Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Giuseppe Pietraroia is Associate Conductor of the Victoria Symphony and newly appointed Principal Conductor of Pacific Opera Victoria. As a guest conductor he has been engaged by l’Orchestre Métropolitain, Orchestra London, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Hamilton Philharmonic, Okanagan Symphony, Regina Symphony, Kingston Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony.
His extensive opera engagements with Pacific Opera include productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia, La traviata, La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Norma, Rigoletto, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, La Cenerentola, Tosca, and Let’s Make an Opera/The Little Sweep. In addition, he has conducted productions for l’Opéra de Montréal, l’Opéra de Québec, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Edmonton Opera, Opera New Brunswick, Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, and l’Institut Canadien d’Art Vocal.
With Victoria Choral Society, where he was Music Director for seven seasons, Maestro Pietraroia conducted performances of Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Mass in C minor with the Victoria Symphony, a choreographed production of Orff’s Carmina Burana in collaboration with Ballet Victoria, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, and the Duruflé and Fauré Requiems.
Maestro Pietraroia has recorded a CD with soprano Marie-Josée Lord and l’Orchestre Métropolitain for the ATMA label, which won a Felix award granted by l’ADISQ and was also nominated for a JUNO award.
Giuseppe Pietraroia is the recipient of the George and Jane Heffelfinger Pacific Opera Victoria Artist of the Year Award and the Canada Council’s Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestral Conducting.
Jeans n’ Classics
Peter Brennan’s Jeans ‘n Classics has established a remarkable legacy over 27 years. Since its inception, the innovative approach of merging world-class rock musicians with symphonies has significantly transformed the landscape of orchestral performances, pivotal in helping orchestras expand their audience base and engage broader demographics. Jeans ‘n Classics comprises a collective of accomplished musicians well-versed in the intricacies of orchestra culture and dedicated to nurturing and cultivating broad and devoted audiences for symphonies across North America.
The appeal of Jeans ‘n Classics transcends generational boundaries, appealing to individuals ranging from 25 to 75 years of age and beyond. Jeans ‘n Classics captures the essence of legendary and new rock and pop albums and artists. New interpretations of each song carry a unique yet recognizable touch that sets them apart. The orchestral scores crafted by Jeans ‘n Classics have garnered praise from orchestras worldwide. Renowned for their lush and fully realized arrangements, these scores strongly feature the symphony through a rock lens. The performers associated with Jeans ‘n Classics are of the highest calibre, exemplifying professionalism, levity, and finesse. Their adeptness in rehearsal and live show environments ensures an exceptional experience. Collaborating with over 100 orchestras across North America, Jeans ‘n Classics has curated an extensive repertoire showcased in diverse venues. With nearly 1,000 original orchestrations tailored to rock and pop classics, spanning 45 distinctive and captivating productions, Jeans ‘n Classics continues to shape the contemporary landscape of symphonic performances.
Jeans n’ Classics – Andrea Koziol, singer
Andrea Koziol is a performing songwriter, improvisor and actor based in Toronto Canada. She has released 6 solo albums to date, the most recent of which is “I’ll Be Seeing You” (2019), with renowned Newfoundland jazz pianist and composer Bill Brennan.
Andrea has toured festivals, concert halls and clubs across North America fronting her own ensembles and supporting numerous collaborations.
She has been honoured with a residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the KM Hunter Award for Music, and recognition from Canadian arts councils at every level.
Recent theatre credits include The Cave (Soulpepper/Luminato, 2019) a groundbreaking interspecies song cycle. She is a lover of beat based improv, musical cliff jumping, and using her voice to make people feel something.
Andrea is always proud to take the stage with Jeans ’n Classics, and bring the unparalleled magic of symphony orchestra to audiences everywhere.
Jeans n’ Classics – Stephanie Martin, singer
Stephanie Martin is a bilingual Canadian songwriter, singer and actor who has performed all over the world in award-winning theatrical productions and concert tours.
In the theatre, she has played leading roles in Les Misérables, Napoleon and Schwartz’s, the musical among others. In studio, she sang the voice of Pocahontas in the French version of the Disney movie as well as performing on many cast albums. On the concert scene, she has performed with symphony orchestras across North America, Europe and Asia.
Her creative songwriting is inspired by a lifelong spiritual inquiry and a passionate conviction that music has an unparalleled unitive power. Her first recording of original songs shape, line and harmony was produced by Chad Irschick (Susan Aglukark, Ron Hynes, The Rankins) and received widespread airplay and was critically acclaimed (“Among the year’s best new releases” – CBC Radio One).
Her second album April Snow also produced by Irschick, was released in 2016 and reached #2 in the Top 100 iTunes Adult Contemporary Chart in Canada and received rave reviews (“Luminous vocalist/composer Stephanie Martin not only possesses a delicious vocal instrument, but on her new, completely appealing recording, she also demonstrates her considerable chops as a composer of accessible, highly musical material” – The Whole Note).
Jeans n’ Classics – Kathryn Rose, singer
Kathryn Rose is a busy artist and music industry multitasker, known for her artful brand of cinematic pop over the course of five solo albums. She’s also a top voice in demand, working in voiceover, jingles, TV and film scores, and live and on the albums of many other artists: Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan (world tour), Kinnie Starr, Kevin Breit, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Melanie Doane, Patti Labelle, Sir Tom Jones, Anne Murray, Martin Fry (ABC), and Ian Thomas, and many more.
In addition to being a long time core artist with symphonic rock touring company Jeans ‘n Classics, Kathryn’s organizational skill set is put to good use as Office Manager, Administrator and Tour Coordinator for the company.
As a typically hardworking single mom Kathryn spends a great deal of time making school lunches or thinking about making school lunches, looking and laughing at her two gorgeous growing kids, and feverishly digging with her bare hands to find more hours in the day to make her long-awaited sixth solo album.
Jeans n’ Classics – Katalin Kiss, singer
Katalin is known in the Canadian music industry for her staggering, tear-the-roof-off, goosebump-inducing vocals. In her travels she’s worked with many legends: Del Shannon, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, and Chaka Khan.
A much-respected member of the Jeans ‘n Classics family, Katalin lives in Picton, Ontario with her bassist husband and kids X3.
They have their own recording studio and have just begun renting a vacation cottage on their property in “beautiful Prince Edward County” over the summer months.
