YEREVAN — Mary-Jean O’Doherty Vasmatzian is the fifth confirmed member of the band Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with Don’t Deny. She will represent the Australia in the project.
Stephanie Topalian, Essaï Altounian, Vahe Tilbian and Tamar Kaprelian have already been announced as members of the group Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. Today they are officially joined by Mary-Jean O’Doherty Vasmatzian from Australia. Thus, only one more member is left to be officially announced.
Mary-Jean’s stunning and crystal clear voice of coloratura soprano filled many famous opera houses. It was because of her mother’s Armenian education that Mary-Jean was encouraged to study dance, flute and singing. Being proud of her Armenian roots and origin she was inspired by Armenian composer, singer, musicologist and priest Komitas.
An Armenian Artist from Australia
Mary-Jean O’Doherty Vasmatzian was born in Houston, Texas to an Armenian-Greek mother and an Australian father. Pursuing studies at North Carolina School of the Arts and East Carolina University Mary-Jean has received her Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Flute performance as well as Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005. Studying singing in Sydney Mary-Jean O’Doherty was the first recipient of the Australian International Opera Award to study at the Cardiff International Academy of Voice, directed by the international tenor Dennis O’Neill.
In 2010, Mary-Jean performed the role of Naiad and covered the role of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos for the Welsh National Opera and one year later she performed the title role of Lucia in Prague State Opera’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor. She debuted at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 2011 singing in Raymond Gubbay’s Classical Spectacular concert and in 2012 took a young artist residency with the Opera Theater of St. Louis.
In 2013 Mary-Jean won the first prize in Paris Opera Awards. She won The Mathy Award, and sung in the final concert with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra conducted by Maestro Richard Bonynge. The rich list of her performances include the Maid in Thomas Adès’ Powder Her Face for English National Opera, the role of Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail for the Tel Aviv Vocal Arts Institute, and Despina in Così fan tutte.
