Catherine Vincenti, Dramatic Soprano
Catherine has performed with Opera San José Chorus, since 2000, in several productions including: The "Flying Dutchman", "Cavalleria Rusticana" "Pagliacci", "Manon" and "Falstaff" She has performed in West Valley Light Opera productions, including: "High Society" "Carousel" and "Phantom", in roles as well as a member of the singing and dancing ensemble.

Catherine has studied with Sandra Rubalcava, resident of Opera San José, San José Opera Workshop, Ina Kraus, AMT of San José, and Craig Bohlmer.

Catherine has been studying voice with Carl Franzen, since 2002.

Lynne Haynes, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Lynne has been an enthusiastic member of the Peninsula Women's Chorus for several years. While growing up, her musical talents were developed through her playng both guitar and violin. She was a founding member of the California Coast Music Camp, located in Sonoma County, California. She recently has been discovering her operatic vocal talent under the direction of Master Voice Teacher, Carl Franzen.

Lynne enjoys best, the quality time she spends with her daughter Lyndsay.

Dmitriy Cogan, Concert Pianist
Moscow born pianist Dmitriy Cogan studied at the Central Music School in Moscow before immigrating to the United States when he was six-years-old.

He studied both piano and conducting at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School. In 1976 at the age of thirteen he won the Junior Bach Festival in Berkeley.

He has performed extensively in California and the Northeast, as well as touring throughout Europe and Asia. Cogan’s Carnegie Hall recital debut in 1988 was received with favorable reviews.

Dmitriy has participated in numerous competitions, winning awards in the Kosciuszko Chopin Competition, the American Music Scholarship Association International Piano Competition, the Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition, and the Jose Iturbi International Piano Competition.

Since 1985 he has performed with violinist Alexander Markov; their first compact disk was released on the Erato label. Dmitriy lives near San Francisco were he teaches piano and coaches opera singers. In recent years he has often performed with Philip Quint throughout California. Mr. Cogan is Pianist for the Franzen Opera Studio Gala performances.

Claudia McCarley, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Claudia has been performing in different capacities for over 35 years. In her younger days she performed in such musicals as Bye-Bye Birdie, Sound of Music, Roar of the Greasepaint Smell of the Crowd, and Mame. While raising her family she sang in a women's ensemble for many years.

In the past ten years, Claudia has performed at Renaissance Faires and The Great Dickens Faire of SF (Mrs. Cratchit of "The Christmas Carol", Mrs. Letitia Everard in "Naughty French Postcards" and "The Queen of Hearts" from Alice in Wonderland).
On the stage at local community theaters you have seen her as Aunt Eller in "Oklahoma!," Mrs. Harcourt in "Anything Goes," and Mrs. Paroo in "The Music Man" to name a few.

She looks forward to this new chapter in her life, where she will be studying with Carl Franzen to develop her singing voice.

Orlando McCorkle , Dramatic Tenor
Orlando McCorkle is a gifted artist who, with a ringing Dramatic Tenor Voice, bringing a blended burnished color and fire with exciting climatic clarion high notes to his passionate performances.

Mr. McCorkle has the following operatic roles to his credits: Pollione, in Verismo Opera's productions of Bellini's "Norma" and Beppe in Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci." He also appeared as Marcellus in Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man", Redwood City Summer Musical Theatre, Imam of the Mosque, in the classic Wright & Forrest operetta "Kismet", Lyric Theatre of San Jose, and Lovin' Al, "Working", with Saddleback Theatre Co. Other Shows he has been a featured artist in are: "Hello Dolly", "Cinderella", "Kiss, Me Kate", "Man of La Mancha", "Iolanthe" just to name a few.

Orlando can be heard at the monthly 'Opera at Ladera' - Franzen Opera Studio Gala Concerts.

Upcoming opera roles with Verismo Opera's 2012 season include: the leading role of Otello in Verdi's opera "Otello", Edgardo, in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" and Riccardo in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera".

Mr. McCorkle studies the art of singing with Dramatic Tenor, Carl Franzen in San Jose, California. In addition to his passion for singing, he plays Violin, Flute, Trombone, Oboe and Bassoon. Mr. McCorkle also passionately writes beautiful Poetry and creates Abstract Drawings.

Contact orlando at: orlando.mccorkle@yahoo.com

 

Jacqueline McCarley, Mezzo-Soprano/Belter
Ms. McCarley’s performance career started at a young age when she played eponymous role in her preschool’s production of Goldilocks & the Three Bears. She as been dramatic, both on stage and off, ever since. When not treading the boards, she can be found inflicting random moments of Broadway on unsuspecting sidewalk pedestrians or teaching her kids show tunes along with their freestyle at the Highlands Rec. Center in San Mateo.

Jacquie now is absolutely thrilled to be playing a dream role, Nancy, in the classic musical “Oliver” with The Sunnyvale Community Players, a part she has coveted for many years. Past credits include The Music Man at Woodside Community Theater, Aida and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Smitty) at Hillbarn Theater (subscriber’s choice award for Favorite Supporting Actress in a Musical).

She has studied voice with Dramatic Tenor Carl Franzen since 2007 and performs often in The Franzen Opera Studio Monthly Concert Galas. “Great respect, heartfelt gratitude, and an ocean of love to the Maestro for helping me find my voice and spirit again”

 

Lynn Salazar,  Contralto

Information pending artist's submission

 

Bernerd Smith, Lyric Tenor
Bernard Smith of San Jose, California is a musician who plays trombone, electric bass, and piano. He plays trombone for the DeAnza Daddios Jazz Ensemble, the Déjà Vu Big Band and the Ambassadors Symphonic Band, and the SouthBayBones trombone choir. He plays electric bass for the Magic Makers, a special needs musical group and rock band based in Santa Clara. Bernard is also an accomplished vocalist who sings with the West Valley College Chamber Singers, the Déjà Vu II Jazz Singers, the Magic Makers, and as a soloist.

He has traveled in the United States, to Japan, and twice to Europe to perform with these bands at international jazz festivals and other venues. When taking the stage as a soloist, Bernard also performs as a pianist as well as vocalist. Bernard can be seen in many peformances posted on youtube and is actively pursuing a career in voice and music at this time.

Bernerd studies the Art of Singing with Tenor Carl Franzen, in San Jose, California.

 

Darlene Batchelder, Lyric Soprano
Darlene has appeared as:

Bloody Mary in the 2011 Woodside Community Theater (WCT) production of South Pacific

The Wicked Witch of the West in the 2011 Portola Valley Theater Conservatory (PVTC) production of The Wizard of Oz

Drowsy in the 2010 WCT production of The Drowsy Chaperone

Yenta in the 2009 WCT production of Fiddler on the Roof

General Mathilda Cartwright in WCT‘s 2008 production of Guys and Dolls

Yochabed in the PVTC 2008 production of Puah’s Midwife Crisis, an original biblical musical comedy

She has also appeared as: Rose in San Carlos 2010 Chicken’s Ball. Pick-a-Little Lady in WCT’s 2008 Music Man. Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, Rose in Wild Rose, ensemble in WCT productions of Anything Goes and Kiss Me Kate, ensemble in Brigadoon and Carousel and in PVTC productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Nunsense.

Darlene is an ontological business coach and spiritual director who enjoys singing, performing, walking looong distances, and scaring herself silly in her spare time taking acting classes at ACT.

 

Denise Young, Lyric Spinto Soprano
Denise Young is a gifted artist who, with an elegant Lyric Spinto Soprano voice brings opera, jazz, gospel and classical blending to her performances. Passionate about the African American experience in song, she has performed with symphonies and professional chorales, as a principal and a guest artist. She annually performs the artist series at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in San Jose, California, her home for the past 15 years Ms Young has appeared with Grammy –award winning Christian artist Larnelle Harris as well as Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire. She has performed and recorded across the Bay area with Williams and Smith, Jazz duo, and written & recorded for iTunes Originals.

In 2008 Ms. Young had her operatic debut at Carnegie Hall, and in 2008 summer, staged her European debut in Ancona, Italy. August 2009 she was again in Italy appearing at the Alexander and Buono Music Festival as a guest artist, performing works of Alfredo Catalani, Giuseppe Verdi, Joaquin Rodrigo and George Gershwin.

Between a demanding travel schedule in her role as a corporate executive for Apple Computer, Inc. she, Is currently at work on a solo CD and 2010 performances. Ms. Young studies the art of singing with Dramatic Tenor, Carl Franzen in San Jose, California.

 

Cheryl Ringman, Soprano/Belter
Bay area Singer/Dancer has been performing all of her life.Ms. Ringman as been featured in such shows as: Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, Aida, Anything Goes, The Music Man and Guys and Dolls. She has performed with Woodside Community Theater, Hillbarn Theater among others.In addition to performing on stage, she teaches dance and fitness classes and is a certified massage therapist. Others may recognize her from her performances (and choreography) with the Bi-annual Kiwanis Show and Chicken Ball of San Carlos and The Franzen Vocal Studio Opera Galas.Ms. Ringman studies voice with Carl Franzen in San Jose.

 

Elinor Gates, Lyric Soprano
Flinor has been performing with Lyric Theatre of San Jose since 1999, most recently playing the roles of Angela Gilfain in "Florodora,"

Mary Quite Contrary in "Babes in Toyland," Ayah in "Kismet," Cerise Marcel in "Erminie," and Honey-of-Life in "Rose of Persia." She will be playing the leading role of Mary Gibbs in Lyric's production of "Our Miss Gibbs" in July/August 2011.

Before moving to the Bay Area, Elinor performed with Quodlibet in Albuquerque and various other choirs in New Mexico and New England. She has also worked as an audio engineer recording live concerts and CDs, including jazz great Billy Taylor's album "Among Friends."

Elinor is also an astronomer at Lick Observatory, specializing in laser guide star adaptive optics, infrared instrumentation, quasars, blackholes and their host galaxies.

Elinor studies the art of singing with Tenor Carl Franzen in San Jose California.

 

Teressa Foss, Dramatic Coloratura Soprano

I currently study voice with Carl Franzen, dramatic tenor, in San Jose CA – he encourages me to summon my inner Moffo and have her make friends with my inner Sutherland/Gruberova.


For more abbout Teressa visit: http://teressabyrne.com/

 

 

Leslie Keenan, Dramatic Soprano
Ms Keenan began her passion to sing as a very young girl, singing duets with her sisters froman early age, and later singing in choirs at Foothill College and Stanford University, at The Ladera Community Church and with the Peninsula Womens' Chorus in Palo Alto.

Since beginning voice studies with Dramatic Tenor, Carl Franzen, Leslie has discovered a large powerful dark Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano voice. She performs as a soloist in the monthly "Opera at Ladera"- The Franzen Opera Studio Galas. She has performed with West Bay Light Opera and Redwood City Community Theater, West Valley Light Opera and soon will be playing Fricka in Wagner’s Das Rheingold with The Verismo Opera. She recently earned the "Rising Star" award for her appearance in The Jarvis Conservatory's "It's A Grand Night for Singers"Gala. Leslie now teaches voice as well.

For more about Leslie please go to her website, LeslieSings.com.

 

Suzanne Barnard, Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Soprano Suzanne Wood most recently appeared on the Cabrillo Community College stage as Yum-Yum in the beloved Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Mikado.  Ms. Wood frequently sings with Lyric Theatre of San Jose. Recent roles with Lyric Theatre include Youca in L'etoile, Kate in The Yeoman of the Guard, Blush-of-Morning in The Rose of Persia, and Kate in Pirates of Penzance. In 2010, Suzanne was featured as a soloist at Sarah's Vineyard in Gilroy. She holds a Master's degree in Voice Performance from San Jose State University. During her tenure at San Jose State University, she sang the role of Juno in Cavalli's LaCalisto with Collegium Musicum, SJSU's early music ensemble. She was featured as a soloist in Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 with the San Jose State University Concert Choir.

An avid recitalist, Ms. Wood gave a full-length graduate recital at SJSU, comprised entirely of women composers.  This recital took several months to research and included music by Libby Larsen, Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Pauline Viardot, and others.

 

Deanna Knickerbocker, Lyric Soprano

Deanna was born into a musical family in Redlands, California. A solo performance at age four for a Christmas production at the big Methodist Church in Redlands is her earliest remembrance of singing before a large audience. Eight years later the family moved to Coachella Valley, where Deanna continued to sing in a church choir and, while in high school, studied voice with contralto Louise Cookson. In her teens Deanna sang with the Indio Community Players, and after high school attended the University of Redlands. There, as a voice major, she studied with a wonderful dramatic soprano, Lara Browning Henderson. She was a member of the Opera Workshop, University Chorus, and Chapel Singers, and also sang in the choir at that same big Methodist Church! After college she moved with her first husband to the high desert of California where she sang with a group started by opera great John Charles Thomas called the Apple Valley Romanies, and also with the Victor Valley Community Chorus, the Light Opera of Victor Valley Community College, and a church choir. She also partnered with a fine pianist and organist whom she had met at Redlands, Jack Andriese, to entertain and give concerts in the High Desert area.

Deanna later moved to the Bay Area and sang with the Peninsula Women’s Chorus. She has been a member of the Ladera Community Church choir for many years and enjoys singing duets with her sister, Leslie. She has been soprano soloist for Handel’s “Elijah” and “The Messiah”; Mozart’s “Requiem,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” the Bach “Magnificat,” Schubert’s “Requiem,” Rutter’s “Requiem,” and other choral works.

Deanna has played leading lady in Victor Herbert’s “The Fortune Teller,” in both the opera and the operetta “Hansel and Gretel,” and in “Oklahoma,” “Brigadoon,” and Kurt Weill’s “Down in the Valley.” Other credits include Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief,” Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado,” and Mozart’s “Cosi fan Tutte.” She is thrilled to be singing with the Carl Franzen Studio.