Messiah Sing Along

Eliza Dopira has been praised for her “vibrant tone” (Cecilia Porter, Washington Post) as well as her “thoughtful phrasing” and “shining work” (Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun). Eliza has appeared as a soloist with Brevard Community Chorus and she is no stranger to the King Center Stage. Eliza has also performed as a soloist with The Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony. Ms. Dopira has performed several operatic roles with Sarasota Opera, Baltimore Opera, Washington Summer Opera, and Lake George Opera.  An accomplished concert artist, Ms. Dopira was chosen to premiere The Suite from Sophie's Choice by Nicholas Maw at Peabody Conservatory's Grand Reopening Celebration. She has performed Ravel's "Chanson Madécasses" with members of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC to sold-out crowds. Other concert appearances include the Beethoven 9th with the River Cities Symphony, Mahler Symphony No. 3 with Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Ravel's Shéherézade with the Peabody Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Mozart and Duruflé Requiems and Handel’s Messiah.

Ms. Dopira is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, where she earned a Graduate Performance Diploma in Opera in the studio of Phyllis Bryn-Julson, as well as a Master’s Degree in Voice. A native of Melbourne, Florida, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Florida State University in the studio of Yvonne Ciannella. Eliza serves as a full time Instructor of Music at Florida Institute of Technology.

Stephen Mumbert is quickly gaining attention on the concert and opera stage throughout the United States and England. Stephen was recently praised for being “vocally, the most promising singer” and for “possessing an assured and stylish technique” for his interpretation of the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Aldeburgh Festival in England. Stephen is a graduate of Stetson University where he holds a B.M. in voice performance, and he also holds an M.M. in opera from The Boston Conservatory. Recent performances have included Rodrigo in Bellini’s I Puritani with Minnesota Concert Opera, Mozart’s Requiem with the Dakota Valley Symphony (which was broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television), Handel’s Messiah with the Oratorio Society of Minneapolis and the Village Philharmonic, Wilfred Shadbolt in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Yeomen of the Guard with the G&S Very Light Opera Company, Featured Soloist for St. Augustine’s 450th Anniversary Fiesta, and a new opera project performing the lead roles of Guildenstern in Herschel Garfein’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Hopkins in Robert Aldridge's Sister Carrie staged with the respective Grammy award winning composers in residence. Stephen is thrilled to be returning to perform with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra again after returning to Florida recently.

American soprano Mary Anne Kruger graduated with a Master of Music degree from Indiana University where she studied voice with world-renowned voice teacher Margaret Harshaw.  She then went to Germany where she established an impressive repertoire of over 40 major operatic and concert roles.  Her repertoire spans in vocal range from Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) to Salome, and in stylistic range from Poppea (L’Incornazione di Poppea) to Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), as well as some world and German premieres. Among innumerable accolades, Opernwelt called her Contessa (“Le Nozze di Figaro”) “dazzling”, and Orfeus International declared her Salome to be “worthy of the greatest houses.” She built her repertoire primarily as a member of the Hessisches Staatstheater Darmstadt, but she has performed in over 20 European theaters including the Bayerische Staatsoper- Nationaltheater in Munich, Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Latvian National Opera and Theater Basel. Her prizes include a nomination in the category “Best Singer” in the Opernwelt Jahrbuch for her portrayal of Alcina.  She was awarded the role of Donna Elvira in the Don Giovanni production  at the Athens Concert Hall directed by Ruggiero Raimondi and conducted by Gustav Kühn. The “Sonderpreis der Wiener Staats-und Volksoper” at the Belvedere Competition secured for her a performance as Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) at the Wiener Volksoper.  She was also awarded a DAAD scholarship (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdient) to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich.  She currently lives in Satellite Beach with her husband and two dogs

Bryan Hayes is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer.  He's a working artist with a background ranging many genres including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and more. In fall 2013 he received bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in the studies of Classical voice and in Jazz Studies, primary instrument being voice.  He has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts, he has performed major roles in numerous operas, oratorios and theatrical productions, and has toured with different groups in many different countries, including but not limited to; the University of North Florida and University of British Columbia Opera ensembles in two separate productions in the Czech Republic, the University of North Florida Chorale 2010 tour of Italy, the St. John’s Cathedral Choir of Jacksonville 2014 tour of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2014, and numerous shows with the Orlando Philharmonic, Opera Orlando, and the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed onstage with such noted artists and ensembles, including but not limited to; The Royal Symphony of England, Reggie Wooten, Ben Folds and Andrea Bocelli.  In 2015 Bryan released his first album of original compositions entitled “This Is Me.”  Bryan aspires to continue a career of performance and composition.  He currently resides in Orlando, Florida.