Biographies

BILL DOHERTY

Bill Doherty is a pianist, conductor, composer and singer. As a singer, Mr. Doherty has performed 14 leading roles in opera productions throughout the United States and Europe including the Mohawk Valley Opera (NY) and the Tri-Cities Opera (NY), and was mentored by the legendary soprano Licia Albanese (Metropolitan Opera, La Scala). As a pianist, composer and conductor, Mr. Doherty conducted members of the Central Florida Lyric Opera and the St. Timothy Choir in a special Mass of Thanksgiving at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI and in concerts in an around Rome, Italy in 2012. In 2014, he presented the world premiere of his original composition Missa di Requiem in Jerusalem. Most recently, he returned to the Vatican to conduct and perform the European premiere of his Missa di Requiem at St. Ignazio Basilica in Rome, Italy and at the Vatican for the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the request of Pope Francis. He has conducted and accompanied extensively in opera for over 20 years, collaborating with some of the world’s greatest operatic stars including the legendary Licia Albanese and serving as accompanist to world-renowned Metropolitan Opera sopranos Deborah Voigt, Molly Fillmore and Susan Neves. Mr. Doherty is also one of the nation's leading voice coaches and operates a teaching studio in both Florida and New York City. An internationally recognized teacher and workshop clinician, Bill Doherty has conducted Master Classes in opera and voice at universities and conservatories throughout the world, including Marymount Manhattan College NYC, and the Conservatoire Leo Delibes, Ville de Clichy-La-Garenne, France, among others. His interviews and performances have been broadcast on PBS, CBS, and NBC. He has also appeared on various talk shows including the Late Show with David Letterman. Year after year, for the past eighteen years, Mr. Doherty has served as adjudicator for the Licia AlbanesePuccini Foundation’s International Vocal Competition in New York City and has also performed as an accompanist for the Foundation’s Gala concert at Lincoln Center, NY. He also is adjudicator for the prestigious Gerda Lissner International Opera Competition, NYC. He is Founder and General Director of the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Inc. His work has been recognized and commended by both former Florida Governor Charlie Crist and former United States President George W. Bush. Mr. Doherty is the Director of Music at St. Timothy Catholic Church in the Villages, FL. Among his many other honors and awards, Mr. Doherty is the recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts Humanities Award and his signature has been immortalized on the Muro di Alassio in Alassio, Italy.

FERNANDO VARELA

The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice that tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination have defied the odds. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music, it was not until the age of seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with opera's renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster and is featured on David Foster's recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst legendary superstars, including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Babyface, Gladys Knight, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Benny Andersson, Seal, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, and Chaka Kahn. 2019 saw Fernando as special guest performer at The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, honoring Gloria and Emilio Estefan and celebrating Julio Iglesias on The Grammy Salute to Legends. Varela is signed with Universal Music Group and released his debut album Vivere in March 2017, accompanied by his debut PBS Special, "Coming Home". Fernando has also founded the dynamic powerhouse trio, The Serenad3 (The Serenade), featuring Varela alongside world-renowned singers Craig Irvin & Devin Eatmon. The group emerged as a sign of hope amidst a pandemic, collaborating with David Foster, Gloria Estefan, Pia Toscano, and many more. Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about, combining a unique voice and an engaging passion that lights up the stage.

DEVIN EATMON

Hailed for his "heroic high notes," Devin M. Eatmon is a full lyric operatic tenor from Ocala, FL. His performance history includes working with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Chelsea Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Aspen Music Festival, Opera Colorado, soon to be Opera Orlando, as well as the St. Petersburg Opera Company. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University; Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera staring baritone, David Okerlund. Some of Devin’s most notable collegiate roles include, George Villiers in the Scholastic Premier of Carlisle Floyd’s, Prince of Players, Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's, La bohème, Curley in Floyd's, Of Mice and Men, and Edgar Aubrey in Heinrich Marschner’s German Romantic opera, Der Vampyr. In the musical theater realm, Devin’s recent performances include playing the role of, Nicely Nicely Johnson in

Victory Productions’ production of Guys And Dolls. Devin is currently living in Orlando, FL and is looking forward to future endeavors with The Serenad3 as well as his solo operatic career.

ASHLEY THUNDER

Ashley Thunder began her studies with Maestro, Mario Laurenti in 2013. A native of Supino, Italy, Maestro Laurenti trained with Riccardo Stracciari, performed for many years with Martha Graham and produced operas with Robert Merrill, Roberta Peters, Anna Moffo et al. Ashley's continues her professional studies with distinguished international "Tosca", Stella Zambolis and nationally acclaimed Christopher Holloway. Ashley brings an athletic talent and strength to the stage to provide impactful electrifying performances. Critics acclaim; "Ashley Thunder is a true talent", "She touches everyone with her voice and spirit." You can currently find Ashley performing soprano solos and roles with the Anna Maria Concert Chorus and Orchestra, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Dusseldorf Lyric Opera and the St.Petersburg Opera. Her favorite roles include Frasquita in Carmen, Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze Di Figaro, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

PAVEL SULIANDZIGA

A master’s graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in 2015, tenor Pavel Suliandziga just completed his professional studies diploma at the Mannes College of Music. His roles include Trike and Lensky in Eugene Onegin with the Russian Academy of Music, Tamino with RAM in collaboration with ESMUC in Barcelona, Spain, Peter Quint (The Turn of the Screw), Nemorino (Jerusalem Opera, Opera in Williamsburg), Almaviva in Barber of Seville, Remendado in Carmen, Arlecchino in Pagliacci with Opera in Williamsburg, Messenger in Rubinstein’s Demon with Bard SummerScape Festival Ferrando with Mannes College of Music. Pavel was also a solo performer in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the RAM Orchestra. He was the first-place winner in 2013 and 2014 with AADGT in New York, performing in Carnegie Hall, thirdprize winner in the Bella Voce competition in Moscow, third-prize winner in the Talents of the World International Competition and the Finalist of Licia-Albenese competition and Giulio Gari competition. He was also a participant in the Vianden Festival in Luxembourg, IVAI summer program in New York and CVAI summer program in Montreal in 2016.