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Arizona Opera Cast Members & Creatives

 Kayla Zeimet Headshot

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2021/22 Season

Hometown: DeWitt, IA

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Design and Production from the University of Northern Iowa

 Martin Bejerano Headshot

“Add Martin Bejerano to the expanding roster of hot young pianists that stretches from Hiromi Uehara and Eldar Djangirov to Robert Glasper and Taylor Eigsti…” – Jazz Times

 Melanie Long

Admired for her unique vocal prowess, "...easily switch-hitting from high coloratura to Broadway belt” (New York Post), mezzo-soprano Melanie Long is making her mark forging a truly modern operatic career. In 2019 Long created the role of Anna in Encompass New Opera Theater’s world premiere of ANNA CHRISTIE by Edward Thomas.

Aaron Smith

Aaron Matthew Smith, is an accomplished musician who has performed widely throughout the valley. Aaron began his musical career as a classical violinist, something he still enjoys to this day. It was in pursuing this passion that he first encountered and fell in love with the operatic style and classical singing.

Abdiel Vázquez

Abdiel Vázquez is a New York based conductor, pianist, and vocal coach.
He is Artistic Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra La Súper in Monterrey, Mexico, a Steinway & Sons Artist, and Founder and Artistic Director of Vincerò Academy, an online mentorship platform connecting young singers globally with today’s greatest opera stars.

Abigail Santos Villalobos

Puerto Rican soprano Abigail Santos Villalobos continues to thrill audiences with her pure, satiny and lustrous sound  delivered with penetrating and emotional performances  in both operatic and concert appearances. 

Adam Benavides has been directing video production since graduating with a dual degree in Theatre and Film from Grand Canyon University. He worked with Manley Films, a small video production company in Phoenix, and helped to transform it into a thriving national agency.

Adam Diegel

Adam Diegel rapidly is establishing international notoriety for an impassioned dramatic sense, powerful voice, and for his classic leading looks in the lyric tenor repertoire. 

Headshot of opera bass singer Adam Lau with Arizona Opera

American bass Adam Lau, praised as “a bass whose singing resonates in every sense of the word,” continues a busy and active career with a wide range of engagements in the 2022/23 Season, including debuts with four opera companies.

Adriana Zabala

Mezzo soprano Adriana Zabala enjoys a vibrant career that spans performance and recording of new opera, song, and concert works, as well beloved operatic roles, traditional concert and oratorio works, German Lieder, French Mélodie, and American and Spanish song.

Afton Battle, General Director of Fort Worth Opera Headshot

Afton Battle comes to Fort Worth Opera following development and strategic consulting work with Red Clay Dance Company, the National Black Theatre, the African American Policy Forum, and Brooklyn arts and culture firm Red Olive Consulting.

Ailyn Pérez

Hailed by the New York Times as “a beautiful woman who commands the stage” and “a major soprano,” Ailyn Pérez is in demand at the world’s leading opera houses and cultural capitals. She won the 2012 Richard Tucker Award, becoming the first Hispanic recipient in the award’s 35-year history.

Alberto Ríos

Alberto Álvaro Ríos, born in 1952 in Nogales, Arizona, is the author of ten books and chapbooks of poetry, three collections of short stories, and a memoir.  

Alek Shrader

The brilliant lyric tenor Alek Shrader continues to impress audiences with the “luxury of his phrasing, the clarity of his diction and the sensitivity and expressiveness of his characterizations”.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Aleksey Bogdanov with Arizona Opera

Ukrainian-born American baritone Aleksey Bogdanov continues to establish himself as one of the most compelling performers of his generation. Bogdanov’s 2022/23 Season includes returns to Maryland Lyric Opera for Renato in Un ballo in maschera, Odyssey Opera for a trio of one-act Rachmaninoff operas, and a debut with San Diego Symphony in Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.

Alex Lacamoire Headshot

Alex Lacamoire is an award-winning music director, arranger, and composer. He is best known for his work on Broadway's critically-acclaimed shows Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and In The Heights.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Alexander Birch Elliott with Arizona Opera

Baritone Alexander Birch Elliott, a native of Florence, South Carolina, is a graduate of Florida State University and the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera. In the 2023/24 Season, Elliott will return to The Metropolitan Opera as Papageno in The Magic Flute.

Hailed as "a singer to watch" (The Washington Post) with a voice that is “powerful and projecting" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), Alexandra Loutsion continues to be recognized for her passionate performances and vocal versatility as a rising star on the operatic stage.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Alexandria Shiner with Arizona Opera

Alexandria Shiner, soprano, continues to garner critical acclaim for her “blazing soprano” (Wall Street Journal) and is a 2020 Grand Finals Winner in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Alexis Davis Hazell

Dramatic Mezzo-soprano Alexis Davis Hazell is a teaching artist and active performer on the international opera stage. Her appearances have earned accolades for the size and quality of her instrument and the dramatic intensity she brings to the development of character.

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Alice Chung with Arizona Opera

Recently a winner of the 2021 William Matheus Sullivan Foundation Audition Awards, Korean-American mezzo-soprano Alice Chung is rapidly being recognized for her “operatic tonal glamour” (Parterre) and being “a force of nature with a sound both powerful and appealing” (San Francisco Classical Voice).

Alice Fredrickson

Alice Fredrickson is a Costume Designer for opera and theater, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Her opera work includes costumes for il Postino (Virginia Opera/Opera Southwest), Cosi fan tutte (Mil City Opera) and Diana’s Garden (Minnesota Opera). Her work has been called “eye-catching” by the Pioneer Press and “gorgeous” by Life in Revue.

Alicia Gianni

American Soprano Alicia Gianni, whose performances have been described as “charming, impressive” and “powerfully real,” has enjoyed successes on both operatic and concert stages, including nominations for Houston’s Best Jazz Vocalist by the Houston Press 2011 Music Awards. Such nominations have followed concerts in Las Vegas for T-Mobile, Magic Johnson, and The Late Late Show’s Craig Ferguson.

Alita Lopez

A native of Tucson, Alita Lopez began her career with Arizona Opera in 2001 working as a makeup artist. After just a few seasons, she became assistant to the former Wig Master. In this position she learned the art of wig building and developed her skill as a stylist. In 2010, she took on the title of Wig Master and has been overseeing the hair and makeup department at Arizona Opera ever since.

Allen Perriello is entering his fifth season at Arizona Opera as Head of Music and Director of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Alyson Cambridge with Arizona Opera

American soprano Alyson Cambridge is one of the most diverse and compelling vocal artists on the scene today.

young standout singer Alyssa Martin

Lauded for her vocal agility and dynamic stage presence, Alyssa Martin is quickly garnering attention as a standout young singer.

Amanda King Headshot

A devoted fan of classic movie musicals, Amanda King relishes diving into history to share the stories, songs and people that make up the treasure trove of pre-1950's American popular music. After moving to Las Vegas in 2017 following 17 years in San Francisco, Amanda has quickly become one of Las Vegas' foremost jazz stylists.

Amanda Opuszynski

Hailed for her “luscious”, “powerful” voice and “dazzling technical facility”, Amanda Opuszynski has established herself as a versatile lyric soprano to watch.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Amber Monroe with Arizona Opera

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Amber R. Monroe has been recognized as “a crystalline lyric soprano and a superb singing actress” (Seen and Heard-International). Her 2023/24 Season will include making company debuts with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera singing Mimì in La Bohème, as well as Opera Birmingham singing Nedda in Pagliacci.

American soprano Amber Wagner is a winner of the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Grand Finals and was featured in the documentary film “The Audition,” which opened to audiences nationwide in 2009.

Amy Mahoney was featured as Mary in worldwide television broadcasts of The Birth of Christ by Andrew T. Miller filmed at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, and narrated by Liam Neeson. She reprised the role at Christmastime 2013 at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria.

André Courville

Praised by Opera News for his "splendid, lush bass-baritone", André Courville is quickly establishing himself as one of America’s foremost young singers.  He debuts this season with the Philadelphia Orchestra as bass soloist in Bach's Cantata 150 under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, in Europe at Karlsruhe’s Badisches Staatstheater as the title role in The Marriage of Figaro

Composer, conductor, and pianist André Previn left his native Germany in 1938 to live in Paris and subsequently to settle in Los Angeles in 1940. His early career orchestrating film scores at MGM led quickly to conducting engagements of symphonic repertoire and on to an international career as Music Director of orchestras in London, Los Angeles, Oslo, and Pittsburgh.

Headshot of fight director Andrea Robertson with Arizona Opera

Andrea Robertson began her fight direction career when she picked up a rapier/dagger in college and felt like she was coming home. Since that time, Robertson has fight directed over a hundred productions including many at Arizona Opera where she debuted with a production of Otello.

Andrea Shokery

Andrea Shokery is a dynamic young performer quickly garnering attention for her “magnetic stage presence” and “tangy soprano… [that is] simply delicious” (The Arts Louisville, The Arizona Republic). In the 2015-2016 season, Ms.

Featured by Opera News as one of their 'top 24 brilliant young artists" (October 2015), tenor Andrew Bidlack begins the 2018/19 Season at Lyric Opera of Kansas City in his role debut as Tony (West Side Story) before traveling to Atlanta Opera to reprise the role. At Calgary Opera he recreates the role of Rob Hall (Everest) and at Arizona Opera he appears as Nikolaus Sprink (Silent Night). The role of Greenhorn (Moby Dick) takes the artist to Chicago Opera Theatre. 

Featured by Opera News as one of their ‘top 25 brilliant young artists’ (October 2015), tenor Andrew Bidlack begins the 2017-18 Season at Lyric Opera of Kansas City as he recreates the role of Rob Hall Everest.

Andrew Bisantz

A versatile musician acknowledged for his passionate and commanding leadership from the podium, the exciting American conductor Andrew Bisantz is building an impressive roster of credits at leading national orchestras and opera companies throughout the country.

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Andrew Gilstrap with Arizona Opera

Andrew Gilstrap is quickly rising to be one of the premiere bass-baritones of his generation, known for his dramatic interpretations and musical sophistication. He is an alumnus of the respective studios/apprentice programs of the Bayerische Staatsoper, Des Moines Metro Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Wolf Trap Opera.

Andrew Manea

Lauded for his “Charming…robust baritone…” rising Romanian-American baritone Andrew Manea is a recent graduate of the Adler Fellowship Program at San Francisco Opera. In the current season, Manea makes his house and role debuts with Palm Beach Opera as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and this winter he joins the roster of Arizona Opera as Escamillio in Carmen.

Andrew Owens

Winner of the Zarzuela prize at the 2015 Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition, American tenor Andrew Owens has quickly built a reputation as one of the most promising singers of his generation, exhibiting a beautiful Italianate timbre, soaring top notes, and effortless agility. 

Arizona Opera Studio's Andrew Penning

Andrew Penning, originally from St. Paul, MN, is a tenor in the Arizona Opera Studio.

Andrew Stenson

Andrew Stenson is quickly building a reputation as one of the United States’ most exciting young tenors, with a brilliant tone, artistic intellect, and superb portrayals of a variety of roles. He is the first prize winner in both the 2015 Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition and 2016 Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Andrew Stuckey with Arizona Opera

A rich, buttery voice. A wide emotional scope and actor’s grace. A stage presence that captivates the hearts of audiences. These accolades and more have followed baritone Andrew Stuckey, whose opera and concert performances are widely acclaimed for their visceral power and rich beauty.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Angel Blue with The Tucson Desert Song Festival

Grammy winning-opera singer Angel Blue has emerged in recent seasons as one of the most important sopranos before the public today. She has taken the opera world by storm with historic performances as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata. Despite being told it would never happen, Blue was the first black woman to ever sing the fully staged role in Italy at Teatro alla Scala in 2019.

Angel Castro

Angel 'Halo' Castro started his career in the arts at a young age in acting and musical theater. It wasn't until his senior year in high school, at the age of 18, when he started dancing. His training started at the South Mountain High School dance magnet. Upon graduating in 2008, he auditioned and was accepted into the ASU School of Dance where he graduated with a BFA in Dance.

Angela Fout

Celebrated for her Fiordiligi at Spoleto USA as “Blonde and vivacious, with a soaring spinto voice that takes a high C easily, trills beautifully, and handles coloratura like a dream,” (Post and Courier) American soprano Angela Fout’s operatic repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary, and she is an avid concert and festival performer on the national and international stage.

With her Verdi roles praised as “loving and sensitive, fierce and provocative, raw but generous” (Le Soir) and “fully nuanced … alternately sensuously cooing in warm, honeyed tones and soaring regally … spellbinding and dramatically compelling” (Baltimore Sun), Ann McMahon Quintero’s 2015/16 season included her Asian debut with Musica Viva Hong Kong as Azucena in Il trovat

Anthony Ciaramitaro

Tenor Anthony Ciaramitaro, a Florida native, is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at Florida State University under David Okerlund, and has recently performed the role of Don Ramiro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with Florida State Opera.

Praised by the New York Times as an “excellent tenor” with a voice that has “ping and richness,” American tenor Anthony Kalil is currently a member of the prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera.

Antonín Leopold Dvořák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) was a Czech composer. Following the nationalist example of Bedřich Smetana, Dvořák frequently employed aspects, specifically rhythms, of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia (then parts of the Austrian Empire and now constituting the Czech Republic).

With performances that have been called poetic, earthy, vigorous and highly individual, Ari Pelto is in demand in opera houses and with symphony orchestras throughout the United States.

Headshot of Armand Delgado with Arizona Opera

Armand Delgado is eleven years old and recently performed as Kurt in Arizona Opera’s 2022/23 Season production of The Sound of Music and Rafael in Arizona Opera’s 2021/22 Season production of El Milagro del Recuerdo. In Winter of 2023, he understudy the role of Michael in Phoenix Theatre Company’s production of Elf.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Armando Contreras with Arizona Opera

Praised for “the easy caramel syrup of his voice” (Opera Today), Mexican-American baritone Armando Contreras is quickly becoming a standout in the world of opera. In 2023, Contreras began the year singing the role of Cesar Chavez in the workshop of Dolores with West Edge Opera. He later performed his fifth Dandini in Kentucky Opera’s production of La cenerentola.

Arturo Chacón-Cruz, a native of Sonora, Mexico, has established himself in recent years as a leading tenor with exciting appearances in renowned theaters and concert halls across the globe, having sung over 50 roles in more than 20 countries.

Ashley Milanese

Hailed for her “masterful and show-stopping performance” (Opera News), 25-year-old Ashley Milanese returns as an Emerging Artist of Opera Philadelphia for the 2017-18 season where she will sing Erste Dame in the East Coast premiere of Kosky’s production of The Magic Flute, and will cover Lola in the premiere of David Herzberg’s The Wake World.

Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla (born March 11, 1921, Mar del Plata, Argentina—died July 4, 1992, Buenos Aires), Argentine musician, a virtuoso on the bandoneón (a square-built button accordion), who left traditional Latin American tango bands in 1955 to create a new tango that blended elements of jazz and classical music. He was a major Latin American composer of the 20th century.

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Aubrey Allicock with Arizona Opera

Hailed by The New York Times as "sturdy," "dynamic," and "excellent," Aubrey Allicock continues to make his mark among important opera companies and symphonies both at home and abroad. A Grammy nominee for his participation in John Adams's Doctor Atomic as General Groves, Allicock adds to that nominee list a BBC Music Magazine Award for Opera.

Audrey Babcock

Audrey Babcock is an award-winning mezzo-soprano who has gained notoriety for her commanding, powerful performances as Carmen and her dark, hypnotic portrayals of Maddalena in Rigoletto. Ms.

Headshot of production designer Barry Steele with Arizona Opera

Barry Steele has created designs for opera, dance, and music productions in 56 countries for three decades. Notable engagements include San Francisco Opera Center, Lucinda Childs Dance Company, Ballet Stars of Moscow, Carnegie Hall and New York City Opera.

Headshot of Chef Beau MacMillan with Arizona Opera

As Executive Chef of Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and its signature restaurant, elements, Beau MacMillan inspires his staff with his passion for fresh ingredients. Chef MacMillan's ingenuity in the kitchen is stimulated by his belief that food should not be overworked, but rather appreciated for its simplicity and natural perfection.

Benjamin Hilgert Headshot

Before joining the Soldiers’ Chorus in 2010, Sergeant First class Ben Hilgert most recently performed principal operatic roles with Theater Goerlitz (Germany), Lyric Opera Kansas City, Central City Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera, and the Aspen Music Festival.

Beth Clayton

Mezzo Soprano Beth Clayton led an active solo career for over twenty years, singing over fifty leading roles with companies both in the U.S. and abroad.

Beth Krynicki

Beth Krynicki was the Principal Stage Manager at Washington National Opera for more than 15 seasons. She has worked with numerous directors throughout her career, from David Alden to Francesca Zambello, and Gian Carlo Menotti to Giancarlo del Monaco.

Beth Lederman Headshot

Beth Lederman has been playing keyboards professionally for more than 35 years. A mainstay in the Phoenix jazz and Latin scenes, her influences and experiences are widely spread across many different musical styles, from samba to swing to pop music. An Arizona native, Beth's family ran Lederman Music Co. until the 1980’s.

American mezzo-soprano Beth Lytwynec most recently returned to The Glimmerglass Festival, singing the role of Dryad in Francesca Zambello's new production of Ariadne in Naxos. Following her first season as a member of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio at Arizona Opera, Ms.

Bille Bruley

Praised by the Huffington Post for his “ringing high notes,” Texas-born tenor Bille Bruley has garnered attention for his strength and versatility in operatic repertoire from baroque to contemporary.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Brad Bickhardt with Arizona Opera

Praised for his “healthy and soaring tenor voice” (The Herald Times), Korean American Brad Bickhardt is a vibrant and versatile performer in both the operatic and musical theatre canon.

Headshot of Production Manager and Lighting Supervisor Bradley Taylor with Arizona Opera

Bradley Taylor is currently in his second season as the Production Manager and Lighting Supervisor at Arizona Opera. He began serving as the Assistant Lighting Designer for Arizona Opera during the 2021/22 Season.

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Brandon Morales with Arizona Opera

Brandon Morales, Bass-Baritone and graduate of the Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist Program, has performed with opera companies all over the US - stretching from the Pacific northwest’s Portland Opera to Virginia Opera on the East coast.

Tenor Brandon Scott Russell is a 2018 National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has been noted to have a “free-flowing tenor of considerable beauty and accomplishment” (Opera Today).

a closeup photo of Brent Michael Smith

Acclaimed by Opera News as a “standout,” young American bass, Brent Michael Smith, is a rising star whose rich voice and dynamic stage presence have attracted the attention of companies across the United States. This Fall, Brent joins the roster of resident artists at the esteemed Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he will study with Bill Schuman.

Tenor Brent Reilly Turner

American tenor Brent Reilly Turner has been critically acclaimed across the United States.  Turner’s appearances in opera, concert and recital have been characterized as having a full, dramatic timbre, energetic personality and unique honesty.

Headshot of production designer Bretta Gerecke with Arizona Opera

Bretta Gerecke is a lighting, set, costume and projection designer for theatre, circus, opera, film and installation art. Gerecke is the resident designer at Catalyst Theatre in Canada, where she co-creates and tours new work across North America, the UK and Australia.

San Antonio native Brian Shircliffe has performed with numerous opera companies including Houston Grand Opera, Dayton Opera, Lake George Opera, Pine Mountain Music Festival, Opera Vista, and Opera in the Heights.

Brian Staufenbiel has been the creative director and stage director for Opera Parallèle where he has directed and spearheaded the conceptual designs of the companies’ productions since it was founded in 2010.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Brian Wallin with Arizona Opera

Praised for his “finely focused and well-mannered” voice (Dallas Morning News), tenor Brian Wallin has “proved [to be] another gifted tenor...who took the stage with flair and commitment” (Opera Today).

Bridgette Wimberly

Bridgette Wimberly is an award winning poet, playwright, and librettist who has been commissioned and produced by a number of prominent theaters Off-Broadway and across the U. S. Among them are Hackney Empire-London, Opera Philadelphia, Apollo Theatre, Madison Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago (Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD); Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, The Cherry Lane Theatre, St.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brittany Wheeler earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She participated in the Young American Artist Program at Glimmerglass Opera, where she sang Spirit in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

Brooklyn Snow

Soprano Brooklyn Snow is a rising international artist with multiple performances to her credit in both Europe and the United States in her young career. This season, Ms.

Bryan Hymel

Praised by The New York Times for his "unflagging stamina and impetuous abandon" during his 2012 Metropolitan Opera debut as Énée in Les Troyens, Bryan Hymel went on to be awarded the Metropolitan Opera's Beverly Sills Artist Award for his achievements in the production.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Cadie J. Bryan with Arizona Opera

A former Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio Artist, Louisiana-born soprano Cadie J. Bryan has been praised by Opera News as “sparkling” and “pertly pealing”.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Caitlin Gotimer with Arizona Opera

Praised for her "full, focused soprano," Caitlin Gotimer, originally from Malverne, NY, recently completed her second year with the Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio. During the 2021/22 Season, Gotimer was seen as Micaëla in Bizet's Carmen, Mrs. Anderssen in Sondheim's A Little Night Music, and Fiordiligi in Mozart's Così fan tutte.

Declared “luminous” by the New York Times and “eloquent” by the Wall Street Journal, soprano Caitlin Lynch is captivating audiences with her portrayals of iconic leading ladies. With a repertoire that encompasses Mozart to Verdi and Handel to Heggie, Lynch brings her dynamic portrayals of both classic and contemporary operas to stages around the world.

Cal Stewart Kellogg Headshot

Cal Stewart Kellogg has been the Music Director of the West Valley Symphony since 2009 and the Music Director of Symphony of the Southwest since 2005, prior to which he served as the Principal Conductor for the Arizona Opera for six seasons.

Calvin Griffin

Calvin Griffin, a native of Columbus, Ohio, joined the Florida Grand Opera studio in the 2016-2017 season. Mr. Griffin made his debut with the company stepping in as a cover to sing the role of Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen.

Cameron Lucas Eggers

Cameron Lucas Eggers is a professional American Sign Language interpreter working in various facets and communities. With theatre and dance close to his heart, he has been involved in many local productions and concerts.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Carlos Feliciano with Arizona Opera

A native of Puerto Rico, tenor Carlos Feliciano has sung with Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Théâtre Municipale Castres in France, Oslo Symphony, St. Petersburg Opera, and Western Plains Opera, to name a few.

Owner of a "wonderful creamy chocolate voice" Cassandra Zoe Velasco is considered one of Mexico’s rising stars of opera. A recent graduate of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at the Los Angeles Opera, Cassandra was a semi- finalist of the 2012 edition of Operalia.

Known as the "Fiery Soprano", Colombian born Catalina Cuervo holds the distinction of having performed the most productions of Piazzolla's Maria de Buenos Aires in the world in the history of the opera.

Catherine Cook

American mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook has excelled in a wide range of roles with leading companies throughout the United States. Opera Today wrote that “to say that Ms. Cook was a revelation is an understatement, since she stamped the part as her own, and experienced a triumph for her sensational performance.... Ms.

With more than 20 leading roles under her belt and a key to her hometown city, Cecilia Violetta López has arrived, Opera News naming her one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars.” The singing actress is constantly praised for her “alluring voice and incredible range” (Washington Times).

Cecilia Durate

Soloist in the Grammy Winning album Duruflé: The Complete Choral Works. Praised by The New York Times as "A creamy voiced mezzo-soprano," Mexican born, Cecilia is a versatile singer that has performed around the world singing different music styles, from early music to contemporary music and jazz.

Ms. Lanuza has received rave reviews for her portrayal of El Duende in Maria de Buenos Aires for her “tour de force traversal of the role, morphing easily” as the first female and American actor to play this role delivering all of Horacio Ferrer’s recitation by memory (Opera Today).

American baritone Chad Sloan is recognized as much for his warm, elegant vocalism as he is for deft interpretations of diverse characters.

Portrait of composer Charles Gounod with Arizona Opera

Charles Gounod (June 17, 1818 - October 18, 1893) was a French composer noted particularly for his operas, of which the most famous is Faust.

Headshot of Charlotte "ChaCha" Giffen with Arizona Opera

Charlotte “ChaCha” Giffen is so excited to be making her debut on the Arizona Opera stage as Gretl in The Sound of Music. She is in second grade, and loves to perform. She studies voice with Melissa Gardiner, and acting and dance at Fuse Performing Arts Center.

Headshot of Charlotte Specter with Arizona Opera

Charlotte Specter is currently a 6th grader at Arizona School for the Arts, where her focus is dance.

Known both for his bold and inventive productions and for his acute musical instincts, Chas Rader-Shieber has established himself as one of the most innovative opera directors of his generation.

Chelsea Basler

Grammy Award-nominated soprano Chelsea Basler continues to make her mark in an extensive array of operatic roles due to her unique combination of vocal appeal and artistry.

Chelsea Rose Neiss

Chelsea returns to Arizona Opera for her second production after premiering with the company in Ariadne Auf Naxos last season. As a dancer, she has worked with such companies as Disneyland Resorts, Attack Theatre, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Kraken Still and Film, and has also freelanced as a Burlesque performer.

Cheryl Cellon Lindquist pianist and coach, is a renowned collaborator who has worked with an array of singers, instrumentalists, choirs, chamber ensembles, and symphony orchestras. Dr.

Cheyanne Coss

Cheyanne Coss is a soprano recently hailed for her performances as Pamina in The Magic Flute with Toledo Opera and her work in the title role of Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride. Coss will make her debut with the Santa Fe Opera in the summer of 2020 singing Berta in The Barber of Seville, and afterward will be joining Arizona Opera’s Marion Roose Pullin young artist progr

Chia-Chun Ko is a collaborative pianist and piano teacher. She has served as the teaching artist for OperaTunity at Arizona Opera since 2019 and the collaborative pianist for the Helios ensemble. Dr. Ko has performed actively in solo and chamber music concerts, and has also participated in various competitions.

Raised in the small town of Quasqueton, IA, Mr. Carr has performed roles with Arizona Opera, Merola Opera Program, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Central City Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera and Cedar Rapids Opera Theater. He made his company debut with Arizona Opera last season as a Studio Artist singing several roles including Schaunard in La bohème and Dr.

American baritone Christian Bowers, hailed by Opera News for his "warm, well-knit baritone", and by BroadwayWorld.com for his "strong, clear voice", is quickly making a name for himself at home and abroad as a leading interpreter of the baritone repertoire.

Christopher Allen

Recipient of The 2017 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, Christopher Allen is featured in Opera News as “one of the fastest-rising podium stars in North America.” He has led acclaimed performances with the Atlanta Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Philadelphia, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Washington National Opera, Michigan Opera Theatr

Headshot of pianist Christopher Cano with Arizona Opera

A seasoned recitalist, orchestra soloist and collaborative pianist, Christopher Cano has performed throughout the US, Mexico, Israel, Europe and the Far East.

Christopher James Ray Headshot

Christopher James Ray is a conductor with a diverse background in both traditional and contemporary operatic works. He is currently Resident Conductor at Opera San José and an assistant with the San Francisco Symphony.

Christopher Mattaliano

Previous to his appointment as Portland Opera’s general director, Mr. Mattaliano was the Artistic Director of the Pine Mountain Music Festival, in addition to his very successful career as a stage director.

Chrystal E. Williams

Mezzo-soprano Chrystal E. Williams has been described by leading critics as “strong and so assured”, “lithely negotiating the coloratura demands before descending into a robust low register”, and “poised, polished, in complete command of the vocal calisthenics”. She is a winner of Astral Artist, Inc’s 2014 National Auditions.

Chuck Hudson

Chuck Hudson has directed opera productions at major international companies including Cape Town Opera (South Africa), Cincinnati Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Seattle Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and San Francisco Opera Center among others.

Cindy Limauro

Cindy Limauro designs lighting for theatre, opera, dance, and architecture. She is a Design Partner in C & C Lighting and a Professor of Lighting Design at Carnegie Mellon University in the Schools of Drama and Architecture.

Claudia Chapa

Mexican mezzo-soprano Claudia Chapa received her training from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas-Austin, where she performed Beatriz LA HIJA DE RAPPACCINI in the world premiere of the late Daniel Catán’s revised version.

Clint Borzoni

CLINT JOSEPH BORZONI is an award- winning composer whose “highly original yet lyrical music…[and] natural gift for melody and harmonic structure” (The Huffington Post) has resulted in international performances and premieres.

Headshot of conductor Clinton Smith with Arizona Opera

Clinton Smith’s 2022/23 Season includes a return to Dayton Opera to conduct Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with the Dayton Philharmonic in the pit. Smith will return to Arizona Opera and lead an orchestral workshop of the newly commissioned Frankenstein and will conduct members of the Atlanta Symphony at St.

Cody Grasher Headshot

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2019/20, 2020/21, & 2021/22 Seasons

Hometown: Grain Valley, Missouri

Education: BA in Theatre with an emphasis in Design and Technical from the University of Missouri

Cody Martin

Cody Martin is quickly becoming known as an important talent in the world of opera. He joined Des Moines Metro Opera for the 2016 season, coaching members of the Apprentice Artist Program and working on productions of Falstaff and Orphée et Eurydice. He returns to Arizona Opera in the fall for his second season as a Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist, where he will work on the music staff for productions of RusalkaMadama Butterfly, Riders of the Purple Sage (world premiere), and Cinderella.

Headshot of Cole Skory with Arizona Opera

Cole Skory and his siblings began The Skorys channel on January 20, 2012. On February 2nd, 2012, The Skorys posted their first video, "The Skorys attempt to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday," to their channel. Skory's siblings are Gabriella Skory, Eden Skory, and Tylor Skory.

Headshot of costume designer Connie Furr with Arizona Opera

Connie Furr has designed over 300 productions.

Corey Bix

Opera News has praised Corey Bix for his “clear sense of drama and self-possession, exhibiting sturdy, unwavering control, flinty resonance and confident high notes.” Bix is quickly becoming known for his stirring portrayals of dramatic tenor repertoire on both opera and concert stages across the globe. In the 2022/23 Season, Bix joins The Metropolitan Opera for their production of

Headshot of dramaturg Cori Ellison with Arizona Opera

Cori Ellison, a leading creative figure in the opera world, has served as staff Dramaturg at Santa Fe Opera, the Glyndebourne Festival, and New York City Opera.

Acclaimed by The New York Times as “an outstanding actress, as well as a singer of extraordinary grace and finesse”, soprano Corinne Winters is a recent nominee in the International Opera Awards Young Singer category.

Based in Phoenix, Craig Bohmler is a devoted composer for the stage whose works have been widely performed in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. In addition to four operas and ten musicals, he has written numerous concerti, wind ensemble, choral, and symphonic works. He is currently the Composer in Residence for Arizona Opera.

Craig Colclough began the 2019-20 season with his Metropolitan Opera debut as the tit

American Conductor Craig Kier maintains an active performance calendar while serving as the Director of the Maryland Opera Studio at The University of Maryland School of Music in College Park, Maryland.

Craig Verm

Craig Verm is praised for his “resonant, expressive baritone voice” (Denver Post) and riveting dramatic portrayals.  In the 2016/17 season, he makes his Seattle Opera debut as Papageno in The Magic Flute and returns to Des Moines Metro Opera for the title role of Billy Budd.  He also returns to Pittsburgh Opera as Ping in Turandot, joins Knoxville Opera as Marcello in La bohème, and sings a gala concert for Arizona Opera. 

Crystal Manich

Crystal Manich is a Puerto Rican director with almost 70 credits of operas, plays, and musicals. Credits include several productions in Argentina and Australia.

With an active career in both opera and musical theatre, baritone Curt Olds has been seen in productions ranging from Don Pasquale and The Magic Flute to musicals such as Sondheim’s A Little Night MusicThe Threepenny Opera, Broadway’s Riverdance and CATS.

D. Scott Withers (Director) is excited to be joining the Arizona Opera Education team! Scott has a long history working in performing arts for and with youth.

Dale Dreyfoos

Dale Dreyfoos (Professor of Opera/Music Theater at Arizona State University and Resident Stage Director for Lyric Opera Theatre) has had a multi-faceted career as a Stage Director, Character Tenor, Actor, Educator, and Arts Administrator.  Dreyfoos made his Arizona Opera debut in 2000 in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in the role of Ambrogio and has returned to perform the roles of th

Stage Director Dan Rigazzi is delighted to be making his debut at Arizona Opera. Recent projects include The Beggar’s Opera at Carnegie Mellon University, Lucia di Lammermoor at the Winter Opera of St. Louis, and La bohème for Ash Lawn Opera. In 2014 Dan made his La Scala debut, assisting Mary Zimmerman with her production of Lucia di Lammermoor.

Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "the evening's biggest find," and praised by both the New York Times for "wielding a rich, substantial voice, along with a winning stage presence," and the Boston Globe for having a "voice full of alluringly dark colorings," Dana Beth Miller is rapidly establishing herself as one of the most p

Daniel Catán

Catán was of Sephardic Jewish descent. He was born in Mexico City, and studied philosophy at the University of Sussex and music at the University of Southampton. He received a Ph.D. from Princeton University, where he studied with Milton Babbitt, James K. Randall, and Benjamin Boretz.

Daniel James Cole Headshot

Daniel James Cole’s opera credits include Don Pasquale for Seattle Opera, Le Comte Ory for Wolf Trap Opera, Hansel and Gretel for Opera Cleveland, Il Barbiere di Siviglia for Opera Maine, La Rondine for Chautauqua Opera, and Dido and Aeneas for NY Chamber Opera.

Daniel Montenegro

A graduate of San Francisco Opera's prestigious Adler Fellow Program, American Daniel Montenegro is recognised for a flexible and distinctive tenor voice and a varied repertoire of bel canto, verismo and contemporary roles. 

Mexican bass, Daniel Noyola recently finished is residency at the Houston Grand Opera Studio where he made his house debut as Colline in La Bohème and Masetto in Kasper Holten’s iconic production of Don Giovanni, as well as the world premiere of El Milagro del Recuerdo.

The Romanian born bass-baritone, Daniel Prunaru Reagan, made his professional opera debut in the role of Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Opera Nationala Bucuresti, Romania (1998-1999).

The Swiss American composer Daniel was born 1961 in Zurich, Switzerland and lives in New York City.

Baritone Daniel Sutin recently performed as Biterof in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Tannhauser with Maestro Sir Andrew Davis and the role of Wozzeck at the Metropolitan Opera when asked to step in at the last minute.  Other recent performances are with the Savonlinna Opera Festival as Giorgio Germont in La Traviata, Austin Lyric Opera as Tonio in their 2013-2014 season opening pro

Headshot of conductor Daniela Candillari with Arizona Opera

Serbian-born conductor Daniela Candillari continues to garner praise for her dynamic and compelling performances at opera houses and concert stages throughout North America and Europe.

Daniela Mack

Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack has been acclaimed for her “caramel timbre, flickering vibrato, and crisp articulation” (Opernwelt) as she “hurls fast notes like a Teresa Berganza or a Frederica von Stade” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Danielle Corella with Arizona Opera

Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano, Danielle Corella, is a 7th generation Arizona native. Most recently she performed in the Arizona Opera Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program production of Beauty and the Beast as Belle. She regularly performed in the Southern California area. Corella debuted with Opera Santa Barbara as Madame Larina in Eugene Onegin.

Praised by Opera News as having “a lovely demeanor and irresistible creamy timbre”, American soprano Danielle Pastin continues to gain critical acclaim for her engagements across the country. Ms. Pastin made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Masha in The Queen of Spades in 2011.

Daron Hagen is a prolific composer of acoustic and electro-acoustic music for the concert hall and stage. He is also a stage director, conductor, librettist, essayist, clinician, and collaborative pianist.

Darrin Yazzie headshot

Darrin Yazzie, a resident of Phoenix, is a Navajo who was born and raised in Chinle, Arizona in the Navajo Nation. He has been performing for 15 years, blending his playing of contemporary guitar with native styles of music in hopes of bringing moments of true beauty to his listeners.

Greek-American mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas has been hailed for her “capacious power” and “a voice lustrous and exciting.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

David Adam Moore

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer lauds baritone David Adam Moore for his “enviable swagger coupled with a subtle musicality and big, handsome voice.”  In the 2014-15 season, he makes his role debut as Eugene Onegin in a return to Arizona Opera. 

David Beame

David Beame is a live event and broadcast executive producer and entertainment attorney.

American tenor David Blalock

American tenor David Blalock is becoming widely known for his beautiful lyric voice and widely ranging repertoire.  This summer, David joins Skylark Opera Theatre for their performances of Don Giovanni, and returns to the Minnesota Orchestra as the Second Jew in Salome.  Upcoming engagements include a debut with Opera San Jose as Ferrando in Così fan tutte, a concert

"A Danish tenor of beautiful tone and elegantly polished phrasing” (Seattle Times), David Danholt won a First Prize at the 2014 Seattle Opera International Wagner Competition and a 2009 Reumert Talent Award. Born in Funen, he trained at the Royal Academy of the Royal Theatre, Copenhagen, and then in the soloist class of the Royal Academy of Music, Copenhagen.

David B. Devan

David B. Devan joined Opera Philadelphia in January 2006 and was appointed General Director of the company in 2011. Since his arrival, David has worked closely with board and administration on strategic planning initiatives and building partnerships within the community and the opera world.

David Guzmán began his professional singing career performing zarzuela at Teatro Colon in Bogota, Colombia, winning numerous awards in Colombian folk music festivals and operatic competitions. He now sings opera, oratorio, and zarzuela internationally. Recent credits include Haydn’s St.

David Hanlon

David Hanlon is a composer, conductor, and pianist praised by Maestro Patrick Summers as “one of the major compositional voices of the young generation.” Hanlon recently conducted the premiere of his second chamber opera After the Storm at Houston Grand Opera. 

David Margulis Headshot

Tenor David Margulis has established himself as a strong lyrical singer and actor on domestic and international opera stages alike.

David Miller Headshot

Exposed to opera from the age of 6, David Miller found his love for singing fairly early in life. His dedication to the art form was formidable, but he also had many opportunities that allowed him to fully pursue his passion without distraction. He was accepted to one of the top music conservatories in the world and invited to apprentice at one of the top level opera companies in America.

During the summer of 2019, David was an Emerging Artist at Seagle Music Colony where he starred as Curly (Oklahoma!), Senator Thomas Jordan (The Manchurian Candidate), and Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro).

David Paul is an award-winning director for opera, theater, and film.  Born in Germany and based in Brooklyn, his work incorporates material spanning five centuries and all genres, and strives to make performance a medium for direct, human communication, regardless of the platform. 

Internationally acclaimed for his rich voice with thrilling top notes, Canadian tenor David Pomeroy is enjoying a career that is placing him in the spotlight on some of the world's most important stages.

Texas tenor David Portillo has­­ established a reputation as an accomplished vocalist with “honeyed, perfectly focused singing” (Chicago Tribune).

David Schildkret Headshot

David Schildkret was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1956, and grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey, where he attended public schools. He earned the B.A. in music from Rutgers University in 1978 and went on to earn the Master of Music degree and Doctor of Music degree (both in choral conducting) from Indiana University. His principal teachers at Rutgers were David Drinkwater and F.

Dean Williamson, music director of Nashville Opera, is widely known for his perceptive and commanding conducting.   He was artistic director of Opera Cleveland and was the founder and music director of Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program.

Deborah Borda

Deborah Borda has redefined what an orchestra can be in the 21st century through her creative leadership, commitment to innovation, and progressive vision. She became Linda and Mitch Hart President and CEO of the New York Philharmonic in 2017, returning to the Orchestra’s leadership after serving in that role in the 1990s.

Deborah Nansteel

“A formidable display of vocal power and dramatic assurance,” mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel recently completed the Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, where she performed many roles including Tisbe in La Cenerentola, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, Curra (cover Preziosilla) in La forza del destino, Paula (cover) in Florencia en el Amazonas, as well as The Cat in Tony Award winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me.  She was just presented with the highly esteemed Betty Allen Award and grant from the Sullivan Foundation.

Headshot of Delaney Carne with Arizona Opera

Delaney Carne is 10 years old and in 4th grade. Carne has been performing since she was five years old and is so excited to be performing the role of Marta in Arizona Opera's The Sound of Music. Carne was in the ensemble of The Lion King, Jr., Mary Poppins, Jr., and Beauty and the Beast, Jr. with Bender Performing Arts.

Dennis Petersen

Hailed by The Chicago Tribune as a “Wonderfully natural singing actor,” through his innate sense of style, command of languages, and superior acting abilities, tenor Dennis Petersen is sought after for a variety of operatic roles.

Dennis Whitehead Darling

Dennis Whitehead Darling is an award-winning Stage Director working in both opera and theatre in the Unites States and Europe. In 2018, he was selected by Opera Memphis as their Inaugural McCleave Fellow in Directing, a fellowship dedicated to fostering the careers of Stage Directors and Music Directors of color.

Diana Olivares

Diana Olivares is a mezzo soprano from Tucson, AZ performing and teaching a variety of musical genres.

Diana Peralta, mezzo-soprano

A mezzo-soprano from Mexico City, Diana Peralta graduated from the National Conservatory of Music with Degree in Opera and Concert Singing. Peralta obtained her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance in the University of Arizona and currently studying her Doctoral Degree.

Actress and comedienne Didi Conn is best known for her starring role as Frenchy, the beauty school drop-out in the films Grease and Grease II. She recently commemorated the twenty fifth anniversary of Grease by writing Frenchy's Grease Scrapbook: We'll Always be Together which was published by Hyperion.

Dr. Gwen Korovin

Gwen S. Korovin, M.D. is a board certified otolaryngologist who practices in Manhattan and subspecializes in care of the professional voice. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Public School 203 where she graduated as valedictorian. She then attended Roy H. Mann Junior High School where she again was the valedictorian.

Dr. Michael Lee

Michael Lee, M.D. is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and received his medical degree from The University of Arizona in Tucson. He completed his residency at University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas and completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Illinois.

Dr. Miriam Schildkret, PN1

Dr. Miriam Schildkret has been an Education Teaching Artist with Arizona Opera since 2017; She has performed Cinderella (Cindererlla), Third Lady/Queen of the Night/Papagena (The Mini-Magic Flute), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), and The Sea Witch (Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid).

Dr. Naomi Andre

Dr. Naomi André is Professor in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Residential College at the University of Michigan. She received her B.A. from Barnard College and M.A. and Ph.D. (Music: Musicology) from Harvard University. Her research focuses on opera and issues surrounding gender, voice, and race in the US, Europe, and South Africa.

Dr. Philip A. Woodmore Headshot

Saint Louis native, Dr. Philip A. Woodmore has been an active member of the St. Louis music community for many years. Dr. Woodmore received his bachelors from Saint Louis University in Business Marketing and Music Vocal Performance, his masters from Webster University in Music Education, and his PhD in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Du’Bois A’Keen, a true renaissance spirit and Georgia-Native residing in NYC, is a choreographer, dancer, singer and performer with the renowned performance ensemble and contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women. A’Keen has been with UBW since December 2014.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Dylan Anthony Morrongiello with Arizona Opera

Known for his “agile character tenor” and “over-the-top committed” portrayals, tenor Dylan Anthony Morrongiello is an emerging force in the highly sought-after supporting repertoire of the operatic canon.

E. Loren Meeker

E. Loren Meeker is a stage director whose work has been seen at leading companies across the United States, South America, Asia, and Europe. In November of 2019, she was named General & Artistic Director of Opera San Antonio, having previously served as Artistic Advisor at that company.

Headshot of choreographer, Eastlyn Jensen, with Arizona Opera

Eastlyn Jensen, originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut, started dancing at two and at thirteen, joined the pre-professional division at Ballet Etudes (CT) under Nanette Vallas. Eastlyn has trained in New York (ABT, SAB, Chautauqua), and Houston Ballet, Ballet West, and SBAZ. She joined SBAZ Studio Company in 2018 and the Company in 2019.

Born in 1942, Ed Mell spent an idyllic childhood in what was then the small western city of Phoenix, Arizona. He began drawing at a very early age, inspired by the automobiles and futuristic design of the late ‘40s and ‘50s. A burgeoning interest in advertising and illustration led him to attend Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Edward Parks with Arizona Opera

Grammy Award-winning baritone Edward Parks, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University. A National Winner of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Parks trained at The Met’s Lindemann Young Artists Development Program, and was also awarded third prize in Placido Domingo’s Operalia Competition.

Efraín Solís Headshot

The San Francisco Chronicle exclaims, “For theatrical charisma and musical bravado, it would be hard to top the performance of baritone Efraín Solís.” He is a recent graduate of the San Francisco Opera Adler Fellowship and while with the company, sang his first performances of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Dandini in La cenerentola, Sc

Eleanor Field

Eleanor Field (Young Renata) is a seventh grade theater student at Arizona School for the Arts. Her most recent role was Pipe's Little Sister in Stray Cat Theatre's production of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Elizabeth Sutphen with Arizona Opera

“Impressive coloratura soprano” (The New York Times) Elizabeth Sutphen has garnered praise for her sparkling voice and her ability to “soar deftly through stratospheric trills and arpeggios” (Financial Times).

Beloved by critics and audiences alike, American soprano Ellie Dehn has shared her exceptional skills with many of the world's finest opera houses and orchestras, including The Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Cecilia, and the opera houses of Geneva

Portrait of librettist Emanuel Schikaneder with Arizona Opera

Emanuel Schikaneder, pseudonym of Johann Joseph Schikaneder, (1751—1812), was a prominent German actor, singer, playwright, and theatre manager now chiefly remembered as the librettist of Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute).

Headshot of assistant stage director Emerson Haven with Arizona Opera

Emerson Haven is a Stage Director and Assistant Director of Theatre and Opera originally from the foothills of Appalachia. Haven is a 2023 graduate of Florida State University where he received a Masters in Opera Stage Directing and has a particular love for new works and baroque opera.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Emily Misch with Arizona Opera

Emily Misch has been praised by Opera News for her "stratospheric coloratura with scintillating precision" while the Times Argus has called her soprano voice “brilliant and virtuosic.” In 2021 Misch returned to the Glimmerglass Festival to sing in The Magic Flute; The New York Times called her performance “impressive” and “fearsome,” and The Wall Street J

Emily Stovall Headshot

Emily Stovall is the Costume Coordinator for The Falling and the Rising, and is the Costume Workroom Assistant and Rentals Coordinator for the Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Costume Artisan Workshop. Stovall has been with Arizona Opera since 2020. She has earned her MFA in Costume Design at University of Missouri - Kansas City, and is originally from Texas.

Emir Islas

Emir Islas is from Phoenix, Arizona. Emir is 12 years old and he is in the 6th grade. Emir loves music and takes piano lessons at The Amadeus Academy in Glendale, Arizona. He has been an active member of the phoenix Boys Choir for 3 years.

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2018/19 and 2019/20 Seasons

Co-Sponsored by: Dr. Paul S. Symchych

Hometown: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

Education: Studied Fashion and Costume Design at Kent State University

Emmerich Kálmán was born Imre Koppstein in Siófok, then in Austria-Hungary, on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, in a Jewish family.

EPIK Dance Company Photo

EPIK Dance Company is an Arizona-based street fusion dance company that is dedicated to uniting and uplifting people by sharing their love of music, movement, and the arts.

Eric Melear, conducting, coaching and playing

Conductor and pianist Eric Melear has carved out an operatic career as a versatile performer and administrator, dividing his time between conducting, coaching and playing, and having overseen the musical activities of both Houston Grand Opera and Wolf Trap Opera.

Eric Watkins Headshot

Eric Watkins is a lighting designer for theatre, opera, and dance based in Chicago.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Fatima Said with The Tucson Desert Song Festival

At the age of 14 Fatma Said embarked on a musical journey that would take her from her home in Cairo to the Academy of Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists and ultimately to the world’s most prestigious concert and opera stages.

Born Giuseppe Felice Romani to a bourgeois family in Genoa, he studied law and literature in Pisa and Genoa. At the University of Genoa he translated French literature and, with a colleague, prepared a six-volume dictionary of mythology and antiquities, including the history of the Celts in Italy.

American soprano Felicia Moore is recognized as a powerful and innovative emerging artist having made music in partnership with Alan Gilbert, Anne Manson, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Speranza Scappucci, Gary Thor Wedow, and Brian Zeger among others.

Fenlon Lamb

Opera News called Fenlon Lamb “moving and convincing” and Seen and Heard International complemented her “well-honed theatrical sensibility.” Lamb brings these qualities of experience and perspective as an outstanding singing actress to her work as a stage director.

Fleur Barron

Hailed as a “charismatic star” by the Boston Globe and as “a knockout performer” by The Times, Singaporean-British mezzo Fleur Barron is a 2018 HSBC Laureate of the Aix-en-Provence Festival and the recipient of the 2016 Grace B. Jackson Prize from the Tanglewood Music Festival, awarded to one outstanding young singer each year.

Headshot of The Sound of Music original concept director Francesca Zambello with Arizona Opera

Francesca Zambello is the Artistic Director of the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center and the General Director, ex-officio, of the Glimmerglass Festival.

Italian librettist Francesco Maria Piave (1810–76) is best known for his long-standing association with Verdi, for whom he wrote the librettos of operas including MacbethRigolettoLa traviataSimon Boccanegra and La forza del destino.

Francesco Milioto

A rising star in the younger generation of conductors, Francesco Milioto is forging a unique career as a versatile interpreter of both the operatic and orchestral repertoire. Praised for his energy and integrity on the podium, The Chicago Tribune has said, “Milioto presided with Bernsteinesque bravura”.

Freddy Jay Walker

“Freddy Jay" is a talented musician and music producer who started his music career at a young age. At the age of 4 he started taking drum lessons and by the age of 5, he was playing in church. Self-taught, he began to play the bass, electric/acoustic guitar, and the piano.

Described by the New York Times as “one of America’s finest artists and singers,” Frederica von Stade continues to be extolled as one of the music world’s most beloved figures. Known to family, friends, and fans by her nickname “Flicka,” the mezzo-soprano has enriched the world of classical music for three decades.

Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (November 29, 1797 – April 8, 1848) was an Italian composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, Donizetti was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style during the first half of the nineteenth century.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Ganson Salmon with Arizona Opera

Noted by The New York Times as a "dashing lyric tenor," Indiana native Ganson Salmon has gained recognition for his "powerful and nuanced" performances in New York City and abroad (Opera News). Most recently, he appeared as Rodolfo in La Bohème with First Coast Opera in St.

George Birkadze Headshot

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Birkadze trained at the National Academy of Dance of Tbilisi with Vakhtang Chabukiany. He was invited to attend the Bolshoi Ballet Academy under the direction of Genady Ladiah where he graduated with Honours in Classical Ballet, Pas de Deux, and Traditional Dance.Birkadze was awarded the Gold Medal in Moscow in World History and Literature.

Headshot of conductor George Manahan with Arizona Opera

The wide-ranging and versatile George Manahan has had an esteemed career embracing everything from opera to the concert stage, the traditional to the contemporary.

Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet (25 October 1838 – 3 June 1875), registered at birth as Alexandre César Léopold Bizet, was a French composer of the Romantic era. Best known for his operas in a career cut short by his early death, Bizet achieved few successes before his final work, Carmen, which has become one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the entire opera repertoire.

Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini, in full Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini, (born December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany [Italy]—died November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium), Italian composer, one of the greatest exponents of operatic realism, who virtually brought the history of Italian opera to an end.

Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Antonio Rossini (February 29, 1792 – November 13, 1868) was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces. Rossini's best-known operas include the Italian comedies The Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola, and the French-language epics Moïse et Pharaon and William Tell. A tendency for inspired, song-like melodies is evident throughout Rossini's scores, which led to the nickname "The Italian Mozart." Until his retirement in 1829, Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history.

Headshot of librettist Giuseppe Giacosa with Arizona Opera

Giuseppe Giacosa (1847 – 1906) was an Italian poet, playwright and librettist. He was born in Colleretto Parella, now Colleretto Giacosa, near Turin. His father was a magistrate. Giuseppe went to the University of Turin, studying in the University of Turin, Faculty of Law. Though he gained a degree in law, he did not pursue a legal career.

Giuseppe Verdi was born in Italy in 1813, prior to Italian unification. Verdi produced many successful operas, including La Traviata, Falstaff and Aida, and became known for his skill in creating melody and his profound use of theatrical effect. Additionally, his rejection of the traditional Italian opera for integrated scenes and unified acts earned him fame.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Gordon Hawkins with Arizona Opera

Gordon Hawkins is critically acclaimed throughout the world for his in-depth interpretations and lush baritone voice.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Grace Kahl with Arizona Opera

New York City native soprano Grace Kahl is an artist quickly emerging on the opera and concert stages throughout the United States. Kahl recently finished her tenure as Resident Artist at Utah Opera from 2018-2020, where notable performances included The Rose (The Little Prince), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), and Annina (La Traviata).

Mezzo-soprano Grace Newberry, a native of California, is attending the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) for her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance, where she studies with Bill McGraw. This season at CCM, Grace worked closely with William Bolcom in a Cabaret show featuring his works and performed the role of Olga in the Merry Widow by Lehár.

Greg Guenther

Greg Guenther, baritone, moved to Tucson in 2008, after earning his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Oregon. While completing his DMA in Vocal Performance, Guenther has sung with various organizations like Arizona Opera, Phoenix Opera, and True Concord. Guenther has won numerous awards combining his warm lyric baritone sound with his strong dramatic intuition.

Greg Jackson Headshot

Coach Greg Jackson is a mixed martial arts trainer who co-owns Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, widely considered the top MMA training camp in the world.

Greg Pierce grew up in Shelburne, Vermont. His play Slowgirl was the inaugural play of Lincoln Center's Claire Tow Theater (LCT3). It was subsequently produced by Steppenwolf Theatre and the Geffen Playhouse among others. His play Her Requiem, a Lincoln Center Theater commission, was also produced by LCT3.

Headshot of composer Gregg Kallor with Arizona Opera

Gregg Kallor is a composer and pianist whose music fuses the classical and jazz traditions he loves into a new, deeply personal language. The New York Times writes: "At home in both jazz and classical forms, [Kallor] writes music of unaffected emotional directness.

Gregory Allen Hirsch Headshot

Gregory Allen Hirsch is a Lighting Designer who works extensively in the worlds of Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and Opera. He's won two Drama-logue Awards, a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award, and an Emmy Award for his lighting designs.

Gregory Gale

Gregory's most recent opera work includes the world premieres of El Milagro del Recuerdo and The Prince of Players both for HGO; An American Solider and La Rondine (Opera Theatre of St. Louis). Gregory is a recipient of the Irene Sharaff Young Master Award.

Gregory Hirsch's multifaceted career has included nearly 400 productions divided between opera, theatre and television. Opera company production credits include Director of Production at Palm Beach Opera, Portland Opera and San Diego Opera, Production Manager and Technical Director at Dallas Opera and Tulsa Opera.

Gregory Spears writes music that blends aspects of romanticism, minimalism, and early music. His work has been called "astonishingly beautiful" (New York Times), "coolly entrancing" (The New Yorker), and "some of the most beautifully unsettling music to appear in recent memory" (The Boston Globe).

Hakim Bellamy Headshot

Hakim Bellamy is the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, NM. His belief that the reading, writing and sharing of words is a radical act that can materially transform lives and communities is born out of the U.S. anti-literacy laws of the 1830s.

Haley Stamats

Haley Stamats is an opera and theater director based in the US. She enjoys directing new works, both conventional and experimental, as well as classical repertoire with numerous opera companies in the US and England.

Headshot of Hannah Lindblade with Arizona Opera

Hannah Lindblade is excited to join Arizona Opera for her professional debut in The Sound of Music. Lindblade has loved having numerous roles with Christian Youth Theater Phoenix including performances as Young Terk in Disney’s Tarzan the Musical and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Camp Version.

Harold Wilson

Harold Wilson begins his 2016/17 season in a return to Opera Colorado, singing Ashby in La fanciulla del West. He continues the season debuting the role of Mustafa in L’italiana in Algieri with Sarasota Opera.

Heather Phillips

Soprano Heather Phillips has been praised for a voice that is “simply glorious” and “glistening.” As a recent fellow at the Aspen Music Festival she sang the role of Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Aspen Opera Theatre under the baton of Jane Glover.

Headshot of composer Héctor Armienta with Arizona Opera

Héctor Armienta, a nationally recognized composer, focuses on creating work that explores the Mexican and Mexican-American cultural experience. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he is one of the few Chicano opera composers to have had his work performed nationally and internationally.

Hector Vásquez

Baritone Hector Vásquez is a native of California and has appeared throughout the United States as a soloist in concert repertoire and opera.

Stunning audiences with her sterling lyric soprano voice and incisive stage personality, American soprano Heidi Stober has established herself as a house favorite at leading companies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Henri Meilhac

Henri Meilhac was born in the 1st arrondissement of Paris in 1830. As a young man, he began writing fanciful articles for Parisian newspapers and comédies en vaudevilles, in a vivacious boulevardier spirit which brought him to the forefront. Around 1860, he met Ludovic Halévy, and their collaboration for the stage lasted twenty years.

Henri Venanzi, Chorus Master at Arizona Opera, is in demand today as an accompanist, vocal coach and lecturer throughout the United States and Europe. Venanzi has served as Chorus Master of the Cincinnati Opera since 1974 and is currently Music Director of the Cincinnati American Arts Program.

Horacio Ferrer was born in Montevideo into an educated family, son of Horacio Ferrer Perez, a Professor of History, and Alicia Escurra Francini, who was 11 years older than his father and spoke four languages. He had a close relationship with his brother, Eduardo, to whom he dedicated several of his lyrics.

Hugh Wheeler

Hugh Wheeler was a novelist, playwright and screen writer. He wrote more than thirty mystery novels under the pseudonyms Q. Patrick and Patrick Quentin, and four of his novels were transformed into films: Black Widow, Man in the Net, The Green-Eyed Monster and The Man with Two Wives.

Hugo Vera

A native Texan, the young tenor Hugo Vera is described as possessing a “truly heroic voice” that is both “beautiful and brilliant.” Increasingly in demand and a recent addition to The Metropolitan Opera artist roster, Mr. Vera has performed 34 roles and 20 choral orchestral works with distinguished companies in the US as part of his musical and artistic development of the full lyric and spinto tenor repertoire.

Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874 – 1929) was an Austrian prodigy, a novelist, librettist, poet, dramatist, narrator, and essayist.

Hofmannsthal was born in Landstraße, Vienna, the son of an upper-class Christian Austrian mother, Anna Maria Josefa Fohleutner, and a Christian Austrian–Italian bank manager, Hugo August Peter Hofmann, Edler von Hofmannsthal.

Ian Christiansen

Is excited to be joining Arizona Opera again for The Copper Queen. Previous engagements include Don Pasquale, Daughter of the Regiment, Falstaff, Arizona Lady and Shining Brow. He has also starred in many plays and musicals both here in the city and regionally.

Young tenor Ian McEuen has been praised for his versatility as a performer, impressing audiences with his “sweet lyric tone” and “gravitas on the stage,“ as well as his ability to evoke laughter “just for walking across the stage.”  In November 2013, he created the roles of the Hippo and Holy Man in the world premiere of Jeanine Tesori and J.D.

Headshot of stage director Ian Silverman with Arizona Opera

Ian Silverman is a stage director for all forms of music theater, from opera to musical theater to operetta, and creates productions that highlight and shift character focus to enhance the story, connect to the audience, and deliver a vivid personal experience.

Ikuko Kanda Headshot

Orchestras

Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi has worked extensively in the entertainment industry as a performer, host, writer, designer and producer for over 30 years. He has an annual residency at Café Carlyle in New York City and has performed at various venues across the country such as Joe’s Pub, The Regency Ballroom and several City Winery locations nationwide.

Trio Chapultepec, formed in July 2019, is a multi-instrumental group based in San Antonio, Texas composed of Vincent Pequeño, Israel Alcala and William Carlton Galvez. The members have extensively studied Mariachi together for several years and have been given national awards in both vocal and collegiate level ensemble competitions.

Stillwater, Minnesota native, Jack Swanson, is a lyric tenor currently studying Vocal Performance at Rice University in Houston, TX.  In 2014, he joined the prestigious Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program

Jacob A. Climer is a Scenic and Costume Designer for opera and theater. Originally from Dallas, Texas.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Jacqueline Echols with Arizona Opera

Lyric soprano Jacqueline Echols has been praised for her “dynamic range and vocal acrobatics” (Classical Voice) in theaters across the United States. In the summer of 2022, Echols reprised her acclaimed portrayal of Clara in Porgy and Bess in her debut with Des Moines Metro Opera, in addition to her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra for their annual Martin Luther King Jr.

Boasting a career of performances with major opera companies and orchestras worldwide, bass-baritone Jake Gardner remains one of the opera world’s most sought-after singing actors.

Jake Pinholster is the Associate Dean for Policy and Initiatives in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University and head of graduate programs in interdisciplinary digital media and performance design. As a designer, Jake’s efforts have centered on projection and media design and technology for performance.

James Grandjean is an Arizona native and has been performing statewide and nationally for the last two decades. After graduating from Oklahoma City University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, he moved to New York where he was seen as Le Remendado in Carmen, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, and Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor.

Headshot of conductor James Lowe with Arizona Opera

Equally at home in Opera and Musical Theater, Grammy nominated conductor James Lowe continues to garner praise for “beautifully sculpted” (Opera News) performances.

James Schuette

James Schuette’s work includes set designs for Time to Burn, Space, Berlin Circle, The Royal Family (Jeff Award) and Homebody/Kabul, as well as costume designs for Mother Courage, After The Quake, Purple Heart and Time of Your Life (Steppenwolf); Julius Caeser at the American Repertory Theatre; Of Thee

The winner of the 2015 Richard Tucker Award, the winner of both the Main and the Song Prizes at the 2013 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, a winner of the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a Grammy nominee, American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton has been described by The Guardian as “a great artist, no question, with an imperturbable steadiness of tone, and

California native, Jana Mcintyre has been praised for her “dancer’s grace, mercurial wit, and vibrant soprano tone” (Opera News). She finishes her 2017 season at the Merola Opera Program where she made her role debut as Serpina in La serva padrona as well as covered Clorinda in Cinderella.

Janis Siegel Headshot

Over the past four and a half decades, the voice of Janis Siegel, a nine-time Grammy winner and a seventeen-time Grammy nominee, has been an undeniable force in The Manhattan Transfer's diverse musical catalog.

California native baritone Jared Bybee is a graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts where he performed ten leading operatic roles under the tutelage of Christofer Macatsoris, including Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte), Prince Yeletsky (Pique Dame), Germont (La Traviata), Marcello (La Boheme), Valentin (Faust), Don Giovanni, Manfredo (L'Amore Dei Tre Re), Michele (Il Tabarro), Rigoletto, Enr

Jarrett Porter

Praised for his “imposing baritone” and “supple vibrant baritone that he deploys with unaffected lyricism and manifest honesty” by Opera News, American baritone Jarrett Porter is quickly making a name for himself with a fearless talent and commanding intellect. Porter is currently a member of the Artist Diploma in Opera Studies at The Juilliard School.

Opera News praises tenor Jason Ferrante for “singing up a stylish storm” and for getting “the gold star for trills” and The Berkshire Eagle says he “seems to brighten every stage he mounts” This season, Ferrante debuts with North Carolina Opera as Triquet in Eugene Onegin, returns to the Sarasota Choral Society as the Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah, joins

Winner of a 2012-13 Sullivan Career Grant, tenor Jason Slayden has been celebrated for the warmth and beauty of his voice, as well as demonstrating “considerable subtlety as an actor.”

Jassen Allen Headshot

Jassen Allen is a dynamic and versatile performer who has entertained audiences both in Las Vegas and around the world. From entertaining troops overseas to singing alongside Tony award winners, Jassen has also created, starred and produced an original show entitled With Love…Luther Vandross and Friends – The Ultimate Tribute Show.

Puerto Rican tenor Javier Abreu has been described as a commanding force on stage, incorporating a rich, sweet and agile voice, with ample dramatic skills. Opera News described him as "…a natural Rossini singer," and The Washington Times stated that "his high, supple lyric voice possesses great conviction."

Javier Martinez

He was born in 1978 in Mexico City, into a family of mariachi musicians. His grandparents, Felipe Pérez (maternal) and Blas Martínez (paternal), both former members of the mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, and his father, José (Pepe Martínez), musical director of the mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan (THE BEST MARIACHI IN THE WORLD), for more than 40 years.

Recognized as an artist of "dramatic presence and versatility" (Washington Post), Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique has been described as possessing "genuine star quality [and] a voice of exceptional beauty" (New York Amsterdam News).  Ms.

Jefferson Ridenour Headshot

Jefferson Ridenour is a NYC based artist that designs for opera and theatre blending in-depth dramaturgy with compositions of boldness and poetry. His passion for opera has led to 50+ professional designs for companies across the US with esteemed directors. With director Fenlon Lamb, he is the co-creator of Papermoon Opera Productions.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Jeffrey Stevens with Arizona Opera

Baritone Jeffrey Stevens has appeared in comic roles throughout the United States and loves to sing and act. In Phoenix, he has sung with Arizona Opera’s Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Troupe, OperAntics, the Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Bach Choir, Phoenix Opera, Arizona Broadway Theater, and Arizona Opera.

Soprano, Jenina Gallaway, has performed internationally and throughout the United States. Operatic repertoire includes: Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito, the title role in Suor Angelica, Serena in Porgy and Bess, Anna Maurrant in Street Scene, Mrs.

Jennifer Hoppe

Jennifer Hoppe, pianist, is an active vocal coach, teacher and pianist based in Phoenix, Arizona. Since moving to Phoenix in 2013, Hoppe has worked as a pianist with the Arizona Opera Orchestra and also as principal pianist of the Phoenix Boys Choir. In the winter of 2016 she was on coaching staff at Opera Works in Los Angeles, California.

Jennifer Johnson Cano

A naturally gifted singer noted for her commanding stage presence and profound artistry, Jennifer Johnson Cano has garnered critical acclaim for committed performances of both new and standard repertoire.

Headshot of choreographer Jennifer Seigle with Arizona Opera

Jennifer Seigle is a movement artist whose career has taken her around the country as a director, choreographer, guest artist, movement coach, and master teacher.

Headshot of Jeremy Aye with Arizona Opera

Jeremy Aye, originally from Phoenix, made his professional debut with Arizona Opera over 20 years ago as Silvano in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera. During his early years with the company, Aye performed various roles including Masetto (Don Giovanni), Marullo (Rigoletto), and Jake Wallace (La Fanciulla del West).

Jeremy Meyers Headshot

Jeremy Meyers, a member of the Arikara/Hidatsa tribe of North Dakota, became a drummer after learning it from his late father, who also practiced the art form.

Jerre Dye

Jerre Dye is a Chicago-based librettist and playwright. He is the recipient of the Award for Dramatic Literature from the Fellowship of Southern Writers.

Jill Grove

Praised by the Chicago Tribune for her “firmly knit tone from top to bottom of an imposingly wide range,” in the 2021/22 Season, American mezzo-soprano Jill Grove returns Arizona Opera as Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, and also returns to the Metropolitan Opera for their productions of Elektra and The Rake’s Progress. She recently joined the Metropo

Joe Isenberg Headshot

Fight Direction: The Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Bard SummerScape, The New York City Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Arena Stage, The Children’s Theatre Company, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Signature Theatre, Humana Festival, Florida Stage, Theatre J, InterAct Theatre Co.

A native of Bolivar, New York, soprano Joélle Harvey is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most promising young talents of her generation. She is the recipient of a 2011 First Prize Award from the Gerda Lissner Foundation, a 2009 Sara Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Foundation, and a 2010 Encouragement Award (in honor of Norma Newton) from the George London Foundation.

John de los Santos Headshot

Librettist John de los Santos’ first collaboration with composer Clint Borzoni, When Adonis Calls, was selected for inclusion in both Opera America’s New Works Forum and Fort Worth Opera's Frontiers showcase, then premiered under John’s direction at Asheville Lyric Opera.

John Lindsey, whose voice has been described as "a blazing tenor" by Opera News, has gained a reputation as a budding dramatic tenor with a connection to German, English and new works repertoire.

Headshot of opera tenor singer John Matthew Myers with Arizona Opera

Tenor John Matthew Myers, declared an “artist to watch” by Opera News, has rapidly established himself as one of today's exceptional young voices.

A frequent performer in both Europe and the United States, John Moore is garnering praise for his energetic performances and burnished baritone in both operatic and concert repertoire.

A 2016 Grand Finalist of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, tenor Jonas Hacker regularly receives high praise for his “attractive tenor voice” and his ability to convincingly portray characters across genres from Mozart to Glass.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Jonathan Bryan with Arizona Opera

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Jonathan Bryan has been praised for his “beautifully resonant baritone,” and “substantial sound,” and has performed leading roles on stages throughout the United States and abroad. He is an alumnus of The Atlanta Opera Studio, Wolf Trap Opera, and The Glimmerglass Festival, and was a 2019 Georgia District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Jonathan Levingston Headshot

Jonathan Levingston is a concert violinist with an uncanny ability to entrance his audience with a single draw of his bow. He began classical violin training at the age of seven, and the dedication to his craft developed his extraordinary abilities, allowing him to excel as a captivating composer and performer.

South Korean baritone Joo Won Kang continues to establish himself as one of the most talented baritones today, popular both with audience and critics.

The Venezuelan-born, Spanish conductor José Luis Gomez began his musical career as a violinist but was catapulted to international attention when he won First Prize at the International Sir Georg Solti Conductor’s Competition in Frankfurt in September 2010, securing a sensational and rare unanimous decision from the jury.

Jose Maria Condemi’s directorial work, which has been presented by companies in North America and abroad, encompasses an eclectic range of styles and repertoire and has been consistently praised for its creatively theatrical and innovative approach.

José “Pepe” Martínez was born in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, and joined his first mariachi band as a violinist at the age of twelve. He began writing music when he was nineteen years old, and in 1966 formed his own mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.

Hailed by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times as “vocally robust” and “lyrically malevolent”, American Bass-Baritone Joseph Barron was a winner of the 2011 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the 2013 Sullivan Foundation Awards. In the 2013-2014 season, Mr.

Conductor of opera, oratorio and symphonic works, and educator, Joseph Colaneri’s achievements are outstanding in each of the areas in his multi-faceted career.  After fifteen seasons as a member of the conducting roster of the Metropolitan Opera, Maestro Colaneri is the newly appointed Artistic Director of the West Australian Opera in Perth and concurrently serves as Artistic Director of  Oper

Headshot of opera baritone singer Joseph Lattanzi with Arizona Opera

A 2017 recipient of a top prize from the Sullivan Foundation, Joseph Lattanzi established himself as a singer to watch with his portrayal of Hawkins Fuller in the world premiere of Greg Spears’ Fellow Travelers with Cincinnati Opera, followed by further performances for his debut with Lyric Opera of Chicago, in New York at the PROTOTYPE Festival, and with Arizona Opera, and Des Moines

This past season pianist/coach served as coach and chorus master for Wolf Trap Opera Company’s Carmen at the Filene Center, as well as playing WTOC’s multi-genre Vocal Colors program at the Phillips Coll

Joseph Mechavich

Regarded as a conductor of authority and warmth, Joseph Mechavich is known for his exceptional artistry and infectious energy which he brings to every performance as well as the personal and career-defining relationships he has forged with a number of opera companies and orchestras.

Since 1981, Joseph Rescigno has served as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee (WI), where he has conducted some of the company’s most challenging repertory. He also has been Music Director of La Musica Lirica, a summer program for singers in Northern Italy, since 2005.

Headshot of stage director Joshua Borths with Arizona Opera

Joshua Borths is a stage director, writer, educator, and arts administrator with over twelve years of experience in the opera industry. Borths has directed dozens of professional productions, given over five hundred public lectures, and written more than eight children's operas that have introduced hundreds of thousands of young audiences to opera across the country.

Joshua Reid Headshot

Joshua Reid is a sound & systems designer based in New York City, with extensive work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, International Productions, & Sound Installations.

Joshua Dennis

Known for his “voluptuous elegant tone,” and a “robust tenor with baritonal heft,” American lyric tenor Joshua Dennis is a star on the rise.

Joshua Jeremiah

Skilled across many genres, Joshua Jeremiah began last season with engagements with LoftOpera in a concert of Verdi duets; appearances in concerts with the New Haven Symphony and Toledo Symphony; he joined Beth Morrison Projects in the role of The Man in the world-première of Persona by Keeril Makan; added Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Hawai'i Opera Theater; reprised the role of Gianni Schicchi with Mobile Opera; Petite Messe Solennelle with Smith College; and, a Rodgers and Hammerstein Concert with Toledo Symphony.

American tenor Joshua Stewart, “strikingly good” (The Guardian), has been praised for his “big, warm, confident” voice (Palm Beach Arts Paper) and “interpretive conviction” (Philadelphia City Paper). Displaying compelling artistry and versatility, he is quickly making a name for himself in the world of opera without losing touch with his jazz roots.

Juan Mejia’s local theater credits include Angels and Demons, The Samaritan Woman, and everything at Rice University. He studied acting at Talento Bilingüe de Houston (TBH), and has gone on to perform a variety of roles with TBH, including Miguel in Bocon (Big Mouth) and Otto in Houston Speaks.

Portrait of librettist Jules Barbier with Arizona Opera

Jules Barbier, one of the most important librettists of the 19th century, began his career with the production of his intermède, L'Ombre de Molière, at the Comédie-Française (1847).

A winner of the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 2015 George London Award, 2015 Elizabeth Connell prize for aspiring dramatic sopranos, and recipient of a 2015 Sara Tucker Study Grant, soprano Julie Adams has been praised by The New York Times for possessing a voice that is “rich, full and slightly earthy in an expressive way.” The 2019/20 Season sees Adams returning

Julie H Duro

Julie Duro (Lighting Designer) is delighted to be a part of this incredible new production of Così fan tutte and is thrilled to be returning to Arizona Opera. She has designed extensively for opera, theatre, and dance throughout the United States and abroad.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Justin Austin with The Tucson Desert Song Festival

Praised in Opera News as “a gentle actor and elegant musician” and The Wall Street Journal for his “mellifluous baritone,” Drama Desk Award-nominated baritone Justin Austin has been performing professionally since age 4.

D. Justin Carpenter currently teaches voice at Grand Canyon University and Scottsdale Community College. He has been a Bonfils-Stanton Young Artist with Central City Opera where he covered the role of Joe Crowell in Ned Rorem’s Our Town. He has also been a Regional Finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions.

Headshot of opera soprano Kaitlyn Sabrowsky with Arizona Opera

American soprano and Phoenix resident Kaitlyn Sabrowsky (nee Johnson) is at home in operatic repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary.

Kara Harmon

Select Regional credits include: Hometown to the World, Santa Fe Opera, The Shutter Sisters, Old Globe; Darlin’ Cory, The Alliance Theater, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Guthrie Theatre; Eclipsed, Milwaukee Rep; The Color Purple, Portland Center Stage; The Wiz!, Ford’s Theatre (Helen Hayes Award); A Raisin in the S

Dramatic soprano, Kara Shay Thomson continues to build her expansive stage career by creating characters that push the limits both musically and dramatically and this year is no exception.

Karen Bondy Headshot

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2020/21 and 2021/22 Seasons

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Education: AA Fashion Design from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)

Karen Kamensek

Karen Kamensek’s remarkable versatility and expansive artistry, coupled with her deep commitment to championing many of the leading compositional voices of the 20th and 21st century, is reflected in her work in both the opera house and on the concert stage.

Hailed for possessing a voice of extraordinary beauty, a seamless legato and great dramatic depth, young American soprano Karen Slack was most recently heard in the title role of Tosca and as Leonora in Il trovatore with Arizona Opera, Mahler Symphony No. 2 with The Latvian National Symphony, Beethoven Symphony No.

Karin Wolverton

Soprano Karin Wolverton has been described by Opera News as “a young soprano to watch” having “a lovely warm tone, easy agility and winning musicality”.

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Kate Kinhan-Specter with Arizona Opera

Kate Kinhan-Specter was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved at an early age to the Portland, Oregon, area, where her training began as a ballerina at a young age. Expanding into the world of singing, Kinhan-Specter began her voice training with operatic mezzo-soprano Dorothy Fisher-Jones.

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Katherine Beck with Arizona Opera

This season, Katherine Beck returns to Arizona Opera as well as makes her Saint Louis Symphony debut as Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana and returns to the roster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Headshot of Katherine Kozack, Head of Music, Chorus Master, and Principal Coach of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio.

Pianist, coach and chorus director Katherine Kozak has enjoyed affiliations with numerous companies throughout the United States. Her most long-standing relationship is with The Glimmerglass Festival, where she is the current Chorus Director, and in 2023 recently completed her 12th summer season.

Recently, Kathleen Berger has performed as a soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Mass in C (Helios Ensemble); Robert Kapilow’s What Makes it Great: Gershwin (Musical Instrument Museum); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator/Fountain Hills Theatre); Love is Here to Stay: A Gershwin Cabaret (Theater Works); Beggar

Kathleen Kelly enjoys a wide-ranging and dynamic musical life as a pianist, opera coach, conductor, and master teacher. The first woman and first American named as Director of Musical Studies at the Vienna State Opera, Kathleen recently returned to the United States to join the faculty at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin.

Kathleen Trott is one of the resident Costume Designers and the Shop Manager of the Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Costume Shop for Arizona Opera. Now living in Phoenix, she is originally from Northern Nevada. Other theatrical companies Kathleen has worked for include: PCPA, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University.

American soprano Katie Van Kooten’s operatic and concert appearances continue to thrill audiences and earn her praise for using her “powerful, gleaming soprano” to bring vibrancy and life to all of her performances.  Of her recent role debut as Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, the Houston Chronicle wrote, “Her singing is extraordinary in is radiance, power and sheer expressivene

Headshot of opera soprano singer Katrina Galka with Arizona Opera

The Oregonian praises soprano Katrina Galka for her recent performances of Adina in L’elisir d’amore, exclaiming that she “looked like a young Glenn Close, projecting power over Nemorino as she thrilled with fine coloratura filigree and pure high notes.” In the 2020/21 Season, she makes her role and company debut as Olympia in Les contes d’Hoffmann at the Opernhaus Zü

Conductor Keitaro Harada continues to be recognized at the highest levels for his artistic abilities and passion for musical excellence. As a recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S.

Keith Phares

A noted interpreter of Mozart and bel canto repertoire as well as many of today’s prominent composers, Opera News has recently hailed Keith Phares as a "mainstay of contemporary opera" and " an authentic contemporary-American-opera divo" with "an impressive gallery of finely-drawn character portraits.”

Kelley Boesel aka Haboobs Headshot

Kelley Boesel is a mother, wife, artist, and gardener. Under Alias Haboobs, her live portrait painting demonstrations have earned her well-deserved popularity within the music and artist communities in and around metro Phoenix. She is currently working on a horticulture book of her illustrations and launching an online store.

Ken Billington

Ken Billington is an international lighting designer working in theatre, television and architecture. Over 100 Broadway designs include the original production of Sweeney Todd and the current Chicago, which is the longest running American musical in history. Chicago has been seen in over 20 countries all with the original lighting.

Ken Goodenberger, Artistic Director and Conductor, has been a prominent member of the musical scene in Phoenix for over 30 years. He is active as a conductor, choral clinician, voice teacher, actor and singer. Goodenberger currently serves as Director of Music at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West, and is the Artistic Director of the West Valley Chorale.

Keturah Stickann

Keturah Stickann’s work has been seen in countless opera houses across the United States and Canada, as well as in Chile, Japan, France, Germany, Hungary, and Australia.

Kevin Newbury is a theater, opera, film, and event director based in New York.

As a growing specialist in contemporary opera, Kevin Newell made his mainstage debut at Fort Worth Opera in 2012 as Maron in Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata. This summer, Opera Today proclaimed that Newell is an artist “whose stock is no doubt on the rise,” as he performed the role of Simon Stimson in Our Town at Central City Opera.

Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for his debut opera Silent Night, Kevin Puts has been hailed as one of the most important composers of his generation.

Kevin Ray

Rising American tenor Kevin Ray joins the Phoenix Symphony for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Florida Orchestra for Rachmaninov’s The Bells, and the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra for Verdi’s Requiem. Future engagements include the debut of a leading role with Arizona Opera.

Khachatur Badalyan was born on the 9th of May 1982 in Orjonikidze (Vladikavkaz, Northern Osetia).

In 2004 he graduated with a red diploma from Don State Technical University (Department of International Economic Relations). And studied in Rostov State Conservatory of Music by S. Rachmaninov (professor Petrova N.)

Headshot of pianist Kihwa Kim with Arizona Opera

Kihwa Kim is a versatile collaborative pianist who is well-versed in the areas of vocal and instrumental music. Prior to joining the Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio, Kim served on the faculty of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.

Krstin Atwell Ford

Kristin Atwell Ford collaborated with Arizona Opera to bring Riders of the Purple Sage to the operatic stage. As an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Kristin produced and wrote Fire & Water for Salt River Project, which recently aired on PBS/Channel Eight. Kristin co-produced and wrote, Protecting the Source, which also explores the relationship between fire, forest health, and water in the West and won the 2016 Emmy Award for Best Environmental Special.

Kristopher Irmiter

A Grammy Nominated artist who has performed in all 50 states and throughout Canada, Bass-Baritone Kristopher Irmiter is one of the most sought after low voices in the U.S. He has appeared with San Francisco Opera, Opera de Montreal, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Baltimore Opera, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Arizona Opera, and Florida Grand Opera among many others.

Bass-baritone Kyle Albertson is renowned not only for his versatile voice, confidence, and style, but also for his ability to bring a character to life on stage.

Kyle Pfortmiller

Kyle Pfortmiller made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marquis d’Obigny in a new production of La Traviata directed by Willy Decker during the 2010-2011 season. He was heard later in the season in Capriccio.

American soprano, Lacy Sauter, is quickly becoming known for her vocal and dramatic versatility.  She returns to Arizona Opera for the 2017/18 season as Dianara, Hesperide 1, City Woman and Peasant Woman in Hercules vs Vampires and Welgunde in Das Rheingold.

Laquita Mitchell

Soprano Laquita Mitchell consistently earns acclaim on eminent international opera and concert stages, leading performances with Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, and Opéra Comique in Paris, New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, among many others.

Laura Fine Hawkes

Laura Fine Hawkes’ work broadly encompasses scenic design for theatre, opera, and musical theatre, as well as art direction for live shows, themed visitor experiences, museum exhibits, events, and television programming.

Hailed for her "gleaming soprano" voice and "explosive presentation" (Ken Herman, San Diego Story), Laura K. McCauley, has her Master’s Degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from Ithaca College.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Laura Wilde with Arizona Opera

A 2019 Richard Tucker Foundation career grant recipient, American soprano Laura Wilde has been praised by Opera News for having “a ravishingly beautiful sound, [and] a fine sense of style and character.”

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Lauren Cook with Arizona Opera

Praised for her captivating stage presence, “full bodied" (Indie Opera) and "nuanced voice” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), mezzo-soprano Lauren Cook is quickly establishing a name for herself in repertoire ranging from Monteverdi to Mazzoli.

Lauren Kinhan Headshot

Whether on her four highly-acclaimed solo albums, a member of the beloved New York Voices, or co-founder of two supergroups, Moss and JaLaLa, singer/songwriter Lauren Kinhan has forged her own path as a performer, composer, producer, arranger, educator and now curator.

Described by the New York Times as possessing an “agile coloratura technique and a feeling for the Italianate style… with warmth, full penetrating sound and tenderness,” American soprano Leah Crocetto continues to astonish audiences with her moving portrayals of opera’s greatest heroines. Ms.

Leah Hawkins

Soprano Leah Hawkins is a graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at The Metropolitan Opera, and 2021 winner of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Women in Classical Music Career Advancement Award.

Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. His birth name was Louis, the name his grandmother adored, but his family always called him Leonard or Lenny, which he officially renamed himself when he was 16.

Leonard Foglia

LEONARD FOGLIA (Librettist / Director) is a theater and opera director as well as librettist.

Levi Hernandez

With a velvety tone and a stage presence which exudes confidence and charm, baritone Levi Hernandez is gaining momentum as a sought after artist on the operatic stage.

Russian-American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya is a champion of Russian masterpieces, operatic rarities, and contemporary works on the leading edge of classical music. As Music Director of Chicago Opera Theater, Lidiya is the only woman to hold that title in a multimillion-dollar opera company in the United States.

Liliana Duque Piñeiro

With a background in sculpture, Liliana knows how to combine her artistic vision with the practicality of set design. Recent opera projects include Il Postino for Virginia Opera and the premieres of Sweet Potato Kicks the Sun for Santa Fe Opera, and If I Were You for Merola Opera Program.

Praised as “radiant and authentic” by Opera News and an artist with a “gracious tone” by The New York Times, American soprano Lindsay Russell is quickly gaining recognition in the operatic world.

Soprano Lisette Oropressa

This fall Lisette begins in Paris in concert, singing Nannetta in FALSTAFF with the Orchestre de Paris. Afterward, she heads to London where she makes her debut at the Royal Opera House-Covent Garden in the title role of LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. Then she returns to the Metropolitan Opera to sing her first performances of Gretel in HANSEL AND GRETEL.

Logan Pachciarz

Logan Pachciarz began his dance career with the guidance of Shelly Washington in Twyla Tharp’s Dance company Tharp! After extensive traveling, he continued his classical training at North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Ton Simons, Fernando Bujones, and Warren Conover.

Headshot of Logan Talarico with Arizona Opera

From choirs to concerts to operas, Logan Talarico has been singing since the age of 12. He was most recently seen as a featured soloist in Scottsdale Philharmonic’s performance of Handel’s Messiah and can be seen on-stage performing in the opera choruses of Arizona Opera and Chandler Opera. He studied vocal performance at Arizona State University under the teachings of Dr.

Loren Battieste

Loren Battieste currently lives in Phoenix area after completing an Artist's Diploma with the Chicago College of Performing Arts. While at CCPA Loren performed many roles, including Papageno in The Magic Flute and Paul in Daron Hagen's Amelia. In 2017, Loren performed the role of Imperial Commissioner in Arizona Opera’s production of Madama Butterfly.

Lorenzo Da Ponte

Lorenzo Da Ponte was born Emanuele Conegliano in 1749 in Ceneda, in the Republic of Venice (now Vittorio Veneto, Italy). Da Ponte was Jewish by birth and the eldest of three sons. In 1764, Da Ponte's father, Geronimo Conegliano, then a widower, converted himself and his family to Roman Catholicism in order to marry a Catholic woman.

Headshot of Luca Grasso with Arizona Opera

Luca Grasso is thankful to be back performing with Arizona Opera. He most recently was William in excerpts from Frankenstein. He has performed around the valley in various musical productions. With Valley Youth Theatre he stared in Seussical (Jojo), Tuck Everlasting (Thomas) and is a part of their VYT Tweens Program.

Stage Management Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 Seasons

Hometown: Urbana, Ohio

Education: B.F.A. in Stage Management from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University

Lucy Schaufer's current and future engagements include Mrs.

Ludovic Halévy

Ludovic Halévy was born in Paris. His father, Léon Halévy (1802–1883), was a civil servant and a clever and versatile writer, who tried almost every branch of literature—prose and verse, vaudeville, drama, history—without, however, achieving decisive success in any.

Luigi Illica

Luigi Illica (1857 – 1919) was an Italian librettist who wrote for Giacomo Puccini (usually with Giuseppe Giacosa), Pietro Mascagni, Alfredo Catalani, Umberto Giordano, Baron Alberto Franchetti and other important Italian composers. His most famous opera libretti are those for La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Andrea Chénier.

An El Paso Texas native, Mexican-American Baritone Luis Alejandro Orozco has been praised for his “voluminous baritone and beautiful legato.” Luis begins the 2018/19 season with Mill City Summer Opera as Escamillo in Carmen.

Luis Ledesma frequently portrays the heroes and villains of Puccini and Verdi in addition to performing the important bel canto roles of Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini. His growing repertoire includes many roles in the French repertoire and has extended to the verismo composers as well. 

Luis “Javi Star” Egurrola

“My sound is all about feels.... Whether it’s Happy, Sad, or Love feelings I want my music to move you. Although my roots and inspiration come from the old school R&B and Soul sound. I love to infuse those feels with sounds of today. New age twist with a Retro Vibes.”

-Javi Starr

 

Headshot of opera soprano singer Lydia Grindatto with Arizona Opera

Praised for her “Lorengar-like shimmer” and “high-octane emotionalism” (Parterre), Lydia Grindatto is a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts where she recently appeared in the roles of Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Violetta (La Traviata), and Tatyana (Eugene Onegin).

Headshot of librettist Lynn Nottage with Arizona Opera

Lynn Nottage is a playwright and a screenwriter. She is the first, and remains the only, woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Mack Wolz with Arizona Opera

Named a 2019 Grand Finals Winner by the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, rising American mezzo-soprano Mack Wolz joined Arizona Opera as a member of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio for the 2020/21 Season.

Headshot of Madison Hertel with Arizona Opera

Madison Hertel most recently played Anybodys in Francesca Zambello’s West Side Story at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Cagliari, Italy.

Marcela Fuentes Berain

Marcela Fuentes-Berain mujer de letras, maestra y emprendedora incansable de ideas para la pantalla. Es licenciada en Filosofía por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y en Cuba en la Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisón de San Antonio de los Baños donde estudió Guionismo, donde fue asistente de curso y colaboradora cercana por más de una década de Gabriel García Márquez. La también discípula de Syd Field, durante el taller que impartió en México, formó parte del taller permanente de dramaturgia del maestro Hugo Argüelles.

Headshot of opera YouTuber Marco Cammarota with Arizona Opera

Marco Cammarota has been involved in the arts world for nearly fifteen years. Cammarota studied and performed opera for over a decade at prestigious companies throughout the United States and Europe prior to formally leaving the stage to focus on other endeavors and explore what else was possible.

Marcus DeLoach has been hailed by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times as "a fine baritone who puts words across with clarity and naturalness." A leading performer of contemporary classical vocal music today, he has established himself in the areas of opera, concert, and crossover.

Marcus Shields is a New York City based director who specializes in the presentation and performance of classical music.

Marcy Stonikas is a graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. A graduate of the Young Artist Program at Seattle Opera, she performed the roles of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, and the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos, whilst a member of the program.

Margaret Gawrysiak

Margaret Gawrysiak, mezzo-soprano, recently performed Baba the Turk and Mother Goose inThe Rake’s Progress; Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd; and La Mère d’Antonia in Les contes d’Hoffmann with Wolf Trap Opera; Gertrude/Witch in Hansel and Gretel,Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire, and Marzelline in Le nozze di Figaro with Virginia Opera; and Frugola in Il tabarro, and Zita in Gianni Schicchi with Maestro Lorin Maazel at the Castleton Festival.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Maria Brea with Arizona Opera

Maria Brea, soprano, is one of Venezuela's most acclaimed opera singers. Praised for being a "very classy Venezuelan soprano" by The Arts Desk, ”versatile soprano” by Tampa Bay and “luxurious soprano" by Opera Wire and as Micaëla; “her lush tones and thrilling diminuendos were warmly received” by The Brooklyn Reporter.

Praised for “a vocal instrument of exceptional beauty, range, and flexibility” and “innate artistry”, mezzo soprano Maria Dominique Lopez, has sung operatic roles both in the United States and Europe, and represented Arizona as a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Ms.

Mariachi Pasion

Formed in 2005, Mariachi Pasion began on a whim by eight women in a music class at Arizona State University. It has grown into a 12-member group with the majority having worked their way through their respective colleges by playing mariachi music.

In 2010, french mezzo-soprano Marie Lenormand received the "Grand Prix de la Critique, Revelation Musicale of the 2009-2010 season" for her interpretation of Mignon, by Ambroise Thomas, in a widely acclaimed revival of the piece at the Opéra comique in Paris (the very theater where Mignon had been created), with stage director Jean-Louis Benoit and conductor François-Xavier Roth.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Mario Chang with Arizona Opera

Named “a born bel canto tenor” by The New York Times, Guatemalan tenor Mario Chang’s 2022/23 Season sees his house debut with Hong Kong Opera as Alfredo in La Traviata, as well as house debuts at Ópera de Oviedo as the title role in Ernani and his role debut as Cavaradossi in Tosca with Teatro de la Maestranza.

Mario Pacheco Headshot

Mario Pacheco is an emerging Canadian stage director hailing from Hamilton, Ontario. He is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program and is currently pursuing the University of Toronto’s Artist Diploma in Operatic Stage Direction under the mentorship of Michael Albano.

Mario Pacheco

Mario Pacheco is an emerging Canadian stage director hailing from Hamilton, Ontario. He is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program and is currently pursuing the University of Toronto’s Artist Diploma in Operatic Stage Direction under the mentorship of Michael Albano.

Maris Bosworth Headshot

Maris Bosworth is a pianist and vocal coach from Owensboro, Kentucky. She enjoys coaching and performing both opera and art song, and she recently performed in the Phoenix area as an Education Teaching Artist for Arizona Opera.

Mariya Kaganskaya

Mariya joined the Santa Fe Opera as a member of the Apprentice Singer Program in Summer 2016, and Arizona Opera as a Studio Artist in the 2016-2017 Season. Upcoming roles include Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and Tisbe in La Cenerentola.

Mark Campbell’s work as a librettist is at the forefront of this country’s contemporary opera scene. The more than twenty librettos he has written—including the five new operas he premiered in 2017—demonstrate a versatility in subject matter, style, and tone, an adeptness at creating successful work for both large and intimate venues.

A crossover artist of immense skill, Mark Delavan has proved himself a strong character actor on stages throughout the country. Most recently, Delavan starred as Phil Arkin in Milk and Honey with York Theatre Company, to critical acclaim.

Mark Schnaible

Described by Das Opernglas as “a strong, rich and warm-colored voice with assured style,” Mark Schnaible returns this season to Arizona Opera as Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte. His recent appearances include Klingsor in Parsifal with Indiana University Opera, and the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle with the Columbus Symphony, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro

Marlen Nahhas, recently praised for her “impassioned soprano” (San Francisco Chronicle), is currently a second year member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera. Highlights of her 2019/20 Season include Pamina in the Emerging Artist performance of The Magic Flute at WNO and a debut at Opera Naples as Musetta in La bohème.

Martin Bakari

Praised by Opera News as a "vocally charismatic" performer with a "golden tenor", Martin Bakari continues to distinguish himself as a dynamic artist in a wide array of musical and theatrical genres. A 2018 George London Competition award winner, Mr.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Mary-Hollis Hundley with Arizona Opera

Mary-Hollis Hundley, soprano, returned to The Glimmerglass Festival this summer as a Guest Artist, where she will be singing Kayla in Kamala Sankaram's Taking Up Serpents as well as Frau Schmidt in Francesca Zambello's production of The Sound of Music.

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2019/20 Season

Sponsored in part by Nancy Foster

Hometown: Cave Creek, Arizona

Education: Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Science, Theatre Major, Design & Technology Emphasis, Arts & Cultural Management Minor.

Mattea Richards Headshot

Mattea is a queer black artist based in Tucson who creates what has been described as Sonoran-Soul. She released her first album Body & Soil from her laptop in 2016. Equal parts bougie and the beast, her music is a “schmaltzy rabbit hole of bashful beats and clumsy prose”.

Headshot of opera bass singer Matthew Anchel with Arizona Opera

Bass Matthew Anchel, called "a voice to watch" by The Wall Street Journal, has performed with many of the world’s leading companies and orchestras.

Matthew Burns is a dynamic performer known for his unique portrayals of opera’s most acclaimed bass-baritone roles spanning the repertoire from dramatic roles to buffo roles, and everything in between.   Career highlights include Paolo in Schreker’s Die Gezeichneten with Los Angeles Opera; Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Florida Grand Opera; Leporello in Don Giovanni with Boston Lyric O

American Stage Director Matthew Ozawa has an international career spanning all artistic disciplines having worked for prestigious companies worldwide including Canadian Opera Company, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Siam, Macau International Festival, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

American tenor Matthew Polenzani is one of the most gifted and distinguished lyric tenors of his generation. His elegant musicianship, innate sense of style, dramatic commitment, and timeless artistry have established his continued presence at leading operatic, concert, and recital venues worldwide.

Matthew White

Tenor Matthew White recently made critically acclaimed debuts as Roméo in Roméo et Juiliette at Cincinnati Opera and as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly at Tulsa Opera, prompting critics to proclaim him “an elegant tenor capable of exciting high notes. His famous cavatina, Ah! Lève-toi, soleil, was mesmerizing.”

Headshot of opera baritone singer Mauricio Perusquia with Arizona Opera

Mauricio Perusquia, baritone, holds an Masters of Music in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and a Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Maya Kherani Headshot

Indian-American soprano Maya Kherani has been lauded for her vibrant voice and exciting characterizations in repertoire from the Baroque to the modern. Upcoming projects include a debut at the Festival d'Aix-en- Provence as DRUSILLA/FORTUNA for L’incoronazione di Poppea with Mo. Alarcon, Messiah with Mo.

Maya Lahyani

Hailed as “a voice to die for [combined] with acting ability, beauty, and stage presence,” Israeli mezzo-soprano Maya Lahyani is quickly becoming one of today’s most sought-after international singers.

Puerto Rican soprano Meechot Marrero

Puerto Rican soprano Meechot Marrero, hailed by El Nuevo Día as, “a revelation…a young Puerto Rican star with a great career ahead” is a recent master’s degree recipient of the Yale School of Music, and in the 2016/17 season, will join the Deutsche Oper Berlin ensemble, after being awarded the American-Berlin Scholarship from the Opera Foundation. At Deutsche Oper Berlin, Ms.

Megan Ross

Stage Management Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2021/22 Season

1st Year Stage Management Apprentice

Hometown: Layton, Utah

Education: BA in theatre with an emphasis in technical theatre and a minor in film studies from Colorado State University.

The Philadelphia Inquirer hails Melinda Whittington as "especially marvelous in handling the rapturous jail scene music” in recent performances of Marguerite in Faust.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Melissa Solomon with Arizona Opera

Soprano Melissa Solomon, praised by Opera Canada as “delightful” and “vivacious,” is exciting audiences as a rare and diverse performing actress. Solomon appears regularly with the Scottsdale Philharmonic as their soprano Artist in Residence, and has been a member of the Arizona Opera Chorus for over ten seasons.

Micaela Tobin

Micaela Tobin is a soprano, sound artist, and teacher based in Los Angeles, CA who specializes in experimental voice and contemporary opera.

Praised by Opera News for “brandishing a beautiful, evenly produced, nicely ripe sound,” Michael Adams makes role and company debuts as Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles at the Grand Teatro del Liceu, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor with Knoxville Opera, and Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat at The Glimmerglass Festival in the 2018/19 season.

Michael Borowitz

American conductor and pianist MICHAEL BOROWITZ is currently in his twelfth year as Associate Professor and Music Director of the Turner Fischer Center for Opera at LSU, where this season he conducted performances of Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites, Handel's Giulio Cesare, and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.

Mr. Corvino began his operatic career in 1997, singing the role of Sharpless with Opera Northeast’s production ofMadama Butterfly. Since then, his career has continued to grow and flourish, taking him to Europe and Asia, as well as to many houses in the United States.

Michael Lewis is a second year Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist and is the Studio Pianist for the 2018/19 season. Prior to joining Arizona Opera, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ where he studied with Russel Ryan and received his Master's degree in Collaborative Piano.

With a “powerful” voice and an “arresting stage presence”, baritone Michael Mayes enjoys a busy operatic career in both traditional and contemporary operatic roles with theaters throughout the United States and Europe.

Michael Sakir Headshot

Conductor Michael Sakir has been praised for his "artistic authority," "fluidity of expression," and "great delicacy of feeling." He serves as the Artistic Director of Intermountain Opera Bozeman which was recently praised by the London-based Opera Now magazine as "a small but thriving opera company that it not restrained by convention." He recently completed his fourth and final seaso

Headshot of projection designer Michael Salvatore Commendatore with Arizona Opera

Michael Salvatore Commendatore is originally from Rhode Island, Michael currently lives in Chicago, IL with his amazing wife, Katie, and their lovable cats, Sebastian and JJ. Commendatore travels around the country designing for theatre, opera, dance, installations and more.

Michael Shell

Michael Shell's "visionary" and "masterful storytelling" (Opera News) is steadily leading him to be one of the most sought after directors in the United States.   His "thoughtful and detailed score study" (Opera Today) is shown in character development and relationships onstage as well as the complete visual world he creates.   

Headshot of opera baritone singer Michael Tallino with Arizona Opera

Michael Tallino earned a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from University of Alaska Anchorage. Tallino was born and raised in Alaska, performing choral music and opera in Kodiak and Anchorage before pursuing further study in a warmer climate.

Portrait of librettist Michel Carré with Arizona Opera

Born in Besançon, Michel Carré moved to Paris in 1840 to take painting lessons with Paul Delaroche, but soon turned to writing. After the publication of his first work of literature, Les Folles Rimes et Poëmes (1842), Carré began a career as a playwright with the one-act play La Jeunesse de Luther (1843, Odéon).

Michelle Areyzaga

As a coveted performer with a diverse repertoire, American soprano Michelle Areyzaga has performed operatic roles with New York City Opera in Telemann’s Orpheus as well as in its VOX series, and has appeared in leading roles with Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s In the Neighborhoods programs, Opera Birmingham, the Ravinia Festival, and the Orquesta Sinfónica del

Michelle Johnson Headshot

Award-winning vocalist Michelle Johnson has performed on Broadway, on national television, in film, in sporting arenas, and across the world with countless mega superstars.

Nacido en León, Guanajuato, México. Cantante profesional de música regional mexicana. A la edad de 18 años inicio sus estudios de canto en " centro de estudios profesional artistico y cultural." En la ciudad de León Guanajuato México, dirigido por el gran maestro arreglista Don José "Pepe" Martínez ex director del mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán por 40 años. (Finado).

AZO Cast Member Miles Mykkanen

Miles Mykkanen has garnered recognition on the world’s concert and operatic stages for his “focused, full-voiced tenor” (The New York Times).  Of his performances in Eugene Onegin at the Juilliard School, Opera News wrote, “Mykkanen was a knockout as Lensky.

Molly Cox is from Floyd, VA and has been recognized for having a “fantastic voice, a delightful stage presence, and quite a range” (BroadwayWorld.com). Molly is at home in both the opera and musical theatre worlds playing contrasting roles from Dido (Dido and Aeneas) to Veronica Sawyer (Heathers the Musical).

Morgan Smith

American baritone Morgan Smith is one of the most sought after performers of modern operatic repertoire in the world. Known for his riveting dramatic portrayals and the power and beauty of his voice, Mr. Smith has been entrusted to create 12 roles in world premieres, including Starbuck in Jake Heggie's widely acclaimed Moby-Dick. Mr.

Headshot of Nathan De'Shon Myers with Arizona Opera

Nathan De'Shon Myers is a versatile artist with a hybrid international career that includes performance in opera, jazz and gospel, choral, and opera conducting.

Praised by the Washington Post as having a voice of "unearthly power," The Houston Press as being a "blow away singer," and the San Jose Mercury News as a "natural comic actor," American bass, Nathan Stark, has performed on operatic, concert and recital stages throughout the United States, Europe and China.

Nathan Troup maintains a body of work spanning standard operatic repertoire, new work premieres, uniquely curated site-specific projects, and distinct collaborations with multidisciplinary artists.

Neil Patel

Neil creates bold and unique worlds for Film, Television, Commercials, Music Videos and Live Events.

A graduate of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, accomplished young bass Nicholas Masters was the First Prize and Audience Choice winner in the 2013 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition.

Nicole Haslett Headshot

Hailed by the New York Times for her “technically accomplished coloratura” as well as, “floating lyricism,” soprano Nicole Haslett makes her Opera Hong Kong debut as Gilda in Rigoletto, and later this season returns to the company for her role debut as Ophélie in Thomas’ Hamlet in the 2019/20 Season.

American baritone Norman Garrett, a native of Lubbock, Texas, is a recent alumnus of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera.

Octavio Moreno

University of Arizona alumni, Mexican-American baritone Octavio Moreno participated in the artist program at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia and the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Headshot of lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II with Arizona Opera

Oscar Hammerstein II was born in New York City on July 12, 1895, into a family who worked in theater. His father, William, managed a vaudeville theater, while his grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein I, was a famed opera impresario. Hammerstein's uncle Arthur was a successful producer of Broadway musicals.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Patricia Racette with Arizona Opera

Soprano Patricia Racette has appeared in the most acclaimed opera houses of the world including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company, Royal Opera House, La Scala, Paris Opera, Theater an der Wien, Gran Teatro del Liceu, and the Bayerische Staatsoper.

American bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2019/20 Season.

Composer Patrick Morganelli holds degrees in music from both California State University Northridge and the USC Thornton School of Music where he studied Piano with Daniel Pollack and Composition with Frederick Lesemann and Tamar Diesendruck, graduating with distinction.

Paul Muldoon is an Irish poet and professor of poetry, as well as an editor, critic, playwright, lyricist and translator.

Paul Nicosia

Paul Nicosia, an American tenor, most recently appeared at Opera Theater of Montclair singing the role of Acis in their production of Acis and Galatea. Following that he performed the role of Danny in Arizona Opera’s premiere of Arizona Lady by composer Emmerich Kálmán.

Paulo Szot

Baritone Paulo Szot has garnered international acclaim as both an opera singer and an actor. Born in São Paulo to Polish immigrants, Szot has appeared with most major opera companies throughout the world. In 2008, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Emile De Beque in the Broadway revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theatre.

Opera: The Birds, Der Zerbrochene Krug/Der Zwerg, Pagliacci, The Merry Widow, Rigoletto, Otello, La Boheme (Los Angeles Opera); The Marriage of Figaro (Santa Fe Opera); La Rondine (New York City Opera); Die Fledermaus (Washington Opera); Faust, La Traviata (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Carmen (Sacramento Opera, as Director and C

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Peter Barber with Arizona Opera

Peter Barber is an American bass-baritone and Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts. In October of 2021, Barber made his professional role and company debut with Salt Marsh Opera, performing Escamillo in Carmen.

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Peter Morgan with Arizona Opera

Praised as a, “Shining and Powerful Bass-Baritone” (Opera Today), Peter Morgan has quickly developed a reputation as an enthralling and dynamic performer, amassing a steadily increasing repertoire performing across the United States and Europe.

Peter Volpe

Recent highlights of Mr. Volpe's career include three broadcasts for the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series: Puccini's Gianni Schicchi (with Il tabarro and Suor Angelica), Rossini's Armida, and Verdi's La Traviata, the Verdi Requiem at the Chichester Festival in Chichester, England, and the popular French grand opera Les Huguenots in the role of Marcel at the Bard Festival; the first time the opera was staged in America since the Metropolitan Opera's production 95 years earlier.

Quo Johnson

Quodesia “Quo” Johnson (she/her) continues to forge dynamic and exciting spaces of shared belonging in arts and culture, gaining local and national recognition for her unique approach as a speaker, facilitator, collaborator, equity specialist, healing practitioner, and creative.

Headshot of Intimacy Director Rachel Finley with Arizona Opera

Rachel Finley is dedicated to the advancement of consent forward practices in theatre. To that end, she has trained with Theatrical Intimacy Educators, Intimacy Coordinators of Color, and Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC). Finley currently serves on the Board of Directors of Intimacy Coordinators of Color.

Rachele Gilmore has established herself as one of America’s most sought after coloratura sopranos, and continues to thrill audiences around the globe combining what Opera News describes as a “silvery soprano…with an effortlessness that thrills her audience.”  A regular performer in America, Europe and Asia, Ms.

Rafael Davila

Tenor Rafael Davila has quickly risen to be one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Rafael Moras with Arizona Opera

Hailed for his ability to communicate “…romance and heartbreak with his soaring tenor tones,” by Broadway World and “..heroic bravado…”, “…acting chops…”, and “…irresistible mix of Italianate and Latin passion…” by Musical America Worldwide, Opera News, and Classical Voice North America respectively, tenor Rafael Moras is a rising star of the opera and orches

Rebecca Nash Headshot

Lauded by the Seattle Times as a “passionate singing actor with a voice of considerable heft and power” and for her “fearless, thrilling high notes,” Rebecca Nash recently triumphed in her role and company debut as Senta in Der fliegende Holländer with Seattle Opera.

Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for a “winningly liquid” voice as well as for her “dramatic vividness and vocal flourish,” soprano Rena Harms returns to English National Opera to sing her first performances of Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly, makes her French debut at Opera National de Bordeaux as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, returns to Florentine Opera in her role debut as Beatrice in Three Decembers and performs one of her signature roles, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with Opera Santa Barbara during the 2015/16 season.

Tenor René Barbera, a graduate of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, has swiftly established himself as a dominant presence in the opera world. In Placido Domingo’s Operalia 2011, he was awarded First Prize for Opera, First Prize for Zarzuela, and the Audience Prize.

René Izquierdo

Cuban-born René Izquierdo is a unique artist and passionate educator whose career has been dedicated to inspiring individuals and connecting communities. Through his “unforgettable versatility, sensitivity and sublime musicianship” (Classical Guitar Magazine), René has firmly established himself as one of the world’s classical guitar virtuosos.

Rhea Miller was the Soprano Teaching Artist for Arizona Opera’s 2013 and 2014 OperaTunity Outreach Program. She also had the opportunity cover-study the roles of Lucia, Susanna, Josephine, Musetta, Violetta, and Norina in Arizona Opera’s productions of Lucia di LammermoorLe nozze di FigaroH.M.S.

Ricardo Lugo

With a “resonant” bass sound Puerto Rican bass Ricardo Lugo is a versatile international artist in demand on the operatic and concert scene.

In the spring of 2015, baritone Ricardo Rivera — who was a semi-finalist in the Met Opera National Council Auditions and is the recipient of the Richard F.

Rich Fine Headshot

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2020/21 Season

Hometown: Enterprise, Alabama

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts- Costume Design- The Theatre School at DePaul University & Master of Fine Arts- Classical Painting- The New York Academy of Art

Headshot of opera bass-baritone singer Richard Ollarsaba with Arizona Opera

Mexican-American bass-baritone, Richard Ollarsaba, praised by The Washington Post for his “meltingly smooth bass-baritone” and for “evoking a young Ruggero Raimondi in looks and manner,” represented the United States in the 2019 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, was a member of the prestigious Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago for three seasons, and a grand finalis

Grammy-award winning dramatic baritone, Richard Paul Fink, has been acclaimed internationally in appearances with theaters that include The Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin State Opera, Opera National de Paris, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, San Diego Opera, Hamburg State Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Theatr

Headshot of composer Richard Rodgers with Arizona Opera

Prolific composer Richard Charles Rodgers was the second son born to physician Dr. William Rodgers and his wife, Mamie, on June 28, 1902, when they were staying at a friend's summer house near Arverne, in Queens, New York. Not long after, the family moved to Upper Manhattan, coincidentally mere blocks away from Richard's future songwriting partners, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Known informally as the “other Richard” or the “other Strauss,” Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949) rose to become the most important composer of German opera in the early 20th century. Strauss advanced melodic and harmonic theories, while at the same time looking over a sentimental shoulder toward the waltz king’s Viennese dramaturgy and stagecraft.

Richard Wagner

Wilhelm Richard Wagner was born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig, Germany, and went on to become one of the world's most influential—and controversial—composers.

Headshot of composer Ricky Ian Gordon with Arizona Opera

Ricky Ian Gordon was born on May 15, 1956 in Oceanside, NY and raised on Long Island. After studying piano, composition, and acting, at Carnegie Mellon University, he settled in New York City, where he quickly emerged as a leading writer of vocal music that spans art song, opera, and musical theater. Mr.

Rob McGinness

Recognized for his “impressive singing … well-supported tone and supple phrasing,” (Baltimore Sun) baritone Rob McGinness‘ recent venue debuts include Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Robert Bosworth, pianist headshot

Described as "consistently engaging to watch" by Opera News, Robert Bosworth is thrilled to be returning to Arizona Opera for a second season as a Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist. Previously, he served as the Resident Artist Pianist at Utah Opera from 2017-2019 and was a Coaching Fellow at Wolf Trap Opera in 2019.

Robert Orth has performed 134 roles in opera and musicals in scores of cities including London, Berlin, Rome, New York, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Portland, Washington D.C., and Denver. He was named “Artist of the Year” by both New York City Opera and Seattle Opera.

Headshot of conductor Roberto Kalb with Arizona Opera

Mexican-born conductor Roberto Kalb is the newly appointed music director of Detroit Opera. Kalb makes multiple debuts in the 2022/23 Season, including with the San Francisco Opera, Compañía Nacional de Ópera at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, San Diego Opera, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

American mezzo-soprano Robynne Redmon has firmly established herself as one of the greatest leading ladies of this generation. Ms. Redmon is renowned the world over for her “glorious singing, intense acting, excellent phrasing, ardent tone, splendid shading, solid coloratura and excellent artistic sense”.

Rodell Rosel is a guest of the major opera companies in the U.S. Following his debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Remendado in Carmen, he has appeared on their stage as the Prince and Man Servant in Lulu, Spoletta in Tosca, the First Priest in The Magic Flute, Borsa in Rigoletto and as Faninal’s Major-domo in Der Rosenkavalier, Altoum in Turandot and the Second Jew in Salome, Bardolph in Falstaff, Ruiz in Il Trovatore, Benvoglio in Roméo et Juliette, Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, the Four Servants in The Tales of Hoffman and Monastatos in The Magic Flute.

Headshot of opera tenor singer Ryan Glover with Arizona Opera

Ryan Glover is an operatic tenor, a yoga teacher, and a poet. Over the past decade Glover has performed numerous roles in opera, operetta, musical theatre, and oratorio. Currently, Glover is in his eighth season as a chorister with Arizona Opera and as a staff singer at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix.

Bass-Baritone Ryan Kuster gained vast attention on the west coast for his accolades in San Francisco, where he recently completed a two-year residency and over 80 performances with the prestigious Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera.

Upcoming engagements during the 2016-17 season for Sandra Lopez include performances as Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly with the Arizona Opera, her company and role debut as Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmelites for the Sarasota Opera, and the title role in Catan’s La Hija de Rappaccini for Alamo City Opera.

 

Headshot of opera tenor singer Santiago Ballerini with Arizona Opera

Argentinian tenor Santiago Ballerini is recognized as one of the leading tenors in the Bel Canto repertoire, having performed at many of the major opera houses throughout North and South America from Opera Nacional de Chile, Teatro Colón, Canadian Opera Company, as well as a long side leading international orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra in DC, Porto Symphony Orchestra in Por

A native of St. Paul Minnesota, Sara Gartland earned favorable notices this season as Curley's Wife in Utah Opera's production of Carlyle Floyd's Of Mice and Men, for which Opera News said, "Floyd, in Salt Lake City to observe final preparations and attend opening night, made some minor revisions to the score, including the addition of string glissandos when Curley's wife, played with glittering coloratura and astute restraint by soprano Sara Gartland, allowed Lennie to stroke her hair. The compositional tweak gave an added layer of creepiness to the scene, which is capped by the woman's startlingly realistic death." 

American soprano Sarah Coburn is captivating international audiences with her “precision placement, mercury speed, and a gorgeous liquid gold tone, gilded by a thrilling top and bottom register” (The Globe and Mail).

Sarah Coit

In 2018, mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit was a Vocal Fellow with Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and made several important role and house debuts. Opera News praised her performance as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Michigan Opera Theatre: “Sarah Coit’s burnished mezzo-soprano gave her Cherubino a seductive tinge.

Headshot of stage director Sarah Ina Meyers with Arizona Opera

Sarah Meyers is a New York based stage director, author and scholar who enjoys questioning how, where and what opera should be.

Praised as “sizzling,” “riveting” and possessing a “plummy, ripe mezzo,” mezzo-soprano Sarah Larsen’s 2015/2016 season begins with a return to Wolf Trap Opera where she performs Susanna in The Ghosts of Versailles and in Steven Blier’s The Rodgers Family – A Century of Musicals.

Headshot of revival lighting designer Sarah Riffle with Arizona Opera

Some of Riffle’s most recent shows include The Elixir of Love (Lyric Opera Chicago), West Side Story (Opera San Jose), The Queen of Spades (Des Moines Metro Opera), La Hija de Rappaccini (Chicago Opera Theater), and The Three Queens (Lyric Opera Chicago).

Sarah Tucker - a stand-out young soprano

Praised by Opera Today for “pure, clear tones” and lauded by the Arizona Republic for “purity and vivacious charm,” young soprano Sarah Tucker is demanding attention for her captivating vocal timbre and engaging stage presence.

Saúl Ávalos was born in Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and began singing at the age of six. His father taught him to play several string instruments, including the jarana, guitar, and violin. He studied music at the State University of Tamaulipas, which he entered at age fifteen.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Schyler Vargas with Arizona Opera

Schyler Vargas, Mexican-American baritone, is establishing himself as a versatile young talent, bringing interdisciplinary performances to the operatic, theatrical, and concert stage.

Lauded by the Dallas News for a "clarion" voice, tenor Scott Quinn fills his 2014-15 season with role debuts.  He joins the Lyric Opera of Kansas City for Alfredo in La traviata and Atlanta Opera for Duca in Rigoletto.  He returns to Houston Grand Opera as Pirelli inSweeney Todd and Tamino in outdoor performances Die Zauberflöte as well as Dallas Opera fo

Scott Terrell

Conductor Scott Terrell was appointed Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic in 2009. During his tenure, Mr. Terrell has re-invigorated and raised the artistic level of the ensemble, expanded collaborations, increased subscriptions and challenged its musicians and audiences with a greater diversity of repertoire and programs. Several major gifts were acquired because of Terrell’s artistic vision and direction resulting in the establishment of an Emerging Artist Chair and a Composer-in-Residence chair.

SeokJong Baek

San Francisco Classical Voice hails South Korean tenor SeokJong Baek for his “warm, beautifully modulated voice”, Mr. Baek is the 1st Place winner of the 2021 Loren L.

AZO Conductor Shawn Galvin

Shawn Galvin is the Curator of New Music Raleigh (NMR), “the Southeast's most plugged-in musical collective devoted to the work of living composers” (Indy Week).

Described as “vocally superb” with an “ample” and “rich” baritone voice, Shea Owens is quickly establishing himself as an emerging artist. A versatile performer with “canny stage presence,” he is well-suited for a wide variety of music and roles.

Stage Management Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2018/19 and 2019/20 Seasons

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Education: BA in Theater Design and production from Arizona State University

Lauded by The New York Times as a “terrific singer” with a “deep, rich timbre” and the San Francisco Chronicle as an “opera powerhouse” with a “weighty and forthright” sound, Sidney Outlaw was the Grand Prize winner of the Concurso Internacional de Canto Montserrat Caballe in 2010 and continues to delight audiences in the U.S.

Stefano de Peppo

Stefano de Peppo is one of opera’s busiest singing actors sought after for the Italian character bass parts in operas by Donizetti, Rossini, and Mozart such as the title role in Don Pasquale, Dulcamara in Elixer of Love, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Mustafa in L’Italiana in Algeri, Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, Leporello in Don Giovanni, title role in The Marriage of Figaro, and Alphonso in Così fan tutte​. Other notable roles include the Sacristan in Tosca, Schaunard in La bohème, and Geronte in Manon Lescaut.

Stephanie Havey

Winner of the Adelaide Bishop award for artistic quality and winner of the Opera America Director-Designer Showcase, Stephanie Havey has staged productions for Pittsburgh Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Arizona Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Omaha, New York City Opera, North Carolina Opera, and Hawaii Opera Theatre, as well as new productions of La rondine for The Curtis Institute of Music

Stephanie Lauricella

In the 2017/18 season, Stephanie Lauricella makes her debut with Arizona Opera in The Barber of Seville. also returned to the Opéra National de Paris for a revival of Dorabella in Così fan tutte and will make her house debut with Glyndebourne Festival this summer as Annina in Der Rosenkavalier.

Headshot of conductor Stephanie Rhodes Russell with Arizona Opera

Stephanie Rhodes Russell is an alum of the Dallas Opera’s Institute for Women Conductors, the Houston Grand Opera Studio and San Francisco’s Merola Opera Program.

Headshot of opera mezzo-soprano singer Stephanie Sánchez with Arizona Opera

Stephanie Sánchez has been praised by Opera News for her “polished, Italianate mezzo” and by ReviewSTL for her “exquisite singing.”

Stephen Sondheim

STEPHEN SONDHEIM wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (1962), ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (1964), COMPANY (1970), FOLLIES (1971), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (1973), THE FROGS (1974), PACIFIC OVERTURES (1976), SWEENEY TODD (1979), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (1981), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (1984), INTO THE WOODS (1987), ASSASSINS (1991), PASSION

Steven Mark Kohn’s creative output as a composer, arranger, and writer spans the gamut from folk song arrangements premiered at Carnegie Hall to television jingles for Fortune 500 companies and Disney Channel film scores.

Steven Powell Headshot

Steven Powell is a singer/songwriter, a percussionist, and a producer. He has shared the stage with artist such as Lee Greenwood, Montel Jordan, Jazz Great Dennis Rowland, and more. Known for his dynamic performances of the National Anthem around the country, he garnered over 56M views of one of his anthem performances during an Arizona Cardinals game.

Headshot of conductor Steven White with Arizona Opera

Praised by Opera News as a conductor who “squeezes every drop of excitement and pathos from the score,” Steven White is one of North America’s premiere operatic and symphonic conductors. He made his acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut in 2010, conducting performances of La traviata starring Angela Gheorghiu.

Susan Graham Headshot

Susan Graham – hailed as “an artist to treasure” by the New York Times – rose to the highest echelon of international performers within just a few years of her professional debut, mastering an astonishing range of repertoire and genres along the way.

Susan Shafer has performed to great acclaim with opera companies throughout North America and Europe.

Alabama-born soprano Susanna Phillips is a recipient of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2010 Beverly Sills Artist Award.

Susannah Biller, a former Adler Fellow, has appeared at the San Francisco Opera as Kristina (The Makropulos Case); Frasquita (Carmen); Despina (Così fan tutte); in addition to creating the roles of Lolita and a Bridesmaid in Heart of a Soldier.

American mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer has established herself not only as an international singer but also as a writer, teacher and arts advocate.

Tara Branham headshot

Tara Branham is a director and producer in Chicago. Currently, Tara is the Resident Director with Opera San Jose and the National New Play Network Producer-in-Residence with Prop Thtr in Chicago. Most recently, she assistant directed the world premiere of Freedom Ride under Tazewell Thompson at Chicago Opera Theatre.

Headshot of stage director Tara Faircloth with Arizona Opera

Stage Director Tara Faircloth’s work has been seen in opera houses around the nation.

Taylor Stayton

Taylor Stayton’s “laser-bright timbre” and “exceptional fluidity above the staff” (Opera News) continue to distinguish him as one of the most sought-after tenors in his repertoire. Stayton’s 2015/16 season begins with his debut at the Norwegian National Opera in his acclaimed interpretation of Almaviva in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.

Tenaya Tidwell, Costume Apprentice

Costume Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2021/22 Season
 

Hometown: Surprise, Arizona

Education: BFA Theatre - Costume Design & Production from University of Arizona

Teniqua Broughton headshot
As the founder and CEO of VerveSimone Consulting, a woman owned small business providing consulting services to individuals and organizations. Teniqua Broughton is noted for her impact in both national and local sector
Headshot of opera tenor singer Terrence Chin-Loy with Arizona Opera

American tenor Terrence Chin-Loy, whom Opera News described as having a "beautiful lyric tenor voice” pairs passionate performance with a full, sweet sound.

Tess Altiveros

Noted for her “particularly soulful” interpretations (L.A. Times) and a "captivating combination of skilled singing and magnetic acting" (Pioneer Press), soprano Tess Altiveros is equally at home in a wide range of repertoire from the 17th century to the 21st.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Thomas Cannon with Arizona Opera

Thomas Cannon has been acclaimed for his “focused tone, keen dramatic sense and vocal powerhouse”. Skilled across diverse genres, he has performed works by Verdi, Mozart, Puccini, Gounod, John Corigliano, Meredith Wilson and George Gershwin.

Baritone Thomas Glass is a Grand Prize winner of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a recent alum of the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Photo of Thomas Mallon by William Bodenschatz

Thomas Mallon’s ten books of fiction include Henry and Clara, Fellow Travelers, Watergate (a Finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award) and the just-published Landfall.  He has also written volumes of nonfiction about plagiarism (Stolen Words), diaries (A Book of One’s Own), letters (Yours Ever) and the Kennedy assassination (Mrs.

Thomas Strawser

Thomas W. Strawser, a native of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, enjoys an extensive and diverse career as a performing artist. His professional choral experience includes The Philadelphia Singers during the organization’s tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Manhattan Chorale, a choral residency at St.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Tiffany Choe with Arizona Opera

Tiffany Choe is a Korean-American soprano born and raised in Southern California. Choe received her Performance Diploma, Bachelors degree, and Masters degree in Vocal Performance from the Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Kevin and Heidi Grant Murphy. Choe attended the Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute as a fellow this past summer.

Lauded for his “...consistent, attractive baritone” (Opera News) and “...firm, flexible baritone” (The New York Times), Wisconsin-born baritone Tim Murray is a recent graduate of the Resident Artist Program with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. During his time there, Mr.

With a diverse and adventurous repertoire of symphonic works and more than 60 operas, conductor TIMOTHY MYERS is proving himself as an intrepid young maestro with his finger on the pulse of today’s musical world.  His commanding performances of the core repertoire are enhanced by his passion for fusing genres and styles, and his personal warmth and approachability forge connections with audienc

Headshot of video/media implementation and lighting designer Tláloc López-Watermann with Arizona Opera

Tláloc Lopez-Watermann’s designs

Headshot of opera soprano singer Toni Marie Palmertree with Arizona Opera

Soprano Toni Marie Palmertree is rapidly becoming recognized as one of America’s most riveting performers of Puccini and Verdi heroines.

Tony Duncan Headshot

Tony Duncan (Apache, Arikara and Hidatsa) has performed for audiences worldwide, including performances at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Smithsonian Museum, The Billboard Music Awards, The Tonight Show, and The White House. As a hoop dancer, Mr. Duncan is among the best in the world, winning the title of “World Champion Hoop Dancer” an amazing five times.

Design Apprentice in Arizona Opera's 2018/19 and 2010/20 Season

Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Education: BFA in Theatre Design & Production from Oklahoma City University

Vanessa Alonzo

Houston native, Vanessa Alonzo created the role for three mariachi operas. She has performed with the greatest mariachi musicians in the world including Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Los Camperos, and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Vanessa Becerra with Arizona Opera

Peruvian & Mexican-American soprano Vanessa Becerra is a recent graduate of LA Opera’s prestigious Young Artist Program praised for her “bold and bright” singing (Opera News), “full, beautifully focused” instrument (Wall Street Journal), and “charismatic and eloquent” presence (San Francisco Chronicle).

Headshot of opera soprano singer Vanessa Vasquez with Arizona Opera

Colombian-American soprano Vanessa Vasquez, winner of the 2017 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, recently completed a four-year residency at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where she has been heard as Mimì in La Bohème, Gilda in Rigoletto, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Violetta in La Traviata.

Headshot of opera soprano singer Véronique Filloux with Arizona Opera

Praised for her "expressive, lovingly shaded soprano" and "dazzling coloratura and lithe stage presence [used] to piquant comedic effect" (Opera News), French-American soprano Véronique Filloux spends the 2022/23 Season with Arizona Opera, making several exciting role debuts including Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), Liesl (The Sound of Music), Pamina (The Magic Fl

Viktor Antipenko

Russian-born Viktor Antipenko, praised for his effortless, expansive sound, and excellent technique, continues to sing leading roles to great acclaim and has become a tenor to watch in the dramatic repertoire.

Vincent Pequeño

Vincent Pequeño is the initial founder of Trio Chapultepec, and with the help of his colleagues has performed across the globe and in many prestigious theaters. A San Antonio native, he has been a full time musician since his youth with a concentration in classical guitar and Mariachi.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Weston Hurt with Arizona Opera

Baritone Weston Hurt’s most recent engagements have included a virtual performance of Madison Opera’s annual Opera in the Park concert, a recital with Austin Opera as part of the company’s Live from Indy Terrace series, and Count di Luna in Il trovatore with Portland Opera (cancelled due to COVID-19).

William C. Galvez

William C. Galvez, a mestizo child from the small town of Uhland, Tx, started his musical journey playing guitar in an after school mariachi program at Hemphill Elementary school in 2002. He would begin to play professionally with two of his teachers groups such as Mariachi Suroeste (2007) and Mariachi Relampago (2008).

Headshot of opera baritone singer William Vallandigham with Arizona Opera

William Nathan Vallandigham is thrilled to be making his Arizona Opera debut as Gregorio in Roméo & Juliette, as well as joining the chorus for The Barber of Seville and Don Giovanni. As a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus, he has sung under the batons of Riccardo Muti and Marin Alsop.

Wm. Clay Thompson

American Bass Wm. Clay Thompson has been praised by Opera News for his “mahogany-timbred” voice. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Thompson recently completed his second year as a Resident Artist with Minnesota Opera, and is known for his "...strong, rich, and warm color, yet the ability to cross over into bass-baritone repertoire."

Portrait of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Arizona Opera

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria. Mozart's father, Leopold Mozart, a noted composer, instructor, and the author of famous writings on violin playing, was then in the service of the archbishop of Salzburg. Leopold and Anna Maria, his wife, stressed the importance of music to their children.

Xel-ha Ojeda

Xel-Ha Ojeda is a bilingual Mexican-American actress, model, and dancer. She was born in Michigan and started dancing at the early age of 3 and modeling at the age of 5 for her elementary school’s summer camp marketing campaign. At the age of 7, she discovered acting which quickly grew into her newfound passion.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Yazid Gray with Arizona Opera

Yazid Gray has been described as "a vocal chameleon" (Seen and Heard International) with "a baritone voice of fine quality and warmth" (onStage Pittsburgh).

Yongzhao Yu, who won the Audience Choice Award and the Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award in HGO’s 2015 Eleanor McCollum Competition Concert of Arias, is currently in his third season in the HGO Studio. In the 2016/2017 season he made his HGO stage debut as a Winged Angel in the world premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s It’s a Wonderful Life.

Yvonne Montoya Headshot

Yvonne Montoya is a mother, dancemaker, bi-national artist, thought leader, writer, speaker, and the founding director of Safos Dance Theatre. Based in Tucson and originally from Albuquerque, N.M., her work is grounded in and inspired by the landscapes, languages, cultures, and aesthetics of the U.S. Southwest.

An outstanding graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Zach Borichevsky continues to impress all around the world, concluding an eventful season during which he made his critically acclaimed European operatic debut as Rodolfo in La bohème for Finnish National Opera under Michael Güttler, his role debut as Tamino in The Magic Flute with Boston Lyric Opera under D

Zach Redler

Zach Redler is an award winning music theater composer whose work has been performed in concert halls, opera houses, and theaters around the world. Some of his favorite works are: The Memory ShowLoving LeoWindowsA Song for Susan SmithADAMMovin’ Up In The World, and The Falling and the Rising.

Zachary James

Zachary James, bass, is an international opera singer and Broadway actor. He created the role of Lurch in The Addams Family on Broadway, Hassinger in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center, and sang Handel’s Messiah in the 2007 Broadway play, Coram Boy.

Headshot of opera baritone singer Zachary Nelson with Arizona Opera

Zachary Nelson, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, studied vocal performance at The Catholic University of America, and later the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

Zachary Owen

Born and raised in Illinois, American bass-baritone Zachary Owen has performed with such companies as the Glimmerglass Festival, Arizona Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Kentucky Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Central City Opera, Opera North, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Opera Santa Barbara.

Zane Grey

Pearl Zane Grey was born January 31, 1872, in Zanesville, Ohio. His birth name may have originated from newspaper descriptions of Queen Victoria's mourning clothes as "pearl gray". He was the fourth of five children born to Alice "Allie" Josephine Zane, whose English Quaker immigrant ancestor Robert Zane came to the North American colonies in 1673, and her husband, Lewis M. Gray, a dentist.

Zulimar López-Hernández

Puerto Rican soprano Zulimar López-Hernández is celebrated for her lustrous timbre and charismatic portrayals of a wide range of roles.

The soprano’s engagements during the COVID-19 impacted 2020/21 Season include performances with Arizona Opera as La Mujer in El milagro del Recuerdo (postponed).