Coming Soon: Video from our October 20 event
with performers from the
Finger Lakes Opera Young Artist Program
and special guest Jessica Moss
Bravo Nights at the Little Cafe are free, and perfect for both seasoned opera fans and newcomers who enjoy the casual atmosphere and the chance to see top talent at the cusp of their careers.
Click the tip jar to support our Bravo Nights performers.
MEET OUR PERFORMERS
Kaswanna Kanyinda, mezzo soprano
Mezzo-soprano, Kaswanna Kanyinda, has been praised for her dramatic presence, vocal warmth, and as a “talent to keep a sharp lookout for.” This past season, she finished her second year as a resident artist at Fort Worth Opera and had success as a finalist and semi-finalist in competitions by Opera Ebony, Young Texas Artists. Shreveport Opera, Lorne Zachary, MIOpera and Annapolis Opera. Kaswanna has worked with companies including Opera Theatre Saint Louis, Finger Lakes Opera, Toledo Opera, Detroit Opera Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids, Spoleto Festival, and Long Leaf Opera.
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Conor Brereton, tenor
A native of Las Vegas, Conor Breteton is an emerging tenor known for his engaging performances in roles ranging from Mozart and Puccini to contemporary premieres. He was a Young Artist during Finger Lakes Opera's 2023 season, where he performed Ken/Hobart/JFK in the World Premiere workshop of Two Corners by B. E. Boykin; was featured in scenes from Falstaff, La boheme, and Lucia di Lammermoor in "Summer Scenes: A Night in Italy", and performed in the chorus of Aida. Conor holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and The University of Michigan, and he pursued further vocal studies at Indiana University.
Jessica Moss, soprano
You'll recall Jess's recent performances at Pittsford Community Library, where she is enthusiastically applauded by the Rochester audience. She has also performed at prior Bravo Nights and as a soloist at Opera Guild's Annual Recital for donors.
Jessica has participated in masterclasses led by Metropolitan Opera singers Ben Heppner, Eric Owens, Sherril Milnes, Michael Sylvester, Erie Mills, and Jonathan Beyer, and Eastman School of Music professors, Jan Opalach and Wilson Southerland. She holds a M.M. In Vocal Performance from Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Phyllis Bryn-Julson and a B.S. in Music Performance from Roberts Wesleyan College in Voice as a student of Constance Fee.
Steven Groth, baritone
Steve Groth, baritone, is a classical vocalist, teacher, and collaborative pianist currently residing in the metro-Milwaukee area. Recent operatic credits include Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Ford (Falstaff), Taddeo (L’Italiana in Algeri), and Dandini (La Cenerentola), Escamillo (Carmen), and Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana). Equally at home on the concert stage, Steve has recently performed the baritone solos in Puccini’s Messa di Gloria (Montefeltro Festival) and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (SUNY Geneseo).
He has been a semi-finalist in the SAS Vocal Competition and the Jensen Competition, received the William Vennard Prize with the NATSAA young artist awards, and won the second place Kenneth King award in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild competition. Currently, he is curating a collection of Bel Canto hits with Art Song Colorado for future publication. An active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing as an Eastern Regional professor and clinician, Steve has served the collegiate voice faculties at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam) and Colorado-Mesa University and the Italian summer program, La Musica Lirica.
Érico Freire Bezerra, Accompanist
Brazilian pianist Érico Freire Bezerra is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts
degree in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music, under
the guidance of Dr. Andrew Harley. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande do Sul
Federal University (UFRGS) in Brazil and his Master’s degree from Illinois State University.
Since the beginning of his DMA, Érico participated in many music festivals, including the 2022
Toronto Summer Music Festival, and Music on Site.Inc (MOSI) 2022 where he served as Music
Director in the opera Suor Angelica. Last summer, he attended the 2023 Aspen Music Festival
and School as a fellow in the Vocal Collaboration program. Since 2015, he has served as a staff
collaborative pianist at UFRGS in Porto Alegre/Brazil. Érico is a recipient of the Fulbright
Scholarship and currently holds Graduate Assistantships in Studio Accompanying and
Orchestral Keyboard at Eastman.