Get to know our 2025-26 Artists in Residence

The place are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’ve moved round lots, however I used to be born in (and at the moment dwell in) a suburb of Chicago—Hoffman Estates, IL. I’m excited to dwell outdoors of the Midwest for an prolonged time frame. This would be the first time I’ve lived various hours away from house! I can’t wait to discover the climbing and nature that Colorado has to supply. I’d additionally like to get again into horseback driving!

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? There are such a lot of to stay up for, but when I had to decide on one, I’d say I’m most wanting ahead to taking part in Juliet in our touring manufacturing of Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. The music is so lush and exquisite, and I haven’t carried out any Shakespeare work since highschool, however I cherished it! I hope there are numerous extra Juliets for me and my profession.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I spent six weeks in Petoskey, MI with the BayView Music Pageant. I sang the function of Micaëla in Carmen and spent many stunning days on the lake.

What’s your dream function? My dream function is Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. I’d like to discover a darker character and undergo all of the feelings throughout a efficiency whereas singing some epic Donizetti coloratura. Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera is one other dream function.

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? I might present them the long-lasting “Largo al factotum” from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Chances are high, they’ve heard this aria earlier than. It exhibits people who their preconceived notion of opera maybe being “stiff” and “boring” is so removed from the reality!

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? I prefer to get within the gymnasium and transfer my physique with cardio and weightlifting. I really like a little bit of caffeine, too!

What’s your favourite candy deal with? I really like all of the candy treats. I’ve to select one? I’ll go along with Oreos. I may eat an entire package deal with an enormous glass of (ideally oat) milk.

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? My music style spans a really, very big selection. Recently I’ve been jamming to pop/dance music and even some symphonic metallic! Something I can transfer and groove to is enjoyable.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? I might vend peanut M&Ms and a few form of potion that may assure a fortunate and profitable day! It’s a package deal deal.

The place are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m from Anchorage, AK, and I’m tremendous stoked to be dwelling within the Denver space giving me the prospect to nonetheless be near plenty of climbing, snowboarding, and out of doors actions.

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? I’m most wanting ahead to performing as Ruth in Pirates of Penzance because the present itself is so splendidly ridiculous and the character Ruth has so many enjoyable qualities to play with.

What have you ever been doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I’ve had a quite simple summer season this yr. I went house to Anchorage and have been working as a waitress, spending time with my canine, studying plenty of new music (Schubert and Rossini), and spending plenty of time outdoors.

What’s your dream function? My present dream function is Elizabeth Cree from Kevin Places’ opera Elizabeth Cree as a result of I really like her ambition and darker traits.

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? For somebody who’s model new to opera, I might seemingly present them “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix” from Samson et Dalila or “Non più mesta” from La Cenerentola to get them into opera. Nevertheless, if I used to be making an attempt to problem somebody’s prior conceptions of what opera is, I might present them “Yo soy maria” from Maria de Buenos Aires or the opera As One.

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? Usually, I prefer to make my efficiency days very chill. I sleep in, go on a brief run, seemingly run by way of my music as soon as, after which after I get to my first name, I prefer to be as social as attainable as a form of distraction from any nerves. Then, proper earlier than I am going on, I love to do some squats and push-ups to floor me and get me into my physique and out of my head.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? This can be the toughest query, as I’ve an enormous candy tooth however my favorites are a great chocolate fudge or any of the pralines from Läderach chocolate firm.

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? Outdoors of the classical or musical theatre realm, I’ve been listening to the bands Poor Man’s Poison, Steam Powered Giraffe, and CAKE lots just lately.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? If I used to be a merchandising machine, I might seemingly nonetheless vend chips, as a result of I really like them and at all times have (to the purpose the place that’s incessantly what I get for Christmas from my household).

The place are you from and what do you like most about it? I’m from Arvada, CO. I really like Arvada, it’s the place I grew up, it was once such an attractive little farming city. I assume I’m a farm boy at coronary heart!

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? I’m actually wanting ahead to taking part in Gastone in La traviata.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I used to be at Central Metropolis Opera this previous summer season overlaying Depend Almaviva in The Barber of Seville! It was a incredible time—I had a lot enjoyable particularly as a result of I had a full efficiency because the Depend.

What’s your dream function? Tamino from Mozart’s The Magic Flute is a superb function with plenty of incredible music! I’ve cherished my time performing that function!

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? Scarpia’s aria from Tosca, “Te deum laudamus,” which closes the primary act. It’s so grand, and has cannons in it—who doesn’t like cannons?

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? I don’t assume I actually have a pre-performance ritual, however I do have a tendency to take a seat down quietly and simply have a look at my rating earlier than the present. It will get me into a great head house.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? Oreo ice cream sandwiches from Costco.

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? I’ve been listening to plenty of nation these days all completely different artists!

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? I’d vend three hundred and sixty five days of sunshine and love and happiness.

The place are you from and what do you like most concerning the Better Denver Space? I grew up in Memphis, TN! I moved to Denver for graduate college at DU and fell in love with each side of Colorado. I completely love the climate and the accessibility to the outside!

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? I’m so thrilled for every of my roles this season, however I’m most excited to play the Baron Douphol in La traviata, because the present was the primary ever opera I carried out in as a chorister with Opera Memphis. I’m so excited to revisit Verdi’s timeless rating.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I’ve been making an attempt to enhance my golf sport as a lot as I can!

What’s your dream function? My dream function is tied between Marcello in La bohème and Emile de Becque in South Pacific.

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? I might present them “Vittoria! Vittoria!…” From Gianni Schicchi as a result of it balances comedy, lush musicality, and has a plethora of emotion and scheming all through. I haven’t met many individuals who avidly dislike Gianni Schicchi both…

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? Sleep.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? A great southern fashion banana pudding with loads of Nilla wafers!

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? I’m an enormous fan of rock bands like Turnstile, Modest Mouse, Arctic Monkeys and Vampire Weekend. I’ve additionally been revisiting the soundtrack from Hadestown these days! One in all my favourite musicals.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? I might positively be an unique Dr. Pepper merchandising machine.

The place are you from and what do you like most concerning the Better Denver Space? I’m from Ecuador. I’ve only recently began studying extra concerning the mural scene in Denver. In case you haven’t observed, I’ll let you know proper now, it’s stunning!

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? I wish to say Dr. Grenvil in La traviata, it will likely be my first function in a Verdi work, and that’s thrilling.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? Outdoors from work, I’ve been studying plenty of sci-fi novels and having enjoyable studying about quite a lot of sciences.

What’s your dream function? I feel I’d prefer to play Wotan from Wagner’s Ring Cycle sooner or later, perhaps in a pair many years.

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? Prince Yeletsky’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame (The Queen of Spades), “Ya vas lyublyu” (I really like you past all measure), as a result of it’s the most stunning of all of them, in my view.

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? It varies, however someplace in between going over my strains, taking part in on-line Catan, and streaming a film or a present.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? I actually like kheer, which is like rice pudding.

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? Chrono Set off piano collections by Yasunori Mitsuda, performed by Trevor Alan Gomes.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? Tickets to your favourite present!

The place are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m from Oneida, NY, which is a small city mainly within the middle of New York State. I’ve spent two summers working for Opera Steamboat, however I’m extraordinarily excited to maneuver to the Denver Space and absorb the great thing about the mountains. I really like being in a metropolis with a younger, youthful power, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in that tradition. I’m additionally entering into movie pictures, and I wish to take plenty of ~artsy~ photos of the mountains in Colorado.

What function are you most wanting ahead to performing with us this season? I’m most wanting ahead to performing the function of Marchese d’Obigny in La traviata this November. I had the chance to sing this function with Piedmont Opera in Winston-Salem, NC throughout graduate college, so that is the primary time that I’ll reprise a task on the skilled degree. Additionally, Verdi is my favourite composer, so I’m excited to be immersed in his music once more.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I labored in New York Metropolis this summer season for Catapult Opera and Teatro Nuovo. At Teatro Nuovo, I made my NYC debut in Verdi’s Macbeth. I additionally will arrive in Denver proper after ending a cross-country highway journey from Central New York to California after which again to Colorado.

What’s your dream function? My dream function is Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca. The “Te Deum” on the finish of act one is so epic!

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? “Che gelida manina” from Puccini’s La bohème, particularly sung by Franco Corelli… the eagerness on this aria is so stunning!

What’s considered one of your pre-performance rituals? I usually prefer to deal with efficiency days as regular days, in order that I can keep relaxed! That mentioned, I like to get up early and deal with myself to a espresso at a neighborhood espresso store. I should discover a new favourite in Denver.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? Espresso ice cream!

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? Bon Iver and Noah Kahan—I really like singer-songwriter music and folky stuff.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? I might vend disposable movie cameras so that everybody could make recollections with a movie digital camera!

The place are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I come from a city known as Woodstock, which is about an hour northwest of Chicago, IL. The panorama there’s very flat, so an enormous a part of what excites me about Colorado is with the ability to dwell so near the mountains and expertise the pure magnificence round Denver!

What are you most wanting ahead to about this season? In addition to attending to work with the opposite incredible Artists in Residence, I can’t wait to be part of a neighborhood that loves this artwork kind. To have the ability to dwell within the music of La traviata and Madama Butterfly is a reward in itself, but it surely’s much more gratifying after I get to play an element in letting an viewers expertise the great thing about these works.

What are you doing this summer season earlier than you be part of us in Denver? I’ve been having fun with a slower tempo to the summer season after ending 5 years and two levels on the College of Michigan. I labored by way of a backlog of books I haven’t had time for, reconnected with previous mates, and obtained again in contact with the awesomeness of Bach’s keyboard music.

What’s your favourite piano piece to play? If I sat down proper now to play something, it will be the second motion of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90. So candy, with a beautiful melody and plenty of soul, I carry it out now and again as a result of the best way it rolls off the fingers is simply so satisfying. I’d suggest Igor Levit’s recording to anybody serious about listening to it.

What aria would you present somebody to get them into opera? Why? My coronary heart opened to opera after I heard Pavarotti sing “Che gelida manina” on the 1972 recording of La bohème, with Karajan conducting. I’ll always remember it—I’d been round nice music all my life, however that efficiency completely reset my bar for not simply what was attainable in music, however what we needs to be getting down to obtain each time we make it.

What’s your favourite a part of the rehearsal course of? That first rehearsal when the singers and orchestra meet, positively. There’s plenty of work to do, in fact, however the room is filled with smiles as issues lastly begin to take form. Even after spending a lot time with the music as much as that time, it’s like everybody will get to fall in love another time.

What’s your favourite candy deal with? I’m actual massive on Nerds Gummy Clusters today, sadly for my enamel.

What music have you ever been listening to these days for enjoyable? I’ve been having fun with my 70’s funk playlist whereas driving. I prefer to play bluegrass guitar, so Tony Rice’s albums are normally on at house.

In case you have been a merchandising machine, what would you vend? A commemorative picture of your go to to the merchandising machine.