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Resident Colorado Artists
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Singers
Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Burgstahler, Patrice
Bishop Hoch, Juliana
Eversole, Mary Beth
Francisco, Ruth Wilson
Hill, Heather
Keene, Shauna
Koenigberg, Rebecca
Manring, Lesley
Raddatz, Amanda
Schock, June
Twitty, Katrina
Vaughn, Cynthia

Lyric Soprano
Amidei, Angela
Anderson, Charmaine
Bolden-Taylor, Diane
Burns, Judeth Shay
Davis, Sarah L.
Diggs, Michelle
Dodson, Désirée
Draina, Bonnie
Emerich, Kate
Fernald, Beverly Christiansen
Guggenmos, Kara

Kasch, Catherine
Kerr, Jeannie M.
Lovejoy, Tina
Rusthoi, Keri
Seligmann, Ellie
Staggs, Samantha
Stuemky, Amy
Walecki, Lisa
Wigley, Sarah
Yeager, Katherine

Lyrico-Spinto Soprano
Andersson, Amy
Boxer, Nikki
Canterbury, Stacey
Magee, Emily

Dramatic Soprano
Kirkman Romoff, Cynthia
Patterson, Karen Tucker
Rowland, Martile
Smith, Sheila

Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Auer, Judith
Barber, Sarah
Connolley Christine
Creek, Leah
Davis, Regina
DeDominici, Jennifer
Gee, Sharon
Harris, Nancy E.
Holman, Leigh
Kaufman, Tracy
Laree, Britta
Lattimore, Margaret
Morrow King, Janet
Ragonetti, Marcia
Razón, Gina
Remmert Soich, Leslie
Vogel, Nicole

Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano

Christin, Judith
Green, Julia
Malde, Melissa
Scherlong, Lee Ann
Simson, Julie

Countertenor
Scotting, Randall

Lyric Tenor
Baldwin, Jason
Burcham, Joel
Fosha, Daniel
Goodrich, Lucas
Glenn, Larry
Kaasch, Donald
Queen, Todd
Sattley, Adam
Shannon, Zachary
Sortore, Jeremy
Stinar, Brian
Tallman, Donald
Tamblyn, Dennis
Walz, Steven
Werner, James

Dramatic Tenor
Appenzeller, Sha

Lyric Baritone
Aguirre, Carlos
Angerhofer, Thomas Erik
Gardner, Robert
Gerbrandt, Carl
Gerbrandt, Gregory
Lueck, John
Mason, Patrick
Shaff, Deven
Taylor, Charles
Taylor, Steven
Thompson, Bradley
Tuff, Peter
Webster, Douglas
Wilson, William

Bass
Biesterfeld, Mark
Cox, Kenneth
Job, Christopher

Those who Teach and Create Operas
Chorus Master
Baril, John

Coach
Aguiló-Arbues, Steven
Carthy, Nicholas
Kasch, Catherine
Moteki
, Mutsumi

Conductor
Andersson, Amy
Baril, John
Brussel, David
Carthy, Nicholas
Kenney, Wes
Simons, Harriet

Director, Academic
Cox, Kenneth
Gustafson, William
Luedloff, Brian Clay
Queen, Todd

Director, Education
Holman, Leigh
Morrow, Deborah
Director, Artistic
Bishop Hoch, Juliana
Myers, Katherine
Pearce, Pelham G.
Queen, Todd
Rowland, Martile
Werner, James

Director, Executive/General
Carpenter, Greg
Pearce, Pelham G.
Rusthoi, Keri

Director, Stage
Auer, Judith
Holliday, Thomas
Holman, Leigh

Pianist
Aguiló-Arbues, Steven
Carthy, Nicholas
Green, Julia
Moteki, Mutsumi

Supertitles Librarian
Sortore, Jeremy
Voice Teacher, Academic
Andersson, Amy
Bishop Hoch, Juliana
Bolden-Taylor, Diane
Draina, Bonnie
Emerich, Kate
Fosha, Daniel
Glenn, Larry
Kasch, Catherine
Koenigberg, Rebecca
Lattimore, Margaret
Lueck, John
Malde, Melissa
Manring, Lesley
Morrow King, Janet
Queen, Todd
Schock, June
Simson, Julie
Stinar, Brian
Taylor, Steven T.
Thompson, Bradley
Twitty, Katrina
Vaughn, Cynthia
Wilson, William
Voice Teacher, Private
Auer, Judith
Barber, Sarah
Bishop Hoch, Juliana
Burgstahler, Patrice
Draina, Bonnie
Emerich, Kate
Eversole, Mary Beth
Fernald, Beverly Christiansen
Francisco, Ruth Wilson
Green, Julia
Guggenmos, Kara
Harris, Nancy E.
Kerr, Jeannie M.
Kirkman Romoff, Cynthia
Patterson, Karen Tucker
Rowland, Martile
Seligmann, Ellie
Smith, Sheila
Sortore, Jeremy
Thompson, Bradley
Twitty, Katrina
Van Etten, Anne
Walecki, Lisa


Steven Aguiló-Arbues, Pianist and Vocal Coach
ArbuesSteven Aguiló-Arbues, a native of Southern California, holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and a Masters of Music as well as a Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music in Piano Accompanying. His keyboard and accompanying studies have been with Larry Graham, Robert Spillman and Thomas Muraco. Mr. Aguilo-Arbues has given solo and collaborative performances through out San Diego, Los Angeles, Colorado, New York, Peru, Spain and Italy. His interest in ethnomusicology has also lead him to Western Europe where he investigated a rare medieval instrument called the Zanfona, with the help of an academic UROP Grant from the University of Colorado. Upon his return, he presented lectures for the faculty and students regarding his newly found research. In 2002, Mr. Aguilo-Arbues was appointed music director of Marvin Hamlisch’s A Chorus Line with the Boulder Broadway Co. and conducted four sold-out performances. During his time at Manhattan School of Music, he has worked with numerous distinguished faculty and guest artists. He participated frequently in coachings and master classes with artists such as Brian Zeger, Martin Katz, Marilyn Horne, Martha Eggerth, Richard Danielpour, Ubaldo Fabbri, Thomas Hampson, Stephen Lord, Nico Castel and Renata Scotto. His love for opera has led him to coach and prepare productions of Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni, Dialogues des Carmélites, Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi with the Thomas Muraco/Dona Vaughn Opera Seminar at MSM. In the summer of 2005 he was invited to join the accompanying and coaching staff at the Centro Studi Lirica opera program in Italy. In the fall of 2006, he joined the Manhattan School of Music Opera Theater as an associate English diction coach for the premieres of their mainstage opera productions: Lord Byron’s Love Letter and The Village Singer. During the fall of 2007, he was appointed music director of Manhattan School of Music's Senior Opera Theater featuring Dido and Aeneas in collaboration with Dona D. Vaughn. In January of 2008, he joined the Opera Colorado Outreach Ensemble as their coach pianist; preparing and playing productions of La Curandera, an abridged version of Rossini's Cinderella (La Cenerentola), a young artist performance of Don Pasquale, and special event performances for the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention and Opera America in conjunct with artists from Central City Opera. Future engagements include Opera Colorado's '08/'09 season: Principal rehearsal pianist for Madama Butterfly under the baton of Stephen Lord, one of two rehearsal pianists for Les Pêcheurs de Perles, and pianist for the Opera Colorado Chorus. RESUME  6/08

Carlos Aguirre, Lyric Baritone
Carlos AguirreBorn in Guadalajara, Mexico, Carlos Aguirre received a Bachelor in Psychology from Universidad ITESO, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In 1999, Mr. Aguirre traveled to Colorado where he earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder studying with Dr. Robert Harrison. While at the University of Colorado, Mr. Aguirre performed Count Almaviva in Le Nozze Figaro under the direction of Martin Iseep. He also performed Ford in Falstaff and Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni. In 2002 Mr. Aguirre was accepted into the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" in Berlin, Germany where he studied with renouned tenor Scot Weir. After completing his studies at the Hochschule in 2005, Mr. Aguirre was accepted into the Jeunes Voix du Rhin opera studio of the Opéra national du rhin in Strasbourg, France where he performed for two seasons. As part of the program Mr. Aguirre performed the role of Escamillo in Carmen throughout France, and he also performed the role of Dimitri in the French premire of the American opera The Music Shop by Richard Wargo. After completing his contract, Mr. Aguirre returned to Colorado and will be performing Escamillo in Carmen with Opera Theatre of the Rockies in 2008.  9/07

Angela Amidei, Lyric Soprano
Angela AmideiMs. Amidei, a native Texan, holds both a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music degree from Baylor University where she studied under the guide of Dr. John Van Cura. In 2003, she received the Louise Conter award as a 4th place finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Vocal Competition. She spent the summer of 2002 singing the role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the New Opera Festival di Roma (ILAR) under the baton of Maestro Stefano Vignati. While in Rome, she performed in several concerts and had the opportunity to coach with famed soprano Fedora Barbieri as well as Mara Waldman of New York. Her other roles include Susannah in Floyd's Susannah with the Denver Opera Company; Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Mimi in La Bohème, the soprano lead in Side by Side by Sondheim, each of which she performed with the Baylor Opera Theater. Her orchestral and concert experience includes Soprano Soloist in the Mozart Requiem with the Denver Opera Company, soloist for Omaggio a Verdi with New Operafestival di Roma as well as solo and ensemble work for "An Evening of Opera" with the Denver Opera Company. She has had the privilege of singing Master Classes for Speight Jenkins, Janet Perry, Sarah Walker, William Sharp, Lois Alba and Carol Meyer. Ms. Amidei also performs concerts benefiting Beyond Baby Blues, a non-profit organization she created to provide assistance to women struggling with postpartum depression. She currently coaches with Beverly Fernald with whom she has worked since 2000.  RESUME  6/07
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Charmaine Anderson, Lyric Soprano
Charmaine AndersonMs. Anderson has thrilled audiences along the Front Range for the last ten years. Professionally trained at Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado, she has appeared in numerous college opera productions, as well as in recitals and master classes. She sang the role of Strawberry Woman in Opera Colorado’s 2000 production of Porgy and Bess. Most notably, Charmaine Anderson has distinguished herself as a passionate interpreter of Negro Spirituals, the religious folk songs created by enslaved Africans in America, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Appearing with the Spirituals Project as Marian Anderson at Gates Hall on the University of Denver campus in 2005, her stirring rendition of Give Me Jesus, brought an immediate standing ovation. As a singer of spirituals Ms. Anderson has appeared as guest artist for the Alpine Chorale, the Spirituals Project Choir, and for the Shivers' Library Benefit Concert in Colorado Springs. She was invited to sing as a guest soloist for the National Association of Negro Musicians annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia and was a finalist in the organization's national vocal competition. Ms. Anderson portrayed the singing voices of Dorothy Maynard and Marian Anderson in the nationally broadcast radio series "Destination Freedom," for KUVO and KGNU. 10/07

Amy Andersson, Lyrico-Spinto Soprano, Vocal Music Faculty, Denver School of the Arts
Amy Andersson

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Amy Andersson, Conductor, Music Director of the High Plains Youth Symphony
Amy Andersson

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Thomas Erik Angerhofer, Lyric Baritone
Angerhofer

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Sha Appenzeller, Dramatic Tenor
Sha AppenzellerMr. Appenzeller, a native Iowan, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Northern Iowa. While pursuing his Master's degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Texas at San Antonio, he trained as a baritone. During his time in San Antonio, he performed many roles at the university as well as with the San Antonio Lyric Opera, including Kaplan in Street Scene, Imperial Commissioner in Madame Butterfly, Dr. Gregg in The Gallantry, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Fiorello in The Barber of Seville, Vicar in Albert Herring, and Umberto in La Serva Padrona. Mr. Appenzeller was also a 1st place graduate men division winner in the South Texas NATS competition and was the baritone soloist in Mozart's Solemn Vespers with the San Antonio Symphony. Since moving to Colorado, Mr. Appenzeller now studies as a tenor with Martile Rowland. While in Colorado he has performed in scenes from Il Trovatore/Manrico, Otello/Otello, Cavalleria Rusticana/Turridu, Parsifal/Parsifal, and Norma/Pollione at Opera Theatre of the Rockies' Vocal Arts Symposium. He also sang the role of Judge Danforth in The Crucible with Opera Theatre of the Rockies and the roles of Parpignol in La Bohème and Giuseppe in La Traviata with Opera Colorado. Mr. Appenzeller was in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd with Opera Colorado. Concert performances include tenor soloist in Haydn's The Creation with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Chorale. He sang the role of Reymendado in Act II of Carmen and Manrico in Act IV of Il Trovatore with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He also was the tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah with First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. Mr. Appenzeller was a finalist in the 2004 Denver Lyric Opera Guild competition.  2/07

Judith Auer, D.M.A., Lyric Mezzo-soprano, Voice Teacher, Stage Director
AuerDr. Auer holds Masters Degrees in French and in Music from Indiana University and a Doctorate in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado. She spent two years in France on a French Government Assistantship and Fulbright Grant. She has performed with the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, the Zurich International Opera Studio, Stadttheater St. Gallen in Switzerland and with the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.  Dr. Auer, an Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at the University of Tulsa, took early retirement in 1995 to join her husband in Boulder. At the University, she also served as Director of the School of Music and as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She now maintains a private voice studio in Boulder for advanced opera singers and works as a free lance opera director. She has staged productions of Die Fledermaus, Cosi fan tutte, and La Bohème for the University of Kentucky, La Bohème and I Pagliacci for Colorado Opera Troupe and scene programs for Denver-based Lyric Artists of the West. In May 2007 she will direct Le Nozze di Figaro for Columbus State University in Georgia. Each summer Dr. Auer directs Suor Angelica and teachers voice at the Operafestival di Roma; in August she team-teaches the Opera III Class at Ghost Ranch Santa Fe. In 2002, Dr. Auer taught voice and staged opera scenes for the Chongqing Opera Company in central China and presented a vocal Masterclass at the Normal University in Shanghai. Dr. Auer returned to China in 2005 and again worked with the singers of the Chongqing Opera Company. In addition she spent 10 days at East China Normal University (with 1000 music major) where she gave daily Masterclasses. Together with her sister Elizabeth Auer, a Ph.D. Psychologist, Dr. Auer conducts master classes on vocal technique and performance anxiety.  2/07

Jason Baldwin, Lyric Tenor
Jason Baldwin

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Sarah Barber, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano, Voice Teacher
Sarah Barber

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John Baril, Central City Opera Music Director, Opera Colorado Chorus Master
BarilIn November 2005, Maestro John Baril was the named Central City Opera's first ever Music Director and will lead a new production of Don Giovanni this summer. He is slated to conduct Massenet's Cendrillon in the company's 75th anniversary season in 2007. In past seasons, Maestro Baril conducted numerous productions including Street Scene, Candide, Little Women, La Traviata, Carmen, Pagliacci, Goyescas, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, and last summer's sold-out Madame Butterfly, marking the directorial debut of Catherine Malfitano. John has also led numerous young artist cover performances including Tosca, Rigoletto, and La fanciulla del West.  Mr. Baril is featured as Chorus Master for the Newport Classics recording of The Ballad of Baby Doe, an opera which, along with Floyd's Susannah, he has conducted with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. During his six years at Yale Opera, he led performances of La cenerentola and Tchaikovsky's Iolanta as well as numerous scenes programs.  His thirteen-year tenure with Nevada Opera included singing numerous tenor roles including Dancaire, Spalanzani, Normanno, Goro, Monostatos, Gastone, Parpignol, Don Basilio, St. Brioche, Eisenstein, Harry and the Magician in The Consul, as well as conducting L'elisir d'amore, Hänsel und Gretel, Mame and Il trovatore, in addition to several productions of The Nutcracker. He has collaborated with such artists as Dolora Zajick, Colin Graham, Paul Curran, James Robinson, Stephen Lord, David Agler and Toni Tennille. Mr. Baril has judged Metropolitan Opera auditions for San Diego, Kansas City and, most recently, Northwestern Mississippi. This is his fourth season as Chorus Master for Opera Colorado.  2/06
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Mark Biesterfeld, Bass
Mark BiesterfeldA new name on the musical horizon is bass Mark Biesterfeld, a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory and Indiana  University. The young bass has appeared in performances with such companies as the Cincinnati Opera, Ash Lawn-Highland Opera Festival, Utah Festival Opera, Sarasota Opera, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He has also been a member of the Opera Colorado Artist Center. On the concert stage, Mr. Biesterfeld has performed with such orchestras as the Cincinnati Symphony, Northern Kentucky Symphony, and the Asheville Symphony, among others. He also has appeared as a soloist with the Wayne Oratorio Society and the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus. Mr. Biesterfeld recently appeared with the Boulder Philharmonic as a soloist in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. 6/07

Juliana Bishop Hoch, Coloratura Soprano, Founder and Artistic Director of Loveland Opera Theatre
Bishop Ms. Bishop, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Eastman School of Music, is currently completing a doctorate in Voice Performance, Pedagogy, and Opera Directing at the University of Northern Colorado. A native of Denver, she began her career in New York in the early 80s performing with numerous opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States including Washington Civic Opera, Blossom Opera Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Mississippi Opera Festival of the South, Westchester Opera, UNC Opera Theatre, Eastman Opera Theatre, John Brownlee Opera Theatre, National Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Virtuosi Orchestra of New York, and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Bishop has taught on the voice faculties of Colorado Christian University, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Columbia University Teacher's College, University of Northern Colorado, and AIMS Community College in Loveland. She also maintains a private voice studio in Loveland. Her teachers and mentors include Elly Ameling, Gerard Souzay, Birgit Nilsson, Ellen Faull, Margaret Hoswell, Stephen Wadsworth, Lou Galterio, Joan Dornemann, Thomas Grubb, Stephen Lord, Will Graham, Robert Spillman, Henry Lewis, Howard Skinner, Charmaine Coppom, Carl Gerbrandt, and William Barto-Jones. She is a winner of the Beethoven Society voice competition and the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Miss Bishop also received grants from the Denver Lyric Opera Guild and the Allied Arts of Denver. In 1999, Ms. Bishop received the International P.E.O. Scholar Award for academic excellence. Ms. Bishop belongs to Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor socitey. Her operatic performances include Mrs. Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Marie in La Fille du Régiment, Norina in Don Pasquale, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Constanza in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Pamina and Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte and Yum Yum and Pitty Sing in The Mikado. Miss Bishop's solo concert credits include performances of Handel's Messiah, Brahms', Faure's, and Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's The Creation, Mozart's Mass in C Major, Vivaldi's Gloria, Honegger's King David, Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem, Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Ravel's Chansons Madecasses, Stainer's Crucifixion, numerous Bach cantatas, and soloist in UNC's 100th GALA celebration as well as the first place winner of the UNC concerto competition. In 1999 she made her European singing debut in a solo recital at Propstei St. Gerold in Austria and in 2001 her Asian debut singing as soprano soloist in Mozart's Requiem in Beijing, China.  12/06

Diane Bolden-Taylor, Lyric Soprano, Assoc. Professor & Chair, Dept. of Voice, University of Northern Colorado


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Nikki Boxer, Lyrico-Spinto Soprano
Nikki Boxer

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David Brussel, Conductor
David BrusselDavid Brussel's most recent opera conducting engagement was Madama Butterfly for Opera Fort Collins in August of 2004, and in 2001 he led that company's production of La Traviata. He has conducted performances by the Larimer Chorale, the Rocky Mountain Youth Orchestra, the Front Range Chamber Players, the Aurora Symphony, the Rocky Mountain Brassworks, and the Denver Opera Company, with whom he presented the 2000 Western U.S. premiere of Patience and Sarah by Paula Kimper and Wende Persons. In 2001 he was assistant conductor for the Colorado Opera Troupe production of I Pagliacci. Mr. Brussel has also worked as accompanist and coach in a variety of settings. He has played French horn in the Colorado Symphony since 1982, and is an active classical and jazz ensemble player, soloist and recording artist. Mr. Brussel has served on the faculty of Colorado State University, Metropolitan State College of Denver and at the University of Georgia. Currently he is the Artistic Director of the Front Range Chamber Players of Fort Collins, with whom he will conduct a performance of the chamber arrangement of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde in April of 2007.  1/07

Joel Burcham, Lyric Tenor, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
Joel Burcham

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Patrice Burgstahler, Lyric Coloratura Soprano; Voice Teacher; Doctoral Candidate, University of Northern Colorado
Burgstahler Ms. Burgstahler completed a Bachelor's Degree at the University of Colorado in Boulder and a Master's Degree at the New England Conservatory of Music under the direction of John Moriarty. She won first place in the Regional San Francisco Opera Auditions and won the Rocky Mountain regional of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She received grants from Palm Springs Opera Guild, Denver Lyric Opera Guild, and the Metropolitan Opera National Council. She has appeared with Boston Opera, Denver Opera, and the New Jersey Opera, singing the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, Musetta in La Bohème, Madame Herz in The Impressario, and Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Also Ms. Burgstahler has sung Madame Latour in Le Postillon de Longjemeau in New York, Valencienne in The Merry Widow with Denver Opera Company, and Adina in The Elixir of Love and Gilda in Rigoletto with New Jersey Opera. She has sung in concerts in New York, Boston, Denver, and made her European concert debut in Austria in Schubert's Mass in B-Minor.  She performed the role of Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera in the 1992-2000 Hamburg, Germany, production. Ms. Burgstahler has recorded a CD on the SYRINX label, which includes the only recording of Colorado composer Jean Berger's Villanescas, Spanish song cycle for soprano and chamber orchestra. She was based in Hamburg, Germany, from 1992 to 2000, when she returned to the United States and was on the staff of the music department at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma until 2005. Ms. Burgstahler was one of five vocalists accepted each summer into Columbia University, Teachers College Doctoral Cohort Program, and spent the month of June 2006 in NYC working on her doctorate.  7/06

Judeth Shay Burns, Lyric Soprano
Judeth Shay BurnsJudeth Shay Burns has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of operatic and musical theatre heroines. She was recently awarded a PAPAA for Best Classical Solo Performance from the Pikes Peak Arts Council for her work as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro for Opera Theatre of the Rockies. Recent engagements include Mozart's Grand Mass in C Major with the Santa Fe Symphony, Adele in Die Fledermaus for Fort Collins Opera and Polly Peachum in Three Penny Opera for Theatreworks. She has performed with Central City Opera, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado, Opera Theatre of the Rockies, the St. Barts Music Festival in the French West Indies, the Landmark Festival in London, England and a European Tour with the Mid-America Choir, in such roles as Violetta, La Traviata; Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi; Adele, Die Fledermaus; Norina, Don Pasquale; and Baby Doe, The Ballad of Baby Doe. Her concert and oratorio repertoire includes Handel's Messiah, the Brahms Requiem, Vivaldi's Gloria, the Bachianas Brasilieros by Villa Lobos, and Mozart's Exultate Jubilate. She has also performed as a back-up artist for Sarah Brightman, and was in the ensemble for the Stephan Sondheim review Not Getting Married Today at the Trinity Theatre in New York City. Ms. Burns is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music in New York City where she received the Richard F. Gold Career Grant form the Shoshanna Foundation and the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has also studied at the Aspen Music Festival, where she was a scholarship recipient and member of the Aspen Opera Theatre Center, and at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City.  11/05

Stacey Canterbury, Lyrico-Spinto Soprano
Canterbury
Ms. Stacey Canterbury, a soprano native of Charleston, West Virginia, moved to Colorado when she sang with the Opera Colorado Outreach Ensemble. Within the Ensemble, she sang the parts of Mother/Witch in Hansel and Gretel, Monkey/Villager in Monkey See, Monkey Do, and in the Student Matinee she sang the part of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. While in Colorado she has sung with Opera Fort Collins as Aida in Aida and Soprano Soloist in an Aria Concert, Opera Theatre of the Rockies in the Singer’s Mozart and Act I in Tosca for a Puccini Concert, Opera Fort Collins in an Aria Concert, Greeley Chorale as the Soprano Soloist in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, The Black Box Opera Company singing Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Colorado Music Festival singing the Soprano Soloist part in Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Mimi in La Bohème (Excerpts) with the Denver Opera Company. She has sung with Sarasota Opera in their distinguished Studio Artist program as the Lina understudy in Verdi’s Stiffelio and many Opera Concerts. Before Ms. Canterbury came to Colorado, she was singing for four years with Tri-Cities Opera. While at TCO she sang the roles of Marguerite in Faust, Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica, Musetta in La Bohème, Micaëla in Carmen, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Gianetta in L'Elisir d'Amore. Her experience in Oratorio is soprano soloist in Carmina Burana and Dubois' Seven Last Words. Ms. Canterbury has also performed many Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the Summer Savoyards, including Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, Casilda in The Gondoliers, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, and Aline Sangazure in The Sorcerer. She received a Bachelors and Masters from The Cleveland Institute of Music, and while at CIM she sang roles such as Monica in The Medium, Despina in Così fan Tutte, Lady Ella in Patience and Sister Genevieve in Suor Angelica. Her awards include the 2004 Finalist in Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition, 2003 Finalist in Metropolitan Opera Colorado/Wyoming District Finals, TCO Guild Scholarship Award, Adele Bernstein Award and several NATS First Place Awards. Future Engagements include singing as a soloist in the Opera Fort Collins Aria Concert and as Leonora in Verdi’s Il Trovatore in April of 2009. Stacey Canterbury currently studies voice with Martile Rowland.  10/07

Greg Carpenter, Executive Director, Opera Colorado
Greg Carpenter

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Nicholas Carthy, Conductor, Pianist, and Vocal Coach, University of Colorado Opera Music Director
Nicholas Carthy

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Judith Christin, Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano
Judith Christin Ms. Christin has performed over one hundred roles with the leading opera companies throughout the United States including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera and many others. She began the 2002-2003 season by singing her premiere performances of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She also continues her relationship with Seiji Ozawa's Saito Kinen Festival for performances of Zita in Gianni Schicchi in Japan this spring. Later in the season, she returns to San Francisco Opera for performances of Mama Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana, Gertrude Stein in The Mother of Us All, and The Forester's Wife in The Cunning Little Vixen.  She returns to Chicago for Faust, Houston for Jenufa and the old lady in Candide with Opera Pacific. Recent engagements have included performances of Emma Jones in Kurt Weill's Street Scene with Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Witch in Hänsel und Gretel at Metropolitan Opera, and Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro with Dallas Opera. She also sang the role of Filipievna in scenes from Eugene Onegin with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Madame Larina in Hawaii Opera Theater's Eugene Onegin.  In the summer of 2002, she performed the role of Marcellina in Nozze again for her debut with Detroit's Michigan Opera Theatre, and Madam Larina in Euegne Onegin in Santa Fe, as well as Mrs. Sedley in Peter Grimes with the Saito Kinen Festival. Additional past engagements have included performances of Meg Page in Falstaff, and Margaret in Wozzeck, both with Santa Fe Opera, Despina in Cosi fan tutte at Houston Grand Opera, Martha in Faust and Effie Belle in Floyd's Cold Sassy Tree (a role she created in the opera's world premiere in Houston), both at the San Diego Opera, her first performances as Herodias in Salome with the Milwaukee Symphony, Mrs. Sedley in Peter Grimes with the Los Angeles Opera, and Annina in Der Rosenkavalier with San Francisco Opera. Some other memorable characterizations include the Witch in Hänsel und Gretel with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with Opera Colorado and the New York City Opera; Mrs. Sedley in Peter Grimes, Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, the Countess in Andrea Chenier, Filipievna in Eugene Onegin and Rossweisse in Die Walküre all at the Metropolitan Opera; her acclaimed Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro has been heard at the San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the Saito Kinen Festival, The Metropolitan Opera, and the San Diego Opera; Countess Maritza at the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Gertrude in Romeo et Juliette with Pittsburgh Opera, Mum in Albert Herring with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Forester's Wife in Janacek's The Cunning Little Vixen at the New York City Opera. As a frequent guest of the Santa Fe Opera, she has performed such roles as Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Adelaide in Arabella. As a highly sought after interpreter of new and unusual repertoire, Ms. Christin has created several roles in the U.S. premieres of many operas, including Susanna in John Corigliano's Ghosts of Versailles at the Metropolitan Opera in 1991. She also sang the role of Dolly in the U.S. premiere of Iain Hamilton's Anna Karenina with the Los Angeles Opera Theatre, and La Baronne in the American premiere of Massenet's Cherubin at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, her other world premiere performances include Beeson's Dr. Heidegger's Fountain of Youth, Burton's The Duchess of Malfi, Pasatieri's Signor Deluso, Titus' Rosina, and revised versions of Pasatieri's Washington Square and Mayer's Death in the Family. Judith Christin is also noted as a soloist with orchestra and made her Carnegie Hall debut as the alto soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Oratorio Society of New York.  She has been a guest soloist with the National Symphony, Houston Symphony, Denver Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, Long Island Philharmonic, Choral Arts Society of Washington, Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra, and Westchester Choral Society. Miss Christin is the recipient of awards from the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, Opera America Auditions, Sullivan Foundation, and Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund for Music. She is a native of Providence, Rhode Island and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University. She currently resides in Denver with her husband Larry Glenn.

Christine Connolley, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Christine ConnolleyChristine Connolley, a graduate student at Colorado State University and Apprentice Artist with Opera Fort Collins, most recently performed the title role in Britten's Rape of Lucretia for Colorado State Opera Theater and Mamma Lucia in Opera Fort Collins' performance of Cavalleria Rusticana. Christine has also performed the Witch in Hansel and Gretel at Metro State College. Scenes include Augusta in the Ballad of Baby Doe, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, Amneris in Aida, Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and the title character of Carmen at Metro State College and Black Box Opera Workshop. Christine recently traveled with the Denver Choir of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to Salzburg where they performed Mozart's Requiem at the International Mozart Festival. Christine holds a Bachelor of Music from Metro State College where she was the recipient of the Beverly Fernald Scholarship, Denver Lyric Guild Scholarship and Metro's Music Talent Award.  11/07
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Kenneth Cox, Bass, Professor, Chair of Vocal Department, Director of Opera Theater, Lamont School of Music University of Denver
Kenneth Cox Prof. Cox has sung as a leading basso with international opera houses of the world, including Paris, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle, San Diego, Washington, Philadelphia, Dallas, Amsterdam, Brussels, and the Opera San Carlo in Napoli. Some of his portrayals have been Baron Ochs, Sarastro, Osmin, Hunding, Mephistopheles, Arkel, King Phillip, Banquo, Timur, Don Basilio, Raimondo, and Gremin. His New York appearances include two productions with the New York City Opera, and his debut at Carnegie Hall, with the Pittsburgh Symphony in Tristan und Isolde. Several years ago, he was invited to travel to Spoleto, Italy to sing the title role in The Death of the Bishop of Brindisi, a work dear to the heart of Gian Carlo Menotti, in celebration of his 85th birthday. Having sung a large number of the standard bass roles, Ken has also enjoyed participating in some contemporary productions, including the world premiers of Conquistador, and Salammbo, and quite theatrical stagings of Billy Budd, and Of Mice and Men. He has also appeared with the symphony orchestras of Cleveland, Los Angeles, Vienna, Tokyo, Jerusalem, San Francisco, Atlanta, Baltimore, St. Louis, and the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York.  His recordings include Mahler's Eighth Symphony, with the late Robert Shaw, Herodiade with the San Francisco Opera, and the Stein/Boulez Pelleas et Melisande, with the Welsh National Opera. Prof. Cox sang with the French National Orchestra this past February in a concert of Rienzi and will return next year to sing with Kurt Masur and the same orchestra in Die Erste Walpurgisnacht. Most recently, Mr. Cox traveled to Tel Aviv, appearing with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, and to Amsterdam for a new production of The Bassarids with the Netherlands Opera Company.   12/05

Leah Creek, Lyric Mezzo-soprano
Leah CreekMs. Creek, in addition to being the 1996 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions for the Rocky Mountain region, also was named first place winner in the Dicapo Opera Theatre Vocal Competition. Recently, Ms. Creek appeared with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic performing as a soloist in the Mozart Requiem. Ms. Creek was seen in New York City Opera's Paul Bunyan, on "Live from Lincoln Center." Other New York City Opera appearances include roles in Intermezzo, L'Enfants et les Sortileges, Meg Page in Falstaff, and Anna Hope in The Mother of Us All, among others. Ms. Creek also sang Nicklausse in Tales of Hoffmann at the Utah Opera Festival in 1999. Recent engagements include Hansel for Sarasota Opera, Nicklausse for Syracuse Opera, and Erika in Barber's Vanessa with Des Moines Metro Opera. Ms. Creek has also appeared with New England Lyric Operetta and Opera Colorado (Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte under the baton of Richard Bonynge). She performed with Wolf Trap Opera and was an apprentice artist with Santa Fe Opera. Ms. Creek made her Carnegie Hall debut in June, 1999, with Mid-America Productions as soloist for Mozart's Solemn Vespers. She returned in May, 2000, for the Durufle Requiem, and sang in the Mozart Requiem in 2001. Ms. Creek recently appeared with the Boulder Philharmonic as a soloist in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Ms. Creek received a Master of Music in Voice from Indiana University. While there she studied with Vera Scammon and was a recipient of the Richard F. Gold Career Grant. In the summer of 2003 she and her family returned to live in Colorado. Ms. Creek is represented by Sara Tornay for concert work and Blythe de Blasis for opera.  6/07
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Regina Davis, Mezzo Soprano
Regina DavisMezzo Soprano Regina Davis is a native of Lake Toxaway, NC and is a graduate of Converse College where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. Regina was a sixth place finalist at the 2008 DLOG competition and received an Encouragement Award at the 2006 Colorado Metropolitan Opera Auditions. She was a member of the 2005 American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, where she performed in both operetta and operatic venues. Regina was most recently excepted as a Studio Artist into the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program with the Central City Opera House Association. While in Central City she performed the role of Pauline in West Side Story. She performed the role of Mercedes in Opera Theatre of the Rockies' production of Carmen. She has also been seen in Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ productions as Jo, in Little Women, Lady Charlotte Malcolm in A Little Night Music, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Serse as Serse. She has sung Malika in Delibes' Lakmé, Zita in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, and Maria in The Sound of Music. Regina is a student of Martile Rowland and lives in Colorado Springs.

Sarah L. Davis, Lyric Soprano, Voice Teacher
Sarah L. Davis

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Jennifer DeDominici, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
DeDominiciJennifer DeDominici is gathering impressive reviews for her work on some of our region's finest stages. For her portrayal of the title character in Rossini's La Cenerentola for June, 2005 performances with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, the Gazette Telegraph stated: "At the end of the three-hour evening, the dazzling Jennifer DeDominici merely has to deliver one of the most mind-bogglingly difficult arias ever written for a mezzo-soprano. She did so on opening night with style, a velvety, even tone, and an extraordinary clarity that made the aria the evening's climax." And, for her portrayal of Signora Fioria in the Arvada Center’s 2007 production of Do I Hear a Waltz?, in Westword: "Jennifer DeDominici delivers a gemlike performance as pensione-keeper Fioria. DeDominici’s voice is as fluid and gleaming as a deep, running stream at night; her Fioria is seductive and amoral, but so utterly content with herself and her life that you can’t help admiring her;" in the Boulder Daily Camera: "Jennifer DeDominici nearly steals the show as Fioria, the pragmatic Italian hotel owner. Her comic solo ‘This Week, Americans’ highlights the first act…" in the Denver Post: "a spectacular turn by Santa Fe Opera star Jennifer DeDominici…"  and in the Rocky Mountain News: "DeDominici, though, is the accidental star of this production. With a figure and a face like Ava Gardner, she seduces without effort, a hottie widow who spits Italian like a native." Thus far in 2007, Jennifer triumphed as Hänsel in Opera Theatre of the Rockies’s production of Hänsel und Gretel and as Aldonza in Colorado Light Opera’s Man of La Mancha. She was also declared the first place winner of the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Auditions. Jennifer was selected from among some 1,000 singers to participate in the prestigious Santa Fe Opera's Apprentice Artist Program for the summers of 2002 and 2003. For the Santa Fe stage, she covered the roles of Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Filipyevna in Eugene Onegin, and sang the role of Feklusha in Katya Kabanova. She has also been  seen on the stage of Opera Colorado as Clotilde in Bellini’s Norma, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflote. In March of 2006, Jennifer enjoyed the role of Pitti Sing in The Mikado with Central City Opera and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer has toured with Central City Opera both in 2004 and 2005 in addition to being a regular member of the Central City Opera Ensemble. She was a member of the Opera Colorado Outreach Ensemble from 2001-2004, and ventured to Alaska in 2005 to be Mezzo-Soprano soloist for the Anchorage Opera Studio Theatre. Other performances include "Opera on the Rocks" with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in 2004, "West Side Story" with Colorado Music Festival,  Hänsel for the Fort Collins Symphony, 2005 Soloist for the Maine Gay Men's Chorus, and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors in Boulder in 2005. Ms. DeDominici had the distinct honor of covering the role of Carmen for Opera Colorado's premiere operatic production in the new Ellie Caulkins Theatre with Denyce Graves during November, 2005. She was also one of only 11 singers world-wide to be chosen to study at Italy's famed EPCASO (Ezio Pinza Operatic Institute in Oderzo) where she spent the summer of 2006 studying with renowned Italian musicians, Claudia Pinza and Maestra Enza Ferrari. Ms. DeDominici is performing now in the Arvada Center’s production of La Cage aux Folles through December 23 and will debut in the title role in Carmen with Opera Theatre of the Rockies in March 2008.  11/07
Michelle Diggs, Lyric Soprano
Michelle Diggs


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Désirée Dodson, Lyric Soprano
Desiree DodsonDésirée Dodson hails from Littleton, Colorado and is a young blossoming talent within the Colorado opera scene. As a lyric soprano, Desiree has essayed the roles of Nedda in I Pagliacci and Magda in La Rondine for The Aspen Music Festival where she was under the tutelage of Carol Vaness and Elizabeth Hynes. Ms. Dodson has also appeared as Cio Cio San in Madama Butterfly scenes, Nedda in I Pagliacci, and Susannah in Susannah for the Vocal Arts Symposium. Ms. Dodson appeared as Mimi in La Bohème, and covered the role of Liu in Turandot for the Opera Theatre of the Rockies in 2006. Ms. Dodson has been a District Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2000, 2003, and 2006. She was a Semi-Finalist in the Meistersinger Competition of Graz, Austria in 2006. Désirée completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Religious Studies at the University of Denver. She currently studies with Martile Rowland of Colorado Springs and performs regularly as an outreach artist for the Opera Theatre of the Rockies. She is currently preparing to sing Micaela in Carmen of Opera Theatre of the Rockies (performances in March, 2007).  8/07
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Bonnie Draina, Lyric Soprano, Voice Teacher
Bonnie Draina

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Kate Emerich, Lyric Soprano, Instructor of Voice, University of Denver
Kate A. Emerich

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Mary Beth Eversole, Lyric Coloratura Soprano, Voice Teacher
Mary Beth Eversole


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Beverly Christiansen Fernald, Lyric Soprano, Voice Teacher
Fernald M. Fernald has made a profound mark on the musical world with her flawless and velvety voice. Critics have praised her voice along with her ability to portray operatic characters with rare insight. She carries this depth of understanding into her interpretations of the "art song" and is now concentrating on promoting the performance of works by the 'great composers of song and poetry'. She has concertized throughout the United States and Europe. Her recent recital tour in Russia won her great acclaim with many requests for return engagements. Ms. Fernald's extensive career includes performances with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and the Denver Symphony among many others. She has performed leading roles in opera throughout the United States including the New York City Opera, having shared billing with such artists as Beverly Sills, Sheryl Milnes, and Roberta Peters. Her experience as a performer covers a broad span, from Opera to Broadway, from Oratorio to Recital, from Church soloist to Night Club Entertainer and Recording Artist. She has performed in Summer Stock; on network television in such shows as the Johnny Carson Show and the Hollywood Palace; in Milton Berle's Nightclub Review; and has made numerous other television and radio appearances. Ms. Fernald has also been the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Ford Foundation Grant for Young Opera Singers, the Rockefeller Grant, and was a winner in the Concoure de Geneve in Switzerland. As a vocal teacher and vocal coach, Ms. Fernald has achieved an impressive reputation. She is the founder and director of the Colorado Center for the Vocal Arts and was formerly a faculty member at Metropolitan State College of Denver. Many successful artists have come out of her studio and are performing throughout the world. She is in demand for her master classes in vocal technique and interpretation of song literature and as a clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator. 1/07
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Daniel Fosha, Lyric Tenor
Daniel Fosha

Mr. Fosha is a Colorado Springs native based in Denver. Upcoming performances include a reprise of Gastone in La Traviata with Opera Colorado in November, and then he will be seen as Goro in Madame Butterfly with Opera Theatre St. Louis in April of 2008.  His most recent appearance this year was in the role of Bruno in I puritani with Opera Theatre St. Louis, which followed his role of Buchanan in Kurt Weill's Street Scene also in St. Louis in 2006. He often appears as a member of the Central City Opera Ensemble, having created the role of Rodolfo in the bilingual opera En Mis Palabras. He has been a regular with Opera Colorado, appearing as Monostatos in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Basilio in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Borsa in Verdi's Rigoletto, Remendado in Carmen, and Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor. He has premiered many new works, including the role of Orsino in Twelfth Night by composer Joel Feigin with Longleaf Opera in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the role of Houdini in the musical Hocus Pocus in Boulder. He has performed Handel’s Messiah with the Charleston Symphony, the Boulder Philharmonic, and the Aspen Chorale Society. Daniel has performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Colorado Springs Symphony, and twice with the Boulder Philharmonic. Other concert performances include Puccini’s Messa di Gloria with the Denver Philharmonic, the Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Lindsborg, Kansas, Don José in Act 2 of Bizet's Carmen with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, and Gounod's St. Cecilia Mass with the Colorado College Choir. He appeared as Alfredo in the UCCS Theatreworks/Opera Theatre of the Rockies collaborative effort of The Lady of the Camellias. Daniel has also performed in musical theatre, as multiple characters in Cole Porter's Nymph Errant with UCCS Theatreworks, the title role in Candide with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, and the Phantom in the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center production of Phantom. He has been a featured performer in pops concerts with both the Colorado Music Festival and the Colorado Symphony. Daniel got his start with the historic Colorado Opera Festival where he appeared as the tenor Armed Guard in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Remendado in Carmen, and Missail in Boris Godunov. In 2002 he won second place in the Metropolitan Regional Finals in Denver, and was a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition. Daniel was an apprentice with both the Chautauqua Opera and Central City Opera, and received his Master's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he appeared as Lysander in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the title role in Egisto, Gonzalve in L'heure Espagnole, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Camille in The Merry Widow, and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof. Daniel has also appeared with the Crested Butte Music Festival, Colorado Opera Troupe, Longmont Theater Company, and the Boulder Chorale. He currently is a cantor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.  9/08


Ruth Wilson Francisco, Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Ruth Wilson Francisco

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Robert Gardner, Lyric Baritone
Robert Gardner

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Sharon Gee, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Sharon GeeSharon Gee is a theatrical and vivacious new performer on the northern Colorado opera scene. She has recently completed her B.M. degree in Vocal Performance from Colorado State University and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Sharon’s future engagements include the role of Jo in Mark Adamo’s Little Women in November, 2007, and she will originate the role of Tituba in the premier of Previn Hudentz’s Salem in February, 2008. She has performed roles with Colorado State Opera Theatre, Opera Fort Collins, CSU Café Theatre, and Operafestival di Roma including: Kate/Lilli Vanessi in Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate (2007), Cherubino in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (2007), Le Maman/Le tasse chinois in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges (2006), Brick Top/dance lead in Cole Porter’s Red, Hot, and Cole! (2006), Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte (2005), Katisha in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado (2005), Mercedes (cover) in Bizet’s Carmen (2005), Ma Moss in Copland’s The Tender Land (2005), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (2004), and Mrs. Herring in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring (2004). Sharon is a two-time, first place winner in the CO/WY NATS competition and is a three-time Denver Lyric Opera Guild Scholarship recipient.  10/07
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Carl Gerbrandt, D.M.A., Lyric Baritone, Emeritus Professor of Voice, University of Northern Coloado
Carl GerbrandtWhile he made his mark in the field of operatic performance, Dr. Gerbrandt has also presented many choral workshops, master classes and recitals nationwide. Of his over seventy opera and oratorio roles, four have been American premieres. Dr. Gerbrandt has appeared in two filmings of Handel's Messiah and made his professional directing debut at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center with Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio. He has been presented in operatic productions at three national music conventions, served on a distinguished panel of international judges, and also given a presentation on the "Opera/Music Theatre Cross-over Singer" before the national convention of the Metropolitan Opera's Central Opera Service. In 1990, Dr. Gerbrandt held a Visiting Scholar position at Cambridge University, England, where he completed his book, Sacred Music Drama: the Producer's Guide, published in 1993 by Prestige Publications. He has also recently completed editing The Complete Songs of Louis Cheslock. In 1991, he was selected by his college as Scholar of the Year. He holds conducting and performance degrees from Tabor College and Wichita State University, and a doctoral degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University. Post-doctoral studies have included work in Detmold, Germany. 1/07

Gregory Gerbrandt, Lyric Baritone
Gregory GerbrandtGregory Gerbrandt comes home to Colorado to sing the role of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Fort Collins, after having performed concerts with American Opera Projects in NYC in May of 2007. In February and April of this year, he performed both Gregorio in Romèo et Juliette and the Commissioner in Madama Butterfly with Nashville Opera. Also during this past year, Gerbrandt performed the role of Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance for Glimmerglass Opera, Pish-Tush in The Mikado with both Opera Idaho and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Greeley Chorale and Orchestra, the solos in Haydn’s Paukenmesse with Nebraska Choral Arts Society, and with Opera Omaha as soloist in War Horse 101. Future engagements consist of singing Marcello in La bohème with Ash Lawn Opera (July-August, 2007), Silvio in Pagliacci with Opera Fort Collins (August, 2007), and a return to Nashville Opera as the Revival Worker in the world premiere of Elmer Gantry. Other recent engagements include performing the role of Silvio in Pagliacci with Sarasota Opera, singing the baritone solos in Faure’s Requiem and Rutter’s Mass of the Children with the West Nebraska Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra, performing the roles of Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly and John Shears in Paul Bunyan with Central City Opera, and performing in Die Fledermaus as Dr. Falke with Opera Fort Collins. Other notable professional engagements include Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Glimmerglass Opera, Opera North, Lyric Opera Colorado, Kentucky Opera, and a tour through Cairo, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his performance schedule, Gerbrandt has found time to keep his volunteer status as a firefighter at the Kersey Fire Department in Colorado!  5/07
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Larry Glenn, Lyric Tenor, Professor of Voice, Lamont School of Music University of Denver
Glenn Professor Glenn is a graduate of the Julliard School. He has performed throughout the U.S. as a soloist with companies such as the New York City Opera Theatre, Atlanta Opera, New York Lyric Opera, Mobile Opera, and National Opera. He has sung leading roles in II Barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, Faust, L'elisir d'amore, La Traviata, and many others. Mr. Glenn has been the featured soloist with the American Symphony Orchestra, as well as soloist with the Westchester Symphony Orchestra for the 80th birthday celebration of Aaron Copland. He also performed Il Barbiere di Siviglia with the  International Gubbio Festival in Italy and for three years as leading tenor with the Opera Institute of Rome Festival in performances of Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Nemorino in L'Elisir d'Amore, and the Witch in Hänsel und Gretel. He also acted as stage director for the Rome Festival for seven seasons  where he directed Don Giovanni, L'Elisir d'Amore, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, Hänsel und Gretel, La Traviata, Die Zauberflöte and Carmen. He recently appeared as a guest artist for the Oratorio Society of New York in performances of Handel's Messiah in the Czech Republic with the Prague Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Glenn's current classes include Lyric Diction (English/Italian, German/French), Vocal Literature and Opera Direction. For the last five years he has sung leading roles with the Maud Powell Festival in five world premieres of operas. He currently resides in Denver with his wife Judith Christin. 1/07

Lucas Goodrich, Lyric Tenor
Lucas GoodrichLucas Goodrich is a versatile young tenor whose repertoire encompasses opera, oratorio, art song and musical theatre. Performing credits include Tony in West Side Story, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Male Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia, Lun-tha in The King and I, Benvolio in Romeo ét Juliet, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, and Tony in Master Class. As a graduate student at the University of Colorado, Mr. Goodrich served as a teaching assistant and his thesis work includes a reference guide to Italian song literature for young singers. While at CU, he was a regular soloist with the Early Music Ensemble under the direction of renowned harpsichordist Elizabeth Farr. Lucas has been a soloist with the Arvada Center Chorale, Grace Chorale, Boulder Messiah Chorale, and Eastern Symphony Orchestra, performing concert works such as Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Vespers. Recent productions include Oklahoma and Cosi fan tutte with the Natchez Festival of Music. Later this summer he joins Utah Festival Opera as a Festival Artist. Mr. Goodrich holds degrees from the University of Colorado (MM 2007) and Eastern Illinois University (BM 2004). He is originally from Arthur, Illinois and currently resides in Boulder, Colorado where he studies with Margaret Lattimore. MySpace  5/08
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Julia Green, Pianist, Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano, Lieder Singer, Voice Teacher
Julia GreenJulia Green began her study of piano at age 6 in Rockford, Illinois. She also studied clarinet, cello and musical theatre in high school. Julia continued her study of music at Northern Illinois University. Ms. Green soon moved to New York City where she studied voice with Nancy and piano with Si Ribakov of the Juilliard School of Music. In addition, she coached in voice with Tom LaMonaca. Presently, Julia studies piano with Monique le Duc from the Paris Conservatoire, and in the past piano with Mary Gunning from the New Mexico Symphony, voice with Ms. Jean Kraft, mezzo-soprano from the Metropolitan Opera, and Regina Rickless from the European stage. Notably, Ms. Green performed a piano concert for the Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. (1999) and has sung several roles and performs throughout the USA and Brazil. Her song recitals allow her to indulge in her passion for Lieder and romantic duets. Julia received the honor of teaching opera students at Federal University, Natal, Brazil. Ms. Green has served at the University of New Mexico as faculty pianist (2001-2005) in the Ballet and Theatre Department. She also was Music Director for the United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM. Ms. Green prepared the children's chorus for Opera Southwest and was director of the Edgewood Opera Group which introduced the community to the stage and all its components. She accompanied many students for recitals and competition and prepared students for auditions in opera, operetta and Broadway genres. Ms. Green continues to perform and teach both instruments. Ms. Green resides in Arvada.  1/08
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Kara Guggenmos, Lyric Soprano, Voice Teacher
Guggenmos Ms. Guggenmos received her Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Voice Performance from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois in 1996 where she studied with Dr. Terry Strandt.  She then went on to study voice at the University of Colorado at Boulder with professors Julie Simson and Dr. Robert Harrison, where she obtained her Master's degree in Vocal Performance in May of 2001. While at the University of Colorado, Kara was awarded the prestigious Galen and Ada Belle Spencer award for two consecutive years, granting her full tuition. Kara has coached with such prestigious singers and coaches as Benita Valente, Martin Isepp and Ashley Putnam. She won the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award Competition in July of 2002 in San Diego, CA. Her prize was a debut solo recital in Carnegie Hall (Weill Hall), which she gave in 2003. Other awards and achievements include being a Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finalist for the last three years, the MONC Colorado/Wyoming District winner in 1999 and 2002, and a Denver Lyric Opera Guild competition finalist in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Operatic roles include Violetta in Central City Opera's preview of La Traviata, the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro under the direction of Martin Isepp, and Hannah in the Merry Widow, both at the University of Colorado. Kara was a resident artist with Opera Colorado in the spring of 2002, playing Gretel in their student matinee of Hänsel und Gretel. She has also appeared with the Littleton, Colorado Symphony and the University of Colorado Orchestra performing the Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. She was the featured recitalist in New Orleans in 2004 at the NATS National Convention. Kara teaches voice to about 20 students and also works full time as the Director of Worship at Calvary Church in Longmont. Kara, her husband Neil and their sons Luke and Landon reside in Longmont.  2/07

William Gustafson, Director of Opera Studies College of Music, University of Colorado Boulder


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Nancy E. Harris, M. H., Lyric Mezzo Soprano, Vocologist & Voice Builder
Nancy E. Harris

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Heather Hill, Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Heather HillSoprano Heather Hill’s young musical career has already taken her across the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia in a variety of venues including regional opera as well as international tours, concerts and recitals, off-Broadway and regional musical theater, television and film. In 2008 she is reprising her role as Clara in NY Harlem Production’s European tour of Porgy and Bess. Recent performances include the role of Achsah in a rare staged production of Handel’s Joshua, Lisa in La Sonnamnbula with ConcertOPERA of Philadelphia, and Konstanze in Die Entführung aus dem Serail with Opera Colorado, for whom she also created the role of Donisa in the world premiere of Robert Xavier Rodriguez’ comedic one-act opera La Curandera. Ms. Hill’s other roles include the title role in Semele, Galatea (Acis and Galatea), Bastienne (Bastien et Bastienne), La Princesse (L’enfant et les sortileges), and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro). Current projects include the Queen of the Night and Gilda. Ms. Hill’s awards and honors include the 2006 Karl Schmid Memorial Award of the Denver Lyric Opera Guild, the 2004 Micki Savin Award of the Connecticut Opera Guild Competition, and an Astral Career Grant. She holds a Master’s Degree in vocal performance from Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Virginia Davidson and Ashley Putnam. A native of Englewood, Colorado, Ms. Hill currently divides her time between Europe and the United States. Resume; Audio and Video Clips; Photos  3/08
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Thomas Holliday, Stage Director, Writer, Translator, Lecturer
Holliday "Thomas Holliday's staging [is] traditional in spirit but full of imaginative touches that instantly define the characters." (New York Magazine) "He is that rare opera director, an innovator who has respect for his material." (Syracuse Post-Standard) With a background in performing both instrumental (brass) and vocal music, Thomas Holliday has directed opera in Europe and the United States, including engagements with the Hamburg State Opera (Germany), and the Stadttheater Klagenfurt and American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria. In the U.S., he has directed productions for Indianapolis Opera, Pennsylvania Opera Theatre, Glimmerglass Opera Theater, Opera Colorado, Berkshire Opera Company, Shreveport Opera, Sacramento Opera, Bronx Opera Company, Baton Rouge Opera, and the Ash Lawn Festival in Virginia, where he was Director of Productions for three seasons. His production of Hansel and Gretel, in his own new translation, was performed by the Opera Theatre at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in March 1995; and for the summers of 1995 and 1996, he staged South Pacific and The Merry Widow (in his newly-commissioned translation) for his Alma Mater, Indiana University. More recently, Holliday directed Indianapolis Opera's productions of Der fliegende Hollander, Faust and Samson et Dalila; and Sacramento Opera's La Bohème. From 1991 to 1994, as Assistant to the General Director, Holliday staged for Opera Colorado (Denver) La Bohème, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Lucia di Lammermoor. He supervised most aspects of the company's education program, wrote and directed three puppet operas and education workbooks, and conceived, wrote and directed the company's Christmas Madrigal Dinners. From 1998 to 2001, Holliday was Director of the Joseph and Loretta Law Artist Center of Opera Colorado. His academic appointments include Directorships of Opera/Music Theatre programs at North Texas State University, the Crane School of Music, State University College at Potsdam, New York, and the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music; and visiting professorships at Lehman College (CUNY), College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati; Northwestern University, University of Colorado, Boulder; and University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Holliday finds himself increasingly devoted to many aspects of writing: fourteen supertitle translations, articles for The Opera Journal, Lyric Opera of Chicago's Season Companion study guides, twenty-five performing English translations of operas, two original opera librettos, and Sources of Opera, a projected series of translations and commentaries on the background literature on which much of the operatic repertoire is based. A volume on Mozart's Don Giovanni is in preparation; The Vampyre and Others, an annotated book of theatrical and musical sources of vampire legends, is forthcoming from Micawber Press of Denver. Recently, Holliday has branched out into artist representation, under the aegis of Renaissance Artists. Thomas directed his first Otello with Sacramento Opera in the fall of 2007. He is currently researching and writing the first full-length, authorized biography of composer Carlisle Floyd, and will direct Of Mice and Men in Sacramento's 2009-10 season.   5/08

Leigh Holman, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano, Stage Director, Voice Teacher, Director of Education and Outreach at Opera Colorado
Leigh HolmanLeigh Holman serves as Director of Education and Outreach at Opera Colorado. She actively directs opera and musical theatre and has recently lectured and directed at the University of Colorado School of Music. From 2002-2005 she was Coordinator of Voice and Opera Studies and Opera Director at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she founded the UALR Opera Theatre, the UALR Opera Theatre Singers and the UALR Opera Development Council. It is now a thriving university opera program in the capitol city. Colorado audiences recently saw her staging of Sullivan's Iolanthe at Colorado Light Opera in Boulder and she is slated to direct The Sound of Music at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, CO and The Barber of Seville for Opera Fort Collins in Fall 2006 and Spring 2007. Holman received a Masters in Opera from the Eastman School of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has sung with the Resident Artists of Portland Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Theatre of Rochester and toured nationwide with the National Opera Company singing over 70 performances of the title role in L'Italiana in Algeri. Some of her other favorite roles include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Hansel in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Cenerentola in Rossini's La Cenerentola, Beatrice in Berlioz' Beatrice and Benedict and Maddalena in Rigoletto. Her musical theatre credits include Maria in The Sound of Music, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, The Stepmother in Cinderella, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Bianca in Kiss Me Kate among others. Ms. Holman began her interest in stage directing while working with Director Richard Pearlman as his assistant director for the production of La Bohème at The Eastman School of Music where she was on full fellowship. In recent years she directed/assistant directed for opera, music theatre and straight plays including Hansel and Gretel, Copland's The Tender Land,  Britten's Noye's Fludde, The Mikado, The Telephone, Poulenc's Les Mammelles de Tirisias, Don Giovanni, Falstaff, The Merry Widow, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus, Red, Hot and Cole, Side by Side by Sondheim, Amadeus, The Odd Couple, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As a voice teacher, Holman promotes healthy, efficient singing and encourages her students to participate in professional and non-professional performing opportunities alike. Dr. Holman is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Opera America, the College Music Society and the National Opera Association.  8/06
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Christopher Job, Bass
Christopher JobMr. Job is a Southern California native who has established himself as an important young talent in the American opera scene. His recent interpretations of the operatic and concert repertoire have been praised by critics and the public alike. He was the Second Place Winner in the 2006 Metropolitan Opera Competition for the Rocky Mountain Region, and the 2005 Grand Prize Winner of the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition. Another honor has been to create the role of General Godofredo de la Barca in the 2006 world premier of La Curandera, an opera in one act by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, and commissioned by Opera Colorado. Mr. Job was seen this season as Sprecher/2nd Priest in Die Zauberflöte and last season as Zuniga in Carmen, and Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail all with Opera Colorado. He also was seen as Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni with Opera Fort Collins in August of 2006. He debuted as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata with Opera Omaha in 2005. In concert, he recently performed as bass soloist in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic as well as bass soloist in the Verdi Requiem with the Denver Opera Company. Last season he was soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. Upcoming in February of 2007 he will be Ramfis in Aïda with Opera Fort Collins. At Opera Colorado he will sing one performance as Dottore Dulcamara in L'Elisir d'Amore in February and also appear as Count de Horn in Un Ballo in Maschera in May. This summer he will sing Caronte in Monteverdi's L'Orfeo ed Euridice and the Poet in Philip Glass' Orphée with Glimmerglass Opera of New York. He has appeared with Chautauqua Opera of New York singing lead roles in their productions of Madame Butterfly, The Crucible, and The Music Man. Other summer festival engagements have included Des Moines Metro Opera, Aspen Opera Theatre, IIVA in Chiari, Italy, and IVAI in Tel Aviv, Israel. Other roles to his credit include title role in Handel's Giulio Cesare, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Méphistophélès in Gounod's Faust, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Talpa in Il Tabarro, Grandpa Moss in Copland's The Tender Land, Seneca in L'Incoronazione di Poppea, and the title role in Don Giovanni12/06

Donald Kaasch, Lyric Tenorkaasch
The American tenor's career has taken him to the great theaters of the world singing title and leading roles such as Faust in la Scala, La Clemenza di Tito at the Metropolitan Opera, the Megaron in Athens and the Teatro Colòn in Buenos Aires, Mozart's Mitridate, Re di Ponte in Geneva, Paris and Zurich, The Voyage of Edgar Allen Poe with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor with the Australian Opera/Sydney, Lord Percy in Anna Bolena with the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte at the Paris Opera/Bastille, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House/Covent Garden and at the Metropolitan Opera. He maintains an active international concert presence with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony, the BBC and Royal Philharmonic Symphonies, l'Orchestra de Paris, l'Orchestra National de France and l'Orchestra de la Radio-France, among others. The title role in Berlioz La Damnation de Faust is perhaps his signature concert role and one which he sings worldwide with conductors such as Prêtre, deWaart, Soustrot, von Dohnányi and Soudant. He continues to work with such accomplished maestri as Claudio Abbado, James Levine, John Nelson, Christophe von Dohnányi, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Georges Prêtre, Jeffrey Tate, Sir Andrew Davis, Simon Rattle, Edo deWaart, Mung-Whun Chung, Luigi Gelmetti, and Marcello Viotti. Recent engagements include: Thaïs in Chicago; Cherubini's Medée in Berlin; Oedipus Rex in Parma; Der fliegende Holländer and Moses und Aron in Los Angeles; Les Troyens, Flammen and Elektra in Amsterdam; Das Lied von der Erde in Liege and Lille; Listz's Christus in Bonn; Der fliegende Holländer in Hamburg; Alceste in Stuttgart and Parma, Carmen (Don Jose) at the opening of Denver's new opera house, Carmina Burana with the Munich Philharmonic, and Mitridate in Granada. Future engagements include: Carmina Burana in Berlin; Katja Kabanowa, St. Francois d'Assise and Palastrina in Amsterdam; Die Liebe der Danae in Dresden and The Tempest at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Recordings include Rossini's Armida with Renée Fleming on Sony Classics, Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex with James Levin on Deutsche Gramaphon and Oh Fair to See, a collection of English art songs with Peter Lockwood for Globe.  12/06

Catherine Kasch, Lyric Soprano, Coach, Voice Faculty, Lamont School of Music University of Denver
Kasch

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Tracy Kaufman, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Tracy KaufmanTracy Kaufman is native of Edison, New Jersey and is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at Colorado State University. Ms. Kaufman has received praise as, "a compelling young performer with a beautiful and distinctive-sounding mezzo-soprano voice." Earlier in the 2007 season, she originated the role of Louise Crane in the new opera The Gentle Lark of New Rochelle; Celebrating the Life of Ellabelle Davis for the New Rochelle Opera Company and added the role of Suzuki (Madame Butterfly) to her repertoire. She then went on to sing Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana (starring Charles Taylor and Cynthia Lawrence) for Opera Fort Collins. In October, Ms. Kaufman will sing the title role in The Rape of Lucretia with Colorado State Opera Theatre and return to New Jersey in December for a concert appearance with the Edison Symphony Orchestra. During the 2004 season, Ms. Kaufman appeared in concert and operatic performances with the New Jersey Opera Theater. There she performed the role of Nancy in Albert Herring under the baton of Maestro Daniel Beckwith and the direction of Marc Verzatt. She was also seen as La tasse chinoise and Un Pâtre in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. This led to a tour with the New Jersey Opera Theater Outreach Ensemble as the title character in Carmen during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. As a 2003 Young Artist at the Natchez Opera Festival, Ms. Kaufman performed the roles of Second Boy in The Magic Flute, Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto, and as a soloist in their Gershwin review, An Evening with George and Ira Gershwin in addition to local area concerts. Notable roles include: Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Siebel in Faust, Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Hata in The Bartered Bride, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Gianetta in L’Elisir d’amore, Maddelena in Rigoletto, and Mercedes in Carmen with such companies as Light Opera of Oklahoma, Liederkranz Opera, State Repertory Opera of New Jersey, Natchez Opera Festival, Amato Opera, New York Vocal Arts Ensemble, Goliard Concerts, and Opera Nova. Additionally, Ms. Kaufman has performed and studied as a participant in the opera intensive programs of New Jersey Opera Theater’s Singer’s Circle, The Bel Canto Institute in New Paltz, NY, The Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Greve, Italy, and the Oscar Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake, NY. Ms. Kaufman’s talents also span the musical theatre and theatrical genres. She has delighted audiences across the US and Canada with her fine-tuned comic timing and piano skills as Vi Petty in The Buddy Holly Story.  Other favorite roles include; Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, Petra in A Little Night Music, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Ms. Kaufman graduated from Boston University, where she attended on a vocal performance scholarship, with a Music Bachelor degree in Voice Performance and Music Education, magna cum laude.  10/07
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Shauna Keene, Coloratura Soprano
Shauna KeeneShauna Keene was born in Santa Barbara, CA. She is a frequent guest soloist with local symphonies and orchestras, and is well known in the Colorado opera scene.  She has won first place in several prestigious national competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Rocky Mountain Region) and the West Palm Beach Opera Competition. She was also a national semi-finalist for the Metropolitan Opera Nation Council Auditions in 2004. She has received awards from the Dante Alighieri Society, NATS and the Denver Lyric Opera Guild. For the summers of 2001 and 2002, she was one of the youngest singers ever to be invited to attend the Music Academy of the West, where she studied voice with Marilyn Horne.  Shauna has participated in many public master classes with some of the world's leading musicians and educators, including Warren Jones, Ashley Putnam, Frederica von Stade and Diana Soviero among others. Some of her operatic roles include Adina in L'elisir D'amore, Constance in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Queen of the Night in Magic Flute, Despina in Così fan tutte and Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow. In Colorado, Shauna has sung with Opera Fort Collins, Fort Collins Symphony, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Central City Opera among others. Shauna holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Colorado and currently
is pursuing a Master of Music at Colorado State University. Upcoming performances include Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Opera Fort Collins and Lia in L'enfant prodigue at Colorado State University.  6/06

Wes Kenney, Music Director, Opera Fort Collins; Associate Professor and Director of Orchestras, CSU; Music Director and Conductor, Fort Collins Symphony
Wes Kenney

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Jeannie M. Kerr, Lyric Soprano, Voice Teacher
Jeanie M. KerrJeannie holds a B.A.S. degree from Salve Regina University and a Master of Music degree from Colorado State University. She currently is on faculty at Arapahoe Community College and maintains a private voice studio. Jeannie has performed as soloist with such groups as the Augustana Chamber Choir, Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Music Academy, Arapahoe Community College Choir and Orchestra, Littleton Chorale, Arapahoe Philharmonic Chorus and Carolina Choir. Her solo repertoire includes works such as Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Bach's Coffee Cantata, Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Ode on St. Cecelia's Day, Berlioz' Childhood of Christ and Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915. As a recitalist, Jeannie has performed a large range of works from operatic arias to 20th Century art song, including such composers as Mozart, Puccini, Offenbach, Faure and Copland. Ms. Kerr has done recital and oratorio work in several states and is a frequent soloist in the Denver Metro area. Among her past teachers are renowned sopranos Nancy Hallas and Vera Scammon. Ms. Kerr has done recital and oratorio work in several states and is a frequent soloist in the Denver Metro area. She currently resides in Littleton with her husband David and their beautiful son, Brendan.  2/07

Cynthia Kirkman Romoff, Dramatic Soprano, Voice Teacher
Kirkman


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Rebecca Koenigberg, Coloratura Soprano, Vocal Music Faculty Regis University and Denver School of the Arts
Koenigberg

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Britta Laree, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano
Britta RisnerBritta Laree completed her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance at Colorado State University in May, 2004. She is an active stage and concert performer in and around the Denver and Fort Collins area, most recently focusing on musical theatre. Recent roles include Woman 2 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at the Nonesuch Theater, Silly Girl/Dance Ensemble in Beauty and the Beast and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at the Lakewood Cultural Center with Performance Now Theatre Company, Edith Piaf (swing and performed) in Pure Piaf (now renamed to The Life and Music of Edith Piaf) at the Denver Civic Theater, Aldonza in Man of la Mancha at the Lakewood Cultural Center with Augustana Arts, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center with Front Range Music Theatre, Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense with Castle Rock Players, and Cathy in Jason Robert Brown's The Last 5 Years. Opera credits include Dinah in Colorado State Opera Theatre's 2003 production of Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, The Queen in Opera Fort Collins' 2002-3 original children's opera production of Rumplestiltzkin a la Mozart, Third Spirit (and Papagena understudy) in Opera Fort Collins' Die Zauberflöte, Bastien in CSOT's Bastien und Bastienna, Lady Jane in CSOT's Patience; as well as various opera scene concerts singing Carmen, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Angelina in Cenerentola, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Urbain in Les Huguenots, Stephano in Romeo et Juliette, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Some other local musical theatre and theatre credits include Alice Bean in Front Range Music Theatre's Titanic, Aldonza in Colorado State University Theatre's Man of La Mancha, Songs for a New World, The Secret Garden, Noon, The Dining Room, Mary Kenny in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jan in Grease, and CSU's Chess. Beyond performing, Britta has a passion for producing, directing and choreographing. She directed/choreographed many scenes for CSOT performances from 2002-2004. Full productions under Britta's direction include Opera Fort Collins' 2006 production of A Little Night Music, CSU Summer Theatre's The Last 5 Years, Colorado State Opera Theatre's 2003 productions of Trouble in Tahiti and Susannah (assistant director), and the 2002 Phoned-In Productions/Bas Bleu production of Songs for a New World (which she also produced). Britta will be reprising the role of Alice Beane in Titanic this August, 2008, at the Lakewood Cultural Center with Augustana Arts under the direction of Bryan Bell.  5/08

Margaret Lattimore, Lyric Mezzo-Soprano, Assistant Professor of Voice University of Colorado
Latimore


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