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Stephen Scovasso studied at The Aaron Copland School of Music with graduate
work in Music and Theater at Brooklyn College and The Julliard School of Music.
His teachers have included conductor Vincent La Selva and composer Hugo
Weisgall (Six characters in search of an Author). Mr. Scovasso has directed over
60 fully staged operas, including Carmen, Tosca, and La Bohème, as well as
lesser known works such as Leoncavallo’s Zaza (with which he made his
directing debut with New Jersey State Opera). Edward Downes (longtime
Quizmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts) invited Mr. Scovasso to
appear on The Texaco Opera Quiz, which, at the time of broadcast, he was the
youngest panelist ever to be on the popular intermission feature. Mr. Scovasso
co-founded Voicexperience and was the General Manager of the Artistic
Repertory Theater, Inc., a performance-based young artists program. Mr.
Scovasso was on the musical staff for the Orlando Opera Company in charge of
creating and executing the supertitle translations. He has created over 25 in the
past 6 years and is currently translating Il Trittico, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Don
Giovanni for this seasons performances. Mr. Scovasso is also a contributor for
Classical Singer Magazine. For the Opera Workshop, Inc., Mr. Scovasso
oversees all the artistic matters, including choosing repertory, artists, venues,
and all young artist programs and competitions.
work in Music and Theater at Brooklyn College and The Julliard School of Music.
His teachers have included conductor Vincent La Selva and composer Hugo
Weisgall (Six characters in search of an Author). Mr. Scovasso has directed over
60 fully staged operas, including Carmen, Tosca, and La Bohème, as well as
lesser known works such as Leoncavallo’s Zaza (with which he made his
directing debut with New Jersey State Opera). Edward Downes (longtime
Quizmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts) invited Mr. Scovasso to
appear on The Texaco Opera Quiz, which, at the time of broadcast, he was the
youngest panelist ever to be on the popular intermission feature. Mr. Scovasso
co-founded Voicexperience and was the General Manager of the Artistic
Repertory Theater, Inc., a performance-based young artists program. Mr.
Scovasso was on the musical staff for the Orlando Opera Company in charge of
creating and executing the supertitle translations. He has created over 25 in the
past 6 years and is currently translating Il Trittico, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Don
Giovanni for this seasons performances. Mr. Scovasso is also a contributor for
Classical Singer Magazine. For the Opera Workshop, Inc., Mr. Scovasso
oversees all the artistic matters, including choosing repertory, artists, venues,
and all young artist programs and competitions.
Alberto Benitez completed his musical education in home country of Argentina,
where he studied piano, guitar and French Horn. Alberto was a member of
several local musical organizations such as the Regional Youth Orchestra and
The Brass Band. When Mr. Benitez moved to the United States he became
involved with several arts groups mainly in the New York metropolitan area.
He brings to The Opera Workshop his musical background, expertise in public
relations and administration, along with his multilingual talents Mr. Benitez is
fluent in six languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and
Swedish. His hospitality industry experience specialized in convention and
seminars. Mr. Benitez is a former Manager of Resort Operations at Walt Disney
World in Orlando, Florida. He volunteers his time to several not for profit
organizations, as well as being a member of HOLA, a diversity group established
at Walt Disney World to promote the Hispanic culture and to create opportunities
for people of Latin background.
where he studied piano, guitar and French Horn. Alberto was a member of
several local musical organizations such as the Regional Youth Orchestra and
The Brass Band. When Mr. Benitez moved to the United States he became
involved with several arts groups mainly in the New York metropolitan area.
He brings to The Opera Workshop his musical background, expertise in public
relations and administration, along with his multilingual talents Mr. Benitez is
fluent in six languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and
Swedish. His hospitality industry experience specialized in convention and
seminars. Mr. Benitez is a former Manager of Resort Operations at Walt Disney
World in Orlando, Florida. He volunteers his time to several not for profit
organizations, as well as being a member of HOLA, a diversity group established
at Walt Disney World to promote the Hispanic culture and to create opportunities
for people of Latin background.
Michael Brooks began his musical studies at the age of ten. He is a classically
trained pianist and oboist. He also plays flute and English horn. After graduating
from Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Mr. Brooks attended both Florida
State University and the University of Central Florida earning a double major in
French language and French literature, specializing in 18th and 20th century
theater. During his studies at UCF, Mr. Brooks participated in a student
exchange program at L'Université d'Angers, France, where he studied trilingual
journalistic and literary translation. Besides French, he also speaks German and
Spanish. Currently a financial operations associate with a major entertainment
company, Mr. Brooks is also pursuing two additional degrees in political science
and European history.
trained pianist and oboist. He also plays flute and English horn. After graduating
from Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Mr. Brooks attended both Florida
State University and the University of Central Florida earning a double major in
French language and French literature, specializing in 18th and 20th century
theater. During his studies at UCF, Mr. Brooks participated in a student
exchange program at L'Université d'Angers, France, where he studied trilingual
journalistic and literary translation. Besides French, he also speaks German and
Spanish. Currently a financial operations associate with a major entertainment
company, Mr. Brooks is also pursuing two additional degrees in political science
and European history.
Assistant Conductor and Coach
Audrey Saint-Gil
Audrey Saint-Gil
Born in Toulouse, France, Audrey Saint-Gil began her musical studies at the age
of six. She attended the Conservatoire National de Musique de Toulouse where
she was awarded three first prizes with distinction in piano, chamber music, and
coach/accompanist. She continued her doctoral studies at the University of
Toulouse and graduated in 2004 with a PhD in Music. Audrey Saint-Gil made her
professional debut in 1998, coaching Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, La
Belle Hélène, and Barbe-Bleue at Le Théâtre de Castres in France. She soon
worked as a pianist and vocal coach for several famous French opera house
such as the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse (2005) and the Théâtre du
Châtelet in Paris (2006). In 2006, she began her international coaching career in
the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, with a production of Dukas' Barbe-Bleue
under the direction of Bertrand de Billy. The same time she was appointed Vocal
Coach of the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot, starting her
collaboration with the baritone Jean-Philippe Lafon during his master classes. In
2006, Ms. Saint-Gil was hired as a coach and pianist by the New York Opera
Society for their first tour in France (Castres), presenting Puccini's La Bohème
conducted by Lucy Arner. To further her international career, she worked as a
French vocal coach at Detroit Opera House on the Di Chiera's new opera,
Cyrano, in 2007. She is currently the official pianist of Diana Soviero's studio in
New York. Upcoming engagements include Verdi's Il Trovatore in New York and
Mozart's Don Giovanni in New Hampshire. During the summer of 2008, Ms.
Saint-Gil will join Martina Arroyo's music staff for a production of Verdi's Un Ballo
in Maschera. Next season, Audrey Saint-Gil will divide her time between New
York and Florida.
of six. She attended the Conservatoire National de Musique de Toulouse where
she was awarded three first prizes with distinction in piano, chamber music, and
coach/accompanist. She continued her doctoral studies at the University of
Toulouse and graduated in 2004 with a PhD in Music. Audrey Saint-Gil made her
professional debut in 1998, coaching Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, La
Belle Hélène, and Barbe-Bleue at Le Théâtre de Castres in France. She soon
worked as a pianist and vocal coach for several famous French opera house
such as the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse (2005) and the Théâtre du
Châtelet in Paris (2006). In 2006, she began her international coaching career in
the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, with a production of Dukas' Barbe-Bleue
under the direction of Bertrand de Billy. The same time she was appointed Vocal
Coach of the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot, starting her
collaboration with the baritone Jean-Philippe Lafon during his master classes. In
2006, Ms. Saint-Gil was hired as a coach and pianist by the New York Opera
Society for their first tour in France (Castres), presenting Puccini's La Bohème
conducted by Lucy Arner. To further her international career, she worked as a
French vocal coach at Detroit Opera House on the Di Chiera's new opera,
Cyrano, in 2007. She is currently the official pianist of Diana Soviero's studio in
New York. Upcoming engagements include Verdi's Il Trovatore in New York and
Mozart's Don Giovanni in New Hampshire. During the summer of 2008, Ms.
Saint-Gil will join Martina Arroyo's music staff for a production of Verdi's Un Ballo
in Maschera. Next season, Audrey Saint-Gil will divide her time between New
York and Florida.
General Manager and Artistic Director
Stephen Scovasso
Stephen Scovasso
Co-Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
Alberto Benitez
Chief Administrative Officer
Alberto Benitez
Co-Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Brooks
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Brooks
Director of Educational Outreach
Dr. Liana Valente
Dr. Liana Valente
Costume Designer
Camille McClellan
Camille McClellan
Camille McClellan has been working in the theatre since she was six years old,
starting with productions at Troy University in her home town of Troy, Alabama.
She studied theatrical costuming and clothing design at the University of
Alabama, spending several summer seasons as a costumer at the outdoor
drama Beyond the Sundown in east Texas. Over the years Camille has
designed and constructed costumes for over 200 shows and has worked with
numerous theatrical and dance companies, including Theatre Winter Haven,
Southeastern University, Central Florida Community College, Pegasus Theatre
and Theatre Three (both in Dallas), Florida Shakespeare Festival, Miami City
Ballet, Palm Beach Ballet, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Ballet, the
Imperial Symphony’s Opera Company, Florida Repertory Theatre, and Orlando
Repertory Theatre. In addition to being the sole proprietor of Costumes By
Camille, she is the resident costume designer for Theatre Winter Haven. Camille
is one of only a few specialists in the country trained in the construction of
European-style classical ballet tutus and, at one time, produced a line of
children’s clothing. Her credits include: L'Elisir d'Amore, Cosi fan tutte, The
Mikado, Tosca, Carmen, Hänsel und Gretel, The Tender Land, La Bohème, H.
M.S. Pinafore, CATS, Camelot, Into the Woods, The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Chicago, Oklahoma!, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Prince, Alice in
Wonderland, The Foreigner, My Fair Lady, The King and I, A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Fiddler on the Roof. This season you
will be able to see Camille’s designs on the stage of a The Polk Theatre for
Opera Theater of Lakeland, as well as for Southeastern University, at
Branscomb Auditorium for The Imperial Symphony Orchestra’s opera, and in
Winter Haven for Theatre Winter Haven.
starting with productions at Troy University in her home town of Troy, Alabama.
She studied theatrical costuming and clothing design at the University of
Alabama, spending several summer seasons as a costumer at the outdoor
drama Beyond the Sundown in east Texas. Over the years Camille has
designed and constructed costumes for over 200 shows and has worked with
numerous theatrical and dance companies, including Theatre Winter Haven,
Southeastern University, Central Florida Community College, Pegasus Theatre
and Theatre Three (both in Dallas), Florida Shakespeare Festival, Miami City
Ballet, Palm Beach Ballet, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Ballet, the
Imperial Symphony’s Opera Company, Florida Repertory Theatre, and Orlando
Repertory Theatre. In addition to being the sole proprietor of Costumes By
Camille, she is the resident costume designer for Theatre Winter Haven. Camille
is one of only a few specialists in the country trained in the construction of
European-style classical ballet tutus and, at one time, produced a line of
children’s clothing. Her credits include: L'Elisir d'Amore, Cosi fan tutte, The
Mikado, Tosca, Carmen, Hänsel und Gretel, The Tender Land, La Bohème, H.
M.S. Pinafore, CATS, Camelot, Into the Woods, The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Chicago, Oklahoma!, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Prince, Alice in
Wonderland, The Foreigner, My Fair Lady, The King and I, A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Fiddler on the Roof. This season you
will be able to see Camille’s designs on the stage of a The Polk Theatre for
Opera Theater of Lakeland, as well as for Southeastern University, at
Branscomb Auditorium for The Imperial Symphony Orchestra’s opera, and in
Winter Haven for Theatre Winter Haven.
With almost twenty years of experience as an educator and performer, Dr.
Valente is pleased to join the Opera Theater of Lakeland administrative staff.
She holds degrees from the University of South Carolina (DMA), the University
of Tennessee (MM), and the State University of New York College at Fredonia
(BM) in addition to earning a New York State Teaching Certification in K-12
Music and a Certification in Musical Theater production. She has taught music
and theater to all age groups, created educational outreach programs in
Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, and has taught at several universities
and colleges, including the University of South Carolina, Knoxville College (TN),
and Wesleyan College (GA).
As a performer Dr. Valente specializes in the soubrette repertoire singing such
roles as Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and Dorine in
Tartuffe. An accomplished recitalist, she also specializes in the performance of
contemporary music commissioning and premiering a number of compositions,
including song cycles by John Valerio, Dorothy J. Ross, and Timothy Brown. Her
most recent commission was for a song cycle by Dr. Brown entitled Dreams
Kept, Dreams Deferred, which was set to texts by Langston Hughes. She
premiered this cycle at the College Music Society Super Regional Conference
held in Baton Rouge in February 2008 with pianist Dr. Chan Kiat Lim.
Valente is pleased to join the Opera Theater of Lakeland administrative staff.
She holds degrees from the University of South Carolina (DMA), the University
of Tennessee (MM), and the State University of New York College at Fredonia
(BM) in addition to earning a New York State Teaching Certification in K-12
Music and a Certification in Musical Theater production. She has taught music
and theater to all age groups, created educational outreach programs in
Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, and has taught at several universities
and colleges, including the University of South Carolina, Knoxville College (TN),
and Wesleyan College (GA).
As a performer Dr. Valente specializes in the soubrette repertoire singing such
roles as Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and Dorine in
Tartuffe. An accomplished recitalist, she also specializes in the performance of
contemporary music commissioning and premiering a number of compositions,
including song cycles by John Valerio, Dorothy J. Ross, and Timothy Brown. Her
most recent commission was for a song cycle by Dr. Brown entitled Dreams
Kept, Dreams Deferred, which was set to texts by Langston Hughes. She
premiered this cycle at the College Music Society Super Regional Conference
held in Baton Rouge in February 2008 with pianist Dr. Chan Kiat Lim.
| To Meet Our Board of Directors & Advisory Board, click here. |
LuAndra Whitehurst is a professional make-up artist and designer who is
experienced in performance media such as film, television, photo shoots, and
live theatre. The result of her training and education, her pleasant personality
and diverse background can be seen as she brings the ideas of inspired
clients to life. LuAndra specializes in airbrushing, prosthetics, and character
design. She is also part of the make-up team at Universal Studios and
Abyssmal Entertainment.
experienced in performance media such as film, television, photo shoots, and
live theatre. The result of her training and education, her pleasant personality
and diverse background can be seen as she brings the ideas of inspired
clients to life. LuAndra specializes in airbrushing, prosthetics, and character
design. She is also part of the make-up team at Universal Studios and
Abyssmal Entertainment.
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Wig and Makeup Designer
LuAndra Whitehurst
LuAndra Whitehurst