Skip links

Origin Stories in Song

Origin Stories in Song

The Music Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute delves into its roots as a cultivator of art song with a special evening of fellow-selected songs that share their personal journeys.

Program

To Be Announced

Artists

avatar

Antonia Sofia Cáceres

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
26
Birthplace
Santiago, Chile
School/Professional Affiliation
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Scholarship
The Jill Taylor and Ray Link Scholarship in Voice

ANTONIA SOFIA CÁCERES 26, born in Santiago, Chile, is earning her bachelor's degree at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Susanne Mentzer. She won the Van Waynen Performance Award in 2025. Recent roles include Nora in Riders to the Sea by Vaughan Williams and Pamina in The Magic Flute by Mozart.

View Full Profile
avatar

Josie Larsen

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
27
Birthplace
Sammamish, Washington
School/Professional Affiliation
New England Conservatory
Compeers
Robert Howell Wilk and Erik Wilk, Christine Holland
Scholarship
The Elizabeth Mosher Endowed Scholarship in Voice

JOSIE LARSEN 27, born in Sammamish, Washington, completed her Artist Diploma at the New England Conservatory (NEC), studying with Bradley Williams. She placed third place in both the 2025 New England Region Met Opera Laffont and 2025 Shreveport Opera Young Artist competitions. Roles at NEC include Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte and Mimi in La bohème.

View Full Profile
avatar

Xinshu Li

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
28
Birthplace
Austin, Texas
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Texas, Austin

XINSHU LI 28, born in Austin, Texas, is earning her Doctor of Musical Arts at University of Texas, Austin, studying with Leah Crocetto. She placed third in the 2024 National Society of Arts and Letters Voice Competition and has performed as Contessa in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Gossip in Hoffman's The Ghosts of Versailles.

View Full Profile
avatar

Emily Margevich

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2024, 2025
Age
29
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois
School/Professional Affiliation
Academy of Vocal Arts
Compeers
Danner and Arno Schefler, Sheila Wald
Scholarship
The Beth and George Wood Scholarship in Voice

EMILY MARGEVICH ('24) 29, born in Chicago, Illinois, is a Company Artist at OperaDelaware, studying with Sally Wolf. She was a Laffont District Winner in 2024 and won 2nd Place in the Jensen Foundation in 2021. Recent roles include Musetta in La bohème with OperaDelaware and Tatyana in Eugene Onegin with Heartbeat Opera.

View Full Profile
avatar

Ruoxi Peng

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2024, 2025
Age
25
Birthplace
Beijing, China
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Texas, Austin
Scholarship
The Lotte Lehmann Endowed Scholarship in Voice

RUOXI PENG ('24) 25, born in Beijing, China, is earning her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas, Austin, studying with Liliana Guerrero and Tamar Sanikidze. She won first place in the 2025 Lewisville Symphony International Voice Competition and was the 2024 Michigan district winner of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

View Full Profile
avatar

Amber Rogers

soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
24
Birthplace
Bowie, Maryland
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Compeers
Linda Burrows
Scholarship
The John Percival and Mary C Jefferson Endowed Scholarship in Voice

AMBER ROGERS 24, born in Bowie, Maryland, has recently completed her master's degree at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, studying with Caitlin Lynch, Timothy LeFebvre, and Louise Toppin. She won the 2024 George Shirley Competition Collegiate Division. Roles at University include Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte and Gretel in Hansel und Gretel.

View Full Profile
avatar

Stella FitzGerald

mezzo-soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
23
Birthplace
Austin, Texas
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory
Compeers
Bridget Foreman, Linda Seltzer Yawitz
Scholarship
The Linda Seltzer Yawitz Scholarship in Voice

STELLA FITZGERALD 23, born in Austin, Texas, is earning her master's degree in voice performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), studying with Elliot Madore. Roles include Presendia in Dark Sisters at CCM, Nancy in Albert Herring at Chicago Summer Opera, and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel at Miami Music Festival.

View Full Profile
avatar

Julia Holoman

mezzo-soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
24
Birthplace
Raleigh, North Carolina
School/Professional Affiliation
Rice University
Compeers
Bridget Foreman, Linda Seltzer Yawitz
Scholarship
The Shirley and Seymour Lehrer Scholarship in Voice

JULIA HOLOMAN 24, born in Raleigh, North Carolina, earned her master's degree at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, appearing as Ruggiero in Alcina and Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas. She was a semifinalist in the 2025 Houston Grand Opera Concert of Arias and a finalist in the 2025 National Opera Association Carolyn Bailey Argento Competition.

View Full Profile
avatar

Qirong Liang

mezzo-soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
26
Birthplace
Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
School/Professional Affiliation
Rice University
Compeers
Bunny Freidus
Scholarship
The Gina Jannotta Endowed Scholarship in Voice

QIRONG LIANG 26, born in Jinzhong, China, is earning her graduate degree at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, studying with Robin Rice. She was a 2024 National Semifinalist in The Met Opera Laffont Competition and performed in The Ghosts of Versailles at Rice University. She was a 2023 Aspen Music Festival Studio Artist.

View Full Profile
avatar

Anastasia Minashvili

mezzo-soprano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
23
Birthplace
Tbilisi, Georgia
School/Professional Affiliation
Tbilisi State Conservatoire
Compeers
Gail and Steve Humphreys
Scholarship
The Patricia Toppel Scholarship in Voice

ANASTASIA MINASHVILI ('24) 23, born in Tbilisi, Georgia, is earning her Bachelor of Arts at Tbilisi State Conservatoire, studying with Gocha Bejuashvili. She has performed as Flora Bervoix in La Traviata with the Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi, and as Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte and Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire Opera Studio.

View Full Profile
avatar

Joshua Berg

tenor fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2020, 2021, 2025
Age
24
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois
School/Professional Affiliation
Academy of Vocal Arts
Compeers
Gil and Belle Michael, Debbie and Larry Rehr
Scholarship
The Maryan Schall Endowed Scholarship in Voice

JOSHUA BERG ('21, '20) 24, born in Chicago, Illinois, is earning his degree at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, studying with Bill Schuman. The returning Music Academy alum won the YoungArts National Award in 2019 and has performed as Fritz in L’amico Fritz, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance.

View Full Profile
avatar

Zihao Liu

tenor fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
26
Birthplace
Chongqing, China
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Compeers
Julie Chapman and David Cushing
Scholarship
The Léni Fé Bland Endowed Scholarship in Voice

ZIHAO LIU 26, born in Chongqing, China, is earning his Doctor of Music Arts at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, studying with Jerold Siena. He has performed as Tenor Soloist in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy at University of Illinois, and as Lord Tolloller in Sullivan and Gilbert's Iolanthe and Schoolmaster in Janeček's The Cunning Little Vixen at Bard College.

View Full Profile
avatar

Yulin Wang

tenor fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
25
Birthplace
Dezhou, Shandong, China
School/Professional Affiliation
Manhattan School of Music
Compeers
Julie Chapman and David Cushing
Scholarship
The Elenore and Thomas Hugunin Endowed Scholarship in Voice

YULIN WANG 25, born in Dezhou, China, is earning his master's degree at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Cynthia Hoffmann. He won First Prize in the 2020 Korea & China International Music Competition, and the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition District Encouragement Award. Roles include Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Amore Opera.

View Full Profile
avatar

Jack Burrows

baritone fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2024, 2025
Age
23
Birthplace
Seattle, Washington
School/Professional Affiliation
Pacific Lutheran University
Compeers
Robert Howell Wilk and Erik Wilk, Christine Holland
Scholarship
The Léni Fé Bland Endowed Scholarship in Voice

JACK BURROWS ('24) 23, born in Seattle, Washington, completed his bachelor's degree at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), studying with Holly Boaz. The returning Music Academy alum won the Angela Meade Competition in 2023. Roles include Paris in Roméo et Juliette with Vashon Opera, and King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors with PLU Opera.

View Full Profile
avatar

Joshua James Klein

baritone fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
24
Birthplace
Landstuhl, Rheinland-pfalz, Germany
School/Professional Affiliation
Academy of Vocal Arts
Compeers
Danner and Arno Schefler, Sheila Wald
Scholarship
The Danner and Arno Schefler Scholarship in Voice

JOSHUA JAMES KLEIN 24, born in Landstuhl, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, is currently a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, studying with Bill Schuman. He was named the 2019 Outstanding Vocalist at the William Lewis School of Opera and has performed roles with Santa Fe Opera, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and Opera North.

View Full Profile
avatar

Zhenpeng Zhang

baritone fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
26
Birthplace
Tianjin, China
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Texas, Austin
Scholarship
The Michelle Joanou Scholarship in Voice

ZHENPENG ZHANG 26, born in Tianjin, China, is earning his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas, Austin. He received Encouragement Awards at The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in Tulsa (2025) and North Carolina (2024). Recent performances include the title roles in Don Giovanni at Prague Estates Theater and Le nozze di Figaro.

View Full Profile
avatar

Jamie Felix-Toll

bass-baritone fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
21
Birthplace
Los Angeles, California
School/Professional Affiliation
Oberlin College Conservatory of Music
Compeers
Gail and Steve Humphreys
Scholarship
The Barbara Smith-Sherrill and Marshall Sherrill Endowed Scholarship in Voice

JAMIE FELIX-TOLL ('24) 21, born in Los Angeles, California, is earning his bachelor's degree at Oberlin College, where he has performed the roles of Pandolfe in Cendrillon, Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, and The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk. He won the 2025 Schmidt Undergraduate Competition (Upper Division) and the 2022 YoungArts Award.

View Full Profile
avatar

David Kahng

bass-baritone fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
29
Birthplace
Cheonan, Korea
School/Professional Affiliation
Mannes College of Music

DAVID KAHNG 29, born in Cheonan, Korea, is earning his professional degree at Mannes College of Music, studying with William Burden and Joshua Greene. He was the Encouragement Winner at the 2021 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Georgia District. Recent roles include Melisso in Alcina at Mannes Opera and Barone in La Traviata at Wolf Trap Opera.

View Full Profile
avatar

George Jiayi Baolin

bass fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
29
Birthplace
Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Texas, Austin
Compeers
Todd Yancey and David Denniston
Scholarship
The Todd Yancey and David Denniston Scholarship in Voice

GEORGE JIAYI BAOLIN 29, born in Chifeng, China, has recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas, Austin, studying with Leah Crocetto. He has performed as Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and Doctor Grenvil in La Traviata with Butler Opera Center, and Simone in Gianni Schicchi at the Tagliacozzo International Festival.

View Full Profile
avatar

Eric Head

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2024, 2025
Age
24
Birthplace
Fairmont, Minnesota
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Compeers
Marisa and Bryan Garber
Scholarship
The John Percival and Mary C Jefferson Endowed Scholarship in Vocal Piano

ERIC HEAD ('24) 24, born in Fairmont, Minnesota, has completed his master's degree in collaborative piano at the University of Michigan, studying with Ana María Otamendi, Martin Katz, and Elena Lacheva. The returning Music Academy alum won the Marilyn Horne Song Competition in 2024 and the Rosholt Distinction in Accompanying Prize in 2021 and 2022.

View Full Profile
avatar

Ava Linvog

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
27
Birthplace
Snohomish, Washington
School/Professional Affiliation
Eastman School of Music
Compeers
Robert Howell Wilk and Erik Wilk, Christine Holland
Scholarship
The Karl Kramer Foundation Scholarship in Vocal Piano

AVA LINVOG 27, born in Snohomish, Washington, is a freelance musician studying with Andrew Harley. She recently served as a rehearsal pianist and harpsichordist for Le nozze di Figaro with North Carolina Opera and a studio pianist for Don Giovanni with Opera Omaha. She was on the music staff for the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Festival.

View Full Profile
avatar

Anson Ng

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
29
Birthplace
Hong Kong
School/Professional Affiliation
McGill Universtiy
Compeers
Ken and Shirley Waxman
Scholarship
The Elenore and Thomas Hugunin Endowed Scholarship in Vocal Piano

ANSON NG 29, born in Hong Kong, is earning his Artist Diploma at McGill University, studying with Michael McMahon and Francis Perron. He won the 2015 Hong Kong Youth Piano Competition, and has worked as a répétiteur for Dialogue des Carmélites at Opera McGill, La chauve-souris at The Canadian Vocal Institute, and The Rape of Lucretia at Aspect Opera.

View Full Profile
avatar

Tony Stauffer

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2024, 2025
Age
28
Birthplace
Orthez, Pyrénées atlantiques, France
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Montreal
Compeers
Todd Yancey and David Denniston
Scholarship
The Mary A. Kana Endowed Scholarship in Solo Piano

TONY STAUFFER ('24) 28, born in Orthez, France, has recently completed his degree at the University of Montreal, studying with Francis Perron and Liz Upchurch. He has performed in vocal recitals at the University of Montreal and McGill University, and will join the Opéra de Montréal's Young Artist Program as a répétiteur and vocal coach this August.

View Full Profile
avatar

Gabrielė Žemaitytė

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
32
Birthplace
Vilnius, Lithuania
School/Professional Affiliation
Bard Conservatory of Music
Compeers
Wendy Scott and John Hanson
Scholarship
The Linda Sawyer Frankel Memorial Scholarship in Vocal Piano

GABRIELĖ ŽEMAITYTĖ 32, born in Vilnius, Lithuania, completed her Collaborative Piano Fellowship at Bard Conservatory of Music, studying with Erika Switzer, Kayo Iwama, and Noah Lindquist. She won 2nd prize at the 2021 Copenhagen Lied-Duo Competition. At Bard, she has performed in the operas American Terror and Orphée aux enfers.

View Full Profile
avatar

Yueqi Zhang

vocal piano fellow

ABOUT
Fellow
2025
Age
31
Birthplace
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
School/Professional Affiliation
University of Texas, Austin
Compeers
Ken and Shirley Waxman
Scholarship
The Shirley and Seymour Lehrer Scholarship in Vocal Piano

YUEQI ZHANG 31, born in Nanjing, China, is earning his Doctor of Musical Arts at University of Texas, Austin, studying with Tamar Sanikidze. He won the 2020 Hong Kong International String Competition, Piano Trio Division. He has served as rehearsal pianist for Le nozze di Figaro, The Ghosts of Versailles, and La Traviata at Butler Opera Center.

View Full Profile

Related Events

Available Now
This event qualifies you for a free pre-concert picnic. You will be prompted to add during seat selection, then select a table and enjoy!
7:30 pm
Thu, Jun 19
Origin Stories in Song
Hahn Hall
Get Tickets
Learn More
This event qualifies you for a free pre-concert picnic. You will be prompted to add during seat selection, then select a table and enjoy!
7:30 pm
Fri, Jun 27
Opera Scenes
Hahn Hall
Get Tickets
Learn More
7:30 pm
Fri, Jul 18
Mozart's Don Giovanni (Evening)
Granada Theatre
Get Tickets
Learn More
2 pm
Sun, Jul 20
Mozart's Don Giovanni (Matinee)
Granada Theatre
Get Tickets
Learn More
7:30 pm
Tue, Aug 5
LVI Love & Laughter
Hahn Hall
Get Tickets
Learn More
Check back later for new events!

Subscribe And Save

Subscribe to secure the best seats all summer long!

Summer Festival Ticket Office

Series subscriptions on sale Apr 10 • Individual tickets on sale May 1

CARSEY TICKET OFFICE
805-969-8787 
HOURS: 10 AM-5 PM
BY PHONE ONLY: Weekdays APR 1 – JUN 4
OPEN IN PERSON: Weekdays JUN 5 –AUG 2

Questions? Please email TicketOffice@musicacademy.org

If you are unable to attend, call the Ticket Return Hotline at 805-565-5400 at least 24 hours prior to the event to donate your tickets back as a tax-deductible contribution.

ORDER ONLINE any time at musicacademy.org

View all available subscription packages and special events at musicacademy.org/subscriptions

EARLY TICKET SALES ACCESS is a benefit for members of the Vivace Donor Society.  Learn more at musicacademy.org/support