Her story
Yunona was born in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, in a family of arts enthusiasts. She began her music studies at the age 3. A 15, she toured Europe as a member of the ‘Tutti’ choir and ‘Viva’ violin ensemble as well as a featured soprano and violin soloist. The experience of bringing musical programs to audiences in Italy, France, Germany, Monaco, Poland and Belarus was defining in her decison to become a professional performing musician. When Yunona was 16, she came to the United States to further her musical studies. She is currently finishing her Graduate Studies in Longy School of Music while participating in the MassOpera Artist Training Program. In June 2023, he is excited to be making her Carnegie Hall debut as an Honorable Mention recipient of the American Virtuoso International Music Competition.
a voice of marvelous clarity and a bell-like quality
(Roger Pines, Classical Singer Competition)
Current season
This season, Yunona was excited to perform the role of King Creon in Longy’s Fall Production presentation of Antigone, by James Kallembach. She is looking forward to performing roles of Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore), Nanetta (Falstaff), and Soeur Constance (Dialogues des Carmelites) excerpts of which she is preparing at Longy’s Opera Experience studio. She will be appearing with Longy's Orchestra FLEX in the school's annual La Voce Totale Gala, singing "Glitter and be Gay" by Bernstein.
As an Artist in Training with the Mass Opera Artist Training Program at Longy School of Music, Yunona is looking forward to taking part in the Magic Flute production in Spring 2023 as the Second Spirit and as the study cover of Pamina.
Artist statement
"I deeply believe in the healing power of music and in its capacity to create connections where before there used to be a misunderstanding. I can see the emotional impact that the music creates which words alone can never accomplish. Over the last year, we have witnessed an escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which had been personal to me because of my background and having close friends and family in both countries.
In response to these unfortunate events, I am currently in the process of recording a CD titled ‘Between Us’. It will comprise works by Ukrainian, Russian, American, and Nigerian composers and emphasize the experiences we share in common as opposed to those that drive us apart as well as celebrate the value of human life. Please stay tuned for the final release date!"
~ Yunona
Career
As someone who is continually striving for excellence and advancement of vocal arts Yunona is humbled to have been recognized in several national and international competitions. These awards include award from Charleston International Vocal Competition (First Prize), American Virtuoso International Music Competition (Honorable Mention), National Opera Association Robert Hansen Scenes Competition (Second Place), Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra Competition (Honorable Mention). Yunona has been a selected master-class participant in workshops with Alison Trainer, Kenneth Bozeman (Longy School of Music, 2022), Rachel Wills-Sorensen, Jennifer Larmore (Utah Vocal Arts Academy, 2020). She attended young artist programs such as Utah Vocal Arts Academy (2020), Boston Opera Collaborative Artist Training at Longy (2021-2022) and MassOpera Artist Training at Longy (2022-2023). She has also enjoyed collaborations with Opera On Site, Inc (2021), Boston Opera and Zarzuela (2022), and Boston Masterworks Chorale (2022).
Yunona is happily married to a music educator and trumpeter, Corey Crofoot and resides in Boston, Massachusets.
She is serving on a faculty of MJ's Music School in Waltham
as well as leading a soprano section at First Parish in Lexington Unitarian Universalist.
In her free time, Yunona can be found swimming, journaling and playing outside with her dog, a pomeranian-husky Willow.