Meet our team
Sevan Kochkarian
President, Artistic Director, Board Member and Instructor
Sevan Kochkarian is a lyric coloratura soprano from Vancouver BC. Sevan began her musical journey at the age of 8 when she was enrolled in piano lessons and joined the Vancouver Children’s Choir. At the age of 11 she started her private voice lessons and started dance classes at Precision Dance Academy. In her teenage years she studied at Vancouver Academy of Music with an Emphasis in Opera before heading to McGill University getting her bachelor’s and Master’s in Opera and Voice performance.
Sevan has been seen performing all over Canada and Europe. Some of her roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Morgana in Alcina, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Mabel in Pirates of Penzances, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Rita in Rita, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Paquette in Candide and many more. Opera Canada has written two reviews on her hailing her voice: “Beautiful and sings with a huge range of emotions” and claiming to have played her characters with “Sensitivity, and nuance and a true feeling of desire”. Sevan also studied at the Vancouver Acting School + Railtown Actors Studio for 5 years and was with Premiere Talent Agency doing TV and Film work.
In addition to Opera, Sevan also has a huge passion for Musical Theatre and has performed in countless productions. Her roles include Eponine in Les Misérables, Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal, Ariel Moore in Footloose, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Mayzie La Bird in Seussical, and more.
While she still is performing, Sevan is eager and excited to share her knowledge with the next generation of performers and hopes to inspire them to pursue their dreams in performing.
Jonathan Gagné
VP, Music Director, Board Member and Instructor
Jonathan Gagné is an award wining tenor with great talent who completed a master’s degree at McGill University. He was the lead singer and co-composer of a rock band named Noēsis, who came out with an album in 2016 (distributed worldwide). In his operatic career, he has the honour of singing with many professional opera houses as a soloist. He also sings in different types of events and is praised for his versatility (sacred music, opera, musical, etc.)
At the Opéra de Québec, he sang the roles of “André Nault” (Louis Riel) and “Borsa” (Rigoletto). With other houses, he has been “The Philistine messenger” (Samson et Dalila) at the Opéra de Rimouski, as well as the “First priest” / “First armoured man” (Die Zauberflöte), and “Ruggiero” (La liberazione di Ruggiero) at Opera McGill. As for sacred music, the young tenor sang as a soloist in both Bach’s Magnificat and first Christmas Cantata under the baton of maestro Dany Wiseman. In recent years, he performed the role of “Abdallo” in Nabucco at the Opéra de Québec and sang as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Anima Musica in Montreal. He also was one of the soloists of the “Brigade lyrique” during the 2019 Festival d’opéra de Québec.
In 2019, Jonathan made his debut as “Rinuccio” in a critically acclaimed Gianni Schicchi by Puccini with Opera Mariposa in Vancouver, and also sung a “Lippo Fiorentino” loved by the audience in Opera McGill’s production of Street Scene by Kurt Weil.
In 2023, the young tenor was “Tamino” in The Magic Flute with the Crescendo Opera Society, as well as “Strephon” in Iolanthe with North Shore Light Opera. Furthermore, Jonathan was praised as the “Cowardly Lion” in The Wizard of Oz, on the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver.
Last year, the tenor had the pleasure to perform two roles with Opera Kelowna in BC: a reprise of “Rinuccio” in Gianni Schicchi, as well as a solid debut as “Beppe” in Pagliacci.
More recently, the young artist was the Music Director for Into the Woods Jr with CTORA Academy and made a powerful impression with his portrayal of “Mischa Bachinski” in the musical Ride the Cyclone.
While still being an active performer, Jonathan has great passion towards teaching and is eager to have a positive and meaningful impact on the next generation of artists.
Libby Donald
Secretary, Board Member
Libby Donald is an Australian-born vocalist, performer, and educator based in Vancouver, Canada. She began her musical training at a young age and discovered theatre in her teens—an experience that shaped her artistic path and continues to inspire her work today.
Libby holds a Diploma of Music Performance from the Canberra Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Music Performance (Voice) from the Australian National University. Since relocating to Vancouver, she has built a dynamic career as both a performer and teacher.
As an educator, Libby works with students of all ages and experience levels, fostering confidence, creativity, and a genuine love of singing. She teaches from her private home studio, with Show Tune Choir at The Arts Club Theatre Company, at the VSO School of Music, and with the Vancouver Extracurricular Music Society, where she brings fun choral and band education into VSB elementary schools. She is particularly passionate about sharing musical theatre and operatic repertoire, creating inclusive, engaging learning environments where students feel supported and inspired.
Alongside her teaching, Libby is an active performer in opera, musical theatre, and film. Anything theatre remains at the heart of her artistic practice, combining her love of storytelling, music, and collaboration.
Zainen Suzuki
Treasurer, Logistics Adviser, Board Member
Zainen Suzuki, a classical baritone with a Master of Music in Opera Performance from McGill University, is celebrated for his dynamic vocal range and compelling stage presence. His operatic journey is distinguished by significant roles, including Mr. Gedge in Albert Herring, Maximilian in Candide, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor at McGill, and notably, his portrayal of Marco in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. These performances have highlighted his ability to bring complex characters to life, earning acclaim for both his vocal prowess and dramatic interpretation.
Trained by esteemed voice teachers such as Aaron Blake, Anamaria Popescu, and Winston Purdy, Zainen has mastered a diverse repertoire in English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. His blend of educational excellence and rich stage experience shapes his approach to music, emphasizing technical skill and expressive storytelling.
Zainen’s dedication to opera extends to mentoring emerging singers. His teaching philosophy focuses on developing vocal technique, interpretative skills, and a deep emotional connection to music. With his extensive experience in varied operatic roles and a passion for the art form, Zainen is an invaluable mentor for students embarking on their operatic journey, guiding them through the nuances and richness of this expressive musical genre.
Stefani Delišimunović
Choreographer, Instructor
Stef is a multi disciplinary choreographer and performer with a background in musical theatre. Since graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto (2019), she has worked with many community theatre groups in BC’s Lower Mainland.
She specializes in jazz, ballet, musical theatre and tap, with additions to hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. Some of her past choreography credits include: Footloose (Gallery7- Award Nominee) Mary Poppins (Theatre in the Country) SpongeBob (Fraser Valley Musical Theatre) Catch Me If You Can (Theatre in the Country) and Spamalot (White Rock Players).
She is excited to bring her experience to the team by helping our young artists grow while guiding them towards becoming versatile and well-rounded performers.
Eric Smith
Instructor
Eric Smith, a graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, is a multi-facetted actor who regularly does TV and Film (commercials, Netflix, etc.), as well as live theatre. He is the Artistic Director of an award-nominated Fringe theatre company called Get Off the Stage Productions. He is also a sketch comedian that toured, wrote, acted, and produced with Edmonton-based and award-winning sketch comedy troupe Don’t Not Talk to Strangers.
Eric has directed and acted in many shows throughout his theatrical career, including Oleanna by David Mamet and Guenevere by John Richardson (Both 5 Star shows at the Edmonton Fringe). He has also worked at the Citadel Theatre, assisting in teaching Drama to kids of all ages. Eric’s speciality is comedy, if you want something funny, you’ve come to the right guy!