Growing up in the Lebanese culture, Ms. Karem wasn’t exposed to opera until college, when she performed in her first one – act opera, Beauty and the Beast (Vittorio Gianni), and knew that this was what she wanted to do. As a malleable performer, Jodi Karem has been described as “astonishing to witness her versatility”. She performs in
Growing up in the Lebanese culture, Ms. Karem wasn’t exposed to opera until college, when she performed in her first one – act opera, Beauty and the Beast (Vittorio Gianni), and knew that this was what she wanted to do. As a malleable performer, Jodi Karem has been described as “astonishing to witness her versatility”. She performs in both opera and concert in a variety of roles and styles throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. In 2024, Ms. Karem performed the roles of Miss Havisham (Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night) at OperaFest Dunedin and at St. John’s in the Village in NYC, Mme. Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmélites) under the baton of Gregory Buchalter, and Hélène (Hélène) by Camille Saint-Saëns with South Florida Lyric Opera.
In 2023, Ms. Karem had the opportunity to cover the role of Leonore (Fidelio) with St. Petersburg Opera under the baton of Maestro Mark Sforzini and perform in several preview concerts of this wonderful opera. She also performed with South Florida Lyric Opera in the roles of Mme. Patacha (Pierrette et Jacquot) and the title role Herminie (Berlioz). In 2022, Ms. Karem performed in music festivals such as Music @ Moccasin Lake and Arts Earth Festival in Mississippi. In 2021, Ms. Karem performed the role of Lady Macbeth both in Opera for Earth’s New York City production and in Austin, TX for the Neill Cochran House Museum’s Porch Concerts Series. In 2019, Ms. Karem was a prize winner in the Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, Opera Division. Ms. Karem’s 2019 performances include the role Alice Ford (Falstaff) and Gertrud (A Hand of Bridge) as well as concert performances in Dubai, UAE and in Germany. In Ms. Karem’s performance of Venus in Wagner’s Dresden version of Tannhäuser with Apotheosis Opera in New York City, she “inhabited her role with seductive tone and movements”. In her portrayal as the Mother in Amahl & the Night Visitors, Ms. Karem “reached emotional and vocal heights that set the pulse racing and the emotional barometer practically bursting” (BrooklynDiscovery.com).
Ms. Karem premiered the role of Lady Mabel with the Center for Contemporary Opera's production of The Secret Agent in New York City, the European debut with the Armel Festival in Hungary as well as in Avignon, France at Opera Grand Avignon. The release of The Secret Agent CD features Ms. Karem as part of the debut cast. Miss Karem has premiered numerous new operas: The Secret Agent, Kafka’s Women, Venus and Adonis, and Ada. As a mezzo soprano, Ms. Karem has performed with Springfield Regional Opera, Long Leaf Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Inter Cities Opera, Florentine Opera, Skylight Opera, Natchez Opera Festival, Center for Contemporary Opera, Armel Opera Festival and Opera Grand Avignon. In a performance of Santuzza with Cape Cod Opera, Ms. Karem’s performance was described as "one of the finest performances I have witnessed, not just stylistically, but in every other way - acting, emotion, facial expression, body movement." (operaOnline.us)
Recent concert performances include guest solo artist with the Athena Music Foundation in Dubai, UAE, with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, performing scenes from Tosca and Tannhaüser, and with New York Dramatic Voices in excerpts from La Gioconda and La Fanciulla del West. Other performances include a performance at Carnegie Hall as a Soloist in Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore, as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in Mozart's Requiem, soloist in the Dayton Philharmonic's Messiah, as guest artists with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist with the Louisville Orchestra, a concert and master class at Wabash College, as a soloist with the Palm Beach Theatre Guild, Waukegan Public Library Concert Series, Northwest Community Church Concert Series, and Carmen preview concerts with Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. Ms. Karem has been a prize winner and scholarship recipient with Opera Columbus Competition, National Opera Association, Marguerite McCammon Vocal Competition, Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, Aspen Music Festival, Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute and Opera Theatre of Lucca. Young artist programs include Natchez Opera Festival, Cincinnati Opera Outreach Ensemble, Utah Opera, and Aspen Opera Theatre. Ms. Karem also performs in recital throughout the United States, and had the opportunity to perform as a solo artist for the Metropolitan Opera Guild's "Spinning Strauss" Master Class Series with Jane Marsh as well as for the Lincoln Center Patrons.
Ms. Karem works to grow her home community’s exposure to opera and musical arts. She raises funds to give musical training and performance experience to young kids, teaching them vocal and acting skills and shows them her love of musical arts in order to create our next generation of singers and music lovers. She has also worked with children from the Delta, an impoverished community in Mississippi, giving them musical enrichment summer programs. Her documentary of this experience has been invited to 4 film festivals. See it here: https://youtu.be/VqyWdmz10h0
Guillermo Lopez has been hailed as one of the promising voices in Mexico and the
US. He participated as a soloist in the International Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado. Mr. Lopez got third place in the NATS competition of the Great Lakes, and he was a semifinalist in the first edition of the International Francisco Araiza Vocal Competition. I
Guillermo Lopez has been hailed as one of the promising voices in Mexico and the
US. He participated as a soloist in the International Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado. Mr. Lopez got third place in the NATS competition of the Great Lakes, and he was a semifinalist in the first edition of the International Francisco Araiza Vocal Competition. In 2014 he performed in
the world-premiere of the opera Illegal Alien by the Mexican composer Alfonso Molina. He has performed with Tampa Opera, Opera for Earth, Saint Pete Opera and SFLO. Among his opera roles are Ernesto from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Alfredo from Puccini’s La Traviata, Parpignol in La Bohème, and Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth. In Zarzuela, he’s performed with theSpanish Lyric Theater as Leandro in La Tabernera del Puerto and Julián in La Verbena de la Paloma. Future engagements include the role of King Kaspar from Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Mr. Lopez is a sought-after tenor in the Tampa bay area, and he performs regularly with Tampa Opera Singers in private events and concerts. In addition to his performance schedule, Mr. Lopez is a dedicated voice teacher and
coach.
Mexican-born pianist Fernando Lopez has participated in various music festivals such as the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, the Piano Academy & Festival International in St. Andrews, Canada, and the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy.
Mr. Lopez is one of the founders and faculty of the Winold Music Fest
Mexican-born pianist Fernando Lopez has participated in various music festivals such as the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, the Piano Academy & Festival International in St. Andrews, Canada, and the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy.
Mr. Lopez is one of the founders and faculty of the Winold Music Festival, a chamber music festival for young artists in the Tampa Bay Area. Mr. Lopez enjoys a large private studio in Tampa, Florida. He is an active collaborative pianist in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys organizing small concerts of chamber music, opera, and art songs.
Mr. Lopez holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Music from the University of South Florida. He currently teaches at the State College of Florida in Bradenton and his studio in Temple Terrace.WILLIAM HICKS is a renowned voice coach, pianist, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the music industry. As a voice coach, Hicks has worked with some of the leading singers of all time, including Luciano Pavarotti, Licia Albanese, Franco Corelli, Anna Moffo, Roberta Peters, Renata Scotto, Teresa Stratas, Renee Fleming, Deborah Voigt, Regina Resnik, Marta Eggerth Kiepura, Thomas Hampson, and Harolyn Blackwell. He is known for his ability to help singers find their unique voice and develop it into a powerful instrument, and he has a wealth of experience working with singers from various genres, including classical, musical theater, and contemporary music.
Hicks has also had a successful career as a pianist, accompanying countless singers and performing in numerous concerts and recitals. He is highly regarded for his musicality, technical proficiency, and ability to collaborate with singers in a supportive and creative manner. His expertise as a pianist has helped many singers bring their performances to life, and he is highly sought after as an accompanist for voice recitals and auditions.
In addition to his work as a voice coach and pianist, Hicks has had a distinguished career as a conductor. He collaborated as a repetiteur and pianist for Luciano Pavarotti from 1990 to 1995, and he joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1995 as Assistant Conductor, Solo Pianist, and Assistant Chorus Master, positions he held until 2001. He has also served as Associate Conductor for The Santa Fe Opera, The Canadian Opera Company, The Cincinnati Opera, The New York City Opera, and for Maestros Michael Tilson Thomas, Lorin Maazel, and John McGlinn. From 1982 to 2002, he served as Associate Conductor, Pianist, and Chorus Master to Maestro McGlinn, preparing and performing in all his recordings and broadcasts and appearing as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Hicks has also made significant contributions to the music education community, teaching at several universities and music schools and giving master classes and private instruction in musical preparation and presentation to young singers, pianists, and voice coaches throughout the world. He has worked for The Israel Vocal Arts Institute for their programs in Tel Aviv, Portland, Oregon, and Montreal. He has recorded for New World Records, BMG, Sony, and Patria Records, and he is currently pianist and consultant for the Victor Herbert Renaissance Live Project.
In addition to his musical and pedagogical activities, William is the founder and Chairperson of Action for Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring and financially assisting performing artists at the beginning of their careers.
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