ABOUT US

Mission Statement:

To uphold excellent musicianship technique, and to foster a deep love of music in each of our students.

"I believe anyone can learn to sing. Because I have seen it happen. I have seen both my students--and myself--undergo dramatic changes as musicians. The best part? We undergo dramatic changes of spirit, too."

- Christina J. Swanson, co-founder

MEET OUR TEAM

CHRISTINA J. SWANSON

co-founder | voice teacher | piano teacher

Mezzo-Soprano Christina Swanson is a performer, director, and performance artist
based in New York City. Swanson received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
from the University of Michigan and her Master of Music from New York University. In
the arenas of opera and concert, Swanson has performed with the Oratorio Society of
New Jersey, Utah Festival Opera, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony
Orchestra, Surry Arts and Events in Maine, Hudson River Opera, Opera MODO, NYU
Opera Theater and as a soloist with the NYU Orchestra.

Swanson thrives as a theater-maker and director. She is the co-founder of Killer Queen
Opera Company, with which she co-directed and co-produced a film version of the opera
L’incoronazione di Poppea, supported by the Brooklyn Arts Council. The film was made
available to Brooklyn communities in three public venues, fulfilling Killer Queen’s
mission of relevance, representation, and accessibility. Other directing includes “Last
Resort: An Evening of Opera Scenes,” with the New York University Classical Voice
Collective.

Swanson is also a movement artist and performance artist. She co-choreographed the
new musical, “Triangle Cruise,” which premiered in NYC in June 2022. In her music
and performance art, Swanson explores themes of physical identity through original
movement and sound. Her performance art has been seen at the Detroit, Pittsburgh,
and Montreal Fringe festivals, in addition to Movement Research in New York City.

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KARINA CAMILE PARKER

co-founder | voice teacher

Karina Camile Parker (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based director, soprano, and teaching artist. As a multi-disciplinary singer and director, Karina specializes in early music, new music, and musical theater. She is also the co-founder of Killer Queen Opera Co, a innovative new opera company, and The Music Co-Lab, a voice studio for students of all ages and musical backgrounds.

Karina has performed with organizations such as the NBL, Carnegie Hall, DECODA Music, Pittsburgh Resonance Works, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Oberlin University, and The Laguna Beach Playhouse. Some of her recent directorial highlights include: 9131: A Sing Sing Opera* (Wilson), La Voix Humaine (Poulenc), Being Ariodante* (Dawe), and L'incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi).

In addition to operatic repertoire, Karina specializes in choral and chamber music. Her past choral work includes performances under the direction of internationally renowned conductors Manfred Honeck, Gustavo Dudamel, Andrés Cárdenes, Eph Ehly, and many more. Karina has had the honor to work with many ensembles such as Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, UN Symphony Orchestra, and The Canticum Novum Singers.

Karina is an active teaching artist, currently working as an Associate Conductor for National Children's Chorus. She has worked with numerous non-profit organizations as a teaching artist including Young Audiences New York, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and Pittsburgh Festival Opera.

Karina received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal performance and certification in music education from Carnegie Mellon School of Music.

* premiere