Meet Our New Resident Artists
This year, we proudly welcome 6 new singers into AVA’s prestigious Resident Artist Program, continuing our legacy of educational excellence in opera for over 90 years. These talented individuals, chosen from a pool of extraordinary vocalists, truly represent the future of opera through their exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to their artistry. As they embark on this great journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating their arrival and the bright futures that lie ahead. Learn more about them in their profiles below.
Don’t miss your chance to see them perform at AVA’s New Artist Recital.
New Artist Recital
September 25, 2026, 7:30 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity
1904 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
This event is free for AVA Subscribers.
Ashley Ruckman, soprano, recently appeared as Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto with Indianapolis Opera, and as Karolina in Swimming in the Dark at The Studios of Key West. She holds a Master of Music degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University. Additional training includes residencies and artist programs with Indianapolis Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Opera Lucca, and the Dallas Opera Hart Institute. Learn more about Ashley here!
Stella FitzGerald, mezzo-soprano, recently appeared as Prince Charmant in Cendrillon with the Cincinnati Conservatory Opera Mainstage, Lucrezia in Lucrezia at Music Academy of the West, and Presendia in Dark Sisters with Cincinnati Conservatory. She recently completed a Master of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Boston University. Learn more about Stella here!
Brenden Christie, tenor, most recently appeared as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory, Alfred in scenes from Die Fledermaus with the International Lyric Academy in Italy, and Laurie in scenes from Little Women with the International Lyric Academy. His additional performance experience includes leading roles with the College Light Opera Company, Milligan University, and Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. Learn more about Brenden here!
Ryan Michki, tenor, recently performed in scenes from Les pêcheurs de perles, The Bartered Bride, and La gazza ladra with the Bard College Opera Workshop. He has also appeared as a Chorus Fellow at the Spoleto Festival and participated in the Opera Saratoga Summer Festival. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Vocal Performance at the Bard Conservatory of Music and Historical Studies at Bard College. Learn more about Ryan here!
Jason Hwang, baritone, most recently appeared as Papageno in Die Zauberflöte at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Spinelloccio in Gianni Schicchi at The Juilliard School, and covered Johannes Zegner in Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up at Juilliard. Additional credits include Il Marito in Amelia al Ballo and Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jason earned a Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School and was a 2026 Renée Fleming Artist at the Aspen Music Festival. Learn more about Jason here!
Jamie Felix-Toll, bass-baritone, most recently performed the roles of Ignacio in Lucrezia and covered Masetto in Don Giovanni at Music Academy of the West, and sang The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk with the Oberlin Opera Outreach Tour. He recently completed a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Oberlin Conservatory and has also trained as a Fellow and Studio Artist at Music Academy of the West and as an Emerging Artist with Bel Canto in Tuscany. Learn more about Jamie here!