Meet The Team
Annalisa de Leon Mendiola began her vocal studies in San Antonio, Texas with tenor, Antonio
Gutierrez, a tenor and graduate of the San Pietro a Majella in Naples, Italy. She also studied
with Arturo Sergi, Dr. Edward Baird, and Rose Taylor. She has also sung the roles of Lisette in
La Rondine, Princess Nicoletta in the Love for Three Oranges, and Despina in Cosi fan Tutte.
She was also a second-place winner in the National Competition for Operatic Artists sponsored
by the Bel Canto Foundation of Chicago. A frequent recitalist and soloist in San Antonio, she’s
collaborated with many international level instrumentalists.
Annalisa holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Texas at Austin
and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at
San Antonio. Annalisa is most proud of her students’ vocal achievement as they have won
many prizes, awards, participated in the prestigious Merola and Chicago Lyric Opera Programs,
and have sung in opera houses all over the United States and Europe.
In addition to her musical interests, Annalisa is also a successful grant writer and administrator.
When not teaching, she can be found learning about history and language used as power.
Leah Crocetto is a grammy award winning, internationally acclaimed soprano.
Recently, Ms Crocetto performed Leonora in a new production of Verdi’s il Trovatore for Opera Australia, as well as Margarita in Boito’s Mefistofele, alongside Ferruccio Furlanetto. She has performed many great opera works in some of the most prestigious opera houses across the globe, including Verdi’s Otello (Desdemona), Il Trovatore (Leonora), Don Carlo (Elizabetta), Aida (Aida), Luisa Miller (Luisa), Falstaff (Alice Ford), Puccini”s Tosca, La Boheme(Mimi), Turandot (Liu), Rossinni’s Maometto Secondo (Anna), Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites (Mdm Lidoine), Mozart’s Don Giovanni(Donna Anna), at such opera houses as The Metropolitan Opera, Opera Australia, San Francisco Opera, Opera Frankfurt, English National Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Washington National Opera, Fondazione di Petruzelli, Teatro La Fenice, Opera National de Bordeaux, Arena di Verona, Settle Opera, to name a few. Ms Crocetto is also no stranger to the concert stage, she has performed such works as Verdi’s Messa di Requiem, Mahler’s Symphony No 2, Symphony No 8, Poulenc’s Gloria, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Grand Teton’s Music Festival, National Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Leah’s performance in Mahler’s 8th symphony with the Los Angeles Philharmonic garnered her a grammy award in 2022. Leah has also performed solo concerts and recitals across the USA, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut recital. She is a member of Price Hill Trio, with fellow performers Ronny Michael Greenburg and Christian Pursell. They will record their first EP album in late 2022. As a teacher of voice, Leah has worked with students of all ages and levels. Her students have won international competitions, are performing on International stages, and entering top tier universities and programs across the world. Her greatest passion is mentoring the next generation of singers.
Athena Christine Palombi is an accomplished opera singer, educator, and artist known for her powerful vocal technique and dynamic stage presence. Raised in a home rich with Greek and Italian traditions, Athena began her musical training in Greek Orthodox and Catholic church choirs, becoming proficient in Latin, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French—languages that have become essential to her operatic career. She has studied with renowned mentors, including Darrel Babbage (Juilliard), James Valenti, Capucine Chiaudani, Anthony Manoli, and Sacramento Ballet and Regional Dance America founder Barbara Crockett, whose ballet training further enriched her stage artistry. Athena excels in Mozart, Bel Canto, and Verismo roles, with key performances including Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Carmen in Carmen, Mimì in La Bohème, Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica, and Suzel in L’amico Fritz. Known for her dramatic depth and vocal precision, Athena’s highlights include a debut at Carnegie Hall and an upcoming European debut at Salle Gaveau in Paris. Beyond opera, Athena has earned two World Titles in International Latin Ballroom and was a Finalist at the Blackpool British Open Championships 2017. She is a National Champion in cheerleading, dance, and partner stunt and has served as a professional instructor for Universal Cheerleading Association, Adjudicator for USA Cheer, Choreographer, and Coach for high school and collegiate level athletes. Athena has a rich culinary background, having served as Executive Chef for Andretti Winery and Bob Weir (Grateful Dead). She has appeared on the Food Network, local television engagements and has been featured in Gastronomique en Vogue, 65 Degrees, and Lux Club Magazines. Athena also serves as Head of Artistic Administration and Talent Outreach for San Francisco Comic Opera. Her diverse expertise in music, dance, choreography, and culinary arts makes her a dynamic and inspiring mentor for all genres of the arts.