Krystina Lynn Booker
Krystina is a voice student at Central State University. A soprano, she started out singing in her elementary school choir, and studied voice in high school at the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. Currently a resident of Xenia, Ohio, the 23-year-old Krystina most enjoys singing opera and classical music, as it allows her to show her range and she enjoys the “dramatic sound.” Her iPod is full of Motown, especially The Temptations and The Supremes, and she loves the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. She cites Kathleen Battle as her singing inspiration, and her passions include performing on stage and crocheting (for stress relief). When asked why she entered the Opera Idol competition, Krystina said, “I want to prove that as a young African-American female in this genre of music, anything is possible…especially in my generation. All you have to do is believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”
Phillip Jennings
Phillip is an undergraduate music education major at Miami University and works at both Skyline Chili and Lobsta Bakes of Maine. A tenor who lives in Oxford, Ohio, Phillip started singing in church at the age of four. He did not begin to study voice until he became a student at Miami, where he studies with Alison Acord. In his spare time, the 22-year-old Phillip enjoys classic car shows, board games, and learning about history. Opera is his favorite style of music to perform because “it allows you to be someone else and see through their eyes.” He entered the Opera Idol competition because, “There is nothing I love more than using what talent God gave me to inspire others. The power of song can change a person’s life and his or her perception of it. In a world of monotony, it is wonderful to experience something so human and personal.”
Alexander Kozlovsky
Alexander is a Technical Support Specialist at The Sant Corporation. A tenor, he first began singing at the age of six, and studied voice in his home country, the former USSR. Now a resident of West Chester, Ohio, Alexander enjoys singing opera arias, art songs, Neapolitan songs, and Broadway musicals. His singing inspirations are Mario Lanza, Mario Del Monaco, Franco Corelli, and the biggest legend of his home country, Muslim Magomaev. Alexander, 50, enjoys music, singing, and soccer. For his audition he chose to sing the theme song from the movie “Because You’re Mine,” a song he sings to his wife, whom he describes as his biggest inspiration. When asked why he entered the Opera Idol competition, he said, “I just love music, the stage, and singing.”
Daniel Moody
Daniel is an aspiring singer who occasionally works for his family’s beekeeping business. A twenty-year-old countertenor from Moscow, Ohio, he began singing in church as a young boy and started studying voice just four years ago. He most enjoys singing classical music because the language and music are challenging to master. Daniel’s biggest inspiration is soprano Sarah Coburn, due to her voice and passionate interpretations. His favorite film is Ever After because of the acting, music, and drama. When asked why he entered the Opera Idol competition, he said, “Some think countertenors don’t fit in opera. I want to change that.”
Jesse Ragland
Jesse works at Banana Republic and is a soloist at Armstrong Chapel in Indian Hill. A tenor from downtown Cincinnati, he began singing in the third grade—his first solo was in “I’m a little tea pot short and stout.” Jesse continued to study voice at Martin Luther King High School, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Morgan State University, and currently studies with William McGraw at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Jesse, 25, cites his book as Of Mice and Men and his favorite movie as Forrest Gump, and his iPod runs the gamut from Guns N’ Roses to Leontyne Price to Beyoncé. His favorite style of music to sing is spirituals, which he remembers his grandmother humming in the kitchen as she baked. When asked why he entered the Opera Idol competition, Jesse said, “I hope it will be a big step towards fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional singer. Just as I was touched at church by music as a seven-year-old, I want to touch people’s lives with my voice.”
Margaret Russo
Margaret is a copywriter at Bridge Worldwide, a local interactive marketing agency. A soprano from Cincinnati, Ohio, her talent was discovered early, and almost by mistake: at the age of 6, she mimicked her first grade teacher’s vibrato during class and was given detention. Instead of punishment, her teacher taught her to sing a scale and recommended that she use her talent in voice lessons, rather than mocking her teachers. She studied voice while a student at Xavier University. Now 25, Margaret enjoys singing and listening to a wide variety of music styles, from opera and jazz to contemporary alternative music. She cites the TV show Gossip Girl as a favorite guilty pleasure. Margaret entered the Opera Idol competition because, “For Cincinnati Opera to bring attention to a more classical style of singing, and to do it in a contemporary way through a fun competition, is a fabulous idea. I’m thrilled to be a part of it and hopeful that I can inspire others to share their talent.”
Quarndra Ryan
Quarndra, a Pharmacy Specialist at Humana, is a 37-year-old lyric soprano from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a soloist in the choir of the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church. She began singing at the age of 14, and studied voice at The Hartt School of Music. Quarndra most enjoys singing classical music, because it is a timeless form of expression. Her singing inspiration is Leontyne Price, and on her iPod you will find gospel music. She never misses the TV show The First 48 and her favorite movie is The Preacher’s Wife. Quarndra’s passions are singing classical music and rearing well-rounded children. For her audition, she sang “Steal Me Sweet Thief,” from Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, because she played the role of Laetitia in college, and she had experience communicating the emotions of the character. When asked why she entered the Opera Idol competition, Quarndra said, “Because I have been given a gift to share with the world.”
Steven Shafer
Steven is a Customer Service Supervisor at a Staples call center. A baritone from Cheviot, he has always loved singing and began singing in choir around fourth grade. Now 24, Steven formally began studying voice when he was 17. He has been listening to opera since the young age of 10, and it is his favorite style of music to sing. Steven never misses the TV show The Office, and his favorite books include One Hundred Years of Solitude and The Poisonwood Bible. Maria Callas is Steven’s singing inspiration because he believes she redefined the art of opera. When asked why he entered the Opera Idol competition, Steven said, “Opera is everything to me. It’s part of who I am and one of the things I love most in life. I would relish the opportunity to perform and expand public interest in opera.”
Jenny A. Smith
Jenny is an office administrator and adult choir director at Christ the King Lutheran Church. A lyric soprano from West Chester, Ohio, she has been singing since the early days of her childhood. Jenny, 47, studied voice at ICA High School and at Northern Kentucky University with Nancy Dysart Martin. She enjoys a variety of music ranging from classical to swing, and cites her favorite singing role model as Andrea Bocelli because he sings with such passion. Jenny’s passions are her family, music, church choir, and cooking dinner with her husband. Jenny is currently reading her most recent favorite book, The Soloist. She chose to audition for Opera Idol because she wanted to inspire her kids and demonstrate that you should never give up on your dreams. When asked why she entered the Opera Idol competition, Jenny said, “I want to sing with talented, passionate individuals, music that is timeless and speaks to my deepest self.”
Molly Stehn
Molly is a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati, pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and is currently interning at the Clermont Counseling Center in Amelia, Ohio. A soprano from Highland Heights, Kentucky, she has always enjoyed singing but did not begin private vocal lessons until she was 18. Now 29, Molly enjoys singing opera because it is the music style in which she has had the most training, and she strongly relates to the passion of the music. On Molly’s iPod, you will find a wide variety of music ranging from classical to classic rock and music from the 80s and 90s, and her favorite TV show is What Not to Wear. She is most inspired by Joan Sutherland and Cheryl Evans. When asked why she entered the Opera Idol competition, Molly said, “I had decided to stop pursuing a career in singing a little over two years ago, and have found myself missing singing so much that I didn’t feel quite like myself anymore. I am hoping that Opera Idol will give me a chance to get up on stage again and do what I love.”
