Students from 102 area schools perform with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra, May 23 & 24

FRANCISCO NOYA has served as Resident Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra for 20 seasons, where he represents the Philharmonic artistically and educationally throughout our community. He is also the music director of the Boston Civic Symphony in Boston, M.A., and the New Philharmonia Orchestra in Newton, M.A. Additionally, he is a respected member of the conducting faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

A native of Venezuela, Mr. Noya was a conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Valencia, one of the original ensembles of “El Sistema.” He earned advanced degrees in composition and conducting from Boston University. He has served as Assistant Conductor of the Caracas Philharmonic and Assistant to the Music Director of the Teatro Teresa Carreño, one of the most prestigious theaters in Latin America. He has appeared as a guest conductor of the Boston Pops, Baltimore, Nashville, San Antonio and Cape Cod Symphony Orchestras, and the Orquesta Académica of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He has also performed internationally in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Russia.

JOE WILSON, JR.: Born in New Orleans, LA, Joe Wilson, Jr. holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame and an MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre training program. He lived and worked in Minnesota until moving to New York in 2000, where worked for 5 years on and off Broadway and regionally. He has been cast in multiple Tony Award-nominated Broadway productions: Jesus Christ Superstar (2000) and Iceman Cometh (2018). He joined the company of Trinity Rep in 2005 and is currently the Coordinator of Activism through Performance.

Mr. Wilson is the recipient of the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Manton Avenue Project in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence, RI for recognition of his contributions as a guest artist, teacher and board member. In addition, he is the recipient of the Sissieretta Jones Award for Cultural Literacy and the Arts (2012) from the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, awarded to excellency in the arts (acting) presented “in recognition of those who have made outstanding contributions to the African American Community of Rhode Island.” He was also a Featured Artist in “Black Lavender,” Brown University, Providence, RI 2009-2010: an exhibit curated by Robb Dimmick and sponsored by the Rhode Island Council for Humanities, highlighting the historical contributions of black gay men in Rhode Island. Joe serves on the boards of the Center for Reconciliation, the Manton Avenue Project, and the South Side Cultural Center.

ARIELLE ROGERS, mezzo soprano, is a graduate of Rhode Island College, receiving a Music Performance degree with a theater minor. Awards and Competitions include: 3rd annual RICCO Collegiate Vocal Competition Finalist, and The Bicho Family Memorial Scholarship Award. Opera credits include: Opera Providence’s Pirates of Penzance (Kate) and The Mikado (Katisha). With Salt Marsh Opera, Madame Butterfly (Ensemble), Don Pasquale (Ensemble), Le Nozze di Figaro (Ensemble), Gianni Schicchi (La Ciesca), and most recently her ensemble debut with Boston Lyric Opera for their production of Rouder’s A Handmaid’s Tale. With Operhub in Boston, MA., Arielle was honored to portray Sissieretta Jones in the world premiere of DIVAS, an operatic play with an all female cast and crew. Oratorio and Orchestral credits include: Handel’s Messiah (Alto Soloist), Schubert’s Magnificat (Alto Soloist), Vivaldi’s Gloria (Alto Soloist), Narragansett Bay Symphony Orchestra (Mezzo Soprano Soloist). Musical Theatre Credits include: My Song Lady (Premiere, Anne-Marie), Sister Act! The Musical (Deloris), Ragtime the Musical (Sarah). Upcoming engagements include a ‘Juneteenth’ concert series with Boston Lyric Opera. For further information regarding Ms. Rogers’ upcoming schedule please visit her page on Facebook: Arielle Rogers – Mezzo Soprano. Stay tuned for updates on the launch of her official website, coming Summer 2019.

VERY SUJKOWSKI, baritone, is a native of Toledo, OH. Having recently received his Master of Music in Opera Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Mr. Sujkowski currently serves as an operatic baritone in the New England area. This summer, Mr. Sujkowski will be returning to Boston Midsummer Opera to cover Alidoro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola. Recent engagements include Assan in The Consul, Baritone in Hydrogen Jukebox, and Marquis de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites with Boston Conservatory Opera.

Other notable engagements include Guglielmo (cvr) in Così fan tutte with Boston Conservatory Opera, Don Giovanni (cvr) in Don Giovanni with International Young Artists Project, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with University of Toledo Opera Ensemble, and chorus/guitarist in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Boston Midsummer Opera. Mr. Sujkowski also has considerable training in dance as well as the guitar, bringing skillful versatility to the stage.