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J.J. Penna, piano, has performed extensively with a variety of eminent singers, including Kathleen Battle, Harolyn Blackwell, Measha Brueggergosman, Amy Burton, William Burden, David Daniels, Denyce Graves, Ying Huang, Kevin McMillan, Roberta Peters, and Florence Quivar. He recently assisted soprano Renée Fleming in her preparation for several recitals and orchestral appearances. The 2008-09 season includes appearances in North America with Denyce Graves. Mr. Penna has held prestigious fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center, Banff Center for the Arts, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, as well as the Merola Opera Program, where he won the Otto Guth Award as Outstanding Apprentice Coach. Devoted to the teaching of art song literature, he has been on the faculties of the Yale University School of Music, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Bowdoin Festival and the Steans Institute of the Ravinia Festival. He currently teaches at Westminster Choir College of Rider University and The Juilliard School.