- Performance: Saturday, September 17, 2:00 pm
- Discounted Show Ticket: $41.65
- Masterclass Fee: $10.00
- Masterclass in Classical Vocal Performance: Thursday, September 15, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
The focus of this masterclass is in classical vocal performance. Students will learn about the history of Cats, key players both on and offstage, the movie adaptation, how it has stood the test of time. Students will learn vocal selections from the musical with solo performing opportunities. Recommended for grades 8+.
Guest Teachers: Roy Stevens and Liisa Dávila
Roy Stevens
Roy Stevens, Modesto native and graduate of Paradise Elementary School & Modesto High School, has been an international opera singer since 1987 and Opera Modesto General Director since October, 2018. His career includes leading performance in theaters and with symphony orchestras in 20+ countries, on 5 continents and in 14 languages: from the national theaters of Albania and Guatemala to Milano’s famed Teatro Alla Scala.
His international operatic career has been rather unique, performing roles in nearly every male vocal category, except true bass; Basso Buffo, Bass-Baritone, Helden Baritone, Verdi Baritone, Heldentenor, Lyric Tenor, Musical Theater/Pop Style Baritone and Tenor. He considers this to be fun!
As a performing arts-based inspirational educator, Roy and his wife, Annalisa Winberg, have touched the lives of more than a half a million young Americans, K-12, up and down the west coast and across the United States through assemblies, performance projects and unique STEAM education performance projects. In 2018 they founded Opera Modesto’s Summer Opera Institute for teens, a conservatory level training program for youth artist.
Liisa Dávila
Liisa Dávila has gained recognition for her vocal clarity and dazzling coloratura, combined with a richness and depth allowing her to possess a highly desired level of versatility in her work. Ms. Dávila has performed Rosina in Rossini’s BARBER OF SEVILLE with Townsend Opera and Kitty Hart in Fresno Grand Opera’s critically acclaimed performance of DEAD MAN WALKING. She has also performed as Donna Elvira in DON GIOVANNI, Pamina in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, Violetta in LA TRAVIATA, Poppea in L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA, the title role in Massenet’s CENDRILLON, Hanna Glawari in THE MERRY WIDOW, and Micaëla in CARMEN with Opera Modesto.
Ms. Dávila’s concert work includes Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Mass in C, Mozart C Minor Mass and Vespers Solemnes, Handel’s Messiah, the Vivaldi Gloria, and the Requiems by Rutter, Duruflé, Mozart, and Fauré. Ms. Dávila performs regularly with local organizations such as Auburn Symphony, Folsom Lake Symphony, Symphony D’Oro, Music in the Mountains Orchestra, Stockton Symphony, Stockton Chorale, and Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, and outreach concerts with Livermore Valley Opera. Ms. Dávila is a member of the Synergy Chamber Players, performing innovative chamber concerts throughout the Central Valley.
A winner of multiple competitions, Ms. Dávila was a San Francisco District winner and a Western Regional Finalist for the Metropolitan National Council Auditions, and a winner of the Washington International Competition for Voice. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Sacramento State University and has received training from around the globe including a summer abroad with the Greek Opera Studio. As a vocal educator Ms. Dávila has an active voice studio in the Modesto area, currently holds the position of Chorus Director for Opera Modesto and serves on the faculty for Opera Modesto’s Summer Opera Institute.
