y las Flo a res nd ci Nocheb Evan Mack u la ue Joshua McGuire L de na

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Mack_1811_book.indd 1-2 2/6/20 3:19 PM LUCINDA Y LAS FLORES DE LA NOCHEBUENA CAST While celebrating a successful presentation at the 2015 National Opera Lucinda | Alejandra Tejeda Association’s National Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina about producing Mamá | Leandra Ramm new operas, composer Evan Mack, librettist Joshua McGuire, and director Anthony Nobody | Billy Lawley Radford talked about what was missing from new American opera. All three being Everybody | Mark Hernandez the fathers of young children, they almost simultaneously said “Good children’s Ensemble | San Francisco Opera Scouts opera!” Radford discussed with his university (CSU Fresno), commissioning Mack Miraya Choudhury | Margot Hall | Allegra Kelly | Julia Noel | Curtis Resnick and McGuire to write a 45-minute piece that could be performed in opera houses Pianist | Paul Dab and tour in schools. The result was Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena — a Director | Caroline Altman multi-cultural Christmas opera for all ages. The writing team knew to go for a “Pixar vibe,” something that children would love and parents would love even more. The opera premiered to more than 3,000 children in Fresno, mostly in LUCINDA Y LAS FLORES DE LA NOCHEBUENA under-served areas, and to children who had never seen an opera before. Since LIBRETTO then, Lucinda has been produced all over the United States, with productions from Houston to South Carolina and the Rio Grande Valley to San Francisco. As of PROLOGUE That reminds me, yes – ! 2019, the opera has been seen by more than 20,000 children, with future pro- 1 I was going to tell you… ductions planned for years to come. [NOBODY runs onstage from the darkened house, turning to address the children.] [enter EVERYBODY, interrupting him] SYNOPSIS NOBODY Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena is a coming-of-age story based on the EVERYBODY Mexican folktale of the . The opera unfolds as young Lucinda and her Hey, everyone! You’re not giving away the ending, are you?!?! mother make a blanket together. They plan to give it as a gift at a Do you know what today is? celebration, but Lucinda’s mother grows very sick and they cannot finish it in time. With help from some mischievous deities, Lucinda ends up attending the celebra- That’s right… today is Christmas Eve! NOBODY tion alone — with nothing but wildflowers to share. A holiday miracle teaches her Now what are some things you always have around Why howdy, partner! that giving from the heart is more important than the gift itself. on Christmas Eve? [to the audience] I should introduce my friend here. This is Everybody. Everybody, meet Everybody. [...] and songs, and trees, and candy, and Everybody [gesturing to the audience]…everybody. poinsettias… He’s really an all right guy once you get to know him.

Mack_1811_book.indd 3-4 2/6/20 3:19 PM EVERYBODY NOBODY LUCINDA LUCINDA [to the audience] Don’t listen to Nobody! [nervously, taking backwater] Oh, uh… no I didn’t. Something about Christmas Eve… Okay, Mamá! No poinsettias here! I feel the world is glowing. I was just telling them that here, it’s Christmas Eve. NOBODY I feel like no one knows what’s coming next, and [exit LUCINDA] everyone is waiting. [correcting his grammar] You mean, don’t listen to EVERYBODY anybody… MAMÁ And I imagine all the world Christmas Eve... I’ll be here. I’ll be here... Anything can happen. Waiting for a , EVERYBODY I imagine all the things there are to give. We’ve all got a part to play... [to herself] Thread over thread, and color over No, I’m talking about you! color… [to the audience] He didn’t tell you? On Christmas Eve, NOBODY We stitch this blanket just to give away. Grrrr, that’s so like him! We wish and hope and ask for what we want. My bones are stinging me like needles. His name is Nobody! Goodbye, Everybody! But I know for sure, on Christmas Eve, This Christmas Eve could be my last. That giving things away is way more fun! [exit EVERYBODY] I haven’t said a word. NOBODY And I imagine giving all the world Well, that’s a fact… But I’ll teach her how to make the offering, Anyway, it’s Christmas Eve, and Lucinda – she’s A brand new Christmas gift. Hoping she’ll remember all that she was shown. about your age, actually – I imagine all the things there are to give. EVERYBODY Lucinda and her Mamá are about to make a very... I think of all the years a daughter weaves alone. …and he’s always so insufferably happy! special… gift. Sometimes I don’t get what I want, Somewhere in my heart’s imagination, As to what it is…well, you’ll see. And I feel sad, and I feel small. And don’t mind me. I see her stitching a blanket for her child: NOBODY But then I imagine I’m Nobody. A brighter kind of gift that the world has never seen. [gleefully raising his right hand] Guilty! What were Lucinda will blossom long after I’m gone. 2 The whole world is a gift I get to give! you saying about the ending? [exit NOBODY] When I’m gone, I want her to know that she was [enter MAMÁ, looking over the sewing table] EVERYBODY my gift. SCENE 1 MAMÁ You told them about the poinsettias! When I’m gone, I want her to see what she meant [Lucinda’s home, late morning. A simple table cov- Lucinda, go get the yarn. to me. ered in white linen, with knitting supplies.] She is all I have to give.

Mack_1811_book.indd 5-6 2/6/20 3:19 PM Somewhere in my heart’s imagination, MAMÁ LUCINDA & MAMÁ LUCINDA I see her stitching a blanket for her child: What did I just say? Yarn… I can stitch the best! A brighter kind of gift that the world has never seen. Let me see… [taking LUCINDA’s hand] Needle… Loop it, cross it… Lucinda will blossom long after I’m gone. Not bad. Loop it over. Everyone at church will see No blood. Cross it. That it’s the best and it’s by me. [enter LUCINDA] Now you pull it tight. It’s so beautiful: warm and bright and we get to give [LUCINDA & MAMÁ prepare to knit.] There, I got it right! it away! 3 LUCINDA Red goes over white. All the church will see my perfect gift. [rummaging around immediately at the table] Mamá, LUCINDA I found the yarn! Needle... MAMÁ Mamá, we’re almost out of red yarn! Now move the needle below, and go! MAMÁ MAMÁ [bending to help LUCINDA] You don’t know how MAMÁ [collecting herself] Mija, you are right! much I love this. Be careful! Gently! We will have to get more.

LUCINDA LUCINDA LUCINDA LUCINDA Come on, let’s do it! Let’s go! Mamá, I can do it on my own! Yarn… Let’s go to the market! It’s perfect!

MAMÁ MAMÁ MAMÁ MAMÁ Mi potrilla... Bright red! Today, you must go to the market for me. You cannot hurry the offering. [to herself] She’s never done this without me. She thinks she can make it on her own. LUCINDA LUCINDA She can’t make it on her own. LUCINDA We always go together… The kind we use every year! I don’t want to leave her alone. We don’t have all day! My daughter! [pricking her finger] Ow! MAMÁ MAMÁ Warm and bright and made to give away. My Lucinda will weave alone. [handing LUCINDA some coins] Ten pesos… Now take your needle… Look for the brightest red.

Mack_1811_book.indd 7-8 2/6/20 3:19 PM LUCINDA [LUCINDA unfreezes, and so on against EVERYBODY LUCINDA NOBODY I’m afraid to go alone! and NOBODY’s conversation.] [to the children in the audience] Will you help me Something about Christmas Eve… find the yarn? Anything can happen. MAMÁ LUCINDA I may not be near you, but you’ll never be alone. I can’t find the yarn. NOBODY LUCINDA Wait! She asked them for help. Kids, are you sure you can help me? [exit LUCINDA, reluctantly] EVERYBODY This changes everything! As soon as you see yarn anywhere in the market, En algún lugar profundo de mi corazón, Eh, it’s a pointless trip. I want you to yell, “yarn!” okay? La veo cosiendo una manta para su hijo. She’ll never finish sewing her gift by tonight. EVERYBODY Let’s practice it: “Yarn…” [they answer] Un tipo de regalo que el mundo nunca ha visto… How so? “Yarn…” [they answer] Lucinda florecerá después de que me vaya. LUCINDA Where is it? NOBODY You have to sing louder so I can hear you. Try again: SCENE 2 4 [awestruck] That could mean a miracle… “Yarn…” [they answer] [The marketplace. LUCINDA enters, rummaging NOBODY “Yarn…” [they answer] through the vendor’s tables.] I say she will. EVERYBODY And when you see yarn, you’re gonna sing what? Nonsense! No no no no no! LUCINDA [they answer] EVERYBODY [pointing to the children] They can’t help her! Where is the yarn? Maybe it’s over here… So…Nobody thinks Lucinda will finish in time. Be sure to tell me as soon as you see it. LUCINDA [LUCINDA freezes. NOBODY and EVERYBODY NOBODY [to the children] I’m going to give you a very impor- NOBODY appear.] tant job. And Everybody thinks she will fail. Oooooo… she’s quite good! Come on, let’s help Lucinda finish that gift. NOBODY EVERYBODY EVERYBODY [to EVERYBODY] Howdy, partner! At least we disagree! We’re the ones who do miracles. EVERYBODY How’s Lucinda doing at the market? It’s best when we don’t interfere.

Mack_1811_book.indd 9-10 2/6/20 3:19 PM NOBODY Steel yourself, Boy Scout - [EVERYBODY takes down a golden star from a neigh- Take it. Where’s the fun in that, you old devil? She’ll steal it herself! boring vendor’s booth.] No one will see. What’s the worst that could happen? Like this star… coiled in gold. You deserve it. NOBODY See how it glistens! You’ve earned it. It will never fray, It’s ripe for the plucking. EVERYBODY [shaking on it] I won’t stop you. Or decay. Remember Lisbon? It could give you the edge, LUCINDA The misplaced earthquake? EVERYBODY The power, [entranced] Take it. Just you try. And the glory! No one will see. NOBODY I deserve it. Take it. Oh, come on! NOBODY & EVERYBODY I’ve earned it. No one will see. Show some cosmic sportsmanship! [happily] To and fro on the earth… up and down! It’s ripe for the plucking. No plan to hatch. It’s ripe for the plucking. EVERYBODY [EVERYBODY and NOBODY enter the marketplace, Pocket the star EVERYBODY disguising themselves as vendors.] Fine! And slither away. Pocket the star And slither away. But if I do this, EVERYBODY [LUCINDA is drawn to the star.] I’m doing it right. [to LUCINDA] Can I help you? [Entranced, LUCINDA reaches up to steal the golden When things go wrong, LUCINDA star.] Doing wrong is only right. Take it! LUCINDA Ah! A little temptation is all she needs. Take it! I’m looking for yarn. Take it from me: Take it! She’ll take what she needs. EVERYBODY LUCINDA Imagine bringing a star to church. [Meanwhile, NOBODY conspicuously lets a ball of I’m going to make the Christmas offering. She’s got to give a gift. You’ll rattle the rafters, yarn fall off his table, while instructing the children I’ll help her get it. You’ll scale the heights! to sing, “Yarn!” as LUCINDA instructed them. It’s my gift to her - EVERYBODY Everyone will envy you. LUCINDA hears the children, and steps back from Get it?! You’ll need to consider all your options. Your gift will be the best! the golden star.]

Mack_1811_book.indd 11-12 2/6/20 3:19 PM LUCINDA LUCINDA EVERYBODY EVERYBODY [to herself] Yarn… yarn. Are you sure? I thought she was supposed to have faith in you. Insufferable!!!! I’m looking for yarn. [knowingly] Wait, is this about the poinset--- NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY EVERYBODY I’m sure. Works both ways. [comically shushing him] Hup! [to NOBODY] Grrrr! You said you wouldn’t stop me! Take it. It’s not like you charmed her back there. I can tell you will turn it into something great. Really, I thought you were going to break out the EVERYBODY NOBODY Consider it a gift from the heart. horns! The red flowers with the----- I didn’t stop you. [Moved, LUCINDA exits with the yarn, then stops and [pointing to the children] They did! EVERYBODY turns to face NOBODY again.] There’s no need for magic. NOBODY EVERYBODY Nip! LUCINDA Insufferable! NOBODY What’s your name? To and fro, to and fro... [pointing to the children] The earth is already covered EVERYBODY in magic! That bloom at Christmas E------[Bested, EVERYBODY exits. LUCINDA turns to NOBODY Nobody sees it. NOBODY, holding up the yarn.] I’m Nobody. NOBODY EVERYBODY Shush! METALOGUE LUCINDA 5 [shaking his head] Now she’ll never finish the [smoothing over the faux pas] Lucinda will follow How much for this bright red? blanket. the thread. EVERYBODY NOBODY You actually gave her the yarn? NOBODY EVERYBODY Take it. Who said anything about finishing the blanket? Well I’m done intervening. Take it. NOBODY Lucinda will follow the thread. She’ll show up empty-handed tonight. Tough. De veras, lleva te lo. I have faith in her.

Mack_1811_book.indd 13-14 2/6/20 3:19 PM NOBODY Mamá? Let me… MAMÁ You forget she has Mamá to help. Imagine something else. Oh, she’s sleeping. [MAMÁ pulls the needle out.] EVERYBODY LUCINDA [LUCINDA sits down to the sewing table alone, and LUCINDA [sinister] Do you know that for sure? Cross it, now pull it tight – that’s not right! unwinds the new yarn.] Ah!

NOBODY Red, the kind we use every year! MAMÁ MAMÁ [shaking his head] Lucinda will follow the thread! Imagine what else you can give. Now… needle. Blood. Needle! EVERYBODY LUCINDA Yarn… LUCINDA Now there’s a topic we haven’t covered. Red goes above or below – I don’t know! I need your help. What about old Mamá? [LUCINDA injures her hand with the needle, and I don’t know! cries out. MAMÁ stirs at the sound of her scream.] NOBODY MAMÁ [The church bells sound in the distance, and MAMÁ puts her hand on LUCINDA’s shoulder.] [freakishly angry, his hands over his ears] LUCINDA Mamá! I can’t. WILL FOLLOW THE THREAD! Mamá, my hand! You’ll have to find some other gift. MAMÁ SCENE 3 MAMÁ LUCINDA Lucinda… [Lucinda’s home, evening. MAMÁ is asleep in bed. Let me see. What? No! The church bells. LUCINDA enters with the yarn from the market- I just got back from the marketplace! It’s time now. The service is beginning. place.] LUCINDA [sitting back down to the table] I’ll do it myself. I’ll do it myself. It really hurts! LUCINDA LUCINDA Yarn…needle… Mamá, Mamá… Help me! MAMÁ Loop it over – or is it under? I got the brightest red! I can still finish knitting! [groggily] Your palm. You wouldn’t believe what happened to me…

Mack_1811_book.indd 15-16 2/6/20 3:19 PM Why won’t you help me? LUCINDA I’ve always believed that you could do anything. One more thing about this song – You’re no good for anything! We always go together. Now you believe for me. I want you to sing along! Sing what I sing and sing loud and strong. Mamá, I didn’t mean it. Go. After me: MAMÁ What’s wrong? Go! [exit LUCINDA] [teaching the children the tune] La, la la la….

MAMÁ LUCINDA 6 SCENE 4 Listen to me sing the words: [On the path to church. Enter NOBODY, downcast, I should have told you the truth. I won’t go without you! addressing the children.] Give the gift that’s in your heart. You’re old enough to understand. Give the gift that’s in your heart. I’m sick. MAMÁ NOBODY Give the gift that no one else can give. Go! Hey partners… LUCINDA Now you sing! People think I know what I’m doing. How sick? LUCINDA People think I know what’s best. But you’re sick! [NOBODY and the children continue singing the pro- But even I need a little help. cessional tune on the words as LUCINDA enters.] MAMÁ Could you help me? I’ve been sick for many months. MAMÁ Would you help me? I said go! LUCINDA LUCINDA You don’t need me anymore. [NOBODY hears a processional tune in the distance.] [to herself] Everyone will bring a gift to give. Listen! Here I am without an offering! How sick? LUCINDA Hear that? They’ll all see me walking down the aisle, And they’ll all laugh. [the church bell sounds again] I don’t have a gift. Help me out and lend an ear. Here’s a song that you will hear. NOBODY MAMÁ MAMÁ It’s sung on Christmas Eve every year. [over the children’s tune] “O come let us adore him, There’s not much time. Look inside yourself. Ready? O come let us adore him…” Go without me! See what I see in you.

Mack_1811_book.indd 17-18 2/6/20 3:19 PM LUCINDA You gave me that yarn, I have no gift…. Or did the stars see something in you? I left Mamá alone. But I couldn’t finish the blanket. Were you sure that the heavens would see you I left Mamá alone. 7 Dark night, bright star. through? Mamá is sick and I left her alone! NOBODY Kings from afar. Were you wise then? We think we know who they are. Were you wise men? It’s okay. NOBODY Three gifts, three kings. What gave them the courage to leave? [to the children] Great job! LUCINDA Spice, oil, gold rings – such perfect things. Did they believe on that Christmas Eve? Remember, we’ll sing it again. You don’t understand. But what did they really bring? I’ll tell you when. I have nothing. CHORUS [offstage, as if from inside the church] I have nothing! I want to see what they saw that night. “Fall on your knees, [LUCINDA approaches NOBODY] I want to find what they found by that light. O hear the angel voices. NOBODY O night divine!” [to LUCINDA] Evenin’… What did you see in the stars? When you have nothing, [pointing to the night sky] Did you ever see stars Or did the stars see something in you? You can give everything. like that? Were you sure that the heavens would see you LUCINDA through? What did you see in the stars? LUCINDA LUCINDA Were you wise then? Or did the stars see something in you? Hey... What do you mean? Were you wise men? Were you sure that the heavens would see you From the market. through? You gave me the yarn. NOBODY Why did they start? Were you wise then? Were you wise men? Did you ever see stars like that? They had no map, they had no chart. What was in their heart? NOBODY [The star above LUCINDA shines on a patch of [NOBODY goes into the church. LUCINDA, alone, [still awestruck at the stars] I mean, look at them! weeds, and she stoops to pick a handful.] looks up at the stars.] I want to feel what they felt that night, Mira las. De veras, mira las. Not knowing where their course would lead, but knowing they were right. I don’t know why this is my gift… LUCINDA LUCINDA I don’t know what will happen to Mamá… I’m sorry! I can’t go into the church. What did you see in the stars? I don’t know anything!

Mack_1811_book.indd 19-20 2/6/20 3:19 PM But I know there’s something more. EVERYBODY I’m here without my mother. Give the gift that’s in your heart. No! I would be no one without her. Give the gift that’s in your heart. [LUCINDA enters the church, and begins her proces- It’s sacrilege. And one day I’ll be without her. Give the gift that’s in your heart. sional down the aisle, weeds in hand.] This isn’t a proper gift! So I offer this gift – LUCINDA SCENE 5 Wait… 8 NOBODY Este regalo... [Inside the church. Everyone turns to notice Este regalo es lo único que tengo... LUCINDA.] [to LUCINDA] Keep going, my friend. [LUCINDA hesitates, holding the weeds above the Este regalo es lo único que tengo que ofrecerte... Keep going. altar.] Para mi madre. EVERYBODY Can I do it? [LUCINDA presses on.] ¡Para mi única Madre! No no no no no no!!!! That’s just a bunch of weeds! NOBODY [LUCINDA places the weeds on the altar, falling to EVERYBODY [to NOBODY] That’s not right! [to the children] She needs our help! her knees. The weeds suddenly bloom, covering the She could’ve brought the golden star. [to LUCINDA] Stop! Stop! altar in bright red poinsettias.] You’re making a terrible mistake! Weeds? Weeds? EVERYBODY Insufferable! Grr, are we going to... NOBODY NOBODY Look! [LUCINDA hesitates.] [to EVERYBODY] She’s making the perfect mistake! NOBODY & EVERYBODY (suddenly, comically happy) She did it! [to LUCINDA] Go. She did it! NOBODY Vaya. Sing! [to EVERYBODY] Trust. ¡Vaya! [NOBODY and EVERYBODY lead the children in EVERYBODY Let’s see what comes of this gift. singing.] Grr...she did it! LUCINDA [LUCINDA proceeds. EVERYBODY stands in her way, You’re both right. [As the flowers multiply, MAMÁ enters and LUCINDA so that she turns back, but NOBODY blocks her NOBODY & EVERYBODY This isn’t a worthy gift. runs to embrace her. Everyone holds up the poinset- retreat.] Everyone sing! And I’m going to offer it… tias, marveling at them.]

Mack_1811_book.indd 21-22 2/6/20 3:19 PM LUCINDA [LUCINDA and MAMÁ embrace.] THE LIBRETTIST Mamá! Mamá! Joshua McGuire has written librettos for The Secret of Luca, (based on the novel ALL by Ignazio Silone) and Roscoe (based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize winner William MAMÁ A brighter kind of gift that the world has never seen. Kennedy) with music by Evan Mack, as well as #isoperadead, the first-ever opera Lucinda, it’s beautiful! A child has led us to this star! for Twitter. Their one-act opera The Ghosts of Gatsby, based on the life of Zelda ¡Una niña nos llevo a la estrella! Fitzgerald, was commissioned by Samford University in 2018. Mack and McGuire are currently writing a multi-company commission for a comedy entitled Yeltsin in Texas! THE COMPOSER In 2015, McGuire was commissioned to write a libretto for Washington National Opera’s American Opera Initiative, and the resulting one-act opera, Believing that opera should be theater grounded in climatic expression that delivers Alexandra, with music by David Clay Mettens, was premiered at the Kennedy larger-than-life stories and music that harnesses the full athletic thrill of singing, Center. He is also the author of The Secret of Music: a look at the listening life, Evan Mack has devoted much of his compositional life to opera and song. His first a book of nonfiction essays on music and mindfulness. McGuire is the recipient of major operatic composition, where he served as both composer and librettist, was a fellowship from the Corporation of Yaddo, The Susan Shames Feinstein Librettist Angel of the Amazons. Angel premiered in May of 2011 by Encompass New Opera Fellowship at the American Center for New Works Development, and currently Theatre at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City and was subsequently teaches at Vanderbilt University. (www.joshuamcguire.com) released on CD by Albany Records. Two years later, Fresno State Opera Theater premiered The Secret of Luca. was the first of several collaborations with librettist THE DIRECTOR Joshua McGuire. Evan Mack has proven as deft at song writing as he is in opera. His song Since joining the education team at San Francisco Opera Guild in 2006, Caroline A Little More Perfect is a setting of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s final paragraph of Altman has served as Creative Director, Summer Conservatory Director, composer, the Marriage Equality Decision by the Supreme Court in 2015. Premiering at Seagle and currently as Director of Education where she creates programming and overall Music Colony in 2015, it has quickly become a favorite of many baritones. The vision for the department, trains teaching artists, and directs the youth ensembles song had its professional premiere at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2016 and the and stage productions. She developed and implemented the award winning pro- orchestral premiere at the Fort Worth Opera Festival in 2017. Evan was named grams Book to Bravo!, Voices for Social Justice, Summer Conservatory, Bel Canto “2018 Professional of the Year” by Musical America, was a composing fellow at the to Broadway, Creative Opera Workshop and the Opera Scouts. Her anti-bullying John Duffy Composers Institute and a resident artist at Yaddo. Evan is a Teaching operatic show, How Andy Found His Voice, has toured with San Francisco Opera Professor at Skidmore College. (www.evanmack.com) Guild, Opera Pensacola, and Cal State University Northridge. Prior to joining the Guild, Caroline served as Education Director at 42nd Street Moon Musical Theater,

Mack_1811_book.indd 23-24 2/6/20 3:19 PM and worked as a teaching artist, vocal coach and director/choreographer at American Cultura, the Rooster and Blue Jay in The Cunning Little Vixen with West Edge Conservatory Theater, New Conservatory Theater, El Paso Opera, TADA! musical the- Opera, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera San Jose, and Leila in Iolanthe ater in New York City, Stagedoor Manor in upstate New York, and Pineapple Studios at the Buxton Opera House in the United Kingdom. in London. Caroline is an award-winning actress and singer, and has written six musicals and one opera for young audiences and is on the faculty at Academy of Art Billy Lawley (Nobody) has performed with the San Francisco Opera Chorus in University where she teaches voice and dramatic literature and history. Wagner’s Götterdämmerung and in Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd. Solo roles include Melisso in Handel’s Alcina, Ben Upthegrove in Menotti’s The Telephone, and Uberto THE PERFORMERS in an English adapted version of Pergolesi’s La serva padrona. He has previously performed as a vocalist with the San Francisco Choral Artists and is a chorus Alejandra Tejeda (Lucinda) is a graduate of California State University, Fresno member with The Bracebridge Dinner in Yosemite. Billy performed in musicals with a Masters in Vocal Performance, and studied Voice under the guidance of with numerous theaters in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex before moving to the Dr. Anthony P. Radford. Ms. Tejeda had the honor to premiere two operas: the title Bay Area. Billy is also a music educator and teaches voice and piano throughout role of Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena and The Secret of Luca as the Blind the East Bay in Northern California. In addition, he is a teaching artist as a Music Woman by Evan Mack. She also appeared as Nancy from Benjamin Britten’s Albert Director and Composer with the San Francisco Opera Guild in schools throughout Herring, and performed the title role of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. She was also the Bay Area. involved in Mariachi Fresno State, where she could express her Mexican heritage through her voice and guitar. Mark Hernandez ( Everybody) has sung more than 50 roles with San Francisco Bay Area companies such as Opera Parallele, West Bay Opera, Pocket Opera, and Thick Leandra Ramm (Mama) is a remarkably versatile mezzo-soprano and actress with Description. For 15 years he was associated with San Francisco Opera, performing an “extraordinary voice” (Anderson Cooper 360), whose “beautiful and quite moving” in the Opera Chorus and leading youth programs for the Opera Guild. He has a (Nordstjernan Newspaper) performances have graced prestigious venues including particular interest in new music, having worked with composers Hector Armienta, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the United Nations, and Symphony Space. Ms. Ramm David Conte, David Garner, Evan Mack, Lisa Prosek, and others. Away from the made her debut as a soloist in Kurt Weill’s The Eternal Road with the American stage he is a professional writer and nonprofiteer. (www.landsendvoice.com) Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall. She performed the title role in La Cenerentola with San Francisco Opera Guild and appeared as a soloist with the Paul Dab is a San Francisco based pianist, teacher, vocal coach, and music San Francisco Symphony in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, conducted by Michael director. He engages students on a weekly basis through private lessons, classes, Tilson Thomas, and Bach’s Magnificat, conducted by Ragnar Bohlin. and performances at San Francisco Community Music Center and San Francisco Other notable engagements include the Soul in Ordo Virtutum with San Opera Guild. He presents art song recitals of new and historic music and has worked Francisco Renaissance Voices, Serafina/Spirit Woman in La Llorona with Opera on world premier operas by Hector Armienta and Joseph Colombo. He collaborates

Mack_1811_book.indd 25-26 2/6/20 3:19 PM with Bay Area organizations including Opera Theater Unlimited, West Bay Opera, and Cinnabar Theater. Paul received degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory edgme of Music and Vanderbilt University and has worked in educational outreach at wl nts the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Cypress String Quartet, and the Nashville no Symphony. (www.pauldab.com) ck San Francisco Opera Guild Opera Scouts is a youth ensemble for aspiring young A artists aged 12-18. Meeting once a week, Opera Scouts receive training in singing, Recorded on location at the acting, and the opera arts, and complete merit badge projects in artistic disciplines. Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera Performing at recitals and concerts near and far, Opera Scouts travel to Europe every other year to learn more about music and theater culture and to engage with International artistic youth. With a focus on social emotional learning and goal Mixed, and Mastered by Emmett Van Slyke setting, Scouts learn the life skills necessary for success in performance and life. for Van Slyke Productions (www.sfopera.com/operascouts) Dedicated to Thomas, Carter, and Henry

Mack_1811_book.indd 27-28 2/6/20 3:19 PM