Page 8 - NWS December 2024 Digital Playbill

ABOUT the ARTISTS

PATRICK BLACKWELL Bass-Baritone
Patrick Blackwell continues to expand his impressive
repertoire in opera, oratorio and musical theater. His
career has seen him engaged by many of the leading opera
companies and orchestras of the US and Europe, including
appearances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the
Tanglewood Festival, the Munich Philharmonic, the Lyric
Opera of Chicago and the Los Angeles Opera. Blackwell
trained and studied with Enrico Di Guiseppe at the Juilliard
School and began his career as a young artist with the
Santa Fe Opera, Houston Opera Studio, the Merola Opera
Program with San Francisco Opera, Opera Music Theatre International with Jerome
Hines and the Aspen Opera Theatre Center.
In Europe Blackwell has appeared in concert with the Munich Philharmonic in PORGY
& BESS, conducted by Lorin Maazel and in the title role of PORGY & BESS for New
York Harlem Productions’ European tour. He made his Carnegie Hall debut as the
bass soloist in the world premiere of Earnestine Rodgers Robinson’s Crucifixion in
addition to performing works by Mozart at the Arts Festival in North Korea, the Fauré
Requiem with the Fresno Philharmonic and Osride in Rossini’s MOSE IN EGITTO
with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York City.

LOS ROBLES CHILDREN’S CHOIR
EMMA ROCHE Director
The mission of Los Robles Children’s Choir is to strive
for excellence in choral singing by awakening and
encouraging the artistry in each child. This exploration
of the children’s artistic essence takes place in an
atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement. The
performances give the singers an opportunity to share
their musical achievements and artistic sensitivities with
an audience under artistic direction of Emma Roche.
Emma Roche holds music degrees from both Westminster Choir College and the
USC Thornton School of Music. In 2017, Emma became a Roster Chorister and
soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale performing in their regular season at
Walt Disney Concert Hall with additional performances at the Hollywood Bowl and
with the LA Philharmonic. Equally passionate about music education, Roche has 15
years of experience teaching at both the elementary and high school levels.

8 | New West Symphony