GO Divas

Marie Talley, Soprano 1, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Florida. She has performed with many choral groups and has enjoyed theater roles, most recently as Maria in Sound of Music and will be performing the role of Betty Haynes in White Christmas this season. Marie has a Master of Arts in Theology and is a chaplain and bereavement coordinator at HealthPark Medical Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. She and her husband, Trace, have three children and live in Ft. Myers.

Venezuelan soprano, Erika Ramirez, obtained her degree with honors in “Music Performance” at Universidad de Los Andes (Mérida- Venezuela) as a student of the famous Venezuelan baritone William Alvarado. She also studied in Spain with Montserrat Caballé and with René Morlóck at the Stuttgart Bach Academy. Erika made her opera debut as Giannetta in L’elisir d’amore in 2005. Other opera roles include Gilda in Rigoletto and Despina in Così fan tutte. On the concert stage, she has performed frequently with the main orchestras of Venezuela and as a recitalist in Spain, Italy, Panamá, Perú and United States. Her very diverse repertoire includes music styles from Renaissance, Baroque, classical, Bel canto opera, traditional Spanish song with guitar accompaniment, Latin American music, and  Broadway musicals. Erika lives in Naples with her husband Lou and is part of Gulfshore Opera team as  a member of the costume team.

Juliana Alfano received her Master’s degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from The Pennsylvania State University where she appeared in some of her favorite roles including Morgana in Handel’s Alcina, Poppea in L’incoronazione di Poppea and Phyllis in Iolanthe. Her training outside of Penn State has taken her to Salzburg, Austria, New York City, and beyond. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from The Crane School of Music in northern New York, where she grew up. Prior to relocating to Florida, she worked as a private voice instructor, accompanist, and music director in Lancaster, PA. Since moving to Fort Myers, she has continued teaching voice and also serves as the Music Director at Lamb of God Church. Her passion for voice education has led her to step into a position with GO as the Youth Engagement Coordinator.

Mezzo-soprano Lauryn Kay, renowned for her powerful and emotive voice, rejoins the GO Divas for the Spring concert series. As a GO Apprentice Artist, she showcased her versatility in roles like Flora in La Traviata and Maffio Orsini in scenes from Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia. Kay, a crossover artist, has performed in operas, operettas, and Broadway musicals across the Southeast and internationally. Holding a Master of Music degree, she continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic vocal performances.

Kelly Utterback, collaborative pianist, is a well-known accompanist in Southwest Florida. She is the pianist for the Naples Brass, the Neapolitan Community Choir, Voices of Naples, the Marco Island Community Choir, and Barron Collier High School’s Choral Program. She loves working in the local schools and accompanying student musicians for Honor Choirs, Solo & Ensemble festivals, scholarship competitions, college auditions and student recitals. During season, she enjoys playing in a jazz trio, as well as collaborating with Artis—Naples, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gulfshore Opera, The Music Foundation of Greater Naples, and local churches.  Kelly and her husband, Larry, are proud parents of their 1-year-old son, Asher.