Vocalists/Instrumentalists

As a musician myself, I always pay special attention to the musicians playing or singing at weddings. Often I will be asked by couples if I can recommend anyone, so here are a few musicians I am happy to recommend and share with you.

Jump to Instrumentalists

Vocalists

vbenson Victoria Benson, soprano. Victoria Benson is an up and coming young artist in the opera world. Growing up all over the United States and in Europe, she developed a passion for music and languages which led her to pursue singing. She currently studies with Metropolitan Opera soprano Sharon Sweet. In addition to many local church and choral gigs, she performs opera and song repertoire in New York and New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Music in voice performance from Ithaca College and her Masters of Music in voice performance and pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. Recent credits include Valencienne, The Merry Widow, Konstanze, Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Galatea, Acis and Galatea with Ithaca College Opera; Sœur Anne de la Croix, Dialogues des Carmélites at Westminster Choir College; Artist in Residence with New York Lyric Opera and Villi ensemble, Le Villi with Empire Opera.

Contact: victoriambenson@gmail.com 315-416-9769

Suzanne Chadwick, contralto. Contact: Suzanne Chadwick

dennis_blackwell Dennis Blackwell, baritone. Dennis is a versatile artist who has received critical acclaim for his work in opera, concert, recital, and musical theater. Recent New York and regional opera credits include New York City Opera (New York premières of Margaret Garner and Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking), New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players (The Usher in Trial by Jury), Gulf Coast Symphony (Frank in Die Fledermaus), Caramoor Opera (Sancio Panza in Don Chisciotte in Sierra Morena), Little Opera of New York (Nardo in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera) and Bronx Opera (Gamberotto in the American première of Rossini’s L’equivoco stravagante). Maestro Paul Gemignani chose him to join the cast of Kismet(starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie) for the maestro’s début production as music director of the Encores! concert series at New York City Center.

Contact: dblackwell@musician.org

James Wordsworth, baritone. Mr. Wordsworth has performed extensively both regionally and throughout the New York Tri-State area with the OK Mozart Festival, Regina Opera, Empire Opera, Opera of the Hamptons, Lubo Opera, and Teatro Felice of New York City. He has also been engaged as a guest artist at Amherst College and New Jersey City University. Mr. Wordsworth attended Northern Arizona University on a Full Tuition Out-of-State Opera Theatre Scholarship and received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. There he studied voice with Mary Scheibe, Dr. Judith Cloud, and current professor at Indiana University Jacob School of Music, Paul Kiesgen. He has also studied extensively with the internationally acclaimed tenor Arturo Spinetti, a protégé of the late Mario Del Monaco. Mr. Wordsworth is currently studying under the tutelage of leading Metropolitan Opera baritone and Lindemann Young Artist Development Program voice teacher, Mark Oswald.

Contact: james@jameswordsworth.com

Instrumentalists

Timerie Gatto plays for Weddings, Proposals, Rehearsal Dinners, Retirement Homes and Rehabilitation Centers, Art Shows, Wine Tastings, Retirement Parties, Christmas Parties, Business Events, Birthday & Anniversary Celebrations, Italian Restaurants or Hibernian (Irish) Halls, Funeral & Memorial Services

Contact: http://strollingviolin.webs.com/musicyourevent.htm 631-974-2498

Laura Lugerner, harp. Laura was born and raised in southern New Jersey, hailing from a family of professional musicians and artists. Her formal musical training began at the age of eight with the study of flute, which she continued for the next 10 years via private study, sharpening her skills while playing with various ensembles. At the age of nineteen, her musical focus shifted when she found a new musical calling – the harp. Under the tutelage of Barbara Gallagher, Laura’s natural ability on the harp – combined with her extreme focus and work ethic – allowed her study to advance at a rapid pace. While classically trained on the pedal harp, Laura’s specialty is the lever harp. Her vast and varied repertoire for the harp includes Classical, Pop, Celtic, Religious/Sacred and Contemporary pieces. Currently, Laura is pleased and honored to donate her time and lend her talents to the AtlantiCare Healing Arts Program, and also actively participates in group harp ensembles. She is an honors graduate of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and is pursuing a graduate degree at Maryland’s Towson University. Laura is available for hire for various events (including weddings and other private functions) in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Maryland.