MILFORD, PA — Ethel Trujillo, Julianna Smith and more will perform during this year’s Opera! Pike! Park! concert, to be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 25 at the Ann Street Park. 

The event, held annually since 2019, stars performers from Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA). They sing popular arias as well as songs from Broadway musicals.

Who is performing this year?

Ethel Trujillo is an award-winning soprano from Morelos, Mexico. She graduated this past May from Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Puebla, Mexico with a B.M. in vocal performance.  

Mezzo-soprano Julianna Smith is a recent graduate of the master of music program at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. She will enter AVA as a resident artist this fall. 

Tenor Luke Norvell is entering his final year at AVA.

Bass Cumhur Görgün, from Istanbul, Turkey, will enter his third year at AVA. 

Luke Housner will serve as vocal coach and piano accompanist. He has been a member of the coaching staff at the AVA for more than 25 years, serving as music director, principal coach and performance pianist for numerous recitals as well as 10 fully staged productions in past Academy of Vocal Arts seasons. 

His repertoire has included Barber’s “Vanessa”; Debussy’s “Pelleas et Mélisande”; Dvořák’s “Rusalka”; Janácek’s “Kát’a Kabanová”; Massenet’s “Werther”; Strauss’ “Arabella,” “Capriccio” and “Elektra”; and Wagner’s “Das Rheingold.” 

The Academy of Vocal Arts was established in 1934 to train young artists with the potential to become international opera soloists. Every year, the Metropolitan Opera presents the Beverly Sills Award to an outstanding AVA graduate. 

“Opera! Pike! Park! brings people together as a community to enjoy great music in our lovely town. To bring the level of talent we have seen in past years is really remarkable for the borough,” said Javier Morales, Pike Opera’s founder and artistic director.

Jim Pedranti, who chairs the Pike Opera board, said that the event is family-friendly and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, snacks and beverages.  

While most of the seating will be on the lawn, a limited number of seats in folding chairs is available for a nominal fee. Reserve your seat or learn more at www.pikeopera.org.