Elizabeth Bozhich

Elizabeth Bozhich, soprano, is pursuing a Master’s degree in Music at the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute under the mentorship of Professors Margeret Baroody and Denyce Graves-Montgomery. Her operatic journey is highlighted by her performance of significant roles, including the role of Blonde in Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio with Bel Cantanti Opera. At Mason Opera, she performed the title role of Cendrillon in Viardot’s Cendrillon, Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Madame Beurrefondu in Offenbach’s Mesdames de la Halle, Mrs. Nolan in Menotti’s The Medium, Second Woman in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, The Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, and Shepherdess in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilege, among many others. As a concert soloist, Elizabeth performed with the Osanna Chamber Ensemble at the 75th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary Benefit Concert, their concert tour in New York, and recorded solos in Bortniansky’s Te Deum and Let My Prayer Arise. Her other solo work includes Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Britten’s Cantata Academica.

Elizabeth currently resides in Herndon, VA where she is a Private Vocal Teacher and performs as a soloist and section leader at Cherrydale United Methodist Church.

Olivia Carlton

Olivia Carlton, soprano, is from Richmond, Virginia. She is pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, and is studying under the tutelage of Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves. Last summer, she attended the Vienna Summer Music Festival where she performed the roles of Beth in the World Premiere of A Girl from Ipanema, Zwei Knabe in Die Zauberflöte, and La Sorella Infermiera in Suor Angelica. In 2024, Olivia completed her undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University where she performed as Prince Charming in Cinderella with VCU Opera. During her time at VCU Opera, Olivia also worked as a Stage Manager for multiple productions. When not performing, Olivia enjoys teaching voice, crocheting, reading, and watching silly sitcoms.

Erika Carper

Erika Carper is a mezzo-soprano from Elkview, West Virginia. Erika began singing opera at Otterbein University in 2021, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Adolescent/Young Adult Education. After studying with Peggy Kohler for two years, Erika fell in love with classical music and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of performing. Since then, Erika played the role of Leonora in Il trionfo dell’onore with La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy. She also played the role of Thelma in Later The Same Evening at Otterbein University, and reprised the role at the Columbus Museum of Art.

In addition to music, Erika is passionate about social justice and education. For her time spent in Columbus City Schools, she was recognized with the Joining Hands Award for excellence in student teaching. She is also a proud student leader and ambassador for Q to Q: A Virtual Space for Female Presenting Queer Creatives. This group provides open and safe conversations monthly for female presenting queer musicians.

Erika is now a first year Master’s student at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, studying under Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves-Montgomery.

Aubrey Maren Cole

Aubrey Maren Cole is an Arizona native pursuing the second year of her master’s degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy at The Peabody Conservatory through Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of Margaret “Peggy” Baroody and Denyce Graves-Montgomery. Aubrey received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Arizona, where she studied under Professor Yunah Lee. Aubrey has performed in multiple operatic roles: Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with International Lyric Academy (ILA) in Vicenza, Italy, and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with ILA and Opera Carolina in Vicenza, Italy and Charlotte, NC respectively. Other roles include Genovieffa in Suor Angelica with Varna International, Michäela in La Tragedie de Carmen, La Sorella Infermiera in Suor Angelica, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi along with Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro all at the University of Arizona. Over the past year, she has placed in three vocal competitions: 1st place in the graduate division of Peabody’s Art Song Competition, 1st place in the Quest for the Best Undergraduate division, held by The Southern Arizona Opera Guild, and 2nd place in the 24–40-year-old division of the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition, hosted by The University of Arizona.

Junyi Hu

Junyi Hu received her Bachelor’s degree in Musical Education major in China Conservatory of Music and currently studying for her master’s degree in Voice performance major in Peabody Conservatory belongs to Professor Margaret Baroody and Professor Denyce Graves studio.

She has the natural voice of a powerful, expressive Soprano with the potential of developing into a Spinto. As a Lyric Soprano, she has the qualities of a professional opera singer, she wields a unique advantage in the medium pitch register because of her wide range of registers, which makes her voice memorable and charismatic. She could not only perform the opera classics by Verdi or Puccini but also interpret German and Austrian Lieds with a profound understanding, as well as ancient Chinese poetry songs.

Junyi Hu has multifaceted talent meanwhile she has always been holding herself to high standards and striving for greater accomplishments and she is recent winner of the 2023 World Classical Music Awards Competition of Baroque Category S1 and World Grand Pix International Music Contest.

Evelyn Miao

Evelyn Miao, also known as Yiwen Miao, is a Chinese lyric mezzo-soprano. She has been honored with many awards, including First Prize at the “New Era, New Youth” Sichuan University Students celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the CPC. Additionally,she received the Best Stage Performance Award at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition (AVIMC) China Finals.

Her recent performances include a prominent role in Sichuan Symphony Orchestra’s production of Die Zauberflöte and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, “Ode to Joy,” as part of the First Monthly Concert for 2023-2024. Evelyn also featured in Sichuan Conservatory of Music’s opera Hänsel und Gretel, and participated in several notable events, such as the Sichuan Conservatory of Music’s concert celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China and the Sichuan Provincial Fine Arts and Literature Creation large-scale symphonic chorus “Songs of Shu Road.”

Ximena Mier

Ximena Mier is an 18 year old soprano from Orange County, California. She began her solo career at the age of thirteen, where she began getting leading roles and solo opportunities in concerts through her school. She recently completed her first recital, performing for over four hundred people. Her most recent work was a choral concert supporting Laura’s House, a charity which helps support victims of domestic violence. She is passionate about sharing her emotions through her music, as well as giving all people access to the arts.

Audrey Nicholson

Audrey Nicholson is a soprano from San Antonio, Texas and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She nourished her love for performing through many years of local community theater productions, beginning with playing a member of the Lullaby League in the Wizard of Oz as a kindergartener. After graduating from high school, Audrey participated in a year-long exchange program to Gothenburg, Sweden, where she sang in her first semi-professional opera, Dido and Aeneas. After returning from Sweden, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Columbia University in the City of New York. At Columbia, Audrey was an active performer and leader in the university’s Bach Society and New Opera Workshop. During her tenure as the president of New Opera Workshop, she led production for three new operas that premiered at the conference Operatic Feminisms: On and Offstage. Her bachelor’s thesis “Reflections on Homesickness” was a semi-autobiographical research and performance project that earned her departmental honors. Most recently, Audrey appeared as Second Lady and Second Spirit in a production of Die Zauberflöte in Weimar, Germany. Audrey is a current master’s student at the Peabody Conservatory, where she studies with Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves.

Hyojin Noh

Hyojin Noh recently earned a silver award at the 2023 Busan New Talent Discovery Competition. During her time at university, she served as the department head, where she collaborated with fellow students and managed tasks efficiently. This role allowed Hyojin to demonstrate practical problem-solving skills and effective leadership.

Hyojin enjoys connecting with a diverse range of people and is open to new ideas. She values clear communication and strives to create a positive and collaborative atmosphere in both professional and personal settings. Her approach focuses on building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact.

Hyojin is continually seeking opportunities for growth and aim to contribute positively through her work and interactions. Her goal is to maintain a practical and balanced approach in all her endeavors.

Divira Pahwa

Divira Pahwa is a first year master’s student at The Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University studying Vocal Performance as a Soprano under Margaret Baroody/Denyce Graves. She recently got her Bachelor’s in Music in Voice Performance at Michigan State University and studied under Richard Fracker. Last fall, Divira performed as Desiree Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music” by Steven Sondheim and has performed in other productions such as “La Finta Giardiniera” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Albert Herring” by Benjamin Britten and “L’enfant et les Sortileges” by Maurice Ravel. Divira has also sung and toured with MSU’s various jazz ensembles and has sung with her own group called “The Divira Pahwa Trio”. Aside from Music, she enjoys nature and hiking, cooking and playing with her cat.

Layla Tajmir

Layla Tajmir is a first-year Masters student at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, studying voice with Dr. Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves-Montgomery. Layla is a recent graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, where they studied with Dr. Jeff Kensmoe. During their time at BSC, Layla served as the president of the BSC Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Lester Seigel. While at BSC, Layla was seen onstage in Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood as the Mother/Grandmother, The Last Five Years (Jamie Wellerstein), Hoiby’s Bon Appetit (Julia Child), and Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine (Elle). Layla also received the Hugh Thomas Award for Excellence in Choral Leadership in 2024, the Mildred Allen Award for Excellence in Voice in 2023 and 2024, and the Bush Hills Music Club Award in 2022. Layla previously studied Vocal Performance at Emory University with Dr. Abigail Santos-Villalobos. They were employed as the Choral Librarian and Social Media Coordinator for the Emory Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Eric Nelson, and worked closely with the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensembles. As a part of Theater Emory, she was seen onstage as Mollie Plummer in Rodger’s No Strings. They were also seen onstage in Arcadia (Hannah Jarvis), W;t (Vivian Bearing), The Women of Lockerbie (Madeline Livingston), and The Tempest (Prospero).

Anja Tuominen

Anja Tuominen is a mezzo-soprano who is pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Peabody Conservatory, where she studies under the tutelage of Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves. This semester, she will be singing “Pâtre” in L’enfant et les Sortileges with the Peabody Opera Theatre. Recent performance credits include Turandot with OperaDelaware (chorus), Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (alto section leader), and Die Fledermaus with Music On Site (chorus). She received her Bachelor of Music from New York University, where she studied with Dr. Paul Speiser. Other performance credits include The Tender Land (Mrs. Splinters), Orfeo ed Euridice (ensemble), Speed Dating Tonight (ensemble), and The Magic Flute (Third Spirit). She has performed at The Kennedy Center, Mostly Modern Festival, Atlantic Musical Festival, Chicago Summer Opera, and with the Russian Opera Workshop in Philadelphia. She holds awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the YoungArts Foundation. In addition to singing, Anja is passionate about arts administration and recently completed an internship with Central City Opera.

Natalie Turner

Natalie is a Mezzo-Soprano from Warwick, Rhode Island, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins. Natalie specializes in “pants roles” or roles where mezzo-sopranos portray young men. Her statuesque height and love of acting allow Natalie to dive into these roles with ease.

Recently, Natalie had the pleasure of portraying the iconic “pants role” of Cherubino from Le Nozze di Figaro with the Saluzzo Opera Academy in Saluzzo, Italy. Natalie’s natural comedic personality flourished with Cherubino receiving a standing ovation for her performance. During her first year at Peabody, Natalie performed the role of Hansel in Nicholas Hersh’s new jazz arrangement of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with the Peabody Institute and Annapolis Opera Company.

Hanna Ward

Hanna Ward, soprano, is a first year Master’s student at Peabody Conservatory, studying under Margaret Baroody and Denyce Graves-Montgomery. She received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Anderson University’s South Carolina School of the Arts in 2023. While at Anderson, she performed as a soloist with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and performed the roles of The Second Lady in The Magic Flute and The Mother in Hansel and Gretel. She was also a handmaid in GLOW Theatre’s production of The Handmaid’s Tale. In the summer of 2022, she also studied with the International Performing Arts Institute in Germany. Hanna has earned honors through the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions. She qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Auditions in both Musical Theatre and Classical in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and qualified for the National Student Auditions in the Classical category in 2020, in the Hall Johnson category in 2022, and in the Musical Theatre and Spiritual categories in 2023. She was also a semi-finalist in the John Alexander National Vocal Competition in Musical Theatre in 2022.