Presented by Vasilisa Atanackovic
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Hamilton’s heart and soul through music. Hometown Heroes blends operatic and modern sounds in a grand concert, featuring Hamilton’s finest opera singers and musicians. Directed by internationally renowned soprano Vasilisa Atanackovic, the performance highlights the city’s rich cultural tapestry, with a mix of soulful folk, operatic arias, and intimate love songs. The evening will conclude with a powerful rendition of Puccini's Suor Angelica.
This event is a tribute to Hamilton and the community that has supported these artists, as Vasilisa returns to her roots. Don’t miss this unique celebration of home, heritage, and the future through world-class music.
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Performers:
Vasilisa Atanackovic is a Serbian-Canadian soprano known for her powerful voice and emotive performances across Europe, North America, and beyond. She has performed major opera roles like Tatyana in Eugene Onegin and Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica, earning critical acclaim at prestigious festivals. Vasilisa has also toured with the band Zabranjeno Pušenje, performed in concert halls worldwide, and starred in musical theatre productions such as The Addams Family and Phantom of the Opera. A graduate of Ryerson University, she also holds a diploma in Vaganova ballet and has trained with world-class mentors. For more, visit vasilisaofficial.com.
Canadian Serbo-Croatian mezzo-soprano Stephanie Yelovich is praised for her "silken mezzo" and acting skills (Opera Canada) and described as "a vocal powerhouse" (Ludwig van Toronto). Recent performances include Berlioz’s La mort de Cléopâtra with Oakville Symphony and roles with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera and Opera Niagara. She’s sung in Italy, performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and featured in a U.S. Paramount+ commercial aired at the 2024 GRAMMYs and Super Bowl. Currently studying voice with Dr. Maria Vetere, Stephanie dedicates her performance in Hometown Heroes to her Baka, Stana "Stella" Lazich. For updates, visit her Facebook artist page at facebook.com/StephanieYelovich.
Bass-Baritone Ian Gillis recently completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, studying under Frédérique Vézina. He has performed in productions such as Il cappello di paglia di Firenze, Cendrillon, Castaway, and Così fan tutte, and is a frequent artist with the Centre for Opera Studies and Appreciation Canada. Ian has also performed with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Tenors, and Andrea Bocelli. In 2024, he furthered his training with the Canadian Opera Company’s Summer Opera Intensive. As Sidgwick Scholar for the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, he performed the role of Jesus Christ in the Canadian re-premiere of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s The Atonement. Ian also hosts Tracks From Abroad on CIUT 89.5FM on Monday evenings.
Music is Christabel Pinto’s life! She is a much sought after Music Director and Collaborative Pianist who accompanies and coaches for many string and voice studios. Christabel has 45 years experience as a choral director, organist and accompanist. She was the Music Director at StoneyCreek United church for 31 years, and started a new position at St. Augustine’s Parish in 2022. She obtained a B.A from McMaster University, and a B.Ed from Brock University. Christabel is the recipient of several awards, including: The Lee Hepner Award, The Margaret Oswald Memorial, Intermediate Finalist for the Hamilton Kiwanis Festival (3 consecutive years), and the winner of the Reginald Bedford Gold Medal. Christabel teaches at Theatre Aquarius and is the accompanist for the Tempus Chorus in Oakville.
Siobhan Kerr studied with Montreal-born harpist Marie Lorcini and holds a Combined Honours B.A. in English and Music from McMaster University, along with a Bachelor of Education from Brock and Suzuki method certifications. She has performed with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Ancaster, Cambridge Symphony, and others, and plays across the Golden Horseshoe area as a soloist and with her Suzuki harp students. Siobhan is married with four children, and in addition to homeschooling and teaching, she performs with Hamilton Irish Arts and sings in St. Augustine’s church choir. In December 2023, she released her first album, Harp in the Valley, featuring folk, classical, and original music. She performs on a Lyon & Healy concert grand pedal harp and Troubadour lever harp. Find her at kerrharps.com.
Tickets: $50, Members $45