Show-Me-Opera: A Midsummer Night's Dream
March 18 & March 19, 2023 | Missouri Theatre

Cast Biographies:

Maya Anand, soprano, is from Saint Louis, Missouri and is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri. She is a dual major, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Journalism. She studies voice with Christina Ray. Anand has also studied Indian classical voice and has given several concerts in her hometown, as well as in India.

 

Ethiopian-American baritone Yonathan T. Astatke is from Kansas City, MO. Yoni is in his final year of Voice study at the University of Missouri, and is a student of Professor Kyle Stegall. As a member of Show-Me Opera at the University of Missouri, he has sung the roles of Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Ford (Falstaff), and Samuel (Pirates of Penzance). This fall, Yoni debuted the role of Apollo in the premiere of rock operetta Sunflower Radio by award-winning MU student composer morima. He has also performed in scenes with Show-Me Opera as Hamlet (Thomas’s Hamlet), Simon Boccanegra (Simon Boccanegra), Ophémon (L’amant anonyme), Stubbs (Heggie’s Moby Dick), and Masetto (Don Giovanni). For musical theater credits, Yoni performed the role of Alex (Madagascar: A Musical Adventure) with Larry D. Clark Summer Repertory Theater at the University of Missouri. Yoni won First Place in Classical and Fourth Place in Musical Theatre at the Central Region NATS Competition, and he was a NATS National Student Audition semifinalist for the classical and musical theater categories in 2022 and 2021, respectively. He won first and third in musical theater at Central Region NATS in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Yoni was a Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Encouragement Winner at the Nebraska District, and recently won First Place at Opera Mississippi’s John Alexander National Vocal Competition in the Young Musical Theater category. This summer he will be making his professional debut as a Festival Artist at Opera Saratoga in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Yoni is very adamant about continuing the decolonization of classical music. He is a fierce advocate for young artists like himself who belong to marginalized identities to be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve all across the board. He believes that this is the path towards keeping our art sustainable for future generations.

 

Preston Bell is a 1st-year music education major. Raised surrounded by music, it has always been woven into his genes. He has participated in choir since the 6^th grade. Throughout high school, he attended choral competitions and groups such as the KC Metro All-District Honor choir, and State Solo and Ensemble Festival. In his freshman year, he was awarded a silver medal for his state solos, and gold from his sophomore to senior years. Preston also participated in musical theater since the 5^th grade. In his senior year in high school, he was part of a competitive one-act where he was awarded the State’s best-supporting actor as the Marshal in the one-act play, Elephant’s Graveyard. At the end of his senior year, he was awarded the National School Choral Award, the highest honor given to high school choral performers. Standing among his peers, this moment lit a fire inside him. He is motivated to continue to perform and improve himself. He hopes to continue his path of music education and bring those feelings to the next generation.   

 

Peyton Boudouris, alto, is from Springfield, Illinois and is now studying as a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre. This is her first time joining the Show-Me Opera in the fairy chorus. She has been involved in productions such as Rent, Aida, and The Prom within the University of Missouri Theatre Program.

 

Tara Boydston, mezzo-soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is a senior attending the University of Missouri for Vocal Performance and Psychology, studying under Prof. Christine Seitz. She is also a member of MU’s University Singers, with director Paul R. Crabb, as well as the Show-Me Opera program. She has sung many roles, including Marcellina from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Bradamante from Handel’s Alcina. She has also done solo work including Efteraaslied by Hans Abrahmsen with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, and Mozart’s Requiem Movement IV: Domine Jesu performed at St. Stevens in Vienna, Austria. She also qualified as a semi-finalist in the NATS regional competition both her freshman and sophomore year.

 

Henry Braeske, bass-baritone, is from St. Louis and studies voice at the University of Missouri under Kyle Stegall. He is graduating this year with a BA in Music and has recently accepted an appointment with the Landlocked Opera Young Artist program. Previously with Show-Me Opera, he has performed the roles of Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance, Pistola in Falstaff, and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro.

 

Erin Brage, mezzo-soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is a freshman studying Business Administration and Music with an emphasis in Composition. With her degree, she hopes to help other musicians by increasing the accessibility of music creation and performance. She attributes much of her success in singing to her first voice teacher, Jill Hemann, and her current voice professor, Christina Ray. In high school, Erin qualified to Missouri's State Solo and Ensemble competition (2019, 2020, and 2022) in both events. Though this is her first opera, she has been involved in shows since 5th grade; to name a few, Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate), Oklahoma (Virginia and Ado Annie Understudy), Into the Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), Fools (Yenchna), and Tarzan (Snipes). In addition, for 4 years, Erin was in her school's Reader's Theatre that qualified multiple times to the State Competition (2019, 2020, and 2022); her school was declared MSHSAA Reader's Theatre State Champions (2019 and 2022). Erin has been involved in choir since 7th grade and was part of her high school chamber choir (2019 - 2022), as well as being a soprano section leader (2021 - 2022). She was a member of the KC Metro All-District Choir (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022) as a soprano, a member of the Missouri All-State Choir (2022) and qualified to the State Sight Singing Bee (2022). She is currently part of University Singers under the direction of R. Paul Crabb, as well as Canticum Novum under the direction of Jack Grant and Megan Lyon. Erin is looking forward to being in more operas inside and outside of Mizzou.

 

Jonathan Crader is from Columbia, Missouri, and studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is currently completing a second degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Music, while studying voice under Professor Kyle Stegall. He is currently developing his knowledge of opera in the MU Show-Me Opera productions, where he has performed as Bartolo in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and excerpts as Dr. Cajus in Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring. He has performed frequently in the realm of musical theatre, appearing as Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, among other roles. Jonathan has worked regularly in first-rate choral ensembles such as MU’s University Singers for several years, and sings often in a choral setting. He will be competing in NATS under Professor Stegall’s direction, and further developing his work as a solo performer.

 

Elise Cressey, soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri and is a transfer student at the University of Missouri. She is pursuing a BA in music, as well as double majoring in Communications and a minor in Psychology. She is studying voice with Christina Ray and has also performed in a variety of shows. Since attending Mizzou, she has participated in University Singers, the university’s Bach Collegium Choir, Canticum Novum, and Show-Me Opera. She competed at state festivals for solo and ensemble throughout her high school years, receiving superior “1” ratings throughout them, as well as being in the 2019 Missouri All State Choir.

 

Brenna Donnelly, Mezzo-Soprano, is a senior at the University of Missouri who hails from Wichita, KS. Ms. Donnelly is a double major, pursuing a Bachelor of the Arts in Music as well as a Bachelor of Journalism. Ms. Donnelly is studying voice with Steven Tharp and is a member of Show-Me Opera under the direction of Christine Seitz. Ms. Donnelly has most recently been seen in Show Me-Opera’s 2022 Opera Scenes as Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, as well as the 2022 Staged Arias performing the Griserie Ariette from La Perichole. She has played roles such as: Miles from Turn of the Screw and Suor Osmina from Suor Angelica in Show-Me Opera’s 2020 Opera Scenes performance. Ms. Donnelly also covered the role of Cherubino in Show-Me Opera’s production of Le nozze di Figaro.

 

Jourdan Flores, tenor, from Warrenton MO, is a Senior at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is pursuing a BM in Vocal Performance and is studying with Prof. Kyle Stegall. He is currently enrolled in The University Glee Club and Choral Union. He also sings in the Boonslick Chordbusters. Jourdan has been in MU Opera for a few years, with a variety of roles, such as Don Curzio from Le nozze di Figaro. His favorite of these was Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor during Opera Scenes in Fall 2021. He was also in several plays and musicals during his high school years.

 

Faith Fullen, mezzo-soprano, is from Columbus, Ohio, and is currently a first-year graduate student at the University of Missouri. Having received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Industry from Capital University, Ms. Fullen is now pursuing her Master’s in Vocal Performance. Ms. Fullen is a current section leader of the University of Missouri’s University Singers, and studies voice under Kyle Stegall. Most recently, Ms. Fullen has been seen in the roles of Joy from Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Dr. Alexander Manette in Jill Santoriello’s A Tale of Two Cities, and she covered the role of Lucille in Jason Robert Brown’s Parade.

 

Austin Gaskin, baritone, is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He received his Bachelor's of Science in Music with a concentration in piano and Master's in Applied Social Science with a concentration in Public Administration from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. Austin received an additional Master’s of Music in Music Education in May 2020 from the University of Maryland and taught middle school choir in Prince George’s County Maryland. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Music Education at the University of Missouri. He is an aspiring arts administrator with experience interning and working at the National Endowment for the Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council, and the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts. Gaskin holds membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Incorporated.

 

Sopranist Lucas Gonzaga is from São Paulo, Brazil. Gonzaga is currently a graduate student and teaching assistant in the voice area at the University of Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and is pursuing a Master of Music in vocal performance, studying with Prof. Steven Tharp. Gonzaga began his studies in music in 2002, studying violin for 9 years and harp for 10. As a violinist, he was concertmaster of the Municipal Youth Orchestra of São Paulo at the age of fifteen. As a harpist, he studied with the Italian harpist Paola Baron, played on Andrea Bocelli's Brazilian tour, conducted by Eugene Kohn, and has been playing professionally in orchestras ever since. Gonzaga is a former harpist at the São Paulo State Youth Orchestra as well as a former singer at the Academic Choir of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP), where he sang as a soprano.

 

Jack Grant, tenor, is in his third undergraduate year at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying music education. An active member in the Mizzou School of Music, Jack is the music director for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, as well as the music director of the Canticum Novum chamber choir, a premier student-led undergraduate chamber ensemble in the state of Missouri. He is currently a member of the Mizzou University Singers, directed by Dr. R. Paul Crabb. He was a member of the Fort Zumwalt South chamber choir, directed by Jason Martin and asst. Christopher Loftin, a featured performing ensemble at MMEA in January 2020. Over the course of his high school career, Jack has been a member of the Metro 8 all-district choir 3 times and has been a member of the Missouri all-state choir twice. As well as being a member of these high-level ensembles, Jack has also received gold and silver ratings in both solo and ensemble categories at the MSHSA state solo/ensemble festival held at the University of Missouri-Columbia. A dedicated member of his high school theatre program, Jack directed shows such as “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged” and “I Hate Hamlet”. Since beginning college, Jack has transferred this passion for the stage onto works in the Show-Me Opera program, performing in choruses for opera scenes and a full-length production of Falstaff. He also has held scene roles as “Laurie” in Little Women, “Guglielmo” in Cosi Fan Tutte, “Eisenstein” in Die Fledermaus, and “Antonio” in a full-length production of Le nozze di Figaro. Jack also works part-time with Hitt Street studios, working with local artists like The Brink and Paintroom (in which he played bass guitar), as well as well-known gospel artists such as Josh Runnels and Grammy-winner Dorinda Clark-Cole. Jack intends on finishing his degree and pursuing a master's degree in choral conducting, and then teaching as a high school voice teacher in the public school system.

 

Maddie Hawes, soprano, is from Kirkwood, Missouri, and will soon graduate from the University of Missouri with a degree in Strategic Communications and a minor in Textile Apparel Management. She is delighted to join the Show-Me Opera players in her first and final show. All thanks go to her family and her voice teacher, Garett Liam States, for introducing her to classical music and always supporting her passion for performing.

 

Sophie Heimerl, soprano, comes from Naperville, Illinois, and is presently a junior vocal music education major at the University of Missouri. She sings in Show-Me Opera under the direction of Christine Seitz and University Singers, the school’s auditioned choir, and she studies privately with voice professor Steven Tharp. She has performed in the chorus of the opera program’s productions of Falstaff and Le nozze di Figaro. Previous achievements include being in the 2020 ILMEA Honors All-State Choir, and performing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Merry, Merry Chicago! Annual Christmas concert.

 

Caitlin Kenney, soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is a Senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music as well as Minors in Education and Human Development and Family Sciences. In the Fall, she plans to attend graduate school for Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She is a vocal student studying under Professor Kyle Stegall. This is her fourth year as a member of the Show-Me Opera under the direction of Professor Christine Seitz. Notable roles include Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Miss Wordsworth in a scene from Albert Herring, Flora in a scene from The Turn of the Screw, Beth in a scene from Little Women, and Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Her choral work includes The University Singers under Dr. R. Paul Crabb and the Mizzou Treble Choir under Professor Emily Edgington-Andrews.

 

Zachary Kierstead is a collaborative pianist working in Columbia, Missouri. He holds many positions in the area, regularly performing with local schools and Universities. As an adjunct instructor at MU, he accompanies several ensembles: University Singers and Choral Union both with Dr. R. Paul Crabb, and the Show-Me Opera with Professor Christine Seitz. Mr. Kierstead also works with numerous vocal and instrumental students, playing for degree recitals and competitions, as well as any other of the various needs of the school’s music students. Outside of Mizzou, Mr. Kierstead regularly accompanies the Jane Froman Vocal ensembles at Columbia College, as well as works with the choral and musical theatre departments at Central Methodist University. Outside of college institutions, he frequently performs with area schools in district competitions and individual concerts, accompanies local instrumental studio recitals, and performs with guest artists visiting the area. Additionally, he holds positions at two churches in Columbia: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Missouri United Methodist Church. Mr. Kierstead holds his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Central Methodist University and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In his many studies, Mr. Kierstead owes much to those who have previously taught him, as well as those he continues to learn from: Helen Hendry, Gwendolyn Peiper, Dr. Rene Lecuona, Dr. Melissa Loehnig-Simons (CMU), Dr. Janice Wenger (MU), Dr. Rachel AuBuchon.

 

Kennedy Kinnick, mezzo-soprano, is from Raymore, Missouri and is a freshman at the University of Missouri. Kennedy is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. They are also involved in University Singers and currently study voice with Kyle Stegall. They recently won first place in Classical at the Fall 2022 Central Region NATS Competition. Kennedy has performed the roles of Winnifred the Woebegone in Once Upon A Mattress and Ariel Moore in Footloose The Musical. They also received superior “1” ratings on all of their solos at the state solo and ensemble festival and were a two-year member of the Missouri All-State Choir.

 

Wendy Kleintank, soprano, is originally from North Manchester, Indiana, and her current home is in Sedalia, Missouri. She has been playing the violin for 15 years and started taking vocal lessons in her last year of high school. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in violin and voice at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she studies violin with Eva Szekely and voice with Christine Seitz. She is currently a member of the University Philharmonic under the direction of Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, and she is also a member of the University Singers, under the direction of R. Paul Crabb. At age 12 Wendy joined the Manchester University Orchestra in North Manchester, Indiana, and three years later, she joined the Huntington University Orchestra in Huntington, Indiana, as assistant concertmaster. After attending the Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar for two years, she was offered the opportunity to study with Eva Szekely. At 16, Wendy started studying at the University of Missouri, taking violin lessons with Eva Szekely, participating in studio class, taking chamber music, playing with the Chamber Soloists, and becoming a member of the Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra. She has performed with the Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, has presented a solo recital at The Honeywell House, and her string quartet has participated in a masterclass with Michael Stern at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. She has also won first place for the senior strings division at the MMTA State Competition, an Honorable Mention at the Odyssey Concerto and Aria competition on voice, and an Honorable Mention at the MMTA State Competition on voice. Wendy also founded the Alainn Ceol Quartet, which has performed at various locations in Sedalia and Columbia. In the summer of 2021, she was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra, playing concerts with them at Carnegie Hall. Wendy was soprano soloist for the Farnham and Byas Playhouse production of Handel’s Messiah and was asked to sing with the Manchester Symphony Choir at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2022. She was also asked to perform for a masterclass at Carnegie Hall for members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in the fall of 2022. 

 

Vaysia Knust, soprano, is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia and hails from Kansas City, MO. Vaysia is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music with a focus in Vocal Performance. She is a member of the University of Missouri’s Show-Me Opera, Concert Chorale, University Treble Choir, Hitt St. Harmony, and Sankofa Chorale. Vaysia currently studies voice under Professor Christine Seitz, with previous instruction from Lori Pinnell and Sarah Haskins. In recent years, Vaysia has performed the roles of Baby Doe from The Ballad of Baby Doe in the Show-Me Opera’s Staged Arias performance, and Lisette from La rondine, Despina from Così fan tutte, and Iolanthe from Iolanthe in opera scenes programs, and she was as a chorus member in Show-Me Opera’s Le nozze di Figaro.

 

Nathan Le, tenor, is from Kansas City, Missouri and is currently a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he is pursuing a BM in Vocal Performance. He has performed operatic roles such as Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, Bardolfo in Falstaff, and chorus in The Pirates of Penzance. He has also performed musical theatre roles such as Angel in RENT, The Baker in Into the Woods, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Skipper in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. He currently studies with Kyle Stegall to pursue a career in opera performance and vocal pedagogy.  

 

Tenson Liang, collaborative piano, was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and began his piano studies at the age of five. After he got a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in Taiwan, his passion for piano then brought him to Peabody Conservatory in 2016. He has won several awards, which include 1st prize of the National Taiwan Mandarin Daily News Piano Competition, Gold medal of the National Taiwan Young-Artist Piano Competition, Finalist of the International Wideman Piano Competition and West Virginia International Piano Competition. He has studied piano with Gwhyneth Chen, Brian Ganz and Alon Goldstein. Now he is studying at Mizzou with Peter Miyamoto, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Piano Performance.

 

Megan S. Lyon, mezzo-soprano, is from Independence, Missouri. She is in her fourth year at the University of Missouri, pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Music Education and a minor in Spanish. She is a proud student of Steven Tharp. In high school, she was a member of the auditioned chamber choir and played Little Red in Into the Woods. Since coming to Mizzou, she has participated in many choral ensembles, including University Singers, Concert Chorale, Ars Nova, Hitt Street Harmony, and Canticum Novum. Megan has been working as a Scholarship Singer at Missouri United Methodist Church since Fall 2021, under the direction of Nathan Lange. This semester, she is continuing her work as an administrative assistant for Columbia Youth Choirs to further her conducting experience and work with amazing musicians in the area. Megan is also the co-conductor of student-led ensemble Canticum Novum, where she leads and gains more conducting experience while rehearsing advanced repertoire. This is her second semester in the Show-Me Opera program, and she is excited for the opportunity to perform as Puck for her first opera role!

 

Dani Major, mezzo soprano, comes from Platte City, Missouri. They are a first-year master's student pursuing an MA in Theatre at the University of Missouri. Dani recently graduated with a BA in music from Mizzou in August, and during their time at the university they have been a member of Mizzou’s University Singers, Show-Me Opera, and Canticum Novum in addition to being a scholarship singer at Missouri United Methodist Church. They have appeared as Mistress Quickly in Show-Me Opera’s production of Falstaff by Verdi, Cherubino in Mizzou's recent spring 2022 production of Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart, and Maureen Johnson in Mizzou Theatre's recent production of Rent. They recently won first place in Musical Theatre and second place in Classical at the Central Region NATS Competition.

 

Shannon Martin, mezzo-soprano, is from Perryville, Missouri. She is currently a junior Music Education major and Honors College member at the University of Missouri where she studies voice with Christina Ray. She sings in the University of Missouri’s University Singers under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb and performs in the Show-Me Opera under the direction of Christine Seitz. She is thrilled to perform the role of Hippolyta in this production. She was previously in the chorus of Le nozze di Figaro. Some of her favorite roles outside of opera have been portraying Bride Ruth Sanders in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Marmee in Little Women of Orchard House, Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Shannon spends a great deal of time in various on-campus organizations. Shannon plays piccolo and works as the Coordinator of Special Projects - Campus for Marching Mizzou. She leads the National Association for Music Education - Collegiate chapter and the Iota Lambda chapter of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota as President for both organizations, and she works extensively with the Missouri Students Association. Shannon currently teaches voice lessons for the University of Missouri Community Music Project.

 

Haley Mesz, soprano, is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri and is currently a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is studying voice with Christine Seitz and has been singing with the Show-Me Opera, covering the role of Marcellina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, singing soprano in the chorus of Verdi’s Falstaff, performing scenes as the roles of Vitellia in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito, Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Romilda in Handel’s Serse, and soprano in the chorus of Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sulivan. In high school, Haley performed in a few shows including portraying the role of Urleen in Footloose and Miss Phillips in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Along with that, Haley sang soprano in the Kansas City All-District Choir three years in a row. She also had the chance to intern and sing soprano in the Collegiate Choral Scholars Choir at the Kantorei Summer Choir Institute of Kansas City. Haley has competed in the local NATS competition, receiving honorable mention, and has been involved in ensembles here at Mizzou including Dr. R. Paul Crabb’s University Singers, University Concert Chorale, student led Canticum Novum Chamber Ensemble, and has been a part of Bach Collegium Choir.

 

Ethan Miller, bass-baritone, is a senior at the University of Missouri. He is a Columbia native graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a minor in Health Wellness in May of 2023. Mr. Miller is part of both University of Missouri’s Glee Club and also Show-Me Opera, and currently studies under Professor Christina Ray, previously studying under Dr. Steven Jepson. During the summer of 2022 Mr. Miller took part in Lawrence Opera Theatre’s (LOT) production of La Cenerentola as the understudy for Don Magnifico and as a chorus member. Ethan has also played Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro and has been a chorus member in Le nozze di Figaro and Falstaff, all produced by Show-Me Opera. During the summer of 2023 Mr. Miller will also be traveling to Bodrum Turkey to take part in the Vocal Academy of Opera’s performance of Le nozze di Figaro where he will be playing the role of Bartolo and be the understudy for Figaro. After he returns he will be taking part of Landlocked Opera’s performance of Le nozze di Figaro again but as the understudy of Bartolo and as a chorus member.

 

Rachel Misner, mezzo-soprano, is from Chesterfield, Missouri, and is currently in her fourth year at the University of Missouri. She is pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Performance, and will be graduating in May 2024. She studies voice with Professor Steven Tharp. Last semester, Rachel performed her Junior Recital and received First Place in the Upper Musical Theater Treble division of Central Region NATS, as well as Third Place in Upper Classical Treble. She has participated in the Show-Me Opera program since her freshman year, and has also been a member of many other ensembles at Mizzou, including University Singers, Concert Chorale, Hitt Street Harmony, Ars Nova, and Canticum Novum. This past summer, she had the opportunity to travel to New York to participate in the NYU Summer Study in Musical Theater, working with artists and teachers such as Justin John Moniz, Rona Siddiqui, and Natalie Weiss. Through the opera program, she has had the opportunity to perform in the Fall Opera Scenes program for four years, was a member of the chorus in Pirates of Penzance, played Meg Page in Falstaff, and performed the role of Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro last spring. Along with preparing and performing the role of Hermia this semester, Rachel is also preparing multiple roles through her Young Artist position with Landlocked Opera Inc. She is so incredibly grateful for this amazing opportunity to perform with friends and role models that constantly inspire and encourage her.

 

Carrick Joseph O’Bleness, bass-baritone, comes from Kansas City, Missouri and has been participating in vocal music since his junior year of high school. Now a fourth-year student under Professor Kyle Stegall, he is working toward a BA in Music and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus area in Ethnomusicology. Carrick covered the role of Figaro in W. A. Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, later showcasing the titular bass’s witty and scheming aria “Se vuol ballare” in the Staged Arias program. Alongside Opera Workshop, he is a member of the University Singers large ensemble choir and the Hitt Street Harmony vocal jazz choir. He has recently assumed the positions of President & Co-Director of Canticum Novum, Mizzou’s Premiere Student-Led Chamber Ensemble. He also serves as the Chair of the Service & Outreach Committee of the Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

 

Amanda Obeso (she/her), soprano, is from Nixa, Missouri. She is currently a senior studying at the University of Missouri, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education. She proudly studies voice with Kyle Stegall and is President of Mizzou’s University Singers. Amanda has also performed in Hitt Street Harmony, Show-Me Opera, Bach Collegium Choir, and is an active member of ACDA. She has held numerous roles in her college career, including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Edith in Pirates of Penzance, Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos, Léontine in L’amant anonyme, Anne in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and cover for Oscar in Un ballo in maschera. She holds the title of National Quarterfinalist in the 2021 NATS Competition in the Lower Treble Musical Theatre category and is the recipient of the 2022 Robert J. Schwegman and William and Stella Pommer Awards, each awarded to high achieving voice students. Amanda would like to thank her peers, professors, friends, and family for supporting her journey through her final performance with Show-Me Opera. 

 

River Eliot Pich is a graduating senior at the University of Missouri. They study Technical Theatre, with an academic background in Sociology, Anthropology, and Communications. Though they have experience with crew and backstage work, this is River’s first on-stage appearance. River belongs to the Chickasaw Nation and hopes to represent them well in this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Zachary Reinhart, Tenor, is a trained vocalist with a background in musical theatre. He has been involved in over 20 productions by the Robidouz Resident Theatre, as well as many leading roles throughout his high school acting career. The highlights of his endeavors include Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, William Bloom in Big Fish, and Lord Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes. He has been a part of multiple district, state, and national level ensembles and has significant experience in speech and debate as well. He has participated in multiple opera scenes programs and full opera productions with the Show-Me Opera company. In 2019 Zachary played Major General Stanley in SMO's production of "The Pirates of Penzance". The following year he played the role of Dr. Caius in Verdi's "Falstaff". In 2018 he took first at the MTNA Vocal Contest Lower College TTB Classical Division. In 2019 he attended his first young artist program at the University of Southern Illinois, Carbondale. Zachary won Third place in the Lower Undergraduate TTB Classical Division at the Central Region NATS Competition in 2019. 

 

Jessica Scearce is a soprano from Gower, Missouri. She is currently a junior at the University of Missouri, where she is pursing a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She is studying with Professor Christine Seitz and has been a member of the Show-Me Opera for three years. During her time with the Show-Me Opera she has sung the roles of Romilda in Handel’s Serse, as well as Vitellia in Mozart’s La Clemenza de Tito during the opera scenes programs. She has also performed in the chorus of Verdi’s Falstaff as well as Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. In addition, she has received honorable mention from the Missouri Music Teachers Association competition. Also, she did several productions with the East Buchanan High School Theater, and she performed in the Missouri All-State Honor Choir during high school.

 

Molly Symmonds, mezzo-soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri, and is currently a freshman at the University of Missouri. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and is studying with Christina Ray. She has performed in a variety of shows, some of her favorite roles including Douglas Panch and Olive’s Mom in The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Katherine Blake in Freaky Friday, Marie/Fairy Godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda. Throughout high school she competed at state festivals for ensemble, receiving superior “1” ratings, and participated in 9/10 Honor Choir and KC Metro Women’s Honor Choir. She is currently a scholarship singer at First Baptist Church, and was a part of University Treble Choir her first semester.

 

Sam Varnon, tenor, is from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is a junior at the University of Missouri, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and studies voice with Christine Seitz. As a member of Show-Me Opera, he sang the role of Don Curzio in last year’s production of Le nozze di Figaro. He has also sung the roles of Hawthorne in Love in a Village, Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Colin in L’amant anonyme in opera scenes programs. Sam is a member of MU’s University Singers and currently serves as Vice President of the ensemble. He has previously sung in University Glee Club, Canticum Novum, and Hitt Street Harmony. Last year, Sam received the MU School of Music’s Sophomore Award of Merit. Additionally, in 2021, he won the Missouri Music Teachers Association voice competition in the undergraduate lower division, and he was a semifinalist in the Central Region National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in the lower classical division. This past summer, Sam spent two weeks studying voice in New York as a selected participant in NYU’s Classical Voice Intensive.