JAKE R.J. HARDIMENT
MICHAEL DOROSZENKO Scottish tenor Michael Doroszenko currently studies with Dr Nell Drew, having previously worked with Paul Keohone and Patricia Young. Favourite past roles include Leicester (Maria Stuarda) and Roberto Devereux for Opera Seria, Tamino (Zauberflöte) for Aria Alba and Vasek (The Bartered Bride) for Opera Camerata. Future engagements include Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) for Opera Seria and VoiceArc. Michael holds an engineering degree and when not singing, works as a maths teacher.
SCOTT BARRON Scott began his musical studies as a pianist at Napier University before successfully completing the four-year performer’s course at the Royal College of Music in London. During his time there he was introduced to the world of singing by having the opportunity to work as an accompanist for many of today’s now-established opera singers and receiving singing lessons from the renowned Scottish tenor, Neil Mackie. Having decided early on not to pursue a career as a pianist, Scott went on to build a successful career in business before recently returning to his musical roots. He now enjoys teaching piano full time and is excited to be exploring the full capabilities of his voice with the help of the wonderful Nell Drew.
Baritone Jake Hardiment trained in the Anglican choral tradition in Norfolk, Jake formerly held a choral scholarship at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich and was a layclerk at St Nicholas Cathedral Newcastle from 2009-2013. During this time Jake completed a bachelors degree in Music, sang under Magnus Williamson, Eric Cross, Simon Halsey and Alan Fearon and performed at Newcastle University, the Sage Gateshead, Alnwick Garden and Cathedrals across the country. Currently, Jake is undertaking intense vocal study under Dr Nell Drew with a focus on the anatomical and physiological centre of singing. Jake performed alongside some of the North East’s leading accompanists and with Newcastle Sinfonietta, Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra, The English Philharmonic, His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornets. Recent roles include; Rustic in William Shield’s ‘Rosina’ (ICMus Summer Festival 2013);Papegeno in W.A.Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflote’ (AriaAlba, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014) and Il Conte in ‘Le Nozze di Figaro/Figaro Fugit (Voicearc 2015). Jake will sing Don Giovanni (W.A.Mozart) in VoiceArc’s next season. ESSI PURHONEN Essi Purhonen is a Finnish soprano who is undertaking her professional voice training with Dr Nell Drew. In 2012, Essi had her operatic debut in the role of Susanna in Aria Alba’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Her recent roles include; Pamina (Die Zauberflöte, AriaAlba), Countess Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro, VoiceArc). She will sing Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) and Ariadne (Ariadne auf Naxos) in VoiceArc’s 2016 season. Essi is delighted to sing her first Fiordiligi with VoiceArc.