2022-23 Featured Artists
Katerina Burton, soprano
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Soprano Katerina Burton, acclaimed for her “rich and warm” singing (Opera Wire) returned to Washington National Opera for her third season as a Cafritz Young Artist. This season Burton performed the role of Maid 5 in Elektra as well as Girlfriend 2 in the WNO premiere of Blue. Read More
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Born and raised in Virginia, contralto Cecelia McKinley is ecstatic to join the Cafritz Young Artists of the Washington National Opera. The 2022-2023 season featured her as the 2nd Maid in Strauss’ Elektra. Previously, she performed in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges and Handel’s Agrippina. Read More
Hannah Shea, Mezzo-Soprano
Cecelia McKinley , contralto
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
Mezzo-soprano Hannah Shea is thrilled to return to the Cafritz Young Artists of Washington National Opera for their 2022-2023 season during which she performed the role of Maid 3 in Elektra. Last season she made her house debut as Mercédès in Bizet’s Carmen. Read More
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
A native of Orlando, Florida, tenor Jonathan Pierce Rhodes made his debut with the Washington National Opera for the 2022-2023 season as a Cafritz Young Artist. This season he performed as Frank in The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson and will appear as Policeman 2 in Blue. Read More
Artyom Pak, piano
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
Vera Danchenko-Stern, Piano
Praised as “...a pianist, whose playing is defined by high level of intelligence and brilliant technique,” Artyom Pak has successfully performed in the US, Europe, and Central Asia both as a soloist and collaborative pianist. Mr. Pak is a winner of several international piano competitions.
Vera Danchenko-Stern, Piano
Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Tenor
Vera Danchenko-Stern, Piano
Vera Danchenko-Stern is the RCAS' Founder & Artistic Director, an internationally acclaimed pianist, celebrated chamber player, and master teacher who has gained recognition as one of the foremost coaches and pianists in her field.