2018-2019 SEASON

From Opera Columbus | 4 Impresarios of Opera Columbus | 6 Institutional Supporters | 7 Annual Fund Contributors | 8 Opera Swings Jazz | 10 Cast Bios | 12 Production Staff Bios | 13 Opera Columbus Staff | 17 Board of Trustees | 18 For Your Reference | 19

ADVERTISING Onstage Publications Advertising Department 937-424-0529 | 866-503-1966 e-mail: [email protected] www.onstagepublications.com This program is published in association with Onstage Publications, 1612 Prosser Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45409. This program may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Onstage Publications is a division of Just Business, Inc. Contents ©2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. FROM THE GENERAL + ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

elcome to Opera Swings Jazz! This Wshow is a fun combination of opera, jazz, ballroom dancing, and just a dash of Hollywood glamour, with the always- amazing Byron Stripling leading the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Grab your bourbon, sit back and enjoy the show! We’re already looking forward to 2019- 2020, which promises to be a season of artistic adventure: • We open in September with a reunion of Columbus’ flagship performing arts organizations, BalletMet, CAPA, Columbus Symphony and Opera Columbus, for the highly-anticipated Twisted 3. • In November, we are presenting As One, a compelling and thought-provoking story about Hannah, a transgender woman, as she endeavors to resolve the discord between herself and the outside world.

• February will bring a modern twist on the beloved comic opera, The Barber of Seville. Set in 1990’s Seville, Florida, our take is complete with prefab houses, neon colors, boybands, and teenage dreams. There will be a glitter beard contest, a live haircut, and drinks will be served by members of the cast. • Perhaps one of our most exciting announcements is a new interactive opera in April 2020, The Poppea Project, a co-production with The Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art, Fashion Week Columbus, and BalletMet 2. I am very excited for this bold and adventurous new season, and for you to experience opera like you never have before. You won’t want to miss our most exciting season yet! Thank you for buying your ticket tonight and for showing your support for the arts in Columbus. Each of you is helping to make it possible for us to create exceptional performances and art experiences right here in Columbus!

Peggy Kriha Dye General + Artistic Director

4 OPERA COLUMBUS FROM THE PRESIDENT

hank you for joining us for Opera Swings TJazz! What a great way to close our incredible 2018-2019 mainstage season, with this unique and exciting mash-up of opera and jazz, in collaboration with Jazz Arts Group. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra and our incredible singers will create one-of-a-kind music in a groundbreaking interpretation of favorite jazz standards, with a dash of old Hollywood glamour. I hope that you will return to the Southern Theatre on May 5 for the Cooper-Bing Competition, which engages impressive young operatic talent from all over the world. Please join us for an afternoon of outstanding singers as they compete for a top prize of $10,000 – hear tomorrow’s opera stars today, and cast your vote for your favorite! Opera Columbus’ 2019-2020 season will be filled with unforgettable performances and productions that continue our work to reinvent opera for the 21st century. The season includes Twisted 3, a collaboration between BalletMet, CAPA, Columbus Symphony, and Opera Columbus; As One, a powerful new opera about the journey of a transgender woman; a modern twist on The Barber of Seville; and The Poppea Project, an interactive and immersive opera experience, in collaboration with the Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum. Get your season subscription to make sure you don’t miss any of these exceptional productions!

Thank you for joining us for Opera Swings Jazz. Enjoy the show!

Patricia B. Morrison President Opera Columbus Board of Trustees

OPERA COLUMBUS 5 IMPRESARIOS OF OPERA COLUMBUS

Impresarios raises awareness of opera in Columbus and central Ohio, sponsors and organizes fundraising parties and events that benefit Opera Columbus, and organizes Opera Columbus Excursions to regional opera performances. Impresarios has quarterly meetings, usually in members’ homes, with a mix of live music, a short business meeting, and ample food and libations.

Larry and Bruni and Gary Duncan Betty Messenger Daniel and Marina Ruiz Ruth Anderson Cathryn and Bill and Jane Miller Betty Sawyers Yosry and Vera Attia Jeffrey Geppert Steve and Debra Moore Max Schmidt-Shilling John and Barbara Goettler Jutta Neckermann Desiree Shannon Chryssoula Barbas Willie and Katie Grove Therese Nolan David Sheidler Antoinette K. Beynen Barbara Hegler Aida and Robert Sheldon and Rebecca Taft Alfred Bivins Tricia Herban Norman Jennifer Tiell and Katherine Boehm Susan E. Hodge Gregory Nutter and Mark Adelsperger Mim Brierley Rose Hume Michael Ranney Manel and Olli Tuovinen Robert Brodkey and Ron and Riek and Don and Miriam Utter Carolyn Patch Barbara Hupman Andy Oldenquist Jane Ware Melinda Carter Dan Jensen Constance Oulanoff Charlie and Betsy Warner Mary Lou Casanta Douglas and George and Ruth Paulson Joel and Barbara Weaver Donna Cavell Darlene Jones Carole Rogel Poirier Cindy Wentz Louisa Celebrezze Karen Kennedy Sandra and Ben Wiant and Carolyn Thomas Christy Lisa Kolb Howard Pritz Jon Chandler Johanna DeStefano Anne LaPidus Jim Reardon Linda and Nancy Donoghue and Lyman Leathers Maryann Rinsch Bostwick Wyman Robert Rapp Carolyn Leick Fran and Harry Ritz Jacques and Laura Zakin Pamela Dorsey Barry Liss Anne Robinson Allan and Susan Zelman Diane Driessen and Priscilla Meeks Angela Ruiz and Linda Zhang Ronald Currin Charlaine Menendian David Cohen

For more information about the Impresarios please visit: operacolumbus.org/impresarios

6 OPERA COLUMBUS INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

ith gratitude, Opera Columbus acknowledges all of our Corporate and Foundation supporters. This publication lists names for donors Wwho made gifts, pledges, and in-kind donations of $200 or more in the 2018 fiscal year (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018). Please contact the Development Office at 614-221-5249 if an error has occurred in compiling this information..

$100,000+ $10,000-$49,999 $2,500-$4,999 Aramark KPMG LLP Crane Group Reinberger Conductor’s Honda of America Mfg. Chair Fund of Impresarios of Opera Columbus The Columbus Foundation L Brands UBS Financial Services Ohio Arts Council PNC Arts Alive $500-$1,499 Ernst and Young $5,000-$9,999 Wesbanco Bank Inc. $50,000-$99,999 Anonymous Fund of The Columbus Foundation $200-$499 Fifth Third Bank Battelle Memorial Institute GoldTech Inc Mollard Consulting Huntington Bank ProMusica Chamber Orchestra National Endowment for the Arts PNC OPERA COLUMBUS Porter Wright Morris and BRAND SUPPORTER Arthur LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers

Want to see YOUR name on our donor list next season? Make a gift while you’re waiting for the show to start!

Text OPERACBUS to 44-321.

Donations like yours make up 80% of Opera Columbus’ annual revenue; we can’t do it without you.

Thank you!

Marilu Faber Vice President + Development Chair, Opera Columbus Board of Trustees

OPERA COLUMBUS 7 ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTORS

ith gratitude, Opera Columbus acknowledges all of our individual donors. This publication lists names of donors who made gifts, Wpledges, and in-kind donations of $200 or more to the 2018 fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). Please contact the Development Office at 614-221-5249 if an error has occurred in compiling this information.

$50,000+ $1,500-$2,499 Thomas and Mary Katzenmeyer Anne Melvin* Lois H. Allen Wade Kozich and Jennifer Alfred H. Bivins Goettemoeller $25,000-$49,999 Jerome and Bette Dare Mark and Jane Landon Anonymous James and Ruth Decker Anne LaPidus Arthur and Hetty Bing Gary and Bruni Duncan Mary Lazarus Dr. Johanna DeStefano Jeff Harris Carolyn Whipps Leick Patty Morrison and Gary Tiesenga Katie Hurley Karen and Todd Majidzadeh Sheldon and Rebecca Taft Nancy Jeffrey* Kimberly and Jonathon Mayhew Jay and Sue Kromalic Megan McAlister $10,000-$24,999 Fran Luckoff Priscilla Meeks Patrick Copeland* Jordan Miller Dixie Sayre Miller Fund of Jim Crane and Laura Dehlendorf George and Ruth Paulson The Columbus Foundation* Willie and Katie Grové Carole Poirier Bill and Jane Miller Megan Kvamme Charles and Joan Stadler Aida and Robert Norman William Miller Miriam and Don Utter Riek and Andrew Oldenquist Valarie Williams John and Christine Olsen $5,000-$9,999 Dr. Karen Peeler and Anonymous $500-$1,499 Rev. Deniray Mueller Lori Barreras and Alex Fischer Anonymous (5) Mike Petrecca and Heather Grant George Barrett Ron Clark Aguilar Ron and Ann Pizzuti Tanny Crane and John Wolff Deborah M. Anderson Sue Porter and Mike Sayre Dr. and Mrs. Jerome J. Nicholas Augustinos Kristina Robinson Cunningham Sine-Marie Ayres Lois Rosow Steven and Patricia Gabbe Jim and Susan Berry David R. Schooler Lyman Leathers Adam and Suzy Biehl Ann and Robert Shelly Mrs. Robert Lindemann Paul and Lynn Blower Lee Smith and Susan Kosling Ruth and Dick McNeal Joe Bockelman and Dr. Brenda Stearns and Endowment for Barbara Dreihaus Dr. Linda Meadows Opera Columbus* Jessica Celeste Burton Godfrey Sullivan Jay Panzer and Jennifer Heitmeyer Dorothy Loew Cameron Megan Sweeney Jodi and Stanley Ross Glenn and Louise Carano Jane O. Ware Tadd and Nancy Seitz James Cash Robert and Catharine Warmbrod Lee Shackelford Peter Coccia and Nena Couch Thomas and Terri Whitman Allison H. Steiner and Judge John Connor Chad and Melinda Whittington Ryan Harding Esther Connors Bob and Carole Wilhelm Charles and Betsy Warner Mark and Mindy Corna Carol Wojcik Willis S. White Jr. Joanne Coughlan Becky Wright Tom and Lisa Courtice Charlotte Yates $2,500-$4,999 Michael and Paige Crane Femi Adeyanju Eugene C. D’Angelo* $200-$499 Vanessa and George Arnold Don Dell and Violet Meek Anonymous (4) Dr. Jean Atwood and Elfi Di Bella Ned Alexander Michael Kirkman C. John and Flo Ann* Easton Brad and Stephanie Ashbrook Dottie Burchfield Lucille and David Fannin John Benamati Laura MacGregor Comek Larry and Marion Fisher Kristine Bever Beth Crane and Richard McKee Krista Hazen John and Ann Biancamano Tom and Susan Crawford Susan E. Hodge and Robert and Marilyn Carbonara Tom and Judy Driskell David A. Greenberg Carolyn Thomas Christy Marilu and Timothy Faber Barbara and Ron Hupman Robert and Janet Cox Don and Janelle Grubbs Douglas N. and Darlene V. Jones Cindy Craig Richard and Ellin Patchen Leslie Jones Ruth Deacon Judy and N. Howard Kander Bill DeMora

8 OPERA COLUMBUS ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTORS

Richard J. Dick Betsy May Doug and Pat Slusher Mr. and Mrs. Dale Dixon Doug and Cookie McIntyre William Slutz and Linda Roomann Nancy Donoghue Collin McMahon John Snoble Bernie and Linda Erven Tim and Sue McMullen Angela Snyder Reinhard and Mary Gahbauer David and Betty Meil Janice Sorensen Dr. Annie Marie Garraway Betty Messenger Victoria Spence Martin Golubitsky and Paul and Kerri Mollard Doug and Cathy Story Barbara Keyfitz Frank R. Morris Nancy Strause Ramon Gregory Christopher and Tierney Morrison Brant and Mary Tedrow Linda and Richard Gunther Dr. and Mrs. Paul S. Morton Stephen and Arlyne Thung Susan M. Hartmann Jutta Neckermann Leah Tsamous Jane Hathaway Tom Neustaetter Matt and Jan Wald Dan Jensen Julie and Ralph Nusken Joan Wallick Suzanne Karpus John and Angela Petro Dr. Joel and Barbara Weaver Douglas and Wauneta Kerr Bob Redfield and Mary Yerina Jonathon and Kim Zavislak Chris and Beverly Kerski Dr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Ruiz Barry Liss Dr. Philip and IN KIND Tony Logan and Mary Duffey Mrs. Elizabeth Samuels Anonymous Tom Long Ms. Junko Shigemitsu Fifth Third Bank Dr. Rachel G. Mauk Larry and Cheryl Simon Out of the Closet

OPERA COLUMBUS TRIBUTES

IN HONOR OF Dr. Arthur Bing...... Marilu and Tim Faber, Willie and Katie Grové, Sheldon and Rebecca Taft, Charlie and Betsy Warner Jessica Burton...... Stephani Smolucha Eileen Davis...... Douglas and Patricia Slusher Johanna DeStefano, Ph.D...... Steven and Patricia Gabbe Peggy Kriha Dye...... Syd Lifshin, New Albany Community Foundation Marilu and Tim Faber...... Suzanne Karpus Lyman Leathers...... Tom and Lisa Courtice Patricia Morrison...... Christopher and Tierney Morrison Jutta Neckermann...... Wolfgang and Ursula Kunze IN MEMORY OF Patrick Copeland...... Impresarios of Opera Columbus Dr. Michael O. Garraway...... Dr. Annie Marie Garraway Anne M. Ickes...... Stanton Ickes William Jensen...... Beverly Jensen Gilly Ludden...... Riek and Andrew Oldenquist James Meeks...... Lyndra Bissell, Al and Judy Clovis, Impresarios of Opera Columbus, Bruce and Michelle Johnson, Douglas N. and Darlene V. Jones, Mike and Melinda Miller, Craig and Judy Mosier, Riek and Andrew Oldenquist, Carolyn Patch and Bob Brodkey, Kay Penzone Joseph and Jeanne Reed, Stephen and Eva Sebo, Greg and Barb Travalio, Dr. Joel and Barbara Weaver Anne Melvin...... Grant Morrow III and Cordelia Robinson Robert Mills...... Patti Mills Merv Muller...... Gerald and Ann Newsom Shirley and Ben Panzer...... Jay Panzer and Jennifer Heitmeyer David Robinson...... Impresarios of Opera Columbus, Anne R. Robinson Charlotte Simons...... Ellen Stukenberg Margaret E. Wall...... Katherine Boehm Dottie Watkins...... Jean Brandt, Sue and Don Cruickshank, Joyce and William Dargusch, Jodie Davis, Anne and Tim Donahue, Mary Jo Edwards, Martha Fawcett, Stephen and Toni Fino, Catherine Graf*, Bob and Beth Hamilton, Louann and Andrew Hess, Joan Huber, Chuck and Jan Lasch, Polly Lindemann Betsy May, Linda Newland, Cheryl and Dave Rubadue, Anne and Bruce Schueren Barbara Semans, Judy Sutton, Deb and Les Wibberley, W. Peter Williams

Gifts received July 1, 2017 to February 28, 2019

OPERA COLUMBUS 9 OPERA COLUMBUS PRESENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 | 7:30 PM SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 | 2 PM

Opera Columbus with The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Arts Group Columbus Northwest Fred Astaire Dance Studio

CAST Adelaide Boedecker Calvin Griffin Jaron M. LeGrair DeMeeshia Marshall

Exclusive Hotel Partner:

10 OPERA COLUMBUS PRODUCTION

Conductor...... Byron Stripling Choreographer...... Carolyn MacNaughton Production Manager...... Greg Bryan Rehearsal Pianist...... James Blackmon

COLUMBUS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

SAXOPHONES TROMBONES TRUMPETS RHYTHM Byron Rooker Linda Landis Rob Parton Chris Berg, bass Alex Burgoyne Ryan Hamilton Robert Everhart Bob Breithaupt, drums Michael Cox Jim Masters Jim Powell Bobby Floyd, piano Pete Mills Pat Lewis Dwight Adams Shawn Wallace Press Southworth III, Executive Director Byron Stripling, Artistic Director Kimberlee Goodman, Orchestra Manager & Director of Donor Stewardship

COLUMBUS NORTHWEST FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO

Dancer ...... Carolyn MacNaughton Dancer...... Daniel Tackett Dancer...... Zach LaRue Dancer...... Sarah Rosekelly

OPERA COLUMBUS 11 CAST BIOS

ADELAIDE BOEDECKER, at the age of nine, received early training with the Children’s Chorus of Sarasota Opera and continues her well established artistic merit this season as soloist with Choral Artists Sarasota in Bach’s Mass in B Minor, as Micaëla in The Tragedy of Carmen with Opera Birmingham; Clorinda in La Cenerentola with Las Vegas Opera, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at Music Academy of the West with James Conlon conducting and a tour with The Santa Fe Opera in John Kennedy’s opera Trinity. This past summer she returned for a second season with The Santa Fe Opera as Ida in Die Fledermaus and premiered the role of Sarah in Avastar on tour with the company. Notable roles in her repertoire include Yum-yum in The Mikado, Alice B. Toklas in 27, Beth in Little Women, Stella in Streetcar Named Desire, Despina in Così fan tutte and Marie in La fille du regiment. Ms. Boedecker has been a member of the Crested Butte Music Festival, Pittsburgh Opera, Merola Opera Program of , Syracuse Opera and El Paso Opera where she has sung leading roles in works by Rossini, Adamo, Mozart, Donizetti, Weill, Verdi, Smetana and Bizet. Additionally, she has been guest soloist with the Great Music Series of Sarasota, Syracuse Symphonia, Bach Festival of Central Florida and Sarasota Bach Festival. Ms. Boedecker holds degrees of B.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Florida and M.M. in Performance and Literature with Arts Leadership Certification from The Eastman School of Music.

CALVIN GRIFFIN joined the Florida Grand Opera studio in the 2016-2017 season making his debut with the company stepping in to sing the role of Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen. In addition, he sang Zaretsky and covered Gremin in , sang Victor in Before Night Falls, and Samuel in Un ballo in maschera. As a member of the Arizona Opera Studio he performed the roles of the Captain in Florencia en el Amazonas, Zuniga in Carmen, Pistola in Falstaff, Count Ceprano in , Zaretsky in Eugene Onegin, Speaker/2nd Armored Man in Die Zauberflöte, Hortensius in La fille du régiment, Colline in La bohème, and Dr. Grenville in La traviata. In 2016, he made his Opera Columbus debut as Colline in La bohème. With the Glimmerglass Festival he has appeared as Elviro in Xerxes, the Undertaker in Porgy and Bess, Fabrizio in La gazza ladra, and covered the title role in Sweeney Todd. As an Apprentice Artist to Santa Fe Opera his assignments included Count Ceprano in Rigoletto and Hortensius in La fille du régiment. The 2017-2018 season brought exciting debuts with Atlanta Opera as Mother in The Seven Deadly Sins, Opera Birmingham singing Escamillo in Carmen, Opera on the James as Leporello in Don Govanni, Opera Orlando singing Alidoro in La cenerentola, and his return to Arizona Opera to sing Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Recent concert engagements include Handel’s Messiah with the Richmond Symphony and Bach’s Mass in B minor with Gloria Musicae in Sarasota, Florida.

JARON M. LEGRAIR, his unique voice has influenced his artistry as well as his teaching. As a voice pedagogue specializing in contemporary music styles, his research has been presented at The Voice Forum at The Ohio State University and at The Voice Foundation. By means of his one-of-a-kind voice and background, Jaron has been able to perform on the classical stage, the church house, and many other venues as a soloist and chorus member. Currently, he is an alto in Ricky Dillard & New Generation Chorale, a Grammy nominated gospel choir based out of Chicago. He has also sung on operatic stages and performed main stage roles like “Mingo” and “Crab Man” in Porgy & Bess. In addition to his operatic experiences, he has performed in many recitals, concerts, and oratorios including Magnificat in D major by J. S. Bach and Mozart’s Requiem.

He is the Founder and Lead Teacher of the Jaron M. LeGrair Studio, a private studio specializing in voice training for speakers and singers. In addition to his private studio, Jaron serves on the voice faculty as an Assistant Professor of Theater at Point Park University and an Adjunct Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University. He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Akron and a Master of Arts in Voice Pedagogy from The Ohio State University. He has also completed courses in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

DEMEESHIA MARSHALL is from Columbus Ohio. She has been singing and performing since age 5. DeMeeshia graduated with a BM in Vocal Music performance at The Ohio State University. There she studied classical, opera music. DeMeeshia has traveled with Opera Columbus education outreach program where she played the lead role of Cinderella. DeMeeshia is also skilled in other genres such as jazz, gospel, musical theatre etc. DeMeeshia has performed live on TV stations such as The Word Network multiple times. In 2016 she was crowned the Voice of Columbus and aired on NBC4 News. DeMeeshia plans to one day open her own performing arts center for all ages and spread the love and passion of music.

12 OPERA COLUMBUS PRODUCTION STAFF BIOS

BYRON STRIPLING (Conductor), internationally renowned jazz trumpeter, earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops and has appeared with the Boston Pops under the direction of Keith Lockhart and John Williams. Other orchestral appearances include the Hollywood Bowl, the Cincinnati Pops, the National Symphony, the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, and many others. Stripling is a frequent guest artist at jazz festivals throughout the world, and has played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton, in addition to the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the GRP All Star Big Band. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including “20/20” and CNN, and on numerous film soundtracks. Bryon Stripling is the Artistic Director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

CAROLYN MACNAUGHTON (Choreographer) Carolyn MacNaughton has been a part of the performance world for over 25 years, equally enjoying her work both on and off the stage. She started dancing at a young age, and expanded this passion to include theatre, studying both at Baldwin Wallace University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance, with a focus on directing and choreography. After graduation, Ms. MacNaughton found her career with the Fred Astaire Dance Studios, and has found fulfillment by enriching the lives of others with the joy of dance. Her students have been recognized as finalists and champions at both regional and national level competitions, and as a professional competitor, she has been a Regional Champion numerous times in multiple styles, as well as a National Finalist. Ms. MacNaughton relishes every opportunity to perform, and is thrilled to take part in such an exciting collaborative production.

JAMES BLACKMON (Rehearsal Pianist) began his theatre career as a 12 year old kid playing a “General In The Ozian Army” in a local children’s theatre productionof The Wizard Of Oz. Since then, James has played many roles in numerous productions, including, chorus parts in Showboat, Hello Dolly, Oliver, Peter Pan, Sweet Charity and Hairspray, “Cal” in The Little Foxes, “Vladimir” in Waiting For Godot, “Jim” in Huck Finn, “Crooks” in Of Mice And Men, “Asagai” in A Raisin In The Sun, “Neal Tilden,” and “Johnny Cantone” in The 1940’s Radio Hour and “Daddy Warbucks” in Annie. James has also directed both musicals and plays, including, Dreamgirls, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Annie, Steel Magnolias, Doubt: A Parable, The Lisbon Traviata, 12 Angry Women, Love Letters and Talking With, and music directed several musicals, including, Dreamgirls, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Annie and All Shook Up.

Also an accomplished professional musician (piano, vocals) James has been a working musician practically his entire life, having booked his first gig at 8 years old as the pianist of his church’s youth choir. Since then, James has played all across the country and the world both as the front man of several vocal groups in Alabama, New Orleans, Ohio and Hamburg, Germany, and as a solo artist for three years as a piano bar entertainer for Holland America Cruise Line. From 2007-2009 James was the co-owner and featured weekend performer at his Columbus, OH piano bar, James Club 88. In addition, James has recorded three CDs, and gigs regularly in piano bars and jazz clubs in Columbus. James is also the immediate past president of the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable.

OPERA COLUMBUS 13 14 OPERA COLUMBUS OPERA COLUMBUS 15

OPERA COLUMBUS STAFF

EXECUTIVE MARKETING Peggy Kriha Dye, General + Artistic Director Jennifer Nodjak, Digital Marketing Manager Rachel Will, Executive Assistant to the Lydia Miller, Digital Content + Video Specialist General + Artistic Director Anna Schaeffer, Marketing Assistant CULT Marketing EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION Irvin Public Relations Destiny Coleman, Director of Education + Artistic Administration PRODUCTION Greg Bryan, Production Manager DEVELOPMENT Jason Hiester, Associate Conductor/Chorus Master Jessica Morris, Director of Development Susan Ropp, Foundations + Grants Manager TICKETING Katie Cullen, Data Analyst + Project Manager Whitney Dodds, Ticket + Subscription Manager Julie Weeks, Special Events Manager Juleah Buttermore, Ticketing + Mollard Consulting Subscription Lead

FINANCE Mike Daniels, Senior Accountant

OPERA COLUMBUS 17 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018-2019

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Patricia Morrison, President Sheldon A. Taft, Secretary Cardinal Health, Inc., retired Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, retired

Marilu Faber Charles C. Warner Vice President + Development Chair Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur

Bill Miller, Vice President + Finance Chair Peggy Kriha Dye, General + Artistic Director KPMG LLP Opera Columbus

TRUSTEES Femi Adeyanju Kimberly Mayhew Ernst & Young Fifth Third Bank

George Arnold Megan McAlister H.R. Gray & Associates Bank of America

Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, FACS Doug McIntyre Bing MD Cult Marketing

Jessica Burton Bob Philips La Senza Community Advocate

Laura Macgregor Comek Melissa Rager Dunkle Laura M. Comek Law LLC Rea and Associates

Thomas A. Crawford Tricia Rigel Honda of America Mfg. Cardinal Health, Inc.

Kelvin Gholston Allison Steiner GoldTech PricewaterhouseCoopers

Donell R. Grubbs Terri Whitman JobsOhio Huntington Bank

Joseph J. Kromalic Valarie Williams Honda of America Mfg. The Ohio State University

LIFE TRUSTEES Johanna DeStefano, PhD Stanley D. Ross The Ohio State University, retired Attorney at Law

William T. Grove Sheldon A. Taft UBS Financial Services, Inc. Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, retired

Lyman Leathers, PhD Charles C. Warner Ohio Wesleyan University, retired Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur

Polly Lindemann Community Advocate

18 OPERA COLUMBUS FOR YOUR REFERENCE

OPERA COLUMBUS 55 East State Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Administrative Offices: 614-461-8101 www.OperaColumbus.org @OperaColumbus

@OperaColumbus

@Opera.Columbus CAPA TICKET CENTER 39 E. State Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614-469-0939 Monday–Friday 9am–5pm Saturday 10am–2pm

ONLINE TICKET SALES Single tickets may be purchased online at operacolumbus.org.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • Performance seating begins one hour before curtain. • Performances begin at 7:30pm Friday and 2pm Sunday. • Latecomers will be seated at the rear of the main floor and will be ushered to their seats at an appropriate point in the production. • Please turn off sound, and dim your screens on your mobile phones and electronic devices.

THE COOPER-BING COMPETITION

The purpose of the Opera Columbus Cooper-Bing Competition is to discover, recognize, and encourage young operatic talent. This international competition allows Columbus audiences to see the next generation of opera stars compete for cash prizes and the recognition every emerging artist needs. Audiences may also cast a vote for their choice to win the Merle McInturff Award for Musical Excellence.

Offered annually by Opera Columbus since 1983, the competition has helped to launch the careers of many singers, including world-renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and artists Dina Kuznetsova, Richard Paul Fink, Lucas Meachem, Nicole Heaston, Richard Zeller, Susan Foster, and Alyson Cambridge.

Included in the Vocal Competition since 2014, the Encouragement Award was created by Opera Columbus’ volunteer support groups to recognize promising young singers who show interest and potential in the field of opera or musical theatre. Eligible singers must be between 17-22 years of age, and be enrolled as a student in a high school, college, or university (undergraduate).

2017 Cooper-Bing Competition winner: Kidon Choi, baritone 2018 Cooper-Bing Competition winner: Anne Marie Stanley, mezzo-sorprano 2019 Cooper-Bing Competition: May 5, 2019

OPERA COLUMBUS 19