Opera Orlando Welcomes Its 2025-26 Apprentice & Studio Artists

Opera Orlando proudly announces the roster of singers selected for its 2025-26 10th Anniversary Apprentice and Studio Artists programs. Soprano Alyssa Pimentel and tenor Evan Martinez, current voice majors at Stetson University, will be featured on stage in the opening MainStage production of La Bohème as Apprentice Artists. Also featured in La Bohème and throughout the season is a trio of Studio Artists: soprano Alexandra Kzeski, mezzo-soprano Ruoxi Bian, and baritone Logan Tarwater. 

“The Apprentice and Studio Artists programs are at the heart of what we do at Opera Orlando,” shares education director Sarah Purser. “These young singers are not just gaining on-stage experience, they are bringing artistry, energy, and spirit into the community. It’s a joy to see them grow as artists throughout the season as they engage with schools, community partners, and the Company’s audiences and patrons. We are especially excited to welcome this season’s cohort to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.”

Opera Orlando’s Apprentice Artists Program offers training and professional experience for undergraduate vocal majors. Apprentice Artists perform in MainStage choruses, cover smaller roles, and receive mentorship and development opportunities throughout the season. This program is specifically designed for undergraduate voice majors, providing them with something truly rare in the field: the chance to earn college credit, receive professional experience, and get paid for performing roles with a professional opera company. Opera Orlando’s program builds a unique bridge between academic study and professional performance. Opera Orlando currently partners with Stetson University to provide course credit for participating students. Beginning next season, this partnership will expand to include Bethune-Cookman University, furthering the Company’s educational mission and opening the door for even more young singers to gain invaluable professional training.

Opera Orlando’s Studio Artists Program provides emerging singers with vital performance opportunities: performing and covering MainStage roles, coaching with world-class guest artists in workshop and masterclass settings, and receiving training in acting, movement, and vocal technique. In addition, Studio Artists engage directly with Central Florida audiences through school programs, retirement center concerts, and other outreach events. 

Opera Orlando kicks off its 10th Anniversary season this October with La Bohème. Individual tickets are on sale now and start at just $39 inclusive of all venue fees, or save big on all THREE operas “On the MainStage”—La Bohème, Silent Night, and The Merry Widow—with a season subscription, starting at just $109. Tickets available exclusively through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org or by calling (407) 839-0119, ext. 0.

See YOU at the Opera!

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

2025-26 Apprentice Artists

Evan Martinez, tenor

Since beginning his vocal studies, tenor Evan Martinez has found immense joy in breathing new life into timeless roles such as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Gastone in La traviata. He also embraces contemporary repertoire, including performing the role of Farid in Hajar by Elisabeth Mehl Greene as part of the Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition at the National Opera Conference. Beyond the operatic stage, Evan is an active performer of sacred works and oratorios, including soloist appearances in Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s St. Paulus. A student of the University of Central Florida and now Stetson University, Evan is completing his Bachelor of Arts in Music. Upcoming performances include the role of the Witch in Stetson Opera Theatre’s production of Hansel and Gretel this spring.

Alyssa Pimentel, soprano

Soprano Alyssa Pimentel, from Palm Coast, Florida, is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Stetson University, where she studies with Dr. Karen Coker Merritt. Alyssa has already received numerous honors for her artistry: she was featured as a soloist in Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing for the FMEA All-State Chorus (2023), earned a Superior with Distinction at Florida State Solo and Ensemble, and received the Outstanding First Year Music Major award at Stetson University (2024). Her stage credits include Nettie Fowler in Carousel, Galatea in Acis and Galatea, and the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro. She was also featured as a soloist in Stetson’s Return to Broadway! concert. Alyssa is slated to sing the Witch in Hansel and Gretel with Stetson Opera Theatre in spring 2026

2025-26 Studio Artists

Alexandra Kzeski, soprano

American soprano Alexandra Kzeski, known for her “larger-than-life voice and flawless stage presence” (OperaWire), shines in a broad-ranging repertoire of classic to contemporary operatic roles. In May 2024, she graduated with her master’s degree from The New School: Mannes School of Music. For the 2025–26 season, she returned to The Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center to sing Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. Previously, she sang with Sarasota Opera as an apprentice artist, debuting the role of Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia. In October 2024, she sang Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Mannes Opera. Other roles include Musetta in La bohème with The Janiec Opera Company, the title role in Lysistrata produced by Mannes Opera, and First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, also with Mannes Opera. Alexandra has been recognized in major competitions, receiving an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, 1st Prize in The National Society of Arts and Letters Shirley Rabb Winston Scholarship Competition, and 2nd Place in the Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition. With Opera Orlando she can be seen as Valencienne in The Merry Widow among other roles throughout the season. (https://www.alexandrakzeski.com/)

Ruoxi Bian, mezzo-soprano

Chinese mezzo-soprano Ruoxi Bian recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Michigan State University. She also holds a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree from Minzu University of China. Her operatic credits include Minskwoman in Flight, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Ramiro in La finta giardiniera, and Amastre in Serse. She has also performed staged scenes as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, the title role in Carmen, Mallika in Lakmé, and Nicklausse in Les contes d’Hoffmann. In the 2024-25 season, Ruoxi was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Idaho-Montana District and was also named a winner of the MSU Honors Competition. Her previous awards include First Prize at the Singapore Zhongsin International Music Competition and First Prize at the San Jose International Music Festival Competition. She kicks off her Opera Orlando season as Musetta in La Bohème. (https://www.ruoxibian.com/)

Logan Tarwater, baritone

Hailing from Rockville, Maryland, baritone Logan Tarwater was most recently a Studio Artist in Central City Opera’s Bonfils-Stanton Young Artist Program, covering roles in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Once Upon a Mattress. A recent master’s graduate of Wichita State University, Logan appeared there as John Sorel in Menotti’s The Consul, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, and originated the role of Bishop Latour in the world premiere of Lance Hulme’s December Night.

While in Kansas, he remained active with multiple organizations, singing the Hunter in Rusalka with Wichita Grand Opera, appearing as a featured soloist with Wichita Symphony Orchestra, 

and performing with Opera Kansas. Other notable credits include Masetto and Leporello in Don Giovanni, King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Sam in Trouble in Tahiti. Logan 

takes on several roles with Opera Orlando this season including William Dale in Silent Night. (https://www.operabase.com/logan-tarwater-a2183904/en)

About Opera Orlando:     Celebrating, expanding, and sharing the world’s greatest art form, the 2025-26 season marks Opera Orlando’s 10th Anniversary of producing high-quality operatic entertainment and educational programs that engage Central Florida audiences. Stay up to date with Opera Orlando’s season online at www.OperaOrlando.org, and follow and like the Opera’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok accounts to share in all the celebrations this season.