Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA (July 13, 2026) – Virginia Opera is proud to announce the 2026-2027 class of Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists, welcoming nine exceptional singers and collaborative pianist Oleg Bellini for a season of performances, professional development, and artistic mentorship.
Recognized as one of the nation’s most competitive young artist programs, the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program receives more than 700 applications each year and provides rising opera professionals with invaluable performance experience, individualized coaching, and mentorship from Virginia Opera’s artistic leadership. Throughout the season, Emerging Artists appear in mainstage productions, educational tours, donor events, community performances, and the company’s Variations series while working alongside internationally acclaimed guest artists and conductors.
“One of the greatest responsibilities of any opera company is investing in the artists who will shape the future of this art form,” said Adam Turner, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Virginia Opera. “Our Emerging Artists Program gives extraordinary young singers the opportunity to refine their craft while performing alongside established professionals in a supportive, demanding artistic environment. We’re thrilled to welcome this remarkable class of artists to Virginia Opera.”
Returning to the program are soprano Maggie Kinabrew, mezzo-soprano Melanie Dubil, and collaborative pianist Oleg Bellini.
Kinabrew returns following appearances last season as Clorinda in Cinderella (La Cenerentola), the High Priestess in Aida, the 2025 Variations series, and Dragon’s Breath. During the 2026-2027 season, she appears in The Three Little Pigs, Variations, the chorus of Pagliacci, and makes her role debut as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. An Apprentice Artist with Sante Fe Opera, Kinabrew is the recipient of the 2025 “Facing Forward” Grant from the Jensen Foundation Competition and has also performed with The Glimmerglass Festival and Palm Beach Opera.
Dubil returns after last season’s portrayal of Tisbe in Cinderella (La Cenerentola) and her appearances in the 2025 Variations series and Dragon’s Breath. This season, she performs in The Three Little Pigs, Variations, the chorus of Pagliacci, and sings the title role of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. She is the recipient of the Emerging Artist Award in the Lotte Lenya Competition and has appeared with Opera Colorado and Central City Opera.
Bellini returns as collaborative pianist for The Three Little Pigs and Variations. Previously a Resident Collaborative Pianist with Opera Colorado, he served as principal coach and pianist for the company’s educational outreach productions and worked on the music staff for numerous mainstage productions.
Joining the program for the first time are tenor Douglas Culclasure, baritone Joel Clemens, tenor Carlos Ahrens, soprano Nia Spaulding, mezzo-soprano Lindsey Polcyn, baritone Yichen Xue, and tenor Xiaojie Ji.
Among this year’s artists are winners and finalists of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Resident and Apprentice Artists with companies including The Glimmerglass Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Sarasota Opera, as well as performers who have appeared with leading regional opera companies and symphony orchestras throughout the United States.
Throughout the season, the Emerging Artists will perform featured and supporting roles across Virginia Opera’s 2026-2027 season, with several artists taking on major principal assignments.
“Our goal is to prepare these artists for long, successful careers by giving them meaningful performance opportunities and individualized mentorship,” said Brandon Eldredge, Virginia Opera’s Director of Emerging Artists/Associate Conductor & Chorus Master. “Every season we’re inspired by the talent, curiosity, and dedication they bring to the rehearsal room. Audiences will have the opportunity to watch these exceptional young professionals at an exciting moment in their careers.”
Virginia Opera’s Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program has launched the careers of hundreds of singers who now perform on the world’s leading opera stages. Recent alumni include: Brian Jagde, Megan Marino, Jeni Houser, David Blalock, Kristen Choi, Hunter Enoch, Martin Bakari, Shannon Jennings, and Symone Harcum.
For more information about Virginia Opera’s 2026-2027 season, visit vaopera.org.
###
About Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs.
Follow Virginia Opera on social media
Facebook: @vaopera
Twitter: @vaopera
Instagram: @vaopera