SUN. FEB 16th – Alexandra Teske, Lillian Brooks & Kyung-A Lee (Single Ticket)

Alexandra has been described as “having wonderful technique, a glorious voice with underlying warmth, and a connection to the text that is riveting.” Raised in Rosemont, Ontario, she went on to receive her formal piano training from Gwen Beamish at the University of Western Ontario where she earned her BMus (Hons) and BEd. While studying with Canadian mezzo-soprano Catherine Robbin, she achieved First Class Honours on her ARCT vocal performer’s exam. A frequent top award winner at music festivals, she recently earned first place in Classical Voice at the OMFA provincial music competition.

As a secondary school music teacher, Alexandra directed music theatre productions, concert choirs, vocal jazz ensembles, and concert bands, leading them to award-winning performances at music festivals at both the local and national levels. She has been a featured soloist and chorister for many seasons with The Cellar Singers most notably under the baton of Albert Greer with whom she studied privately. She was recently a guest soloist in the choir’s performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Alexandra performed her debut solo recital with internationally-renowned pianist, Kyung-A Lee. Following this, she captivated a sold-out audience with a solo recital at Windrush Estate Winery, Hockley Valley. Under the direction of Mark Vuorinen, she was honoured to be an emerging artist in The Elora Singers’ 2024 Vocal Academy. In addition to teaching, she continues working as a guest soloist, recitalist, and ensemble singer throughout Ontario. She is excited to be a founding member of the new early music vocal consort ensemble, Quire. Alexandra is a soloist and section lead at St. James’ Anglican Church, Orillia. She is delighted to be studying with Catherine Robbin and Canadian soprano, Leslie Fagan.

Lillian Brooks, mezzo-soprano

Orillia hometowner Lillian Brooks has been praised for her “legato, lyric sound” (Ludwig van Toronto) and “easy handling of coloratura” (Schmopera). In 2015, Lillian made her professional debut with Chorus Niagara performing Mozart’s Requiem under the baton of Robert Cooper. She is in high demand for oratorio and concert work in repertoire such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Bach’s St John Passion and St Matthew Passion, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Durufle’s Requiem, Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde and Rückert Lieder, and the Canadian premieres of both Last Light Above the World by Alan Bevan and The Cross of Christ by Romulo Delgado. Equally at home on the operatic stage, her roles include Bradamante in Alcina (Handel), Annio in La clemenza di Tito (Mozart), Flora in La Traviata (Verdi), Cornelia in Giulio Cesare (Handel), and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart).

Lillian’s musical journey has led to numerous accolades. In 2015, she was awarded the prestigious Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing Artists Grant, while graduating cum laude from York University. Lillian received her Artist Diploma in Performance from the Glenn Gould School in 2017 and went on to participate in the 2018 Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme in Aldeburgh, UK, where she studied with internationally acclaimed Matthew Rose and Anne-Sofie von Otter. Lillian enjoyed two years with Calgary Opera as a member during their 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

The 2024/2025 season will see Lillian join renowned Canadian ensembles including Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Mozart’s Coronation Mass), the Grand Philharmonic Choir (Handel’s Messiah), and Chorus Niagara (Bach’s B Minor Mass).

Kyung-A Lee, pianist (B.Mus, M.Mus, Performer’s Certificate, Artist Diploma)

Born in South Korea, her burning passion for classical music has taken her to travel around the globe. She has performed around the world, playing for international audiences. Her brilliant technique and expressive sensitivity thrill her audiences. She has attended many internationally renowned schools, including Schubert Institute in Austria, Mozarteum in Salzburg, COSI in Italy, and she is a frequent participant at the Banff Centre for music. Ms. Lee is a local to beautiful Muskoka, now living in Huntsville, ON.

Her curiosity and wide-ranging interests have taken her in many different directions, establishing versatile reputation. She is in a demand for solo performances, teaching, and a wide variety of collaborative music, including Opera workshops.

Winner of the National Finals at the SMF competition, recipient of two of Alberta’s most prestigious awards; Queen Elizabeth II Award and Alberta Heritage Award.

Also, she is the first recipient of Gerry Segger Award in Performance Excellence.