Meet the band

Jasmin Gajewski

The soprano Jasmin, originating from Karlsruhe, has been singing since she was 7 years old. Since then music has accompanied her throughout her life. Through classical vocal studies with Jale Papila in Hamburg, she met Thorsten. For an impressive 17 years, they have been consistently gracing the stage together, embarking on a multitude of musical endeavors. Both won the Franz-Grothe-Prize. Jasmin completed a master class with the American opera singer Helen Donath and sang solo parts, among others, in Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle and Schönherr’s Magnificat.

Jasmin's repertoire is nothing short of extraordinary, spanning the realms of gospel, musicals, the timeless tunes of the 30s/40s, operetta, sacred melodies, art songs, and, undoubtedly, the majestic world of symphonic metal. Her pure soprano voice makes the NEOPERA songs shine.

Thorsten Schuck

Thorsten Schuck started singing when he was just 12 in a children's choir in Braunschweig. After studying classical singing in Hamburg under guidance of Jale Papila, he became a soloist and won in the Franz Grothe singing competition. Now, Thorsten is a freelance singer and teaches others how to sing. Beside private lessons he is also a singing teacher at a vocational drama school and has trained musical students during their professional education. He has a special voice that can sing in many styles. In NEOPERA, his classical voice education makes their music sound exciting and theatrical. For Thorsten, NEOPERA is like finding the perfect music style. Apart from NEOPERA, Thorsten is also part of other music projects. He sings oratory and has worked with different choirs and theaters. He also leads two choirs.

Thorsten Schuck is not just a musician; he's someone who loves making music with friends and enjoys every moment of it. Thorsten brings a unique touch to the music scene.

Wiebke Krull

From Wiebke’s earliest days in kindergarten, music and singing have been inseparable from her life's journey. Her first attempt into classical choral singing at school laid the foundation, leading her to explore the diverse realms of music. A pivotal moment occurred when she joined a gospel choir, where she not only immersed herself in group harmonies but also embraced solo performances. This journey led her to classical singing lessons, and over the past 30 years, she's had the privilege of participating in various performances in almost every genre, whether with choirs, bands, or as a soloist. 

Joining NEOPERA marks a significant milestone for Wiebke, as it allows her to fulfill a long-cherished dream - combining her classical soprano voice with a profound love for rock and metal music.

Denis Filimonov

Denis is a software developer from Russia, whose passion for music runs deep in his veins. His musical journey began at 17, playing the bass guitar in a symphonic metal band, a genre that still resonates with him deeply. Over time, he became renowned as the bassist and background vocalist for the hard rock band Devil's Balls, where he contributed to several albums. His musical explorations have covered a wide range of genres, from hard rock to black metal. Before joining NEOPERA, Denis delved into mastering the art of screaming and growling, enhancing his vocal capabilities. 

For Denis, NEOPERA is the perfect platform to blend his love for metal, classical music, bass guitar, and extreme vocal techniques into a harmonious and exhilarating fusion.

Vic Mussolino

After completing the guitar, improvisation and composition studies at the Yamaha School with the master Nino Cavallaro in 2015, Vic joined the band project Jumpscare (Melodic Death Metal). Just one year later he started to collaborate with “Live To Rock” as staff member to organize live events, press releases and other project related things.

In 2017 Vic was involved in the composition of “Body Talk” with the band Mastribes, produced at SDM Recording Studio with Seb Di Martino. In the same year they toured with L.A. Guns. Mastribes was the official opener at Circolo Colony in Brescia (North of Italy).

For all 2017, Jumpscare toured across Italy and shared the stage with some importants acts as Edu Falaschi (Angra), Giacomo Voli (Rhapsody of Fire), DGM, Teodasia, Secretsphere, Arthemis, Despite Exile etc. They played in the best venues of Italy as e.g., Legend Club of Milan.

In September 2018 “Live To Rock” evolved in Impatto Rock Agency. 2019 Vic was involved in the recording session of the first Jumpscare album at Sonitus Studio of Crema with the producer Tommaso Monticelli (Genus Ordinis Dei).

David Wieczorek

Florian Karbaum

Florian has been playing drums for as long as he can remember. He started taking lessons at the age of 6. While he briefly played the cello for a few years, he found it too challenging, preferring to dedicate his time to drumming. Over the years, he has remained dedicated to practice, making it a significant part of his personality.

Florian's musical interests are diverse, and he finds enthusiasm in almost every genre. Throughout his musical journey, he has played in various bands. However, Florian reached a point where he wanted more, leading him to NEOPERA after a frustration-induced break from band activities.

Jörn Schubert

Jörn Schubert, born on 05.10.1977 in Hamburg, started making music in his childhood. Already in elementary school he composed his first songs. What started out on old pots and self-made tin drums quickly became increasingly professional. At the age of just 7 he got his first piano lessons and at 11 he had his first lessons on the acoustic guitar. One year later, Jörn continued on his first electric guitar, which he got for Christmas: A metallic-red "Hohner SL-305-G". Since then he has never put the guitar down. In the following years Jörn got lessons on the electric guitar as well as on the classical acoustic guitar. Jörn founded his first band Dragon Slayer, later Annihilation of Power, in the early 90s with Simon Börner and Nils Kolonko. A CD with the title "Changes" was released. From 1997 on Jörn played in the band Dark Age as lead guitarist. Until 2013 he stood on stage for countless concerts and also released 9 albums with the band. In the year 2000 Jörn was also guitarist with Holy Moses for a short time. He worked on the EP "Master of Disaster" and also played a handful of concerts with Holy Moses. In 2010 Jörn finally started to realize his personal musician's dream of mixing metal with classical influences and started his own project. Inspired by Yngwie Malmsteen, Nightwish, Rhapsody of Fire and Blind Guardian to Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Nevermore, Dark Age and Entombed, as well as Mozart, Beethoven, Händel, Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Franz Schubert, Jörn's compositions began to take shape. Neopera saw the light of the music world and in 2011 a first demo EP was recorded in the Hammerstudio, in collaboration with producer Eike Freese. A record deal with earMusic/a Project of Edel and the longplayer "Destined Ways" followed. During the recordings for "Destined Ways", the stroke of fate that changed Joern's musical life fundamentally occurred: Due to a focal muscular dystonia in his left hand, it suddenly became almost impossible for Joern to continue playing guitar at the old familiar level. With severe cramps in his left hand, he still played some concerts with Neopera and recorded a live acoustic EP with two new studio songs. Afterwards, however, a longer break followed, because Jörn questioned his status as a musician due to the physical limitations. Only in 2019, after a long and intensive examination of his own situation and also with a redesign of the Neopera concept as well as a largely new band composition, a new attempt with Neopera should be undertaken. Although Jörn is now exclusively active as a composer, he remains the heart of the band. For live activities, despite long therapy, dexterity is not enough.