Meet the Artists
Bon Operatit! is a vocal ensemble that includes singers Lauren Gisclair, Mary Akin, Joe Akin, and Jake Penick. We invite you to learn more about each of these artists below.
Lauren Gisclair – Soprano
Originally from New Orleans, soprano Lauren Gisclair has enchanted audiences throughout the United States with her versatile voice and elegant stage presence. A graduate of Indiana University’s School of Music, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Music in 2004. During her studies at Indiana, she sang the roles of Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) with Indiana University Opera and Hebe (H.M.S Pinafore) with Bloomington Music Works. In opera workshops, she sang the roles of Maria (West Side Story), Lisette (La Rodine), and Nella (Gianni Schicchi).
Lauren also holds a Master of Music from Penn State University where she presented a Master’s Lecture Thesis on the songs of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. At Penn State, she took on the roles of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, the Security Officer in Milton Grainger’s The Proposal and Sophie in scenes from Der Rosenkavalier. In spring 2007, Lauren had the privilege to perform in the world premiere of the opera Chicken Little (by Trinkley and Charnesky) as the title character.
In the fall of 2009, Lauren joined the cast of Hansel and Gretel as Gretel with MetroPelican Opera Education with the New Orleans Opera Association. Besides entertaining at parties, weddings, and on the opera and musical theatre stage, Lauren maintains a busy schedule as a music teacher at the Jewish Community Day School and as a voice teacher and owner of Lauren’s Voice Studio.
Lauren has coached singers who have performed on Broadway, in Broadway national tours, on TV, on the big screen, and in local theater productions. In 2012, she worked with actress, singer, and dancer Julianne Hough as her personal vocal coach while filming the movie Paradise directed by Diablo Cody.
Joseph Akin – Tenor
Joe Akin grew up in Pensacola, but after living in New Orleans for the past 15 years, he is now proud to call “The Big Easy” his home. Joe has performed in various shows such as Shakespeare’s Pericles and Ubu Roi at Tulane’s Lupin Theater; Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Will Rodger’s Follies, and Annie Get Your Gun at Tulane’s Summer Lyric Theater, and he has held leading roles in My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance, West Side Story, and Showboat. He was also highly praised for his role as “the gentleman caller” in The Glass Menagerie at The Contemporary Arts Center. He has also been seen as Baron Van Swieten in Amadeus at JPAS’ Westwego Theater. Joe made his debut at Loyola University with a leading role as Marco in The Gondoliers. He studied voice with Michael Howard at Tulane University for 3 years and also briefly with Phil Frohnmayer at Loyola University. 
Mary Akin – Soprano
Mary Akin, mezzo soprano, is a graduate from Loyola University’s School of Music. Mary’s dramatic stage presence and golden vocal qualities have graced many a local stage. In the Loyola Choral productions, Mary was a featured soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, and sang the beloved Habañera in the fall 2008 concert. She has been featured in Loyola operas in the roles of Giulia in The Gondoliers (2007) and Venus, in Orpheus in the Underworld (2008).
In 2008, she sang the title role of Dido in Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and as a result of winning the Loyola Concerto/Aria Competition, she sang the highly acclaimed Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix with full orchestra. An active member of the New Orleans Opera, she made her solo debut with the company as a bridesmaid in Le Nozze di Figaro, and has performed the roles of Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto, and The Singer in Manon Lescaut. Ms. Akin is also a frequent performer for the New Orleans Opera on Tap program. 
Jake Penick – Bass
Jake Penick is a native of New Orleans who attended Loyola University of New Orleans’ Vocal Performance program and graduated in 2012. He began his musical journey at 12 years old when his sister dragged him into the Jefferson Performing Arts Society Youth Chorale’s summer musical Oklahoma where he landed his first lead role of Judd Fry. He started studying voice and performing at Jesuit High School in West Side Story and at Le Petit Theatre in Grand Hotel and Barnum under the direction of Sonney Borey.
He entered Loyola University of New Orleans’ Vocal Performance program in 2009 and began to sing in the New Orleans Opera Chorus and sang several lead roles in Loyola Opera including Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore, Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Olin Blitch in Suzannah, and Pangloss/Voltaire in Candide. In the spring of 2011, he won the Southern Region NATS competition in his age group, and in the summer 2011 he had the privilege of studying with world-renowned mezzo Marilyn Horne and esteemed conductor Warren Jones at the Music Academy of the West where he covered the role of Doctore Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini. His past roles with New Orleans Opera Association include Don Cairo in Carmen, Marquis in La Traviata, and Motorcycle Cop in Dead Man Walking. Guest Musicians
Bon Operatit! works with a variety of musicians throughout the year depending on the occasion. We invite you to learn more about the guest artists we work with most frequently below.
Gloria Cuadrado – Pianist
Gloria Cuadrado has been a music educator and accompanist in the New Orleans area for over 30 years. She is presently the general music instructor and choir director for Kehoe-France School in Metairie. Gloria has been the organist and choir director at Old Metairie Protestant Church for 33 years and at Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church for 20 years. She holds a vocal music education degree form Loyola University in New Orleans and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Western Kentucky University where she was awarded a full assistantship in accompanying and had the honor of studying with Argentinean concert pianist Sylvia Kersenbaum. She has accompanied and served as vocal director for over 40 musical theater and opera productions at area schools, Western Kentucky University, Slidell Little Theater, Tulane Junior Lyric Theater, Rose Dinner Theater, St. Pius, New Orleans Children’s Theater, NORD and NOCCA. Gloria has also been an accompanist and vocal coach in the Classical Vocal Department at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts for ten years. Harry Hardin – Violin
Harry Hardin studied with violinist Valerie Poullette while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music with emphasis in Classical Violin from Loyola University New Orleans in 2003, and graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in 1998. He also studied with violist Lee Coker, Ed Wadsworth of the New Orleans Hot Strings, and violinist Connie Hagen. Harry is a regular performer with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Le Petite Theatre, Rivertown Theatre, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Dave Jordan Band, Tanglers Bluegrass, Ramblin’ Letters, High Ground Drifters, Washboard Rodeo, Camile Baudoin & the Living Rumors, Superior Seafood Jazz Trio, and the Electric Yat String Quartet.
Kristin Valley – Pianist
Kristin Valley, a pianist from New Orleans, began piano lessons at five. She holds degrees in piano pedagogy and performance from Loyola University and LSU. An active freelance musician, she is the Director of Sacred Music at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Catholic Church and accompanies various choirs and artists. Kristin enjoys collaborating with Bon Operatit! finding joy and inspiration in their performances. Despite her many professional achievements, her greatest accomplishments are her two children.
