2022-2023 Season Benenson Young Artist Program
The Benenson Young Artist Program is a stepping stone to a successful career as an opera singer for emerging professional artists. During their five-month residency in Palm Beach, The Benenson Young Artists develop and polish essential stagecraft and performance skills, aided by musical and career guidance from Palm Beach Opera’s experienced artistic and administrative staff, as well as distinguished guest faculty. The Benenson Young Artists appear on the mainstage in supporting roles, cover leading roles, and perform in concerts and special events throughout our community.
The Benenson Young Artist Program is part of a unique three-tiered training system at Palm Beach Opera that includes the Studio Program and the Apprentice Artist program.
The Benenson Young Artist Program is funded by The Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc.
Guest Faculty
Voice Teachers
Stephen King
Michael Paul
Nova Thomas
Vocal Coach
Danielle Orlando
Diction Coaches
Corradina Caporello, Italian
Bénédicte Jourdois, French
Marianne Barrett, German
Ksenia Leletkina, Russian
Anna Betka, Czech
Acting Coach
Paul Curran
2021-2022 Season Benenson Young Artists
Avery Boettcher, Soprano
Alexandra Razskazoff, Soprano
Megan Callahan, Mezzo-soprano
Moisés Salazar, Tenor
Heeseung Chae, Baritone
Christopher Humbert Jr., Bass-baritone
2020-2021 Season Benenson Young Artists
Shannon Jennings, Soprano
Patricia Westley, Soprano
Jenny Anne Flory, Mezzo-Soprano
Moisés Salazar, Tenor
Heeseung Chae, Tenor
Christopher Humbert Jr., Bass-Baritone
2019-2020 Season Benenson Young Artists
Emily Blair, Soprano
Patricia Westley, Soprano
Cara Collins, Mezzo-Soprano
Maria Vasilevskaya, Mezzo-Soprano
Duke Kim, Tenor
John Tibbetts, Baritone
Ted Allen Pickell, Bass-Baritone
2018-2019 Season Benenson Young Artists
Joanna Latini, Soprano
Emily Blair, Soprano
Sylvia D’Eramo, Soprano
Natalie Rose Havens, Mezzo-Soprano
Brian Wallin, Tenor
Robert Stahley, Tenor
Ben Schaefer, Baritone
Ted Allen Pickell, Bass-Baritone
2017-2018 Season Benenson Young Artists
Chelsea Bonagura, Soprano
Kasia Borowiec, Soprano
Francesca Aguado, Mezzo-Soprano
Derrek Stark, Tenor
Brian Wallin, Tenor
Joshua Conyers, Baritone
Andrew Richardson, Bass-Baritone
Andrew Simpson, Bass-Baritone