New York and Oregon, as well as the festival choir and opera program of Idyllwild Arts. She has performed in the chorus of productions of The Merry Widow, L'enfant et les sortilèges and L'elisir d'amore and has sung the role of Yum- Yum in The Mikado. HELEN MATTISON WYATT (soprano) is a sophomore from Flushing, Michigan. Her onstage roles include Suzanne in Charpentier's Louise in CIM’s Fall 2007 THE CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC opera scenes, Lily Craven in The Secret Garden, Maria in West Side Story and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. In 2005, she attended the Interlochen OPERA THEATER Summer Advanced Vocal Program where she performed as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro for the program's opera scenes. She has also performed as the presents soprano soloist for The Whiting Auditorium's Christmas production of Handel's Messiah in Flint, Michigan. Ms. Wyatt is a student of Mary Schiller. Acknowledgements Béatrice et Bénédict The expansion of the CIM Opera Theater Program to two major productions per year has been made possible in part by generous gifts from the Words and Music by NORTHERN OHIO OPERA LEAGUE and DR. FRANCIS R. GROSS and DR. JANE SEMBRIC. HECTOR BERLIOZ (1803 - 1869) Additional financial support of the CIM Opera Theater came from: Mr. Raymond Abe, Ms. Shelley S. Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Gary V. Bombei, Mrs. Marvin Evenchik, Mr. James D. Graham, Dr. Kathleen S. Grieser & Mr. John Chipka, Ms. inspired by William Shakespeare’s Marietta Gullia, Mr. & Mrs. Clive Hamlin, Mr. James L. Harkins, Mrs. Frank E. Joseph, Jr., Ms. Jodi Kanter & Mr. Steven Szilagyi, Mr. & Mrs. S. Lee Kohrman, Barbara & Much Ado About Nothing Ronald Leirvik, Sheldon & Marilyn MacLeod, John P. Murphy Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Samir Nasr, Mr. Peter A. Paslawski & Mrs. Paula Forma-Paslawski, Ms. Sonja C. Reynolds, Dr. Michael J. Salkind & Dr. Carol T. Gill, Mr. Larry J. Santon, Mr. Donald P. Schneider, Dr. Gerard Seltzer & Phyllis Seltzer, Mr. Robert Shelden, Mr. Bert Siegal, Ms. DAVID BAMBERGER, Director Ruth Ellen Toth, Ms. Annette M. Wright, Mr. & Mrs. William J. Zoltowicz HARRY DAVIDSON, Conductor CIM Opera Theater gratefully acknowledges the assistance of: DAVE BROOKS, Set & Lighting Designer Sean Garrigan & CIM Security, The Concert/Events Staff, Eric Hosemann & the CIM Maintenance Staff, Janet Winzenburger, Opera Cleveland, The Cleveland Botanical Garden MOLLY WALTER, Costume Designer

The efforts of the following CIM faculty are appreciated: ALISON GARRIGAN, Wigs & Makeup Designer Kathryn Brown, Vocal Coach; Linda Jones, Vocal Coach; Anita Pontremoli, Head, Collaborative Piano; Carl Topilow, Director, Orchestral Program Kulas Hall Upcoming CIM Opera Theater Productions February 25 - 28 at 8:00 p.m. November 12 - 15, 2008 New this year! A SECOND fully-staged production and it’s a double bill! First, a delightful comedy by Haydn, The Apothecary, followed by Puccini’s gorgeous and inspiring Suor Angelica. The CIM Opera Program is supported in part by a generous April 17 & 18 at 8:00 p.m., April 19 at 3:00 p.m. grant from the John P. Murphy Foundation. Fully-staged and costumed Scenes Production, with piano accompaniment by music director John Simmons. roles of La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Arsena (The Gypsy Baron) and Suor Director’s Notes Dolcina (Suor Angelica) with Duquesne University where she received her Bachelor of Music degree. Ms. Thorpe has been a featured soloist with the “Speak low, if you speak love.” North Georgia Oratorical Society on multiple occasions in her native Gainesville, Georgia. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - Much Ado About Nothing ELIZABETH MARIE TREDENT (mezzo-soprano) is a sophomore studying with It is difficult for us to imagine the effect that Shakespeare had on the Mary Schiller. During the summer of 2008, she participated in the Crittenden Romantics of the early 19th century. Although his plays were already two Opera Workshop in Washington D.C. There, she had the opportunity to per- centuries old, they somehow seemed to be a new revelation. They became a form various opera scenes, including Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Charlotte in guide by which young rebels could liberate themselves from the classicism Werther and Augusta in The Ballad of Baby Doe. She performed the roles of favored by the aristocrats who had ruled Europe prior to the French Gertrude in Charpentier’s Louise and Mercedes in Carmen in CIM’s 2007 Revolution. opera scenes program. She was the 2008 Regional NATS winner, the 2007 Regional Classical Singer magazine winner, and has had the honor of per- Hector Berlioz was among those who were overwhelmed by the works of forming with the Ashtabula Orchestra. the Bard of Avon. The composer based a large scale choral symphony on LAURA ANNE VALLES (soprano) is in her first year of the Master of Music pro- Romeo and Juliet and found inspiration for other works in Shakespeare’s gram, studying with Mary Schiller. Ms. Valles, originally from Texas, began Hamlet, The Tempest and King Lear. performing at the age of 14. She studied with Jacqueline Barlow-Ware at Berlioz was one of many Romantics who tried to view the realities of life Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, were she obtained through the passion they brought to art. A beautiful British actress playing her Bachelor of Music degree. She was heard at Capital University as Katisha Juliet and Ophelia so dazzled him that he wooed her wildly, writing his in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, the First Lady in Mozart's The Magic famous Symphonie fantastique as a way to attract her attention! This approach Flute, and participated in several master classes. Ms. Valles placed first at the was surprisingly successful. Alas, the composer missed the Shakespearean 2007 Regional NATS competition in the Senior College Women category. message that unbridled passion often results in tragedy. His marriage to the actress was a disaster. MARK WANICH (baritone) is a Professional Studies student, currently study- ing with Clifford Billions. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State Nevertheless, it is not surprising that for his last work he returned to University (Master of Arts) and Georgia Southern University (Bachelor of Shakespeare for inspiration. What is surprising is that, after writing many Music), both in vocal performance. Mr. Wanich’s recent roles include works of truly colossal proportions, Berlioz chose as his model a relatively Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Paris (Roméo et Juliette), Demetrius (A Midsummer small-scale comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. Furthermore, in his libretto he Night's Dream) and Marquis/Jailer (Dialogues of the Carmelites). He was a discarded all of the play's villains and fools, adding his genial satire of fel- member of Nashville Opera's Fellowship program for 2006-2007, where he low musicians in the character of Somarone (whose name means "donkey"!) sang in outreach programs and performed in mainstage productions. He In doing so, he closed his creative life with a work that is filled with sunshine attended the AIMS in Graz program and the Harrower Summer Opera and joy, and which, in many ways pays, homage to the classicism which he Workshop. had spent his career rejecting. JOHN GRAY WATSON (baritone) is a senior in the Bachelor of Music program Berlioz, like Shakespeare, set his story against a background of heroes at CIM. He studies in the voice studio of Clifford Billions. Mr. Watson has returning from battle. Because the military image has no effect on the opera, sung in Austria, Italy and Slovakia. He has attended the American Institute I have chosen to portray these men as football heroes whose battles are of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. In the U.S., he has sung Antonio in Le fought on a field of 100 yards. The time is 1960, when colleges and universi- nozze di Figaro with the Duke Symphony Orchestra. His roles at CIM include ties, unaware that they would soon be changed by the drama of the ensuing Papageno in last spring’s production of The Magic Flute and the role of Poeta decade, were rather idyllic. in Salieri’s Prima la musica poi le parole.

I hope that, regardless of how your birth year relates to that date, you will KELSEY WOOD (mezzo-soprano) is a freshman studying with Clifford find that this setting adds to your enjoyment of the operatic love letter which Billions. She placed first in the Intimate Opera Competition and Village Hector Berlioz created as his final gift to us. Voices Chorale Scholarship Competition, both in California, her home state. -- DB She has attended high school division Young Artist programs in Florida, Music Degree. Ms. Ryu received first prizes in major competitions in Korea, including the Classic Korea, Anyang University and Suwon Women's college Cast competitions. She spent summers between 2003 and 2006 in Europe, America (in order of appearence) and Korea, attending and performing at Summer Camp at the Saarbrucken Musik Hochschule in Germany, Oregon Bach Festival, the University of C LAUDIO Robert Pierce* Oregon School of Music and the Yea-ul Music Camp in Korea. At CIM, she star quarterback Mark Wanich# was recently heard as the Queen of the Night and Lakmé. B ENEDICT Hee Chang Shin* another football star HEE CHANG SHIN (tenor), a native of Korea, is in his first year of the Artist Jermaine Jackson# Diploma program, studying with Clifford Billions. After graduation from B EATRICE Chelsea Coyne* Chugye University in Korea, Mr. Shin came to the United States and trained student with other interests Ji Eun Park# at the Peabody Conservatory with Stanley Cornett as a Graduate Performance Diploma student. He has performed Alfredo in La Traviata, H ERO Ann Coffman* Rodolfo in La Bohème, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Bardolfo in Falstaff and Hoffmann student, Claudio’s biggest fan Tamara Ryan# in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. His awards include winning the Eumhyup Vocal Competition in Korea and, in 2005, the Encouragement Award at the Mario D ON P EDRO Richard Ollarsaba Lanza Competition. Football Coach

JENNA SINISGALLI (soprano), a Cleveland native, is a senior studying with L EONATA Sarah Gardner Jung Eun Oh. Last spring, Ms. Sinisgalli was seen as a Figure of Change in Dean of Students, Hero’s mother Die Zauberflöte. Also at CIM, she performed in "La Traviata and Friends," Die U RSULA Lindsey Ann Anderson* Fledermaus, "DO Make a Scene," and "A Celebration of Opera." At University Hero’s best friend Elizabeth Marie Tredent# of Miami, she sang in The Elixir of Love and in scenes from Manon, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and The Tales of Hoffmann. Last summer, she studied in M ESSENGER Marcel Worrell Miller Austria at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz. S OMARONE John Gray Watson MELISSA SOROHAN (soprano) is a senior in the studio of Clifford Billions. She Conductor, Messina Conservatory was most recently heard as Madeline in a scene from Charpentier's Louise in CIM's Fall 2007 production, "A Celebration of Opera." Other roles have been D ENISE Heather Engebretson ^ a voice major Frosch in Die Fledermaus, an Irish Soprano in Spring 2007's "DO Make a Scene." Mee Ryu ~ She was also seen at CIM in "La Traviata and Friends." A native of Ashtabula, Ji Hyun Jang + Ohio, Ms. Sorohan has enjoyed singing in the Cleveland Orchestra Blossom Festival Chorus and in the chorus of Cleveland Opera Circle. * W ednesday/Friday performances, # Thursday/Saturday performances ^ Wednesday/Saturday, ~Thursday, + Friday

ANJIN STEWART-FUNAI (soprano) currently studies with Mary Schiller. She The aria sung by Denise is from Benvenuto Cellini, the first opera written by Hector Berlioz. sang for four years in the Tufts University Chamber Singers, performing the soprano solo in Mozart's Coronation Mass and the alto solo in Pergolesi's OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY Stabat Mater. In the Tufts Opera, she sang the title role of Suor Angelica, Hermia in A Midsummer's Night's Dream, Empress Ottavia in L'incoronazione CHEERLEADERS Marisa Buchheit, Claire Connelly, Ji Hyun Jang, di Poppea and the title role in Captain Lovelock. Ms. Stewart-Funai was a final- Anjin Stewart-Funai ist in the 2006 Tufts Tischler Competition. She most recently sang Elisetta in MAJORETTE Shelley Thorpe Il Matrimonio Segreto and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at the New England Conservatory Summer Workshop. OTHER STUDENTS & FOOTBALL FANS Antonia Botti-Lodovico, Troy Bruchwalski, Ashley Elizabeth Buckhout, Megan Crews, Carmen Denyes, SHELLEY THORPE (soprano) is currently completing a Master of Music degree Jilda Farias, Daina Fischer, Kjirsti Petersen Foutz, Chelsea Rose Friedlander, with Clifford Billions. While at CIM, Ms. Thorpe has performed the role of Elizabeth Anne Keller, Marcel Worrell Miller, Garrett Murphy, Katharine The First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), and in scene programs has portrayed Mimi Murphy, Jay Paik, Robert Pierce, Crystal E. Robinett, Jenna Sinisgalli, Mark (La Bohème) and Giulietta (The Tales of Hoffmann). She has also performed the Wanich, Kelsey Wood, Helen Mattison Wyatt JAY PAIK (tenor) is from Seoul, Korea and is a senior at Case Western Reserve University, majoring in electrical engineering. Mr. Paik is a vocalist in the The action takes place in 1960 at Messina State University ensemble Compassion, with which he does performances to encourage lis- teners to help children in multiple countries around the world that are suf- fering from physical ailments, emotional distress and poverty. Mr. Paik is a Overture - Before the big game student of Cynthia Wohlschlager.

Act I - After the big game JI EUN PARK (soprano) is in her first year of the Artist Diploma Program, Intermission studying with Mary Schiller. Ms. Park earned her Bachelor's Degree and the ~ ~ Honor Prize at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. She received her Master's Act II - That night Degree in Voice Performance from Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Phyllis Bryn-Julson and was the soloist for Handel's Messiah. She per- formed Mimi in La Bohème in a staged scene, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, The CIM Orchestra and the First Lady in The Magic Flute in the main production of Peabody Conservatory. VIOLIN 1 FLUTES CORNET Domenic Salerni, Jake Mende-Fridkis, Joseph Conners ROBERT PIERCE (baritone) is a first-year Master's student studying with Concertmaster Principal Clifford Billions. He received his Bachelor of Music from Otterbein College, Jiyeon Min Gloria Roh TRUMPETS where he was very active with both the choral and opera programs. With Hsiao-Wen Chang Douglas Surber, Otterbein Opera Theatre, he sang the roles of Mr. Ford in Nicolai's The Merry Molly Rogers OBOES Principal Wives of Windsor, The Husband in Menotti's Amelia Goes to the Ball, Count Kristin Baird Hillary Brunner, Conrad Jones Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro and Frank in Die Fledermaus. He was also Ryan Hebrew Principal a soloist with the Westerville Symphony for performances of the Mozart Timothy Feil TROMBONES Coronation Mass and the Fauré Requiem. VIOLIN 2 Alex Liedtke* Christopher Graham, Camilla Berretta,P rincipal Sara Scofidio* Principal CRYSTAL E. ROBINETT (soprano) hails from Caldwell, Idaho, and is a second Lisa Kim Sarah Kellis year Professional Studies student of Mary Schiller. She received her Bachelor Keelin Davis CLARINETS Robert Timmers of Music from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. At CIM, she has Patrick Yim Sam Peliska,Principal appeared as Marzelline (Fidelio) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro) in the opera Jay Dubin PERCUSSION scene programs and as the First Spirit in Die Zauberflöte. While at Capital, she VIOLA Dylan Moffitt appeared in Street Scene (Weill), Die Fledermaus (Strauss) and The Magic Flute Christina Wong,Principal BASSOONS (Mozart), and played the leading roles of Adele Rice in A Man of No Amy Shen Jordan Kile, Principal HARP Importance (Flaherty/Ahrens) and Maggie in Jake's Women (Neil Simon). Christine Sherlock Laura McIntyre Constance Koo TAMARA RYAN (soprano) is a second-year Master’s student at CIM, where she Kevin Pfister * Adam Klarfeld studies with Mary Schiller. She has performed with the Lake George Opera Kian Anderson* GUITAR as Clara in Offenbach's La Vie Parisienne and Flipote in Kirke Mechem's CELLO Jeremy Collins * Tartuffe. She was one of five finalists in the 2007 Philadelphia Orchestra Pei-Shih Yang, Principal HORNS Greenfield Competition. Other recent engagements include the 2006 world Erica Snowden Olivia Sedlack, * on stage premiere of Thomas Whitman's Rossetti Songs (composed especially for her) Daniel Cross Principal with Philadelphia's new music group, Orchestra 2001, and Adina in L'elisir Zane Biddle d'amore at her alma mater, Swarthmore College. Last winter, she was Queen BASS Ben Reidhead of the Night in CIM's production of Die Zauberflöte. Christopher Ammirati, Greg Venezia Principal MEE RYU (soprano) is a second-year Masters student of Mary Schiller. She graduated from Ewha Women's University (Seoul, Korea) with a Bachelor of ELIZABETH ANNE KELLER (soprano) is a senior studying with Clifford Billions. Opera Department She has spent the past two summers studying German Lieder with the University of Miami - Salzburg College Program in Salzburg, Austria, where Artistic Director David Bamberger she recently won 2nd place in their annual competition. She has performed Music Director & Conductor Harry Davidson with The Victorian Lyric Opera Company, The American University Opera Opera Coach & Chorus Master John Simmons Department, Capital City Opera and The Washington National Opera at the Opera Dept. Administrator Susan Williams Kennedy Center. She has studied at The Crittenden Opera Studio, The Amalfi Production Manager Sarah Stewart Coast Institute and Festival and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Most recently at CIM, she sang "Sull'aria" from Le Nozze di Figaro and the card Voice Department trio from Carmen. Mary Schiller, Head MARCEL WORRELL MILLER (tenor) is a native of Washington, D.C. and a grad- Clifford Billions uate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While attending CIM, Mr. Jung Eun Oh Miller has performed a number of roles, including Gastone in La Traviata , Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, Basilio and Don Curzio in Acts II and III of The Production Staff Marriage of Figaro, and Monostatos in The Magic Flute . Currently Mr. Miller is a senior working towards his Bachelor of Music degree. He is a student of Technical Director Ed Schmieding Clifford Billions. Stage Manager Melissa Sorohan Assistant Stage Manager Laura Anne Valles GARRETT MURPHY (baritone) hails from Boston, Massachusetts and is in his Wardrobe Molly Walter first year of study with Clifford Billions. Previous vocal teachers have includ- Rehearsal Pianists John Simmons ed Angela Gooch and Robert Honeysucker. He has participated in master Cara Chowning classes with Benjamin Zander, Maria Spacagna and Phyllis Hoffman and has Supertitles Paul & Kathleen Zweifel appeared as a soloist at Jordan Hall and Symphony Hall in Boston. This past English Dialogue David Bamberger season Garrett made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist in Vaughan Set Construction Griffin Decorative Painting Studio, Inc Williams' Serenade to Music. Recent operatic roles include the Businessman in Light Board Operator Autumn Schultz (The Little Prince), Achilla (Giulio Cesare), the Father (Hansel and Gretel) and Master Electrician Bob Henninge Assan and Mr. Kofner (The Consul). Carpenters John Englehart, Daniel J. Kargle Scenic Artist Terri P. Tufts KATHARINE MURPHY (soprano) is a third year Vocal Performance major and a Props Master Dr. Lisa Kish student of Clifford Billions. She attended the Oberlin Summer Voice Institute Run Crew Sheena Chopra, Lindsay Eckhardt, in 2005, and placed 3rd in the Buckeye Chapter of the NATS competition in Diana Farrell, Catheryne Shuman, fall 2006. At CIM, she performed the role of Flora in La Traviata in the 2007 Amanda Stephens "DO Make a Scene" program. During the 2007-2008 school year, she per- Cheerleader Movement Marisa Buchheit formed the role of Alisa in a scene from Lucia di Lammermoor, was a chorus Specialist member in Mozart's The Magic Flute and played the Countess in a scene from The Marriage of Figaro. About the Staff

RICHARD OLLARSABA (bass-baritone) an Arizona native, has ranked first in the DAVID BAMBERGER (Director) is Artistic Director of CIM Opera Theater. Mr. NATS Buckeye Chapter Competition in his category three consecutive years. Bamberger has staged some 200 productions on three continents in styles While at CIM, Mr. Ollarsaba has performed such roles as Sarastro in Mozart's from grand opera to musicals. A founder of Cleveland Opera, he was the Die Zauberflöte and the Maestro, a leading role in Salieri's Prima la musica poi company’s General Director from 1976 to 2004, building it into one of le parole. He also is a recipient of CIM's Irvin Bushman Memorial Vocal Prize America's major regional opera companies. He secured The Three Tenors in (2008) and CIM's Boris Goldovsky Prize in Opera (2008). Last summer, he had Concert to celebrate its 25th anniversary. At the insistence of Jerome Robbins, the privilege of attending the Aspen Opera Center in Aspen, Colorado. A sen- Mr. Bamberger staged the dialogue scenes for West Side Story, thus gaining ior in the Bachelor of Music program, Mr. Ollarsaba studies with Mary permission for Cleveland Opera to be the only opera company in the Schiller. Western hemisphere permitted to re-create Robbins’ original choreography. Mr. Bamberger’s work from coast to coast ranges from The Barber of Seville at of Music and The Desert Song. She played the Grandmother in Little Red Riding Lincoln Center (New York City Opera) to The Ballad of Baby Doe (Los Angeles Hood with Washington East Opera’s “Bravo Troop”. At Oberlin Conservatory Music Center), with such stars as Roberta Peters, Beverly Sills and Sherrill she performed scenes in the roles of Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Blonde (Die Milnes. For Santiago, Chile, he staged Rigoletto and Lucia di Lammermoor and, Entführung aus Dem Serail), Amor (L'Egisto) and Just Jeanette (Too Many for the Israel Vocal Arts Institute, La Bohème and La Cenerentola. In 1990, he Sopranos). represented the opera industry before Congress, testifying in a successful effort to garner support for the National Endowment for the Arts. He has CHELSEA ROSE FRIEDLANDER (soprano) is a junior pursuing her Bachelor's served on the Board of Directors of OPERA America and of the National Degree in Vocal Performance. At CIM, she sang the role of Cherubino in Alliance for Musical Theater, of which he was a founder. At home on the The Marriage of Figaro (Act II). She also appeared in "La Traviata and non-musical stage, Mr. Bamberger directed the first major New York pro- Friends" opera scenes program, where she sang the role of the Dew Fairy duction of Sophocles’ classic tragedy Oedipus at Colonus and a national tour in Hänsel und Gretel. Last spring, Ms. Friedlander sang Sophie in Werther of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. His writings include several arti- in "All the World's a Musical Stage." She has won first place in three con- cles for Opera News and best-selling textbooks for religious schools. His two- secutive NATS competitions. In 2007, she attended The Miami Frost volume history of the Jews based on Abba Eban’s My People, banned in the School of Music's Vocal Summer Program in Salzburg, Austria. Ms. former Soviet Union, is now being used in Russian translation in both Russia Friedlander studies with Mary Schiller. and Israel. Mr. Bamberger’s many honors include the Ohio Governor’s Award for Arts Administration and honorary doctorates from Swarthmore SARAH GARDNER (soprano) is in her second year of the Master of Music pro- College (his alma mater), Cleveland State University and CIM. gram under the tutelage of Mary Schiller. Her opera credits include the com- plete roles of First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Lady Billows (Albert Herring) and HARRY DAVIDSON (Music Director & Conductor) is in his tenth season as Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica) and scenes as Salome (Hérodiade), Leonore Music Director and Conductor of the Duke Symphony Orchestra and (Fidelio), Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), Magda (The Consul), Abigail Williams Professor of the Practice of Music at Duke University. In spring 2007, he was (The Crucible) and Alice Ford (Falstaff). She completed her Bachelor of Music named Music Director and Conductor of Opera at CIM, where he appeared in 2006, having studied at both the New England Conservatory of Music and for the previous two seasons as a guest conductor. In July 2000, he made his Georgia State University. Ms. Gardner recently won the 2008 Akron major orchestra conducting debut, leading the National Symphony Orchestra Symphony Orchestra Chorus Competition. in concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Mr. Davidson has guest-conducted orchestras in Austria, Finland and the U.S., including the JERMAINE JACKSON (tenor), an Atlanta native, is a senior studying with Mary Charlotte and Akron symphonies, and completed a month-long residency at Schiller. He has performed the roles of Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Alfredo (La the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, where he taught conducting and Traviata), The Impresario (The Impresario), and recently, Tamino (Die guest-conducted the Symphony Orchestra and Choral Union in a perform- Zauberflöte) both at CIM and with the Janiec Opera Company. He has soloed ance of Brahms’ Requiem. During the 1998/99 season, he held the position of with the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, AIMS Festival Orchestra Associate Conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Professor of (Austria), "RED", Heights Chamber Orchestra, the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, Music and Director of Orchestras at Wichita State University. In his capacity and has appeared on NPR's From the Top. A faculty member at the Cleveland as a music director and educator, Mr. Davidson has served as Conductor of Music School Settlement and Cleveland School of the Arts - Lower Campus, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and Associate Professor of Music at Jermaine is also a Dalcroze Eurhythmics double major, a Music Theory minor the University of Akron. He frequently serves as cover conductor for the and a skilled clarinetist and pianist. North Carolina Symphony, and he has also served in this role for the Cleveland Orchestra. Mr. Davidson was a finalist in both the Antal Dorati JI HYUN JANG (soprano) is a first year Artist Diploma candidate, studying Conducting Competition with the Detroit Symphony and the Hans with Mary Schiller. Ms. Jang attended Ewha University in Seoul, Korea, com- Swarowsky Conducting Competition in Vienna, Austria. ing to the U.S. in 2006 to pursue a Master's degree in Voice Performance at the Peabody Conservatory, studying with Stanley Cornett. She attended the JOHN SIMMONS (Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master) has appeared in A.C.I.S Academia Summer Program in Italy in 2000 and the Oregon Bach numerous recitals in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy Festival Summer Program in 2003. She has performed Donna Anna (Don and in the U.S. at Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Hall in New York City. A Giovanni), Lakmé (Lakmé), Olympia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), and Fire student of Yoheved Kaplinsky, he received a Master of Music degree in (L'Enfant et les sortilèges). With Peabody's Concert Orchestra, she was sopra- piano performance from Peabody Conservatory. He also holds a diploma in no soloist in Haydn's Mass and Schubert's A-Flat Mass. piano performance from the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Bachelor of Music at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While there, in Vienna, Austria, where he studied with Paul Badura-Skoda. Mr. Simmons she participated in Opera Outreach, taking children's operas to area schools. has coached, taught and performed at the American Institute of Musical Her roles included Alice in Alice in Wonderland, The Princess in The Goose Girl, Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, the Spoleto Festival USA, the Centro Studi Little Red Riding Hood, the Dew Fairy and Pamina. Ms. Crews has given Italiani, the Amalfi Coast Festival, the Shaker Mountain Festival and the numerous solo recitals, won vocal competitions and has appeared several Lincoln Center Festival. He was on the coaching faculty at the C.W. Post times abroad, with performances in China, Italy and Austria. campus of Long Island University, was appointed music director of the Elysium Festival in Bernried, Germany in 2004, and was in residence at CARMEN DENYES (soprano) is a senior studying with Mary Schiller and Jung Rutgers University as guest professor of collaborative piano for 2004-2005. Eun Oh. Ms. Denyes is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy. In her Mr. Simmons was music director and pianist for New York Opera Project’s hometown, Ms. Denyes was active in productions with Opera Columbus, production of Samuel Barber’s Vanessa in spring 2004. He has collaborated in including the company's production of The Magic Flute as the Third Spirit. recital with tenor John Aler, and has performed with the London Symphony Ms. Denyes has been a featured soloist with the Columbus Symphony Chorus, the Westminster Choir, the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and was fea- Orchestra. Scenes credits from CIM include: Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Zerlina tured as a soloist with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra. (Don Giovanni) and Sophie (Werther). DAVE BROOKS (Set Designer & Lighting Designer) recently celebrated 25 HEATHER ENGEBRETSON (soprano) is a junior voice student of Mary Schiller years as a set and lighting designer in the Cleveland area. Eight of those and violin with David Russell. Former teachers include Sandra Walker, years were spent at CIM as designer/technical director for the Opera Connie Heard and Robert Lipsett. Miss Engebretson's roles include Department. A list of his favorite CIM productions includes Hansel and Papagena and the Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), Sophie (Der Gretel, The Rake’s Progress , The Medium and last season’s Die Zauberflöte. Mr. Rosenkavalier), Lakmé (Lakmé) and Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia). Miss Brooks is a Project Manager for EventWorks, Inc., a company that produces Engebretson is an avid performer of new works and recently studied Libby corporate theater and special events nationwide. A recent highlight among Larsen's song cycle Try Me, Good King! with the composer. She has been these events was the Presidential Debate held in September at the University soloist with the Interlochen Intermediate, Tuscaloosa, Muscle Shoals and of Mississippi. Huxford Symphony Orchestras, and was a 2006 Davidson Fellow Laureate. ED SCHMIEDING (Technical Director) has been working in technical theater JILDA FARIAS (SOPRANO) is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy where she and opera since the early 1990s. Mr Schmieding has been the master electri- studied with Ron Gentry. She is currently a freshman at CIM where she stud- cian and or lighting assistant for The Great Lakes Theater Festival, Lyric ies with Mary Schiller. Ms. Farias attended Interlochen Arts Camp where she Opera Cleveland, Cleveland Opera, CIM Opera Department, Sesame Street sang the role of Baba in The Medium. She has also sang the role of Anne in Live and Vincent Lighting Systems. Some scenic construction credits include Anne of Green Gables The Musical with the Kingsville Repertory Players. Most CIM operas, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, We Gotta Bingo and Respect, the recently, Jilda appeared as Mimi in Act II of La Bohême and as The Mother in Musical. He and his wife Terri are owners of Griffin Decorative Painting a condensed version of Hansel and Gretel at Interlochen Arts Academy. Studio, Inc. They provide commercial/residential specialty painting and theatrical scenic construction. DAINA FISCHER (mezzo-soprano) is a freshman studying with Jung Eun Oh. Ms. Fischer's singing career began with The Red Rose Children's Choir of MOLLY WALTER (Costume Designer) came to Cleveland to work in the costume Lake County. During her time in “Red Rose” she performed in many inter- department of the Great Lakes Theater Festival, and is delighted to be design- national music festivals in Italy, China, Austria, Germany and the Czech ing for CIM. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2006, Republic. In the summer of 2007 she sang the Soprano II solo in Haydn's where she designed productions such as La Serva Padrona, Wit, The Elephant Missa Sancti Leopoldi in Prague. Ms. Fischer was accepted into the National Man, and In the Boom Boom Room. Molly has recently designed Mad World for High School Music Institute (NHSMI) at Northwestern University as a vocal Theater Ninjas and The Fantasticks for Ensemble Theatre. This spring she joins major in 2006 and participated in the Illinois Summer Youth Music program the wardrobe department of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. at the University of Illinois in 2007. ALISON GARRIGAN (Wig and Make-up Designer) has designed and acted for KJIRSTI PETERSEN FOUTZ (soprano) is a first year Master's student studying professional theater in this area for many years. Here at CIM, she recently with Clifford Billions. In Urbania, Italy she performed the lead role in La Bella designed costumes, wigs and hair for Die Fledermaus and "DO Make a Scene" Dormente nel Bosco with Oberlin in Italy. Ms. Foutz has performed with Utah (with Molly Taylor). Other production designs include The Rocky Horror Festival Opera Company in the choruses of Carmen, Die Fledermaus, The Sound Show, Our Town, Nickel and Dimed, Uncle Tom's Cabin and Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Cleveland Public Theatre; Jekyll & Hyde, Anne Frank, Urinetown, chorus of La Bohème. She has portrayed roles in full musical productions and Aida (co-designer), Miss Saigon and The Seagull at the Beck Center; Othello, reviews, including Liesl in The Sound of Music, Maria in West Side Story, Julie Santaland Diaries, Sin, Lysistrata and Hamlet for Bad Epitaph Theater; Hot in Carousel and Rapunzel in Into the Woods. Ms. Buchheit studied at the Merit Mikado and Carmen Jones for Great Lakes Theater Festival/All City. School of Music in Chicago under Melba Wright. She earned her high school's top vocal award, the National School Choral Award. SARAH STEWART (Production Manager) joined the CIM Opera Staff last semester after completing four seasons with Playhouse Square Center, ASHLEY ELIZABETH BUCKHOUT (soprano), a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is where she served as Line Producer and Production Stage Manager for seven a sophomore studying with Jung Eun Oh. Onstage work for CIM includes long running shows in the Hanna Theatre (including Love, Janis and L'Apprentice (Louise), Spirit of Change (Die Zauberflöte), and in the Spring Forbidden Broadway). Previously, she completed a 20-year tenure at Scenes of 2008, Musetta (La Bohème). In 2007, she was heard as Susanna in the Cleveland Opera as Director of Production and Artistic Administrator, while Young Opera Company of New England's highlights from The Marriage of also serving as a member of Opera America's Production/Technical Figaro. Her professional debut was Boston Lyric Opera's 2004 production of Committee for eight years. Other local credits include work at The Cleveland The Little Prince, as a rosebud, star and chorus member. Most recently, she Play House, Great Lakes Theater Festival and Cain Park, where she stage studied at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria managed for their 50th anniversary production of Follies. Ms. Stewart has in the Lieder Program with Dean Southern and Betty Bullock. been proud to be a member of Actor's Equity for 25 years. ANN COFFMAN (soprano) is in the Professional Studies program, studying About the Cast with Mary Schiller. This summer Ms. Coffman performed the role of Susanna LINDSEY ANN ANDERSON (mezzo-soprano) is a second year Master's student in Le nozze di Figaro at the Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute of Mary Schiller. In July 2008, Ms. Anderson attended the Bay Area Summer (BASOTI). She has performed the role of First Spirit in Die Zauberflöte, por- Opera Theatre Institute in San Francisco. At BASOTI she sang the role of Zita tions of Ilia from Idomeneo and Sandmännchen from Hänsel und Gretel. Her in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and performed in scenes from Britten's The Rape of roles as an undergraduate included Anne in Sondheim's A Little Night Music, Lucretia and Bizet's Carmen. Previously at CIM, Ms.Anderson performed the Miss Pinkerton in Menotti's The Old Maid and the Thief, Ida in Strauss's Die role of Third Lady in the 2008 production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, as well Fledermaus and Jenny in Sondheim's Company. This fall, Ms. Coffman will sing as the title role of Bizet's Carmen in the Act III Card Scene for the 2008 scenes the role of Gretel for Opera Cleveland's outreach program. program. CLAIRE CONNELLY (soprano) is a first year Master's student of Mary Schiller. She ANTONIA BOTTI-LODOVICO (soprano) is a junior in the Bachelor of Music began her opera career with the Tulsa Opera performing as The Grasshopper Program, studying with Mary Schiller. Most recently she was seen as the in Janácek's The Cunning Little Vixen. While at the University of Oklahoma, she Third Spirit in the 2008 performance of Die Zauberflöte. In her freshman year, participated in numerous university productions and appeared with the Ms. Botti-Lodovico performed the role of Ida in Die Fledermaus. Her other Cimarron Circuit Opera Company. In opera scenes, she portrayed Norina from credits at CIM include Marguerite in Act 2 of Louise in 2007, the 2006 per- Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème. Her solo roles formance of "La Traviata and Friends" (chorus) and the 2007 performance of include The Dew Fairy in Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel, Me in Richard Hill's "DO Make A Scene." She is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Owl, the Tree, and Me, and Pauline in Mary Packer's The Toy Shop.

TROY BRUCHWALSKI (baritone) is a freshman studying with Clifford Billions. CHELSEA COYNE (mezzo-soprano), a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a second- Mr. Bruchwalski has been thoroughly involved in music since his early years, year Master's student of Mary Schiller. Ms. Coyne received her Bachelor of playing tuba, trumpet and guitar. He has also competed and advanced in Music degree from Texas Christian University, where she performed the numerous Pennsylvania Music Educators Association choral festivals. Mr. roles of Carmen (La Tragédie de Carmen) and Dorabella (Così fan tutte). Her Bruchwalski has a very diverse background in music, including leading roles most notable roles at CIM include Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Octavian (Der in Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast and Thoroughly Modern Millie. This Rosenkavalier), Cenerentola (La Cenerentola) and Romeo (I Capuleti e i year, he won Classical Singer magazine's regional competition at CIM and Montecchi). Ms. Coyne won first place prizes at the NATS Buckeye Chapter moved on to compete in the national convention in New York City. Vocal Competition and the FSOM Vocal Competition in Salzburg, Austria. She also participated in the 2008 Cleveland Art Song Festival. MARISA BUCHHEIT (soprano) is a sophomore at CIM, studying with Jung Eun Oh. She recently attended the Opera Festival at Lucca, Italy, where she MEGAN CREWS (soprano) is a native of Oklahoma and is in the first year of her played Carolina in a scene from Il Matrimonio Segreto and was featured in the Master of Music degree, studying with Mary Schiller. She received her