Announcing the Performer’s Forum in New York
Audition and Performance Class for Opera Singers
Yeoryia Megremis,
Founder and Coordinator

Contralto, Yeoryia Megremis, a renowned opera and oratorio performer in her own right, aware of the trials and tribulations affecting today's young singers, established the Performer's Forum to guide and educate young singers by exploring the many aspects of music, singing, diction, intonation, rhythm, dynamics, pacing, style and presentation.

The Performer’s Forum features master classes given by conductor and coach John Mario Di Costanzo. Sessions are offered every Friday evening (on the Upper West Side) and the classes are small, friendly, highly informative, and offered at minimal charge to cover the cost of the performance space and pianist. Maestro Di Costanzo donates his services.

"Thank you again for making possible that amazing coaching session with Maestro DiCostanzo. And Yanni is an amazing accompanist. You are really an angel."

"In fact, everything Di Costanzo said was a gem which one could apply to themselves no matter the voice type, aria or song. His help for me, personally, I shall always remember and his amazing kindness. His info on the Traviata recit was so important… and even though I have coached the role with other coaches, his approach with that recit solidified what other coaches tried to say, but not always succinctly."

 

Possessing a rare voice, Yeoryia Megremis is a true contralto with a ringing upper register which enables her to be equally at ease in the grand opera repertoire of mezzo-soprano roles. The unique quality of this dynamic Greek-American artist has been recognized since an early age. After graduating from the University of Indiana with a major in opera, Ms. Megremis won first prize in vocal and operatic studies at the Athens Conservatory in Greece. Upon her return to the United States, she was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions and made a successful New York début at Carnegie Recital Hall. Since then, she has been acclaimed in America and abroad, not only for the extraordinary richness of her voice, but also for her powerful acting and remarkable versatility in a wide variety of roles.

Ms. Megremis has achieved special success for her performances of Azucena (Il Trovatore), Amneris (Aida), and the Principessa in Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur. Connecticut's The Advocate wrote: "Yeoryia Megremis was the star of the evening, with a perfectly focused contralto, making her performance of the old gypsy woman, Azucena, a brilliant one. In addition to her superb vocal technique, her dramatic interpretation sent shivers down the spine.”

The Daily Record of Northwest, New Jersey, wrote: "A vigorous young singer, Yeoryia Megremis had the agility of a Navajo medicine woman. She sang Azucena to perfection.”

“Yeoryia Megremis brought welcome power and good stage presence to her role as the Principessa,” wrote Bill Zakariasen of The New York Daily News.

In addition to her operatic appearances, Ms. Megremis is frequently heard in diverse oratorio performances ranging from Bach to Mahler and has received great acclaim for her performance of Verdi’s Requiem in New York's Avery Fisher Hall. Ms. Megremis sang the role of the Princess in the Lubo Opera's premiere production of Kalman's operetta The Dutchess of Chicago and La Principessa in Suor Angelica with Genesis Opera and the Verismo Opera of New Jersey.

Ms. Megremis is also Company Manager of Long Island Opera, Secretary of the Hellenic Music Foundation and is affiliated with the Siena Program in Italy.

*For Maestro Di Costanzo’s bio click here.