UCLA Choral Studies

Collaborating with living composers, especially the one and only Thomas LaVoy, is one of the most gratifying aspects of being a conductor. Thank you for trusting us with this beautiful new piece!

I Am: The Song of Amergin by Thomas LaVoy Dr. Ryan R. Brown - Director of UCLA ChoraleDr. James Lent - Collaborative Pianist

This week has been full of love in every way! Seen here is the UCLA chorale playing “three wise men” facilitated by James Scott! We’re so fortunate to have an incredible team here at UCLA! Go Bruins!

[Meet our Principals - Dido and Aeneas : Witch]

Gina Ha, soprano, is in her final year of her Bachelor of Music degree studying with Vladimir Chernov. In June 2023, Gina performed a role of An Elegant Woman in UCLA Opera's production of Les Mamelles de Tirésias by Francis Poulenc. Recently, she received the First Prize from the 2023 International Music Competition “Bonn” Grand Prize Virtuoso. She also competed in several voice competitions such as the Youth Focus and US International Music Competition, where she received the Gold (2017), Grand Champion Award (2018) for her vocal solo in Youth Focus, third (2018) and first place (2019) in USIMC. Through her achievements in USIMC, she had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. Since enrolling at UCLA, Gina's list of accomplishments has continued to grow. She received the Seoul Young Artist National Music Concours Excellence Award in September 2022, followed by the Second Prize Winner at the International Music Competition 2022 "Paris" Grand Prize Virtuoso in October 2022. In January 2023, she was announced as the Third Prize Winner at the "Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition, and in February 2023, she received the Second Prize at the F***y Mendelssohn International Competition.

Lilia Salido Rico is a 4th year soprano studying with Vladimir Chernov at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Ms. Rico graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2022 under the tutelage of Jody Benecke, and has been singing competitively across the country in ensembles and as a soloist for over 12 years. Recent roles include An Elegant Woman and chorus member in Poulenc’s “Les Mamelles de Tirésias”, and Maria Maladetto in the 2022 workshop of Richard Danielpour’s new opera, “The Grand Hotel Tartarus”, which Ms. Rico will premiere in Spring 2024. In addition to participating in UCLA Opera, Lilia enjoys ensemble singing and is a member of the UCLA chamber singers and Adoro Ensemble. She was a finalist of distinction in the NATS Redwood Singing Festival in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the Curtis Sprenger Award for Outstanding Student Achievement in 2022.

[Meet our Principals - Dido and Aeneas : Sailor]

Chris Shayota is a fourth year voice major at UCLA. He transferred last year from Santa Rosa Junior College where he earned associate's degrees in music, theatre arts, and humanities. Last Spring at UCLA Chris sang the role of Lacouf in Les mamelles de Tiresias and served as the pit-cover for the role of the Minotaur in Quake. In the coming months he will travel with members of the UCLA Chamber Singers to perform with Seraphic Fire. At SRJC he performed in All the Great Books (abridged), Shrek the Musical, and Into the Woods; served as assistant director of The Curious Incidend of the Dog in the Night-Time, and was tenor section leader of the SRJC Concert Choir.

First-year UCLA master’s student, Romeo Lopez, embarked on his musical journey at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, earning his undergraduate degree in 2022. Standout roles he has learned and performed include Monastery Chaplain in Poulenc’s ‘Dialogues of the Carmelites,’ Vanderdenur in Bernstein’s ‘Candide,’ and Orpheus in Offenbach’s ‘Orpheus in the Underworld.’ In addition to his academic roles, Romeo performed at the Repertory Opera Company from 2018 to 2022. Since graduating from the Bob Cole Conservatory, Romeo earned a plethora of scholarships, paving the way for his positive enrollment at UCLA.

Dido and Aeneas - Matinee - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music A timeless tale of love and despair, join the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Schoenberg Hall for a collaboration between the Opera and Choral Studies

[Meet our Principals - Dido and Aeneas : Sorceress]

I-Chin “Betty” Feinblatt is a classically trained professional Mezzo-Soprano/Contralto.
She has performed in concerts on numerous international stages professionally since 2000; including Salzburg Cathedral, Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Her most recent solo work includes Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, the operatic role of Shue-Ying in On Gold Mountain by Nathan Wang with LA Opera in 2022, Suzuki in Madame Butterfly with Lyric Opera of Orange County in 2021, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Long Beach Symphony in 2019, and the role of Devotee in The Passion of Ramakrishna by Philip Glass at Carnegie Hall in celebration of Glass's 80th Birthday in 2018. She was one of the choristers featured on Deutsche Grammophon’s recording of Mahler’s 8th Symphony directed by Gustavo Dudamel with the L.A. Philharmonic and other major ensembles. This record won the Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance in 2021.

Kevin Corrigan, tenor, is an undergraduate Voice Performance major and student of Professor Juliana Gondek. Most recently, he performed the ensemble role of Minotaur in Kay Rhie’s new opera, Quake, and the role of Lacouf in Les mamelles de Tirésias. Kevin is also a member of the Seraphic Fire Ensemble Artist Program, the UCLA Chamber Singers, and the St. Nicholas Parish Choir. Kevin is an alumnus of and former Part Leader for the All-American Boys Chorus and continues to be recognized for his talents in various local and national competitions. Alongside his musical endeavors, Kevin is civically engaged and involved in local government.

[Meet our Princips - Dido and Aeneas : Second Lady]

Krystal Mao is a lyric coloratura soprano currently in her third year at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where she is under the tutelage of renowned baritone Vladimir Chernov. She has performed roles such as Coridon in Acis and Galatea and most recently originated the role of Siren in the world premiere of Quake by UCLA composition professor Kay Rhie. Previously, she performed in UCLA Opera’s productions of The Rake’s Progress (Stravinsky), L’elisir d’Amore (Donizetti), and Les Mamelles de Tirésias (Poulenc) as a member of the chorus. Krystal has also been a part of the UCLA Chamber Singers ensemble for the past three years and this year is a new member of the vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire.
Prior to attending UCLA, Krystal worked with a variety of high-profile opera singers and vocal professors, including Grammy Award winner Denyse Graves and Juilliard professor J.J. Penna. The summer of 2022, she attended the International Vocal Artists Academy of Payerbach, where she furthered her studies with Vladimir Chernov and Olga Toporkova through daily intensive vocal training. In 2023, she was a recipient of the second place SAI Pasadena Alumnae Scholarship Award. This year, Krystal looks forward to her upcoming junior recital in the spring.”

Amanda Ballinger is a classically trained American soprano from Los Angeles, California who has performed roles including Despina in Cosi fan Tutte, Musetta in La Boheme, Mrs. Fiorentino in Street Scene, Annina in La Traviata and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica.
Graduating Magna cm laude from Cal State Northridge in 2022, Ms. Ballinger studied under the esteemed soprano Diane Ketchie-Saar. During her time at CSUN Amanda performed in the award-winning Opera CSUN production of L'enfant et les sortilèges as the Nightingale. She also has participated in masterclasses with Karen Brunssen, Kelli O’hara, Michelle Deyoung and Joseph Rescigno.
Currently, Amanda is pursuing her Masters of Music in Voice under the tutelage of John Buffett at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA

Meet our Principals - Dido and Aeneas : Dido]

Shannon Delijani, mezzo-soprano is an Iranian American mezzo soprano and current DMA student at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This season she will be performing as Dido with UCLA Opera as well as Eleni in the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s The Grand Hotel Tartarus. Recent engagements include her solo concert “Homeland” which was commissioned by Prima Voice Emerging Artists as well as in the role of Arbace in Idaspe with Quantum Theater and Chatham Baroque. To learn more about Shannon and her upcoming performances you can follow her on instagram at or join her mailing list at Shannondelijani.com

[Meet our principals - Dido and Aeneas: Belinda]

Maryland native, Soprano, Rachel Hahn is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Voice Performance at the University of California Los Angeles, studying with John Buffet and Michael Dean. Ms Hahn received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the Boston Conservatory. She also received a minor in Psychology from The Berklee School of Music and a Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Recent roles include, Rose, Street Scene by Kurt Weil (YAA:classical, virtual), Cecilio, Lucio Silla by Mozart (Chicago Summer Opera), and Parisian Journalist, Les Mamelles des Tiresias by Poulenc (UCLA). Rachel is looking forward to a busy final year of her masters program and profusely thanks her family and friends for their loving support.

Habin Kim is a young lyric coloratura soprano currently pursuing her musical studies at the University of California Los Angeles under the guidance of professor Juliana Gondek. As a student at UCLA, Habin has gained invaluable experience through numerous opera productions. Most recently, in June 2023, Habin shone in the comedic lead role of Thérèse in Poulenc's surreal opera Les mamelles de Tirésias. Through her witty and energetic portrayal, she expertly captured Thérèse's impulsive personality and drive. Singing Poulenc's whimsical music provided Habin the opportunity to showcase her agile vocal flexibility. Her nuanced performance clearly displayed her growth under the guidance of UCLA faculty. In previous years in UCLA, Habin has also been involved as an ensemble member in UCLA Opera's productions of The Rake's Progress by Stravinsky and Rossini's L'Elisir d'Amore. As she continues her artistic development, Habin's goal is to establish herself as an expressive and versatile artist.

[Meet our Principals - Dido and Aeneas : Aeneas]

Leland Smith is an operatic baritone who began his training under the renowned tenor, Bainian Tan. He then attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College from 2016 to 2021. Leland is the National 1st Place winner of the 2019 CS Music Vocal Competition, National Honorable Mention of 2021 and 2020 YoungArts Competition in Classical Voice, and National 2nd Place of the 2020 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Leland was also awarded 3rd Place and the Most Promising Sophomore Award by the 2019 Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition. Leland is currently a sophomore undergraduate student at UCLA studying under Professor Juliana Gondek.

Joshua Valdes
Starting in choir as a young boy he continued his musical journey by singing in various ensembles throughout his life. From playing operatic roles such as “Don Giovanni” and “Figaro” to singing in award winning choirs such as C.O.C’s “Just Jazz” and the BCCM Chamber Ensemble, he has a wide variety of vocal ability. Joshua has had the opportunity to sing in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, where he sang a solo from Mozart’s Dixit Dominus, and The Mormon Tabernacle where he was apart of the BCCM Chamber Ensemble’s debuting of the west coast premiere of Eric Whitacre’s “The Sacred Veil”. He has studied with excellent teachers among some of the most prestigious programs in the U.S. including CSU Long Beach, UC Los Angeles, and New York University. Joshua is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at UCLA.