The Barber of Seville | February 2024

Baritone Christopher Clayton is a rising star in the opera world, boasting a rich portfolio with appearances at renowned companies like Utah Opera, Portland Opera, and Sarasota Opera. Recent roles include Alvaro in Florencia en el Amazonas and Fredirich Bhaer in Adamo's Little Women. His versatility extends to Tonio in Pagliacci, Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore, and Marcello in La bohème. An accomplished concert singer, Clayton has performed as a soloist in various works, including Händel's Messiah and Bernstein's Mass with the Utah Symphony. With degrees from the University of Utah and Manhattan School of Music, he has garnered prizes from prestigious competitions like the Gerda Lissner Foundation and the Marian Anderson Vocal Competition. Upcoming engagements feature his role debuts as Frank in Die Fledermaus and Rigoletto, completing his portrayal of Verdi's pivotal operas.

Jordon LeBaron, baritone, studied voice at Utah State University where he received his bachelor of music degree in vocal performance. Since then, he has enjoyed performing in several opera, oratorio, musical theater, and jazz productions. Some of his recent credits include: Sciarrone (Tosca), Pharaoh (Joseph), Silvio (Pagliacci), Betto (Gianni Schicchi), Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Bass soloist (Handel's Messiah), and The LeBaron Singers on YouTube. He is especially grateful for his beautiful and talented wife, Angela, with whom he often shares the stage. They have three amazing kids.

Driven by an overarching love for story and song, Alex Harrelson delights in building a genuine connection between himself and his audience. He has brought this love of connection beyond the operatic stage, giving compelling recitals that reignite art song and song cycles to new audiences. Alex is currently a second year Masters student at the University of Utah, where he studies under Dr. Robert Breault. Recent opera performances for Alex include performing as Lindoro in Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri as a part of the La Musica Lirica summer program. During the first year of his Masters program, he performed as Anthony in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. He sang Ferrando in a selection of scenes and arias from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte.

Alicia Fairbanks began studying voice at Mesa Community College. She completed an undergraduate degree in vocal performance at Brigham Young University. During that time she had the opportunity to teach BYU's Slavic Choir. Alicia earned a masters degree in voice at the University of Utah. Past roles include Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Pitti Sing in the Mikado, Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Athamas in Semele. Alicia loves working with her voice students and watching them progress. She uses her spare time for painting, sculpting and sewing.

Demaree Clayson Brown, a mezzo-soprano from San Angelo, Texas, holds degrees from Brigham Young University (BM), the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MM), and the University of Utah (DMA). While at the University of Utah, she studied with Professor Ariel Bybee and Dr. Robert Breault, and her research focused on art song from Spain and Latin America. Recently, Dr. Brown made her debut with Utah Lyric Opera in Provo, performing the role of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Her voice was described as exuding a "warmth and richness" that allowed her to "portray her character vividly just through her singing." Her concert and oratorio work include being the alto soloist for Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, and John Rutter's Feel the Spirit. Her most recent opera roles include: Mercedes in Carmen, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dame Quickly in Falstaff, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Mrs. McLean in Susannah, Angelina La Cenerentola, Ottavia in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Jade Boucher in Dead Man Walking, Marie in The Most Happy Fella, and La Principessa in Suor Angelica. In addition to performing, Dr. Brown taught high school and middle school choir in Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, and New Mexico. She and her husband, Marco, currently reside in Salt Lake City and are the proud parents of their son, Elliot.

Matthew Thomas Castleton (Salt Lake City, Utah) is delighted to appear with Lyrical Opera Theater. While Mr. Castleton has a large swath of operatic and musical theatre experience, recent credits include La Bohème (Utah Opera 2017), Chabrier's L'Étoile (Sin City Opera 2017), and Lucia di Lammermoor (Utah Opera 2017). Mr. Castleton also was a young artist at the 2009 La Musica Lirica Opera Young Artist Program (Novafeltria, Italy). He holds both Bachelors (2010) and Masters (2014) Degrees in Music-Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. When he is not performing, Matthew also works as a head cashier at The Home Depot while making his home in Midvale, Utah.

Daniel Tuutau, Baritone, is originally from Los Angeles, California. He holds BA & MM degrees in music from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Utah in Vocal Performance. He frequently sings with the Lyrical Opera Theater in Midvale, Utah, and is currently a regular member of the Utah Opera Chorus. He has worked as an adjunct professor in voice at the University of Utah in the Theater Department and also teaches private studio voice lessons throughout the Salt Lake Valley. He lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Brandy, and their four children.

Chris is a Utah native who graduated with his BA in Classical Voice from Westminster College in 2015. In 2017, he earned his MM also in Classical Voice from The Manhattan School of Music under Metropolitan Opera legend, James Morris. Previous role highlights include Lord Savage in Jekyll & Hyde, Peter in Company, Frank Butler in Annie, Get Your Gun, The Black Cat in L'enfant et les sortilèges, Julius Caesar in Giulio Cesare, Athamas in Semele, the title role in Don Giovanni, and various operatic, musical theatre, and jazz scenes and concerts. Chris is currently pursuing a career in musical theatre and jazz.

This is Rod Hansen's third production with Lyrical Opera Theater. Last year he played Benoit in La Boheme and sang in the chorus of Pagliacci. Prior to that, he appeared in musicals, such as Spamalot and Fiddler on the Roof. He is often found performing at Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, or in other settings as a medieval style bard; singing, playing guitar, and juggling.

Emily Anderson Mijarez is excited to be making her second appearance at Lyrical Opera. She played the role of Flora in Lyrical Opera's performance of La Traviata in 2019. However, she has spent most of her musical career on the musical theater stage. She has performed at The Hale Theater Orem in South Pacific and Guys and Dolls, as well as in many local community productions. Her favorite roles to date are Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde and Ms. Hannigan in Annie. Emily is extremely grateful to her family, friends and husband who encourage her daily to pursue her dreams. She is also very grateful to Lynnette Owens who continues to push her outside her comfort zone.

Tod Young's operatic journey began in 1998 when he responded to a radio call from Michelle Peterson of the Utah Opera Company, joining as a supernumerary for Turandot. Inspired by NY Met Opera productions, he embraced roles in various operas, from Marriage of Figaro to Faust, playing diverse characters like a Gatekeeper and a soldier engaged in on-stage fights. Michelle's Super call list kept him involved in the enchanting world of opera, complementing his musical background of piano lessons, cornet practice, and tenor solos. A highlight was joining the U of M Singers at Carnegie Hall for Mozart's Coronation masterpiece. Tod Young's story unfolds as a harmonious blend of passion for music and the joy of being an integral part of captivating opera performances.

John Frampton is a dynamic individual with diverse interests. He finds joy in wrestling and board games, showcasing his passion for both physical and strategic pursuits. Notably, he brought his acting skills to the forefront during three seasons at Fear Factory, where he donned the role of a clown and earned a commendable reward for his contributions. Alongside his theatrical endeavors, John has a musical side, having invested three years in choir. This multifaceted individual embodies a commitment to excellence and a genuine exploration of various artistic realms.

Carly Schaub lives in SLC, where she also completed her M.F.A. at the University of Utah in Modern Dance. Before SLC, she lived in ND, dancing and serving as Outreach Coordinator for Northern Plains Dance. She also has a B.F.A. in Theatre/Dance from the University of Wyoming. Carly is an adjunct for Salt Lake Community College, and Westminster College, and teaches Modern and Ballet at Wasatch Arts Center. She teaches Dance for Parkinson's for UofU's Skagg's Wellness Center and RDT. She has choreographed for Deseret Experimental Opera, Snow College, and Cache Valley Civic Ballet, Northern Plains Dance and teaches Baroque and Renaissance dance. Carly directs Dance Balletti, an early Ballet reconstruction ensemble and she also dances with Municipal Ballet.

Francesca Sorensen is from Cottonwood Heights, Utah. She began her ballet training at Artistic Endeavors Dance at the age of 7. Francesca also trained at Utah Dance Center and was a part of Brighton High School's Dance Company for 4 years. She has also performed with Mountain West Ballet in performances such as, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppélia. She is currently studying dance at Brigham Young University and is excited for her first time performing with Lyrical Opera Theater.

Matilda has been passionate about tech for 5 years now. She has worked on shows such as The Importance of being Earnest, Little Women, and Into the Woods. She also plays the piano, is absolutely nerdy, and has a deep fascination with science and the natural world.

Lee Wailes has dedicated most of his life to theater and has been Stage Managing for a decade. Up until now, that time was spent at only one theater; this is his 1st outing with a different theatrical crew, and he is grateful to those at Lyrical Opera Theater who gave him a chance, and his friend Matilda for recommending this experience to him.

Kaden Larsen, a seasoned stagehand on his third opera, is celebrated for his unwavering work ethic and adaptability. A reliable and versatile team member, he effortlessly takes on any task to ensure the opera's success. Grateful for partner Damien and their extended family, Kaden finds comfort in the company of two senior cats and a growing collection of plants. Amidst the controlled chaos of opera production, he values each team member's unique contributions. Known for his handiness, cat-whispering skills, and familial ties to the opera, working alongside Damien's father and sister, Kaden brings a familial touch to the production. He has eclectic musical tastes and eagerly anticipates each opera, always ready to contribute with enthusiasm and a helping hand.

Issa is a Utah native who is currently pursuing a bachelor's in theatre at the University of Utah. With over 7 years of technical theatre experience and 4 years of professional costume experience, she is always delighted to be working on new theatre projects. Issa is currently working at Kingsbury Hall where she intends to further her outreach to theatres across Utah and to develop her skills to achieve a career from technical theatre.