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 and Little Shop of Horrors with CTORA Academy and made powerful impressions with his portrayal of “Mischa Bachinski” in the musical Ride the Cyclone and “Ladahlord” in James and the Giant Peach.
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.
Eric Smith
Acting Coach
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!
Jorgia Petursson
Choreographer
Jorgia brings 14 years of dedicated dance training to the stage, having begun her formal studies at the age of two. Over the course of her development, she has trained extensively in nine distinct dance styles while pursuing rigorous ballet education through both the Cecchetti method and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, successfully completing multiple ballet examinations.
Complementing her technical foundation is a deep engagement with musical theatre, where she has appeared in a range of productions. Most recently, she portrayed the Scarecrow in Fraser Valley Stage’s staging of The Wizard of Oz.
Jorgia looks forward to contributing her experience and enthusiasm for movement, supporting the cast as they bring this production to life.
Zainen Suzuki
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.