MEET THE 2017-2018 STUDIO ARTISTS ® Rachel Blaustein, Soprano (Olney, MD) Soprano Rachel Blaustein hails from Olney, MD and recently received her Masters Degree from the Peabody Conservatory. Earlier this season, Rachel was seen as a studio artist with Kentucky Opera singing Peep- Bo in The Mikado and she made her debut with Fort Worth Opera in their Frontiers Showcase. In the 2015-2016 season, Rachel was a studio artist with Opera Santa Barbara and returned to Des Moines Metro Opera for her second season. Previously, Rachel was a studio artist with Chautauqua Opera and has won awards from The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions as well as the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition and Partners for the Arts, Inc. This is Ms. Blaustein’s debut season as a Florentine Studio Artist.

Ashley Puenner, Mezzo-Soprano (Crystal Lake, IL) Recent highlights of Ashley Puenner’s career include Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Carmen in Le Tragédie de Carmen with University of Kansas Opera. Ms. Puenner was also a young artist with the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center where she was seen as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd and Zerlina (cover) in Don Giovanni. While with the Janiec Opera Company, she also participated in a workshop performance of Sister Carrie. Her appearances with the Florentine include Mrs. Hurstwood in Sister Carrie (world premiere and recording). Ms. Puenner recently performed a concert of new American operatic works from the Florentine’s recording anthology at Opera America’s National Opera Center in New York City. This is Ms. Puenner’s second season with the Florentine Opera.

Edward Graves, Tenor (Oxon Hill, MD) Recently received his Performer Diploma at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he studied with Patricia Havranek. In February 2017, he made his tenor debut at Indiana University Opera Theater singing the role of Grimoaldo in a new production Handel’s Rodelinda conducted by Gary Wedow. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Towson University, where he studied with Aaron Sheehan, and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. Last year, he transitioned from baritone to tenor. Previous appearances with IU Opera Theater include Haly in Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, and Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly. He was recently a young artist at The Glimmerglass Festival, where he sang the role of Peter and covered the role of Robbins in Porgy and Bess as well as the role Fred in Oklahoma! Nathaniel Hill, Baritone (Defiance, OH) Baritone Nathaniel Hill, from Ohio, is excited to be joining Florentine Opera for their 2017-2018 season, appearing in The Merry Widow, Venus & Adonis/Dido & Aeneas, The Prince of Players, and The Magic Flute. Nathaniel spent the summer of 2017 at the Seagle Music Colony, premiering “Guildenstern” in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Herschel Garfein. He previously spent three summers at the Aspen Music Festival, where he appeared as Breedley in Bolcom’s A Wedding, Grégorio in Roméo et Juliette and covered Marcello in La bohème. Nathaniel was also a Studio Artist at Madison Opera for their 2015-2016 season, performing in La bohème (Customs Sergeant), Little Women (Mr. Dashwood), and The Tales of Hoffmann (Hermann). In the winter of 2017, Nathaniel was a Young Artist at Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, covering Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana. Previously, Nathaniel sang the role of Papageno in a touring production of The Magic Flute. He received his education at Indiana University (B.M.), and Northwestern University (M.M.).

Ruben Piirainen, Pianist (Negaunee, MI) Mr. Piirainen holds degrees in piano performance from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Bowling Green State University. His credits include the Florentine Opera’s @ The Center Series; numerous performances with Skylight Music Theatre; performances on piano, harpsichord, and toy piano with Present Music; pianist and celesta player with Festival City Symphony and Kenosha Symphony Orchestra; performance on toy piano at the 2012 Make Music New York Festival; numerous projects with Milwaukee Opera Theatre; and a CD recording of Pulitzer Prize winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s music. Mr. Piirainen recently performed a concert of new American operatic works from the Florentine’s recording anthology at Opera America’s National Opera Center in New York City. This season also marks the world premiere of his children’s opera,A Busy Bee, commissioned by the Florentine Opera.