Praised for her “shimmering mezzo-soprano” and “pure vocal gold,” Kayleigh Decker is gaining international acclaim for her dynamic performances in opera and concert. Highlights of the 2024/25 season include debuts at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and major concert appearances across the U.S. and Europe. A passionate recitalist, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, SOKA Performing Arts Center, and the Harris Theater. A committed supporter of the arts, Decker is a proud member of the Parnassus Society, where she champions artistic excellence while continuing to engage audiences worldwide with her versatility and depth. ⬞

https://www.kayleighdecker.com/

Karen Chia-ling Ho, a celebrated soprano and member of the Parnassus Society, is acclaimed for her powerful performances on international stages. In the 2023/24 season, she made role debuts in Madama Butterfly with Opera Philadelphia, Boston Lyric Opera, and more, while returning to the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and with the American Symphony Orchestra. A finalist in major competitions, she holds degrees from Eastman and CCM. Through her artistry and advocacy, Ho champions excellence in opera and the broader arts community. ⬞

https://www.karenchialingho.com

Katia Kim, American soprano of Russian origin, captivates audiences worldwide with a voice of power, lyricism, and emotional depth. Her performances span leading roles such as Tatiana (Eugene Onegin), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), and Leonora (Il Trovatore), earning honors including the Beethoven Award at the Beethoven Festival. She has appeared with major orchestras in Verdi’s Requiem and Britten’s War Requiem, as well as in the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s Paul Robeson. This season, she returns to the stage as Nedda in Pagliacci with Amarillo Opera and Tosca with the Parnassus Society. ⬞

https://katiakim.com/

Milena Kitic, acclaimed mezzo-soprano, is best known for her signature role as Carmen, which she has performed at major opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, and Europe’s Aalto Theater Essen. Her distinguished career of more than three decades has earned honors such as the German Music Critic’s Award and Opera Pacific’s Diva of the Year. Beyond the stage, she is Artist-in-Residence at Chapman University, Chair of Artistic Excellence at LA Opera, and an active educator and dedicated mentor in Southern California.

http://www.milenakitic.com/

Dr. Maria Lazarova, a classically trained vocalist and member of the Parnassus Society, has over 20 years of performance experience as a soloist in opera, recital, and choral works. She has appeared at renowned venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and Musco Center, and perfomed in Madam Butterfly with the Parnassus Society. A recipient of numerous honors, including the Marilyn Horne Scholarship and awards from the International Liszt Competition, she brings deep artistic insight to her role as Dean of Arts at OCSA. Dr. Lazarova continues to champion the arts through both performance and education on a global scale.

Lynette Tapia, Bolivian-American soprano, is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Operalia (First Prize and Prix de Public), and top awards from the George London, Licia Albanese–Puccini, and Opera Index Foundations. A featured artist with the Parnassus Society, she has also toured with Andrea Bocelli and recorded for Decca and Oehms Classics. She has appeared in leading roles at Opera Košice, Teatro Massimo Bellini, the Donizetti Festival, and Essen, among others. Recent engagements include concerts at Teatro San Carlo and with the Kloster Eberbach Company.

American mezzo-soprano Erin Theodorakis enjoys an active career on stage and in concert across the U.S. and Europe. Praised for her expressive voice and compelling stage presence, she has performed with companies such as the Aspen Opera Center, Pacific Opera Project, and Opera Chapman. Notable roles include Jo in Little Women, Charlotte in A Little Night Music, and Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus. A featured artist with the Parnassus Society, she has also appeared as a soloist in works by Bach, Handel, and Mendelssohn. Erin holds degrees from Rice University and Chapman University and is a Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition award winner.

https://www.erintheodorakis.com/about

Panamanian-American baritone Nmon Ford is acclaimed for his powerful voice and dramatic versatility. As composer, librettist, and star of House of Orfeus, his work will debut at Lincoln Center and London’s Young Vic. Recent highlights include Le Spectre (Hamlet) with Cincinnati Symphony, Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), and The Celebrant (MASS) at Salzburg Festival. A Grammy winner, he has appeared with major opera companies and orchestras worldwide, including English National Opera, Atlanta Symphony, and Chicago Symphony. Ford holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USC.

https://www.nmonford.com/

Praised by Opera News for his “stunningly sweet tone,” tenor Edward Graves is a graduate of the Merola Program and Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera. He has performed roles including Rodolfo (La bohème), Alfredo (La traviata), and Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni). Graves made his Met debut in The Magic Flute and appeared in major companies nationwide. Recent highlights include acclaimed performances as Anatol (Vanessa) and upcoming debuts at Virginia Opera and Houston Grand Opera. He holds degrees from Towson University and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

https://www.edwardegraves.com

Robert Norman, tenor, has been praised for his “truly lovely, Mozartean tenor” (San Francisco Classical Voice) and “feisty and funny” presence (Opera News). A specialist in character tenor roles, he has performed with companies such as LA Opera, Opera San Jose, Dayton Opera, and Pacific Opera Project. He created Mr. Pedrillo in the Star Trek–inspired Abduction from the Seraglio and appeared in the U.S. premiere of Gavin Bryars’ Marilyn Forever. A member of the LA Master Chorale, Norman holds a Master’s in Music from CSU Northridge and is a past winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (L.A. District).

http://www.robertnormantenor.com/

American tenor John Osborn, acclaimed for his mastery in bel canto and French Grand Opéra, began his career winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Award at 21. A Simpson College graduate, he debuted professionally with Des Moines Metro Opera (1993) and joined the Met’s Young Artist Program (1994). Osborn excels in roles by Rossini, Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, and Meyerbeer. Renowned for performances as Arnold in Guillaume Tell, Roméo, and Cellini, he has appeared at major houses including the Met, Opéra National de Paris, and Teatro La Fenice. Awarded multiple honors, he continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

https://www.johnosborntenor.com/

Dr. Ryan Reithmeier is a baritone, producer, and educator with over 20 years of experience in vocal arts. He holds a DMA in vocal arts and opera from USC, where he received the Opera Award. As Director of the Classical Voice Conservatory at OCSA, he produces opera and concert programming, leads outreach initiatives, and develops arts curricula. A seasoned performer, he has appeared with Pacific Opera Project, Parnassus Society, and more. His students have earned top honors and gained admission to leading music schools. Dr. Reithmeier has also served as a NATS-LA board member and competition adjudicator.

Hailed by The New York Times as “clarion-voiced” and “impressive,” lirico spinto tenor Bruce Sledge has performed at major opera houses worldwide for over two decades. A Metropolitan Opera regular, he debuted there as Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and appeared in The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, The Tempest, and more. Recent highlights include Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, Don José in Carmen, and Paolo Erisso in Maometto Secondo. A sought-after concert soloist, Sledge holds a master’s degree in vocal arts from USC.

https://www.brucesledge.com/index.html

Italian bass-baritone Mattia Venni made his professional debut at Lincoln Center in 2023 as Crispino in Crispino e la Comare, earning acclaim from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Recent roles include Figaro and Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro, Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, and Sulpice in La fille du régiment. A winner of multiple international competitions, Venni holds a Bachelor of Music with highest honors from UCLA. Before his operatic career, he worked in film in Paris and Los Angeles, shifting to music in 2019.

https://www.mattiavenni.com/

Kyle Xu is a third-year undergraduate at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance with a minor in Bioinformatics under the mentorship of Professor Vladimir Chernov. An active participant in UCLA’s opera and choral programs, he has recently performed in the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s The Grand Hotel Tartarus and in Fauré’s and Brahms’s Requiems with the UCLA Chamber Singers. A finalist in the Opera Buffs Artists of the Future Competition and recipient of an Encouragement Award from the Schmidt Vocal Competition, Kyle also sings with the choir of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and serves as music director of Bruin Harmony, UCLA’s premier all-male competitive a cappella group. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, video games, arranging music, and cooking.

Leif Ove Andsnes, a celebrated artist of the Parnassus Society, is hailed by the New York Times as “a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight.” With a career spanning the world’s foremost concert halls and orchestras, he is acclaimed for his commanding technique and searching interpretations. An avid chamber musician, he has directed the Rosendal and Risør Festivals, served as music director of California’s Ojai Music Festival, and continues to appear in major residencies worldwide. His extensive discography, with more than 50 titles, has earned him eleven Grammy nominations, seven Gramophone Awards, and induction into the Gramophone Hall of Fame.

https://leifoveandsnes.com/about/

Peter L. Atherton, stage director, is Professor Emeritus at the Hall- Musco Conservatory, Chapman University. For more than forty years he performed and directed extensively in opera, oratorio, concert, and musical theater throughout the United States and Europe. His operatic and concert credits include performances with the Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Baltimore Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Wolf Trap Opera, San Francisco Opera Touring Division, Opera Atelier, Cairo Opera, the Opera Estate of Rome and Verona as well as Los Angeles Philharmonic, L’Orchèstre de la Suisse Romande, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Bach Cercle Genève, International Chamber Ensemble Rome, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Orchèstre de Belgique. Dr. Atherton’s teaching legacy includes current and former students who have won major international competitions, have been accepted into the most prestigious graduate programs and Young Artist Programs in Europe and the United States, and have performed with major opera companies and symphonies throughout the United States and Europe.

David Clemensen, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, is active as a pianist, choir director, teacher, and composer. A native Californian, he holds degrees from Chapman University, CSU Fullerton, and a DMA in Collaborative Piano from USC. Now in his fifteenth season as pianist for Pacific Chorale, he may be heard on recordings including The Radio Hour: Choral Music of Jake Heggie. In demand across Southern California as a collaborator and coach, he has taught at Biola University and Fullerton College. Director of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ontario, his compositions are widely performed and include the award-winning The Tyger and the Lamb.

he two-time GRAMMY-nominated Dover Quartet, hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “the next Guarneri Quartet” and named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music Magazine, is one of the world’s most sought-after chamber ensembles. Winners of the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition and recipients of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award, and Lincoln Center’s Hunt Family Award, the ensemble serves on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music. Their 2025–26 season includes collaborations with Marc-André Hamelin and Edgar Meyer, performances at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Konzerthaus Berlin, and the release of Woodland Songs (Curtis Studio), featuring music by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and Pura Fé alongside Dvořák’s “American” Quartet. The Dover Quartet has collaborated with artists such as Emanuel Ax, Leif Ove Andsnes, Ray Chen, and Roomful of Teeth, and has premiered works by composers including Mason Bates, Steven Mackey, and Chris Rogerson. Their acclaimed recordings include Beethoven Complete String Quartets (Cedille Records), the GRAMMY-nominated Schumann Quartets (Azica), Voices of Defiance (Cedille), and Memoir by Steven Mackey (Bridge). Formed at Curtis in 2008 and named for Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach, the quartet carries forward the lineage of the Guarneri, Cleveland, and Vermeer quartets under the mentorship of distinguished teachers such as Shmuel Ashkenasi, Michael Tree, and Peter Wiley. https://www.doverquartet.com

Scott Dunn, conductor, arranger, and pianist, is acclaimed for his advocacy of American and contemporary music and for his championing of crossover and film composers ranging from George Gershwin and Richard Rodney Bennett to Leonard Rosenman and Danny Elfman. Since 2012 he has served as Associate Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and is Principal Conductor of the Parnassus Society. He has appeared with leading ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, and Sydney Symphony, and has collaborated with artists such as Trey Anastasio, Beck, Chris Botti, Elvis Costello, Danny Elfman, Claire Martin, Leslie Odom Jr., and Rufus Wainwright. A close protégé of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Dunn has become one of the foremost interpreters of Vernon Duke’s concert and stage works. His projects range from acclaimed adaptations of Julius Eastman’s Gay Guerilla and Ellington’s New World A-Comin’ to orchestral tributes like I Watch You Sleep, a 2023 recording with Claire Martin and the Royal Philharmonic honoring Bennett. Equally active in film music, he has conducted live-to-film performances of Rosenman’s Rebel Without a Cause and worked closely with Rachel Portman, Lior Rosner, and Danny Elfman on major orchestral projects worldwide. An accomplished pianist, Dunn has toured extensively, championed twentieth-century American repertoire, and recorded the complete piano works of Lukas Foss. Born in Iowa, Dunn studied piano with Byron Janis, served as assistant to Lukas Foss, and uniquely combines his distinguished musical career with an M.D. and board certification in ophthalmology.

https://www.scott-dunn.com/

Acclaimed for her “warm, grand, and rich” pianism (New York Sun), Dr. Cheryl Lin Fielding is Artistic Director of the Parnassus Society, where she curates dynamic programming that champions both emerging and world-class artists while fostering community engagement in Orange County. A sought-after collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and concert producer, she has performed at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, and the Tanglewood Music Center, and collaborated with organizations including the Mark Morris Dance Group, Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, Santa Fe Opera, Opera San Jose, and the Philadelphia Virtuosi. She also serves as a Continuing Lecturer in Opera Studies at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, where her artistic vision is matched by her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin, renowned for his profound musicianship and “near-superhuman technical prowess” (The New York Times), is celebrated for both core repertoire and his championing of overlooked 19th–21st century works. An exclusive Hyperion artist with over 90 acclaimed recordings, he also composes extensively, with works published by Edition Peters. In the 2025–2026 season, he performs worldwide in recital, chamber, and orchestral settings, including tours across Asia, Europe, and North America. A committed advocate for musical excellence and discovery, Hamelin is a featured artist with the Parnassus Society. His recent album New Piano Works showcases his own inventive and virtuosic compositions.

https://www.marcandrehamelin.com/

Angela Hewitt is one of the world’s foremost pianists, celebrated especially for her interpretations of J.S. Bach. Her award-winning Bach recordings on Hyperion Records have earned international acclaim, and her extensive discography spans composers from Scarlatti to Messiaen. A regular performer with leading orchestras and major festivals worldwide, she also appears as a conductor from the keyboard. Hewitt is the founder and artistic director of Italy’s Trasimeno Music Festival and is a devoted educator and advocate for music’s social impact. A featured artist with the Parnassus Society, she is a Companion of the Order of Canada and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

https://angelahewitt.com/

Stephen Kovacevich, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, is recognized as one of the most revered pianists of his generation. With a career spanning more than six decades, he is celebrated for his interpretations of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert. He made his European debut at Wigmore Hall in 1961 and has since performed with leading orchestras and conductors including Solti, Haitink, Masur, Rattle, and Davis. A devoted chamber musician, Kovacevich has collaborated with Jacqueline du Pré, Josef Suk, the Amadeus and Cleveland Quartets, and today performs with Nicola Benedetti, the Capuçon brothers, Steven Isserlis, Alina Ibragimova, Truls Mørk, Emmanuel Pahud, the Belcea Quartet, and Martha Argerich.

Kelly Kuo, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, is Music Director of the Reno Chamber Orchestra and Associate Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater. Praised by the Cincinnati Enquirer as “a leader of exceptional musical gifts,” he has led over 100 operas and earned recognition for innovative programming and advocacy of underrepresented voices. He has conducted at major companies including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Minnesota Opera, and the Glimmerglass Festival, and with orchestras from Memphis to Malta. An Oregon native and Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award recipient, he was named Emeritus Artistic Director of the Oregon Mozart Players in 2024.

https://www.kellykuo.com/

Mark Lamanna is a stage director, writer and teacher. He has directed opera productions and provided acting training for companies & schools including Pittsburgh Festival Opera, USC Thornton School of Music, Opera New Jersey, Songfest, Angels Vocal Art, South Coast Symphony, Intimate Opera Company, Azuza Pacific University, and the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. Productions include Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicci, followed by An Evening of Opera at Carnegie Hall for Angels Vocal Art; L’enfant et les Sortilèges,Cendrillon, Hansel & Gretel, La Traviata, The Mikado, La Tragédie de Carmen,Die Fledermaus, She Loves Me, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, and Dido & Aeneas. In 2007, Classical Singer Magazine named him Stage Director of the Year. 

Mark trained in New York City as a singer with Lynne Vardaman and James Carson, trained as an actor at the T. Schreiber Studio and HB Studios, and danced on scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School and Balanchine's School of American Ballet. He is grateful to have had brilliant and generous teachers. Outside of theater and opera, Mark trained as a 'Living-in-Process' facilitator with his mentor Harriet Elkington, and teaches this approach to living to both individuals and groups in his home. 

Nathan Le is a critically acclaimed cellist and recent graduate of the Harvard/New England Conservatory dual-degree program, where he studied with Laurence Lesser. A prizewinner of major international competitions—including the Janigro, Tchaikovsky, and Stulberg—he has soloed with orchestras across Southern California and beyond. A featured artist with the Parnassus Society, dedicated to the promotion of American music and musicians, he has also appeared on NPR’s From the Top and performed in NEC’s Chamber Music Gala at Jordan Hall. Le is equally devoted to chamber music and contemporary repertoire. ⬞

https://www.nathanlecello.com/

Benjamin Makino, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, is recognized for thoughtfully nuanced interpretations of both complex contemporary scores and core traditional works. Former Music Director of Opera Memphis, he helped the company gain national recognition for community engagement and innovative productions, leading collaborations with Ballet Memphis, the PRIZM Chamber Orchestra, and the Memphis Slim Collaboratory. He has conducted numerous world and national premieres, including works by Stewart Copeland and Gavin Bryars, and will lead Derrick Wang’s Fearless with Delaware Opera. An active pianist and educator, he serves on the faculty of Porterville College.

https://benjaminmakino.com/

Wes Martin, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, is an Australian-born conductor, arranger, and educator who has served as Artistic Director of the All-American Boys Chorus since 2002. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and recipient of the Hungarian State Scholarship to study at the Kodály Institute, he has devoted more than two decades to shaping young voices and advancing music education. Under his leadership, the AABC has become one of America’s premier boys’ choirs, touring internationally to venues including Carnegie Hall, Westminster Abbey, and the Sydney Opera House, and collaborating with artists from John Williams to Josh Groban.

Shunta Morimoto is a remarkably talented young pianist, praised for his expressive depth, technical command, and artistic maturity well beyond his years. A member of the Parnassus Society, he supports its mission of bringing world-class performances to everyone. He currently studies with William Grant Naboré at the International Piano Academy Lake Como and with Giovanni Velluti at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia in Rome. A recipient of the prestigious Fukuda Scholarship, Morimoto has performed extensively throughout Europe and Japan with leading ensembles and orchestras. In 2022, he was a finalist in the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition in the United Kingdom.

Garrick Ohlsson, a distinguished artist of the Parnassus Society, has established himself worldwide as a pianist of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess since winning the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition. Renowned for his Chopin, he also commands an enormous repertoire of more than 80 concertos, spanning Haydn to contemporary works. A student of Claudio Arrau, he is acclaimed for his performances of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and the Romantic masters. In 2025 he becomes the first American to chair the Chopin Competition jury, while continuing to appear with major orchestras and in chamber collaborations with ensembles such as the Takács, Emerson, and Cleveland Quartets.

https://garrickohlsson.com/

The Omer Quartet—Mason Yu and Erica Tursi, violins; Jinsun Hong, viola; and Alex Cox, cello—is praised for fearless performances of both classic and contemporary works. Winners of the 2017 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Quartet has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Merkin Concert Hall, Chamber Music Abu Dhabi, Bravo! Vail, and Colombia’s Ibagué Festival. Committed to community engagement, it has brought music to shelters and hunger relief programs through Music for Food, creating over 10,000 meals to date. Formed at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the ensemble has held residencies at the New England Conservatory and University of Maryland and is currently the fellowship quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music.

Violinist Emily Uematsu, winner of the 2017 Parnassus Society Award, has performed across the U.S. and Europe as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. A tenured member of the New Haven Symphony, she has appeared with ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and New York Pops. She was a finalist in the International George Gershwin and Mika Hasler Competitions and made her NYC debut at Steinway Hall sponsored by the Jascha Heifetz Society. Festival credits include Aspen, Spoleto, Bellingham, and Sarasota, where she performed Vivaldi with Joseph Silverstein, Ani Kavafian, and Alexander Kerr.

Praised by the Herald-Tribune for his “dazzling pianism verging on the impossible…with a sense of poetry and refinement that belies his years,” Indian-American pianist Vijay Venkatesh has earned recognition on three continents for his profound artistry and innate musical partnership. A top prizewinner of the San Jose, Seattle, Zimmerli, World Piano, and Waring International Competitions, he has also been honored as a Davidson Fellow Laureate at the Library of Congress, USC Thornton Discovery Scholar, and Grand Prize Winner of the Music Center Spotlight Awards. His performances have been featured on Performance Today, NPR’s From the Top, and What Makes It Great? with Robert Kapilow.

As soloist, Venkatesh has appeared with orchestras including Seattle, Vienna, Sarasota, Pasadena, Cincinnati, and Columbus, collaborating with conductors such as James Conlon, Ludovic Morlot, Carlos Miguel Prieto, and Jeffrey Kahane. He is also the inaugural recipient of the Parnassus Society Prize.

https://www.vijay-venkatesh.com