Tomorrow’s Opera Stars Offer Free Community Concert

Musical selections will include pieces from West Side Story, Madame Butterfly, Cosi Fan Tutteand thePearl Fishers, along with some of the singers’ personal “greatest hits.

The free (donations accepted) Brown Bag Concerts, sponsored by Westport Center for the Arts, connect musicians with local audiences in an intimate space. They are held monthly from 12:10 to 1 p.m. at the Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport Road, Kansas City.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City is committed to the future of opera as an art form. In 2016, it launched the Resident Artists Program, creating a true resident company of artists beginning their careers in opera. Artists are chosen following a series of local and national auditions and are overseen and mentored renowned tenor Vinson Cole. During their residency, in addition to appearing on the Lyric’s stage, the resident artists work with visiting guest artists, conductors, and directors; perform in outreach programming throughout the community; participate in master classes and workshops; and receive career coaching and mentoring.

This year’s resident artists include:

Kaylie Kahlich, soprano, received her master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Houston Moores School of Music, and her bachelor of music in vocal performance from Baylor University. Professionally, Kahlich has sung roles for Operativo Houston and Miami Summer Music Festival.

Kelly Birch, mezzo-soprano, received her DMA in vocal performance from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Professionally, Birch has sung roles for Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Opera NEO (San Diego), and the Varna International Opera Academy in Bulgaria.

Joseph Leppek, tenor, received his master’s degree in voice performance from Rice University and his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University. Professionally, Leppek has sung roles for Michigan Opera Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Glimmerglass Festival.

SeokJong Baek, baritone, received his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Professionally, Baek has sung roles for Aspen Music Festival and the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera.

James Maverick, pianist/coach, completing his second year of residency with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, is a graduate of Indiana University. Last season, Maverick served as rehearsal pianist and vocal coach for the Resident Artists in each of our four main stage productions, and played in the orchestra during our production of Everest. Maverick has also coached at the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera and for Indiana University Opera Theater.

Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, and the ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council.