Puccini & Friends - Youth Orchestras Fall Concert

McKenzie Hare graduated from Manchester University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance as a protégé of Dr. Debra Lynn. She then went on to the University of Illinois: Urbana - Champaign to earn her Master's Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature in 2021 under the tutelage of Sylvia Stone, where she was honored to receive the Stotler Fellowship for the entire duration of her time there. Recently, McKenzie has been a constant presence in the region, performing in the collegiate premiere of Stewart Copeland’s The Invention of Morel (2020) at the Honeywell Center in Wabash, the staged world premiere of A House Divided by Philip Seward for Opera Today!, as well as performing in local recitals throughout the area. She currently resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana along with her two cats, Grimm and Merrill.

Celebrated for his “beautiful voice and singing with great depth of feeling,” baritone Matthew Giallongo has made a name for himself on both the operatic and concert stages. He has performed widely across the Northeast, including roles such as Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Nardo (La finta giardiniera), Belcore (L’elisir d’amore), Picasso (After Life), and Elder McLean (Susannah) with Opera Fort Collins. He has also appeared with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Opera, and the South Bend Lyric Opera.

Matthew has a deep passion for contemporary American and 20th-century French music, which he regularly showcases in his recital work. He has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned living composers, including Libby Larsen, William Bolcom, Lori Laitman, Kile Smith, and Tom Cipullo.

Dr. Giallongo is currently the Director of Vocal Studies at Purdue University and has previously served on the faculties of Eastern New Mexico University, Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Matthew holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from Gettysburg College, an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Temple University, an M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy from Colorado State University, and a D.M.A. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied with William McGraw. He has also completed postgraduate work at the University of North Texas where he studied with Dr. Stephen Austin.