Enriching our communities by promoting
​
The Erwin H. Johnson
Memorial Fund, Inc. for Opera
and supporting Opera from WNY to Toronto
2025 Season
​
​​World Opera Day 2025
"Opera With & Without Words"
Saturday, October 25, 3:00 PM
​
Featuring:
Katie Riederer, soprano
Shannon Reilly, violin
Michael Serio, piano
​​​
Come Celebrate World Opera Day with the Erwin H. Johnson Memorial Fund, Inc. for Opera and some of Buffalo's finest musicians. Enjoy lush melodies, beloved arias, fantasias, duets, and trios, written by the masters Puccini, Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Massenet and more.
An afternoon not to be missed!
​
Recital held at the WNED Soundstage, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202
Concert is free but requires pre-registration. Click to Register Here
​
Meet our Artists
​
​
​
Katie Riederer
Katherine Riederer (soprano), a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, has performed in several operas, including “Orpheus and the Underworld” (Diana), “Die Zauberflöte” (Erste Dame), and was most recently seen in Buffalo Opera Unlimited’s production of “Le Nozze di Figaro” (Barbarina). Her upcoming engagements include “I Pagliacci” (Chorus).
She serves as a staff singer with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, a section leader at St. Paul’s and Our Lady of Victory Basilica. Katherine studies with Daniel Ihasz and has worked with several coaches, including Glenn Morton, Mikyung Kim, Raphael Fusco, Michael Sheetz, Ubaldo Fabbri, and Donna Loewy.
Shannon Reilly
Violinist Shannon Reilly thrives in the passionate pursuit of musical excellence. She has performed for Buffalo’s Friends of Vienna, LA’s Oracle Egg, NYC’s MATA Presents, Rochester’s Keybank Fringe Festival, and the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras.
Reilly has been Concertmaster for UB’s June in Buffalo Festival since 2019, where she also spent four years as violin professor before teaching at Buffalo Suzuki Strings.
She appears on albums by Anna Heflin and Connor D'Netto and holds a Masters degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. Reilly lives in Niagara Falls with her three dogs
Michael Serio
Pianist Michael Serio, a Buffalo native, performs regularly as a collaborative pianist. He performs four hand concerts with Debi Adams as the Well Tempered Pianist Duo and chamber music with Tempus Fugit.
At UB, Michael is a staff accompanist for the vocal department.
Michael had a career in software development prior to receiving an MM performance degree at UB under Eric Huebner in 2019.
Michael is an Alexander Technique International (ATI) certified teacher.
He and his wife, Anandhi George, are active volunteers in the Isha Yoga community and Save Soil Movement (consciousplanet.org).
