Resident Artists
Ryan Kuster, bass-baritone
AVA fourth year resident artist
Hometown: Jacksonville, Ill.
Education: M. M., Boston University, B. M., Westminster Choir College
Competitions: Encouragement award, Opera Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions—Philadelphia region, 2008; Harmon Award, Chautauqua Opera, 2008; finalist, Opera Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions—New England region, 2007.
Roles at AVA: Schaunard, La bohème; Oroveso in excerpts from Norma; Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte; Count Ribbing, Un ballo in maschera (Act III); Fra Melitone, La forza del destino (Finale, Act II); Dikoj, Kát'a Kabanová; Dottor Grenvil, La traviata; Enrico, Anna Bolena; title role, Don Pasquale.
Other Roles: Rambaldo, La Rondine, Oberlin in Italy; The Parson, Badger, and Woodpecker, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Doctor, La traviata, Carl Olsen, Street Scene, all with Chautauqua Opera; Don Pedro (cover), Béatrice et Bénédict and Bluebeard (cover), Bluebeard's Castle, Chicago Opera Theatre; A Man with a Cornet Case, Postcard from Morocco, Benoit, La bohème, Garrido, La Navarraise, Amantio DiNicolao, Gianni Schicchi and covered the roles of Colline in La bohème, Masetto in Don Giovanni and Rakitin in A Month in the Country, all at Boston University; Betto in Gianni Schicchi and in Buoso's Ghost, New Jersey Opera Theatre; Ferrando (second cast), Il trovatore, Snug, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fr. Laurent, Romeo et Juliette, all with Opera North. In concert - the title role of Handel's Saul, Marsh Chapel Choir and Collegium, Adam, The Creation, B. U. Symphonic Chorus.
