Alumni

Javier Arrey

Since appearing as the title character in PSN 2016’s production of Don Giovanni, Javier Arrey (second from the right) has gone on to have his debut at The Metropolitan Opera, singing Schaunard in La Bohème. He also made his Wiener Staatsoper debut as Marcello in La Bohème, has appeared in Washington Concert Opera’s productions of La Straniera (Valdeburgo) and I puritani (Riccardo), and has sung with the Boston Lyric and Opera de Monte Carlo.

Christopher Kenney

Christopher Kenney (right) made a critically-acclaimed debut at the Metropolitan Opera in the 2021 season opening production of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. For the 2018/19 season, Kenney was appointed to The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center and became a part of Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program for the 2017-2018 season, where he sange Businessman in The Little Prince, Pa Zenger in Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up (a world premiere) and Officer and Figaro in The Barber of Seville. He has also sung with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cincinnati Opera, Boston Lyric, Cincinnati Pops, and the Los Angeles Opera.  At PSN15, Kenney sang the role of Leporello.

Jennifer Lindsay

#Sopranolinist Jennifer Lindsay (right) went viral after she sprung from her seat in the violin section to cover the title role in Aida after the singer failed to show up on stage. PSN was already aware that she was a double-threat when she attended our inaugural season, both playing in the Festival Orchestra and singing the role of Donna Anna.

Will Marinelli

A two-time PSN alum (16-17), Marinelli is now making a name for himself as a go-to freelance percussionist in the greater New York metro area. He has performed with ensembles such as the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, New York Repertory Orchestra, Westchester Symphonic Winds and Camerata New Jersey Orchestra. Continuing his work serving in pit orchestras, Marinelli has played operas and musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Aida, The Impresario, Bye-Bye Birdie and Pippin.

Tiago Matos

After starring as Don Giovanni at PSN16, Matos has gone on to perform throughout Europe, including singing in productions of Don Carlos and La Traviata (Il Marchese d’Obigny) with Opéra national de Paris and the roles of L’Horloge Comtoise & Le Chat in L’enfant et les sortilèges and Dancaire in Carmen with Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.

Enrico Lopez-Yañez

In March 2019, PSN15 conducting alum Enrico Lopez-Yañez (left) was named Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony. He has also made appearances around the United States, Mexico and Brazil. Prior to his time with the Nashville Symphony, Lopez-Yañez was the Assistant Conductor with the Omaha Symphony.

Michelle Di Russo

An alumna of PSN 2017,  Michelle Di Russo was recently appointed Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University and as the new Assistant Conductor of North Carolina Symphony. She is a Freeman Conducting Fellow in the Chicago Sinfonietta’s prestigious Project Inclusion program, and a fellow at The Dallas Opera Hart Institute. She has received honors including the 2020 American Austrian Foundation/Faber Young Conductors Fellowship and the Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Conducting Scholarship at the Cabrillo Music Festival of Contemporary Music. She has also held positions at The Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Musicfest, among others.

Alumni of the Prague Summer Nights Opera have sung with:

The Metropolitan Opera

Vienna State Opera

Opéra National de Paris

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Washington National Opera

 

Los Angeles Opera

Boston Lyric Opera

Opera de Monte Carlo

Cincinnati Opera

Cincinnati Pops

Alumni of the Prague Summer Nights Orchestra have played in or conducted:

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Cincinnati Symphony

Detroit Symphony

National Symphony

Dallas Symphony

Utah Symphony

Nashville Symphony

Indianapolis Symphony

Kansas City Symphony

Colorado Symphony

San Diego Symphony

Pacific Symphony

North Carolina Symphony

Florida Orchestra

Rochester Philharmonic

Sarasota Orchestra

Toledo Symphony

Charleston Symphony

Edmonton Symphony

Winnipeg Symphony

Oklahoma Symphony

Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin

What Our Students Say

  • “I cannot say this enough, this has been one of the most rewarding and fun opera experiences I’ve had! Not only because we were lucky enough to perform in the Estates Theater, but more so because of the camaraderie and friendships I have made, that will last a lifetime."

    Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Mezzo-Soprano

  • “It truly is a joy to be here in Prague and spending so much time with this group of people. Everyone works so hard, and when all the different parts come together, the music we create is absolutely magical. There is much pleasure in growing and bonding with a very talented group of musicians.”

    Andy Kim, Violinist

  • “Today I attended the Brass sectionals of Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9, led by clinician Ladislav Kozderka who holds the position of principal trumpet of the Czech Philharmonic. I offered to be his personal metronome and he humbly laughed, saying "no, no, you must know this piece so much more than me!" He let me conduct the entirety of both symphonies, stopping every section to give feedback. I kept wanting to pinch my cheek because I knew all the words of wisdom was coming from one of the leaders of the orchestra that loves and owns Dvorak more than anywhere else in the world.”

    Euan Shields, Conducting Apprentice

  • Participating in this incredible program was life changing! I strongly encourage people interested to apply, you won’t regret it. Easily one of the best summers of my life ❤️

    Hayden Clarke, Arts Admin PSN 17

  • “I have had the most wonderful 4 weeks I could hope for!"

    Nico Laruina, Vocalist

  • “I really enjoyed working with Dr. Jelena Nosková in the masterclass. She had wonderful suggestions and I felt my voice blossoming in the short time we worked together. I felt that it was very valuable to get some suggestions from someone I’d never worked with before. I thoroughly appreciate having this opportunity!”

    Beth Compton, Vocalist

  • “It was a pleasure for me being part of the festival, I learned a lot in Prague! Thank you for believing in my talent.”

    Brenda I., voice

  • “Thank you so much for the opportunity! I learned so much in that month, that I’m just hoping to retain a tiny bit of it! My teacher even noticed that my high notes have improved in tone. The program was absolutely amazing, and the people you brought together for it were even more so.”

    Laura M., voice

  • “Thank you again for the incredible opportunity! I had an amazing trip and made so many memories.”

    Heather G., violin

  • “Thank you for giving me the opportunity. It was an amazing experience with countless memories. Thank you again.”

    Preet S., cello

  • "Thank you PRAGUE SUMMER NIGHTS so much for the incredible opportunity to work with you in Prague, and the amazing opportunities I’ve received!"

    Isabelle M., cello

  • “A better experience could not have taken place for me during the first annual Prague Summer Nights Festival. I will forever take with me the memories and knowledge gained during my time with many wonderful musicians.”

    Maya M., violin

  • "Prague Summer Nights was an incredible experience for me. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned so much about myself as a performer. Sometimes when you are engrossed in the whirlwind of hard, dedicated work it is difficult to see your own progress. Just months after the program I already feel a difference and ease of approach to my performing, as well as a greater awareness of not only what I can improve, but HOW I can improve. Having sung an opera where Mozart first conducted it is no small honor either! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime."

    Stephanie K., soprano

  • “Such an incredible experience getting a lesson and performing in a masterclass today with Walter Seyfarth, 30-year clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, my favorite orchestra. My time in Prague has been a clarinetist’s dream! Very grateful.”

    Eric S., clarinet

  • “Thanks for a great summer! The Prague experience was unforgettable. Thanks again.”

    Will R., viola

  • “I just wanted to take the opportunity again to thank you for this wonderful program you have created. I am still in awe of what took place over this last month, from Smetana Hall, to the Dvorak Museum, and finally Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre! I honestly don’t know how you did it!"

    John H., baritone