Three rolling stones, on the way to the Met...

AVA is proud to have three resident artists advance to the semi-final round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Soprano Michelle Johnson advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday, when she was the winner of the New England Regional Competition in Boston, MA. That same afternoon, Ms. Johnson was heard on the radio in AVA’s production of Suor Angelica.

That same day, bass-baritone Ryan Kuster and bass Nicholas Masters advanced to the semi-finals as winners of the Mid Atlantic Regional Competition in Washington DC. Mr. Kuster has been named an Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera.  He will sing the role of Masetto in their production of Don Giovanni. Mr. Masters will perform in AVA’s production of Don Giovanni which opens on April 30.

I must also recognize resident artist bass-baritone Zachary Nelson, and alum baritone Norman Garrett who won achievements awards at the regional competitions. Mr. Nelson in Boston, and Mr. Garrett in Washington, DC.

Winners of the semi-finals will perform in the national Council Grand Finals Concert on Sunday, March 13 at 3 pm in the Metropolitan Opera House. Met star, and AVA alumna Joyce DiDonato will host the event.

And the ‘stone’ reference? All three winners are voice students of baritone William Stone at AVA.  A baritone of International fame, this is Mr. Stone’s second year as a vocal instructor at AVA.