one dancing daughter named Olivia.
Emiko Hsuen - MC
Emiko Hsuen is a musician-director/producer. She started out with the violin at age 4, playing in amateur orchestras/chamber orchestras (Hong Kong, California, Toronto). Has produced, directed & performed in multiple shows, often to raise funds for charities such as Watchdog (HK), Friends of the Heart, Kids Help Line etc. Also, enjoyed being a children's storyteller in Hong Kong. Has worked in Toronto venues such as: Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Leah Posluns Theatre etc. Performed in 'live' venues such as Le Select Bistro and Rhodes. First voice teacher: Ms. Peggy Mahon (blues, jazz, musical theatre). Currently studying classical voice with Ms. Jo Anne Bentley (assoc. prof.- U of T). Sang for several years with the Rosedale United Church Choir under musical direction of Mr. Wayne Strongman. Feb 2007: received 1st place in the Kiwanis Music Festival - Sacred Song. First album: "Soul Joy" - collection of sacred hymns. Recently, Emiko has been enjoying the results of 'Jadely', a collaborative effort with musician-composer, Hubert Razack.
Find out more at www.emikohsuen.com
Jinne Kim - Violinist
MTA graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy. In addition to practicing group and individual music therapy, she also enjoys teaching piano, violin, guitar and early childhood classes. Jinne is the owner of JK Music Garden, a new music centre in Toronto which offers music education and music therapy to all ages.
Yuka Koreeda - Piano
Yuka Koreeda was born in Tokyo, Japan and began her study in classical piano at the age of four. She proved her gift of music early on whlie studying in Maryland, USA, where she was a National Winner (Intermediate Class) at the National Piano Playing Auditions of American College of Musicians for two consecutive years. She continued to develop her piano skills at the University of Western Ontario where she graduated with an Honors degree in Piano Performance. While there, she was a winner of the London Scholarship Foundation Competition and two time recipient of the Rosie Robinow Award for most promising pianist. Yuka has studied with accomplished piano instructors (A. Melecci and C. Rodert) as well as with celebrated pianist and professor R. Turini, who was a former student of Vladimir Horowitz. Yuka works as an accompanist and pianist, and currently focuses her time as a well-respected private piano instructer.
Hubert Razack - Vocals
Composer, producer and singer Hubert Razack started his musical journey at age 7. He developed an early and keen interest in music production and sound design, leading to an active portfolio of production, multimedia presentation, and sound engineering. After his move to London, Hubert was an active part of the busy British music scene. He produced and played bass and guitar for the London band "The Audio Journal", performing in all the major rock venues in London. Their work was regularly featured in the NME, computer music and Future music Magazine. He released his first solo album in 2007 under the name "Re:mind", featuring a unique blend of electronic, rock, folk and world music. Hubert is now focusing on "Jadely", a joint venture with singer-writer Emiko Hsuen, as well as his second solo album. Find out more at www.re-mind.com and www.jadely.com
