Soprano Karen Kanakis is hailed for her fine vocal technique and dramatic flair. Her bright-timbered, powerful voice conveys rich emotion, displays brilliant agility, and soars to a thrilling high extension, making her ideal in both the bel canto repertoire and that of the Italian spinto soprano, particularly Verdi. “Her voice and her stage presence are a delight,” wrote a critic of her performance as Sybil in the world premiere of Hans Schaeuble’s Dorian Gray.

In March of 2020, Ms. Kanakis made her role debut as Minnie in Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Her 2018-2019 season included performances of Rosaline in Die Fledermaus with Winter Opera Saint Louis, soprano soloist in the Verdi Requiem with the Missouri Symphony, Anna in Nabucco with Union Avenue Opera, soprano soloist in the Missouri Symphony annual holiday concert, “A Symphony of Toys”, and a series of recitals in Missouri and Illinois sponsored by St. Louis Art Song. Previous operatic credits include Giorgetta in Il Tabarro, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Violetta in La Traviata.

Dr. Ruth Price, an accomplished performer, teacher, and clinician, teaches piano at Webster University in Saint Louis. In addition to maintaining an active private studio, she is an avid researcher and writer on the subject of piano music, specializing in performers’ analysis. Her book, Right Before Your Eyes: A Fresh Approach to Interpreting a Piano Score, was released in August 2015. Her innovative presentations on behind-the-scenes aspects of music and performance inspire teachers, students, and general audiences.  She also enjoys creating interdisciplinary arts experiences, collaborating with painters and art historians, and pairing classical music with children’s books. 

Price holds a doctorate in piano performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and a Master’s degree from Indiana University. Her playing has been described by The Boston Globe as “…never less than first class and a balm to the ears.”

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