Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program
Experience an opera performance at your school, community center, or library through a fully staged, 40-minute adaptation of a classic, or an original story! Performances are presented in English and designed for K-8 audiences.
2026/27 Arlyn M. Brewster Education Teaching Artists
Clarissa Smith, Little Red Riding Hood / Little Pig
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Clarissa Christina Smith, a proud Tucson native, is an accomplished soprano, educator, and emerging scholar pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology at the University of Arizona under Dr. Kristin Dauphinais. For the past several years, she has served as a teaching artist with Arizona OperaTunity, where she brings opera into classrooms and communities across the state, inspiring young audiences with engaging performances and interactive education.
Clarissa’s stage credits include La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (Oregon State University, University of Arizona, Berlin Opera Academy cover), Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (Berlin Opera Academy), Rosalinde in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus (University of Arizona), and Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica (University of Arizona and Varna International Music Academy). This season, she will appear as Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel (Arizona OperaTunity, 2025 adaptation). She has also performed in world premieres, including Michael Vince’s Hinterkaifeck at the University of Arizona.
In addition to her operatic achievements, Clarissa is a principal soprano and section leader with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus and a vocal instructor at Operachi School of Music, where she integrates her operatic expertise with her mariachi roots to guide the next generation of singers.
She is the recipient of numerous honors, including first-place awards in the President’s Concerto Competition (2024), the Marguerite Ough Competition (2022), the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition (2022 & 2025), and the Opera Guild of Southern Arizona’s Quest for the Best Vocal Competition (2025).
Diana Peralta, Little Pig / Granny
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Diana Peralta, a mezzo-soprano from Mexico City, graduated from the National Conservatory of Music with a degree in Opera and Concert Singing. She earned her master's degree in Voice Performance from the University of Arizona and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree.
Her performances include her debut in 2018 in the title role of Carmen at the San Luis Potosí Opera Festival in Mexico, conducted by Dr. Linus Lerner. She reprised the role with “Opera de México” in Durango in 2019; in Bodrum, Turkey in 2022, and in Jerusalem in 2023.
Peralta's repertoire also includes roles such as Donna Elvira, Cherubino, Zita, Zia Principessa, Ma Moss, Mercedes, Mme de la Haltiére, Jezibaba, Hansel, Charlotte, Lady Rhondda, Sorceress, and the 2nd and 3rd Ladies in The Magic Flute, among others. She has performed as the mezzo-soprano soloist in Natal, Brasil with the OSRN, The Messiah, Symphony No. 9, Mozart's Requiem, and Petite Messe Solennelle in New York City.
Peralta was awarded 1st place in the Amelia Rieman Opera, Marguerite Ough, and "Opera Guild Quest for the Best" competitions at the University of Arizona in 2019, 2022, and 2023 respectively, as well as winning the President’s Competition.
Internationally, she won 1st Place in the Vienna Summer Festival Vocal Competition in New York and was cast as Carmen for Vienna, Austria in July 2020. She was named winner of the "Gertrude Brownlee Bitner Memorial Award" in “Opera de San Miguel de Allende” in Guanajuato and received the "Opera of Panama" Award at the Linus Lerner Competition in San Luis Potosi.
She debuted internationally the roles of Zita and Zia in Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica in Medellin, Colombia during the Festival Lírico Internacional SASO-Prolírica de Antioquia, and collaborated singing with the Tucson Symphonic Orchestra to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.
For three years she has been singing for the OperaTunity project with Arizona Opera alongside pursuing her doctoral degree in Voice Performance.
Micheal Dewayne Jackson, Narrator / Boy Who Cried Wolf
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Micheal Dewayne Jackson is a tenor from Las Vegas, Nevada. He embarked on his musical journey at the age of 15, and went on to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Northern Nevada at the University of Nevada-Reno. Jackson's recent roles include Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Goro in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, and Don José in La tragédie de Carmen. Currently, Jackson is pursuing his Doctoral degree in Voice at the University of Arizona, and is grateful to be working with Operatunity.
Jared Peterson, Big Bad Wolf / Little Pig
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Jared Peterson, bass, graduated from the University of Arizona with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance, having previously earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Washington State University. Leading operatic roles include Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Mr. Ford in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas, and Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte. In December 2024, Jared sang the title role of Duke Bluebeard, alongside Korby Myrick, in Passion Project: Opera!’s production of Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Most recently, he made his Arizona Opera debut, singing the role of Soldier #2 in the Arizona premiere of Héctor Armienta’s Zorro.
This November, Jared will sing the extensive and demanding basso profundo solo in The Helios Ensemble’s fall concert of Rautavaara’s Vigilia: Vespers, sung in the original Finnish. He will also appear as a guest artist with the University of Arizona’s Opera Theater, singing the role of the Baron in Viardot’s Cendrillon. Jared currently studies voice with Korby Myrick and maintains an active vocal studio in Tucson.
Sophia Su, Collaborative Pianist
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Sophia Su is a collaborative pianist currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Linder. She holds a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Texas at Austin.
Sophia has served as a rehearsal pianist and coach for the University of Texas Butler Opera Center, with operatic credits including The Tender Land, Le nozze di Figaro, Carmen, Dido and Aeneas, La clemenza di Tito, and Eugene Onegin. She has also performed at the Miami Music Festival, Chicago Summer Opera, and the International Lyric Academy in Italy.
In demand as a collaborator for both vocalists and instrumentalists, Sophia recently worked with the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and served on the coaching staff for UA Opera Theatre’s productions of Thumbprint and Così fan tutte. As a soloist, she won first prize in the University of Arizona’s 2023–24 President’s Concerto Competition and third prize in the 2023 Trester Competition. She has performed in master classes for distinguished artists including Dr. Diego Caetano, Dr. Catherine Kautsky, and Steven Vanhauwaert.
In addition to her performance accomplishments, Sophia has contributed to opera productions in various roles, including harpsichordist, chorus master, and coaching staff, demonstrating her versatility and leadership in the field.
Esther Jung, Little Red Riding Hood / Little Pig Cover
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Tucson 2026
Esther Jung is a Korean lyric coloratura soprano recognized for her expressive artistry, musical sensitivity, and stylistic versatility across opera, concert, and recital repertoire, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice and Opera at the University of Arizona, where she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Among her recent opera roles are Silberklang in Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor and Despina in Così fan tutte, both at the University of Arizona, Nannetta in Verdi's Falstaff with the International Lyric Academy in Italy, and Dame in Mozart's The Magic Flute at Hanyang University. She also appeared as Heungbu's Daughter in the Korean opera Heungbu and Nolbu, presented by the Incheon Culture & Arts Center. She is an Arizona Opera Ambassador. This season, she will appear as a guest artist with the University of Arizona Opera Theater, singing the role of Amore in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice.
Esther is the recipient of numerous honors, including Winner of the 52nd Annual President's Concerto Competition (2025), First Prize in the American International Music Competition (2026), Gold Prize in the European Virtuoso Music Awards and Silver Prize in the American Classical Music Awards (2025), First Prize in the Marguerite Ough Voice Competition (2024), Opera Guild of Southern Arizona’s Quest for the Best Vocal Competition (2025 & 2026), and Second Prize in the Amelia Rieman Vocal Competition (2025 & 2026).
Jaqueline Alcocer, Chiquita Rabbit
The Coyotes & The Rabbits, Phoenix 2027
Dramatic soprano Jaqueline Alcocer received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Northern Arizona University. There she sang the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Signora Nacarelli in Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza, and Lady Billows in Britten’s Albert Herring. As a mezzo-soprano undergraduate, she sang Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Mother Bayard in Hindemith’s A Long Christmas Dinner. At Chandler-Gilbert Community College she began performing musical theater roles such as, Sour Kangaroo (Seussical), Mama Noah (Children of Eden), and Marmee (Little Women).
In the fall of 2021, she performed in Munich, Germany, as a winner of the annual Hidalgo Festival. Recently she sang Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with Arizona Lyric Theatre. Upcoming engagements include covering the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with Valley Opera and singing with the Arizona Opera Chorus in Madama Butterfly.
Joshua Giles, Scrawny Coyote
The Coyotes & The Rabbits, Phoenix 2027
An African American lyric tenor from Sawyerville, Alabama, Joshua is known for his brilliant tone and musical versatility. Gracing various classical and non-classical stages alike, he is celebrated as a diverse performer and vocalist. Currently, he is pursuing a Masters Degree in Opera Performance at Arizona State University. While there he has performed the roles of Manuel Garcia (Notes on Viardot), Bill (Flight) and also made ensemble appearances in musicals Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and Mutt: A New Musical Comedy.
Joshua is also a celebrated performer of international appeal. In 2023, he won Music International Grand Prix’s scholarship to attend the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. There he performed as a soloist and duettist with highlight performances including Una furtiva lagrima in the AIMS Festival Orchestra Concert, Amen for the Spiritual's Concert, and The Cherry Duet for the Buona Sera Graz Italian Opera Gala. In 2025, within the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, near the Valmarecchia area, he toured and performed the role of the Duke (Rigoletto).
Sponsored by the Theodore R. Stephan Teaching Artist Endowment Fund
For more information about Arizona Opera Education Programs, please contact Director of Education and Community Engagement, Cassie Hollerbach, at chollerbach@azopera.org.
Arizona Opera’s NextGen programs are made possible, in part, thanks to generous support from: Ted Stephan Teaching Artist Endowment Fund, Drs. Herschel and Jill* Rosenzweig, The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, Molly Blank Fund, Jeannette Segel, SRP, Invest in Kids Charitable Gift Fund, The H.S. Lopez Family Foundation, APS, A gift in memory of Elsa Reichenbach, The Arizona Republic, Marlu Allan & Scott Stallard*, City of Peoria, First Western Trust, The Krumholz Foundation, Desert Diamond Casino, Jim Click Automotive, and a consortium of individual donors. This program is made possible, fully or in part, by a grant from Scottsdale Arts with funding provided by the City of Scottsdale.
This program is made possible, fully or in part, by a grant from Scottsdale Arts with funding provided by the City of Scottsdale.
If you are passionate about continuing the traditions of opera for the next generation, this is your opportunity!
For more information about supporting this program, or to inquire about sponsoring an apprentice, please contact the Development Department at development@azopera.org.