Biographies
 Rhiannon Giddens Laffan, soprano
Rhiannon Giddens Laffan is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and has pursued graduate studies both at Oberlin and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Of her performance in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Donald Rosenberg of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said she was “a Juliet of unerring musical and thespian gifts.” William Thomas Walker of Classical Voice of North Carolina said “[she] was outstanding in her portrayal of Susannah Polk” in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah. She has worked with such renowned conductors as Ward Holmquist, Artistic Director of Lyric Opera Kansas City, Robert Spano, Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and David Bamberger, General Director of the Cleveland Opera. Ms. Laffan has performed in outreach programs with both Cleveland Opera and Greensboro Opera. When not singing with Ms Lewis, she tours the world with her string band, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, who were just signed to Nonesuch Records. Her website may be viewed at www.rhisong.com.
 Cheryse McLeod Lewis, mezzo-soprano
Cheryse McLeod Lewis is an accomplished performer in recital, concert, and opera. Commended for her "stunning vocal power" (Asheville Citizen-Times) and "rich lyric mezzo sound" (Opera News Online), Ms. Lewis has performed principal roles with Asheville Lyric Opera, Connecticut Opera, Greensboro Opera, Houston Ebony Opera, Opera Carolina, The Opera Company of NC, and Piedmont Opera. Ms. Lewis is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (BFA in Voice), The University of NC at Greensboro (MM in Voice), and The AJ Fletcher Opera Institute (Professional Artist Certificate in Opera). When Ms. Lewis is not singing, she is a private voice teacher, model, actor, and voiceover artist who hails from Greensboro, NC. Her websites may be viewed at www.CheryseMusic.com.
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