Resident Artists Program

Mezzo-soprano Jenna Clark is a versatile and compelling performer based in Denver, CO. Most recently she covered the role of Ramiro in Vivaldi’s Motezuma with Opera Neo, was a soloist in both The Voice of Juana Ines with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and in Bach’s BWV 151 Süsser Trost mein Jesus Kömmt with the Colorado Bach Ensemble, and sang the roles of Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro along with the alto solos in Beethoven’s Mass in C and Mozart’s Requiem as a part of the Crested Butte Music Festival.

Ms. Clark has been seen as a Tyler Young Artist at Opera on the James and an Apprentice Artist at Central City Opera, covering the role of Signora Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza. She earned her Artist Diploma in Opera & Solo Voice Performance from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and her dual concentration Masters degree in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting from the University of Denver.

Steve Groth, baritone, is a classical vocalist, teacher and collaborative pianist currently based in Wisconsin. Steve is beginning 2026 with Cedar Rapids Opera performing Frank in Die Fledermaus. Some other recent performances include Marullo with Finger Lakes Opera’s production of Rigoletto, Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro with Sarasota Opera and covering Alfio/Tonio in Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Dandini in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, the King in Montsalvages Puss in Boots and Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen, with Boulder Opera. He made his European debut in 2019, singing the title role in Verdi’s Rigoletto in the Emilia-Romagna province of Italy and has been a frequent performer with the Italian Montefeltro Festival singing Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Ford in Verdi’s Falstaff and Taddeo in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algieri. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia in vocal performance and collaborative piano and Bachelor’s degrees in choral music education and French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Soprano Yejin Lee is rapidly emerging as a compelling Lyric coloratura artist, acclaimed by Opera News for her “robust coloratura soprano” and hailed by Brooklyn Discovery for “quicksilver brilliance and outstanding theatrical bravura.” Her growing repertoire encompasses Gilda, Zdenka, Susanna, Pamina, Adele, Oscar, Naiad, Zerlina and Gretel, among others, spanning core lyric-coloratura roles.

A prizewinner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Florida District, Lee has earned top awards from Opera Connecticut, NATS Eastern Region, and New York Lyric Opera Theatre, with appearances as finalist or honoree in multiple national competitions. She made her Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall and has been featured at WQXR, Merkin Hall, Lakes Area Music Festival and Festival Napa Valley.

Professional training includes engagements with Opera Southwest, Martina Arroyo Foundation and Manetti Shrem Opera Program. Lee holds an Artist Diploma from Montclair State University and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

Hailed as a “scene stealer” who “exudes showbiz chops,” American tenor Elijah William Brown is praised for his “robust,” “dramatic” voice, “ringing high notes” and “excellent dramatic range.” He was most recently seen as Johnathan Dale in Florida Grand Operas Silent Night, a role he will reprise with Opera Orlando in February 2026. Recent performances include Alfredo (La Traviata), Siegmund (Die Walküre), and the Prince (Rusalka). A passionate advocate for American contemporary opera, he has appeared in multiple world premieres, including works by Michael Ching and Joseph Landers. Past seasons include Loge (Das Rheingold), Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte), Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), and an Artist-in-Residence position with the Florida VOICE Project under Sherrill Milnes. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Elijah holds degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Alabama.

Pianist, recitalist, coach, prompter and assistant conductor, Yelena Kurdina has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera for over 30 years. She has collaborated with many great singers and conductors during her career. Among those are Renee Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Placido Domingo, Seiji Ozawa, James Conlon, Valery Gergiev and many others. Ms. Kurdina’s recitals with the remarkable Dmitri Hvorostovsky, have been called “rich and haunting collaborations, beautifully judged and impeccably ardent”. Ms Kurdina has worked at several renowned festivals and opera houses in the US and around the world. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms. Kurdina is a protégé of John Wustman – the “Dean of American accompanists” – with whom she studied at the University of Illinois. Like her illustrious mentor, an important part of Ms. Kurdina’s career has centered on working with young artists. She currently divides her time between New York City and Florida.