Featured Performers from our May 2, 2022 event
Andrés Ramírez Román, Tenor
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Andrés began his studies in operatic singing at the age of 13 under Colombian soprano Mercedes Guevara. He then pursued a Bachelors in Voice in the university Juan N. Corpas with Maestro Juan D. Rojas, where he graduated with honors. He is currently a first year Master´s student at the Eastman School of Music with Professor Robert Swensen.
He participated in “Opera al Parque” in the years 2013 and 2014 and was the winner of the “Ciclos de Conciertos Universitarios” hosted by the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in the 2017, 2018, and 2019. He was also the winner of the "VII International Chamber Music Festival" in 2018 hosted by the Universidad del Norte.
Upcoming performances include the role of Valcour in “L'amant Anonyme” and The Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition at Eastman.
Gwen Paker, Soprano
Gwen Paker is an award-winning soprano equally at home on the operatic stage and in the concert hall. Studying at the Eastman School of Music with Professor Robert Swensen, Gwen won first prize in the 2022 Friends of Eastman Opera Voice Competition and the 2019 Eastman Voice Department Concerto Competition. Gwen made her professional operatic debut as Gertrude Stein in Thomson’s The Mother of Us All with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Her credits with Eastman Opera Theatre (EOT) include two prima donna roles: Léontine in Bologne’s L’amant anonyme and Eleonora in Salieri’s Prima la music e poi le parole. Other credits with EOT include the Baker’s Wife cover in Sondheim’s Into The Woods, Erste Dame in a scene from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Le Chauve-Souris in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges.
Gwen has also excelled as a concert and oratorio soloist. In 2021, Gwen performed Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the Eastman Philharmonia, conducted by Austin Chanu. Earlier, Gwen was the soprano soloist in Liszt’s Missa Solemnis with the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and Eastman-Rochester Chorus, conducted by Dr. William Weinert. Additional concert experience includes covering the Soprano Soloist in Britten’s War Requiem and performing Danyew’s Alcott Songs at the Louisa May Alcott Tribute Recital with Opera In The Ozarks.
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Dominie Boutin, Mezzo-Soprano
Dominie Boutin is a mezzo-soprano from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is currently working towards her Master of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music where she studies with Professor Katherine Ciesinski. Dominie also holds an Opera Diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. Dominie is a passionate performer of opera and concert repertoire. She recently had the pleasure of being a soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus in their performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 2021. Her operatic credits include the world premiere of the role of Matron Pearl in The Llandovery Castle by Stephanie Martin, Le Prince Charmant in Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon, and most recently Diana in Cavalli’s La Calisto with Eastman Opera Theatre.
Érico Bezerra, accompaniment
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Brazilian pianist Érico Freire Bezerra is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music, under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Harley. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande do Sul Federal University in Brazil and his Master’s degree from Illinois State University, where he held a Piano Accompanying Assistantship and received the Lela Winegarner Scholarship for international graduate students. Érico has been a prizewinner in numerous piano competitions including at the Orquestra Sinfônica de Goiânia Young Soloist Competition where he performed Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major with orchestra. As a collaborative pianist, Érico is actively engaged in both instrumental and vocal repertoire, holding staff pianist positions in many festivals and competitions in Brazil and the United States, as well as working as a guest artist with orchestras and choirs throughout his career. Since 2015, he has served as staff collaborative pianist at Rio Grande do Sul Federal University in Porto Alegre/Brazil. Érico is a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship and currently holds Graduate Assistantships in Studio Accompanying and Orchestral Keyboard at Eastman.
About Bravo Nights
Bravo Nights is a performance series we began in 2018 to introduce opera to newcomers in a friendly and accessible way. We invite emerging and seasoned local opera talent to perform beloved opera arias and musical theatre selections.
Bravo Nights are appreciated by both seasoned opera fans and newcomers who enjoy the casual atmosphere and the chance to see top local talent. You can show your appreciation of our performers by contributing to our virtual tip jar.
Watch this space for upcoming Bravo Nights events.
Many past Bravo Nights performances are available on our YouTube channel.
Hope to see you at our future Bravo Nights events!
