09/05/2026
Sylwia Karwowska, soprano:
Sylwia is from Wrocław, Poland – the home of the Wratislavia Cantans festival – began her musical education at seven, studying piano and cello before discovering her true instrument: the voice. A former member of Cantores Minores Wratislavienses and opera chorus in Poland she moved to Canada in 1998, later earning a Master’s degree in Vocal Arts. She performs across the Lower Mainland with ensembles such as Belle Voci, Opera Pro Cantanti, and Augmented Five, and teaches Bel Canto singing at the Tri-City School of Music.
Ekinsu Durgun, soprano:
Ekinsu is a passionate piano and voice teacher with a love for storytelling through music. She graduated with a B.A in Opera. and has taught both piano and voice for years, working with beginners, advanced students, and everyone in between. In recent years, she has specialized in early music education, making learning fun and engaging. Her teaching philosophy is simple: music is a story waiting to be told.
Anastasia Pyshna, mezzo soprano:
Anastasia started her music education in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she also completed her Art History degree. Anastasia studied in Paris and lived in Shanghai, and then moved to Vancouver, where she studied with soprano Robyn Driedger-Klassen at the Vancouver Academy of Music. While in Vancouver, Anastasia collaborated with City Opera Vancouver, and was part of the project Songs for Better Days in association with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Anastasia has recently completed her Master’s degree at Schulich School of Music, McGill in Montréal. Anastasia’s recent appearances include Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte with the Vienna Opera Festival and Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with Burnaby Lyric Opera. This season she sang Almirena in Handel’s Rinaldo with ensemble OrQuesta in London as well as Sesto in Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Trieste, Italy.
Cantor Shani Cohen, mezzo soprano:
Shani Cohen’s rich, powerful voice is comfortable on the opera stage, the concert hall, or the synagogue sanctuary. She serves as the cantor of Temple Sholom synagogue in Vancouver, and performs with Opera Lirica and Vancouver Opera Chorus. She holds Master’s degrees from HUC-JIR (2021) and the University of Houston (2013). Past credits include Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Giulietta (Les Contes D’Hoffman), Tisbe (La Cenerentola), Kara Sondstromm (Frau Margot), and Vera Boronel (The Consul).
Roger Parton, piano:
Roger studied composition under Wolfgang Bottenberg (Concordia University) and piano with Laurie Altman (Concordia University) and Joseph Bayer. In demand as an accompanist and vocal coach across the Lower Mainland, he has been involved in many productions and concerts to date, including City Opera Vancouver’s Lost Operas of Mozart, Missing, Nigredo Hotel, and The Human Voice; Burnaby Lyric Opera’s concert series; and Opera Opulenza’s Tales of Hoffmann and Cavalleria Rusticana. His work as a contributor, arranger, and music editor includes City Opera Vancouver’s Berlin: The Last Cabaret, and Chinatown, by Alice Ping Yee Ho and Madeleine Thien. He serves on the Board of Directors of Muzewest Concerts.
