The Opera Gala 2010
About the Soloists

Ashley Bahri is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Operas in which she has performed at MSM and The Italian Opera Experience in Urbania, Italy have included Gianni Schicchi, La Boheme, Cosi fan tutte, and Norma. While an undergraduate at Oakland University, Ms. Bahri received the David Daniels Young Artists Concert Award for Outstanding Undergraduate in Voice Performance and a Hollingsworth Scholarship to study in Europe. She is known for Multi cultural events, recitals and collaborative performances in her Chaldean community, helping spread music and the arts on T.V. Orient Productions which is broadcast all over the Middle East.

While still a graduate student, Wendy Buzby made her professional debuts with Opera Colorado, Opera Fairbanks, and Ash Lawn Opera Festival. Her most recent appearances have been with Pocket Opera of New York and in the world premiere of David Chesky's opera The Pig, the Farmer, and the Artist. Other performances have included Cosi fan tutte, and Cenerentola. During the spring of 2010, Ms. Buzby was a Resident Artist with the Syracuse Opera. Awards Ms. Buzby has received include the Encouragement Award for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and Fourth Place in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Voice Competition. A native of Alaska, Ms. Buzby received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Northwestern University and and Master's degree from the University of Colorado.