Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor

Canadian conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia has earned a national reputation for his versatility, musicality, and leadership across both orchestral and operatic stages. Based in British Columbia, he is the Principal Conductor of Pacific Opera Victoria, where he has held leadership roles since 2003. He previously served as Associate Conductor with both Pacific Opera and the Victoria Symphony, and was Music Director of the Victoria Choral Society from 2005 to 2012.

With a career spanning over two decades, Pietraroia has conducted a wide range of repertoire, from main series, pops, and contemporary programs to full opera productions and education concerts. He has appeared as a guest conductor with leading Canadian ensembles including the Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Orchestre Métropolitain, and most recently, the Regina Symphony Orchestra.

A champion of collaboration and artistic growth, Pietraroia has been deeply involved in programming, auditions, and community outreach initiatives. He has also contributed to music education through teaching roles at the University of Victoria, McGill University, and Plattsburgh State University of New York.

He holds a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from McGill University and is the recipient of the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Conducting from the Canada Council for the Arts and a Félix Award for Classical Album of the Year with Marie-Josée Lord and l’Orchestre Métropolitain.

Mandy Bryant, vocalist

Mandy Bryant is a highly versatile and captivating vocalist, recognized for her dynamic stage presence and expressive artistry across a wide range of repertoire, including opera, musical theatre, and concert works.

A compelling soloist, Mandy recently performed the Soprano Soloist in Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem with the Conejo Valley Choral Society in Los Angeles. She has performed internationally, appearing with ensembles such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Ensemble Laude, and Vox Humana, and has collaborated under such esteemed conductors as Sir Simon Rattle and Simon Carrington. Her performance credits span a broad array of styles including opera, musical theatre, jazz, and funk.

Based on the West Coast of Canada, Mandy holds a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Birmingham and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Education from the University of Victoria. She currently serves as the Director of Music at the prestigious Shawnigan Lake School.