1.0NUOVA Vocal Artshttps://nuovavocalarts.ca/frkenanhttps://nuovavocalarts.ca/fr/author/kenan/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="aTxFzhOswK"><a href="https://nuovavocalarts.ca/fr/about/">About</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://nuovavocalarts.ca/fr/about/embed/#?secret=aTxFzhOswK" width="600" height="338" title="« About » — NUOVA Vocal Arts" data-secret="aTxFzhOswK" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! 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Through advanced training, professional mentorship, and innovative performance opportunities, we equip emerging and newly professional artists with the skills, experience, and connections needed to thrive. Committed to accessibility and artistic excellence, we present opera and musical theatre in welcoming, intimate settings that inspire audiences and strengthen our community. Staff Members Kim Mattice Wanat Artistic & Managing Director: Founder of NUOVA Vocal Arts Director@NuovaVocalArts.Ca Kim Mattice Wanat is a performer, teacher and director. She founded Opera NUOVA in 1998 and has acted as the Artistic and Managing Director since its inception. She has produced and directed several of Opera NUOVA’s productions including Bock & Harnick’s Fiddler on the Roof, Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, Offenbach’s La Périchole, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Canadian Première of Mark Adamo’s Little Women and all of NUOVA’s school touring productions, most notably, a Canada Council commissioned opera written by NUOVA alumnus Isaiah Bell entitled The Lives of Lesser Things; and Dean Burry’s Isis and the Seven Scorpions & and The Brothers Grimm. She is presently an instructor at the University of Alberta in the drama department and regularly works as a clinician for voice and choral teachers and as a musical director for musical theatre productions. Her commitment to sharing her expertise with young singers, actors, teachers and choral directors has earned her extensive recognition including Global Edmonton Television’s Woman of Vision Award, The City of Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence in the Arts Award and The YWCA’s Woman of Distinction in Arts and Culture Award. Read Bio Benjamin Smith Artistic Associate & Operations Manager Operations@NuovaVocalArts.Ca Benjamin Smith (He/Him) is a theatre-maker, director, educator, and artistic leader originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick / Wəlastəkwewiyik. He holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Alberta and a BA Honours from St. Thomas University. He is currently Artistic Associate with NUOVA and teaches in the BFA Music Theatre Performance program at MacEwan University. He is also a certified member of the Academy of Fight Directors Canada and has trained with Theatrical Intimacy Educators. Since 2020, Ben has collaborated with Broadway’s Tony LePage and Justin Matthew Sargent on the development of a new musical entitled, Sweet Dreams. The musical is a comedic, modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set to the timeless music of Air Supply. He has been artist-in-residence at Theatre New Brunswick and the Fredericton Playhouse Inc. Read Bio Lisa Kotelniski Artistic Administrator &Marketing Manager Admin@NuovaVocalArts.Ca Lisa Kotelniski (She/Her) is the Artistic Administrator and Marketing Manager at NUOVA Vocal Arts. A multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, she is a graduate of MacEwan University’s BFA in Music Theatre Performance program. Alongside her administrative leadership, Lisa has an active creative practice as a performer, choreographer, and collaborator, with credits spanning musical theatre and new works development. Her combined experience in performance and arts marketing informs her work supporting emerging artists and shaping NUOVA’s public presence. Read Bio Executive Board Members Nadia Ivanchikov President A parent of four very artistic children, Nadia came to the board to support the availability of a world-class voice and theatre instruction for the youth that NUOVA has to offer. A teacher and a counsellor, Nadia has been serving on many boards, from parent associations to gym clubs to private schools. She is looking forward to be part of Nuova Vocal Arts.  Read Bio Leann Hawley Vice-President Leann is a Registered Nurse, with over 30 years of experience across multiple health care areas. She is an entrepreneur with a passion for health and wellness, including education. She strongly believes that the mental health aspect of wellness can be dramatically improved through the arts and performance. She has seen this in her own family, witnessing the light that the stage has brought into her home. Leann is a proud mother of 4 and grandmother to 1. She will tell you that she is a backstage mom only, you will not find her on a stage. She says, “I can’t sing or dance, but I appreciate those that can.” She is a devoted volunteer, mostly to support her family. She is excited to be a part of Nuova and supporting up and coming artists, both locally and across Canada. Read Bio Mitchell Norenberg Vice-President Mitchell Norenberg (he/him) is a historian, traveler, tea enthusiast, and bon vivant. He is currently pursuing his Masters in History at the University of Alberta and has already received his Library and Information Technology diploma from MacEwan University in 2019 followed by his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History from the same institution in 2022. During his time at MacEwan, Mitchell’s executive leadership skills in volunteer cultural settings were enhanced as President for the History and Classics Club and as the Executive Treasurer for the InQueeries gay-straight alliance. His time in these roles reaffirmed his belief and commitment towards letting and supporting people thrive through openly being able to live as their genuine selves. Aside from NUOVA, Mitchell is the Coordinator for the Edmonton Historical Board (EHB), an advisory board to City Council, helping to encourage, promote and advocate for the preservation and safeguarding of historical properties, resources, communities, and documentary heritage. Read Bio Helen Hassinger Treasurer American soprano Helen Hassinger’s recent stage appearances include Donna Anna in Don Giovanni (Chautauqua Opera), Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte (Opera Memphis), Ninfa in L’Orfeo (Chautauqua Opera), Phebe in Whaling Women (Seaglass Theatre), Mélisande in Pelléas et Mélisande (Boston University Opera Institute), and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (BUOI).  Concert work includes appearances as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra), Beethoven’s Missa solemnis (Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania), and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem (Brookline Chancel Choir).  She is a frequent guest soloist with the Albert Symphony Orchestra, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (A Night at the Opera, Symphony at the Snell), Calgary Opera (Arias + Ales, Carmen), and Edmonton Opera (Opera Al Fresco).  Ms. Hassinger was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Opera Tampa D’Angelo Vocal Competition and was awardedhttps://nuovavocalarts.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kim-1.png11811181