Stacey Trenteseaux, Soprano

American singer, Stacey has sung with various companies in the US and Germany. Recent appearances include her German debut in the 2018-2019 season as Luisa in Verdi’s Luisa Miller with Münchens Kleinstes Opernhaus at Pasinger Fabrik in Munich, Germany and at SemperZwei of the Dresden Semperoper in American composer Liam Wade’s opera “Eine Oktoberfest Oper.” Her other operatic roles have included: Juliette from Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen, Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, Hanna in Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe, Angelica in Pucinni’s Suor Angelica, and First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. 

Stacey strives to present unique concerts that tell a story and express her own artistic voice. One of her greatest joys is collaborating with friends, family, and other artists to create poignant experiences that move, touch, and empower people.  Some of her current creative concerts include “Nacht und Traum” in collaboration with pianist Michael Bunchman to be premiered in Dresden and the USA during the 2021-2022 season; “Fierce Femmes,” a virtual concert collaboration with Mezzo Michal Doron; “Moonlight and Magic!” performed with pianist Zhaolei Xie at St. Dominic’s Chapel in Jackson, MS; and “Mondenshein” performed in Dresden with pianist Ellen Rissinger. One of her fondest concert experiences was singing the 2016 premier of PostSecret: A Song Cycle by award-winning young composer Jonathan Posthuma at the New Music Composer’s Symposium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Stacey’s passion is collaborating with artists to discover, create, and manifest creative projects. With deep enthusiasm for helping artists develop a unique platform for their vision, legacy, and unique expression, her mission is to empower people to create meaningful and authentic artistic experiences. As an artistic and creative consultant, teacher, and coach, Stacey works with organizations and individuals on concept design, artistic expression, innovative programming, production design, and creating their written artistic voice. She is Executive Director for Opera Mississippi, Artistic Director for the International Performing Arts Institute (IPAI), creative consultant for the Natchez Festival of Music, and a free-lance creative expression consultant for individual artists and professionals.

Zhaolei Xie, Pianist

Chinese Pianist Zhaolei Xie was a winner in the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition leading to his debut in Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in New York City. He also won the Bronze Medal in the 58th Wideman International Piano Competition. Currently, Mr. Xie is the Master Collaborative Artist in Piano at University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to working at USM, Mr. Xie was an accompanist in Southeastern Louisiana University and Thurnauer School of Music of Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in New Jersey.

Mr. Xie has collaborated with numerous musicians including Grammy-award winning chamber musician Andrew Pelletier, Italian international recording artist Elena Cecconi, Norwegian Tuba Soloist Øystein Baadsvik, and artists from Michigan State University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Memphis, Ball State University, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, etc. Mr. Xie is the designated pianist of Southern Saxophone Workshop and Southern Flute Festival and Competition at the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to be a collaborative artist, Mr. Xie has performed piano solo concerts in Festival South in Mississippi, and Miller Recital Hall and Greenfield Hall in New York City. Mr. Xie has appeared as orchestral soloist with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony Orchestra, Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra and Southeastern Louisiana University Chamber Orchestra. 

Mr. Xie received his piano training in Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China and St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music, Russia from 1993-2004. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from Southeastern Louisiana University, where he was a student of David Evenson and Kenneth Boulton. Mr. Xie holds Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music, and Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University, where he studied with Marc Silverman and John Owings. He is a life member of PHI KAPPA PHI National Honor Society.