Past Opera

Dates:

• Sat, July 25, 2020 at 7:00pm | (Cast A)
• Mon, July 27, 2020 at 7:00pm | (Cast A)
• Wed, July 29, 2020 at 7:00pm | (Cast B)
• Sat, August 1, 2020 at 7:00pm | (Cast B)

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.

Jesse Toftum is a composer, vocalist, and plays several musical instruments. He started studying music theory on his own at 16. By midway through high school his band director was deferring to Jesse to answer other students. He studied music composition for four years at Snow College, where he learned his love for Opera. Jesse is now a Junior at the University of Utah studying Computer Science. This is Jesse's fourth consecutive season with Lyrical Opera Theater where he got his start in Carmen in the role of Remendado. He is happy to be working again under the direction of Lynette Owens and with this stellar cast.

Alyssa Liu is an Asian-American coloratura soprano who has been lauded for her effortless agility and lively stage presence. A versatile performer, Ms. Liu has been seen in a variety of roles, including the Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (Utah Vocal Arts Academy), the title role of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Sœur Constance in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites (University of Utah). Alyssa will finish her Master of Music at the University of Utah in December 2019, where she studies with Dr. Carol Ann Allred. Next, it is Alyssa's great pleasure to perform with Lyrical Opera Theater as Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto.

Kahli Dalbow is a lyric coloratura soprano and native of Pittsburgh, PA. She made her operatic debut in the role of The First Spirit in the Pittsburgh Opera's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute at the age of 15. Ms. Dalbow received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, and her MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. Most recently, she was seen as Flora in Lyrical Opera Theater's production of La Traviata. Some of her favorite performed roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Gianetta in L'Elisir d'Amore, and The Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen. Kahli loves helping others find their voice and enjoys teaching many voice students at her home studio in Draper.

Melissa James has a master's degree in vocal performance from BYU. Major roles include Fiordiligi from Cosi fan tutte, Alice from Falstaff and Maria in Utah Opera's production of Man of La Mancha. She is currently a member of the Utah Opera Chorus and sings weekly for the Christian Science church. She was recently featured as a voice teacher in The Story Book Home Journal published by Al Young Studios and will be singing the role of Maddalena in Lyrical Opera Theater's production of Rigoletto.

Ricky's eclectic musical endeavors have taken him from a cappella groups (BYU Vocal Point, ICCA champions in 2006) to opera (Utah Opera Chorus) to early music (5 seasons with Utopia Early Music Ensemble) to musical theater. He has performed in musical theater productions at Pioneer Theater Company as Olin Britt in The Music Man, Hale Center Theater in Sandy as Smudge in Forever Plaid and Orem as Javert in Les Miserables, and Centerpoint Legacy Theater as Adam in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Adam in Children of Eden. He was most recently seen as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Ladahlord in James and the Giant Peach.

Garrett Medlock is thrilled to be returning to Lyrical Opera Theater to sing Borsa in Rigoletto. Originally from central Illinois, Garrett studied vocal performance at Lawrence University before transferring to the University of Utah, where he received a Bachelor's degree in 2017. His favorite roles include Fenton and Dr. Caius in Falstaff, Nemorino in L'elisir d'Amore, Arbace in Idomeneo, and Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola. Garrett has performed with the Ohio Light Opera's for the past three summer seasons, and he appears regularly at the Capitol Theatre with the Utah Opera Chorus. In addition to his love of the stage, Garrett has a passion for choral singing and holds positions as a section leader in the Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir and as a member of the Utah Symphony Chorus.

Daniel has performed in many musical theater productions over the years, and is excited to be making his opera debut with Lyrical Theater Opera. He is a graduate of UVU with a bachelor's degree in Art and Visual Communications, with a minor in Music. He is currently back in school studying at the University of Utah pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. Just like his inability to stay away from continuing his education, he can't seem to stay away from the stage! Some of his past roles include; the Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance, George Bailey in A Wonderful Life, and Motel the tailor in Fiddler on the Roof.

Nelson LeDuc has never been a stranger to music. He played clarinet in elementary school, bass guitar in a rock band in the late 1970s, and since 1988 has been a regular singer with Utah Opera Company, having now sung in 84 productions with that company. Besides singing a number of cameo roles with Utah Opera, Nelson has also been a featured soloist in the Mozart Requiem, Handel's Messiah, and with Utopia Early Music. He sang the title role in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado with Pages Lane Theater (predecessor to Centerpoint Legacy Theater) in 1991. More recently, he has performed the role of Simone in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company in 2015, and has sung the roles of Lord Mountararat in Iolanthe (2011) and Dr. Tannhauser in The Grand Duke (2017), both Gilbert & Sullivan operettas presented by Holladay Performing Arts. This is his third season with Lyrical Opera Theater, having previously sung the roles of Pistola in Falstaff and Baron Douphol in La Traviata. Besides his active performance schedule, Nelson is currently pursuing a degree in music composition from the University of Utah.

Joshua Jensen, tenor, started singing at the age of 11, studying Italian Opera. When he was featured on Park City TV's morning show, the news team declared him the "8th wonder of the world." He sang the roles of the Imperial Commissario and Yamadori in Madama Butterfly and Sciarrone in Tosca with Lyrical Opera Theater. He has been a concert soloist in the Italian Festival, "Ferragosto" for ten years. He has sung for the Naturalization Oath Ceremony in Salt Lake City and sings frequently for military retirement ceremonies at Hill Air Force Base including for Colonel Christopher Kleinsmith, Master Sergeant Nicole Shinn and Master Sergeant Bernd Tripps. He appeared at the Hill Air Force Base assistance fund kickoff event with Miss Utah USA 2009 and with Miss Utah Teen USA 2009, the Community College of Air Force graduation and recently sang for the Mayor of West Valley City, Mike Windor, March 2013.

Heather Shelley: This is Heather's first experience working with the Lyrical Opera Theater. Her most recent opera performance was in UVU's Die Fleldermaus where she played Rosalinde, but she can be seen most often performing in, or music directing, musical theater. Some of her favorite theater roles include Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest, Witch in Into the Woods, and April in Company. By day Heather works as a Realtor and an English teacher, and she is passionate about gardening, dancing, and DIY. Many thanks to Eric for his love and support.

Sarah Seamons grew up in Ogden Utah and was part of High School and Community Theater. Sarah has also sung with the Mormon Youth Chorus and is currently taking voice lessons with Lynnette Owens. This Sarah's first opportunity to sing a comprimario role in an opera, and she is excited to sing Giovanna in Rigoletto. She was a soloist with Lyrical Opera Theater's Masquerade Party 2019 and on Salt Lake City's Festa Italiana. She has sung in the chorus of La Traviata and Falstaff.

Deborah Siddoway,soprano, has worked collaboratively and individually on a variety of concerts. As a classically trained musician, her primary performance focus is Opera and Broadway. Her performances include Kate Pinkerton and Mama in Lyrical Opera Theater's Madama Butterfly, chorus in Carmen, Tosca, and Falstaff and Gretchen in Beth Bruner's, The Grand Duke. Her concert soloist performances include singing Puccini's "O mio babbino caro" and Rossini's "Duetto buffo di due gatti" with Lyrical Opera Theater soloing in the Matsumoto, Japan/Salt Lake City sister city Gala and Lyrical Opera Theater Heart Song concert, and annual Masquerade party. She has been featured in the Italian festival "Ferragosto" and West Valley City, Mayor Mike Winder's Gala concert and enjoys singing at local church events and senior living centers. Her vocal repertoire includes, English, Italian, German, French and Latin. Although she holds a Master's in Business and certification in Human Resources her passion is in the arts. She is living proof you are never too old to follow your dreams.

Lynnette Owens, mezzo soprano, is much more involved in the "behind the scenes" production aspects of opera these days, collaborating with Lyrical Opera Theater to produce Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La Bohéme, Carmen, Falstaff, La Traviata and now, Rigoletto. She loves nourishing our local Utah talent and providing a venue and means for them to grow and share their talent with the friends, family and our Utah community. She has a long history of performing experiences that prepared her for this new role like having been a concert soloist in Carnegie Hall and with distinguished orchestras such as the Utah Symphony. She has performed numerous leading operatic roles both nationally and internationally.

Levi Frakes,Tenor. I'm looking forward to participating in my second opera as part of the chorus. I am a proud student of Lynette Owens and my vocal type is tenor. I'm humbled to be working with the amazing people that are part of this production.

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.

Wolfman Dan is a professional singer and entertainer in Utah. Dan teaches high school technical theatre and stagecraft at American Leadership Academy, and owns and operates an A/V production company responsible for several award winning karaoke and DJ shows throughout the state. Dan has worked in Theatre for over 20 years (though he is usually backstage where he focuses on scenic design, construction, lighting and audio). While Dan has worked on dozens (if not hundreds)of musicals and stage productions, this is Dan's first foray into the world of Opera, and he couldn't be more excited for the opportunity!

Erin Kearns-Brown has been dancing since 2003 in CA, NY, and UT. She studied in Summer Intensives with American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet (having trained with them for a year) and Ballet West (where she trained for 2 years). In addition to classical ballet in a variety of training styles, Erin has danced in modern/contemporary pieces, jazz, lyrical, tap, and character. She also performs "outside the box" in Hip-Hop, Bollywood and even Square Dancing styles! She taught/choreographed for young students in the Ballet Russe style from 2014-2016. She is currently preparing for the LINK Audition Festival with Salt Contemporary Dance.

Craig Mitchell, a Colorado Native, is a movement artist based out of Salt Lake City. He holds a BFA: Theatre and Dance from the University of Wyoming, with a concentration in Dance Performance and Choreography. The most fulfilling role that art plays in his life comes in the form of sharing dance with unlikely, under-valued communities and populations through the form of performance and outreach education. He has danced in prisons, Alzheimer care facilities, airplane museums, and under waterfalls, in Boys and Girls Clubs, at gas stations, and on an oil rig. His current mission is to grow that list.

Sydney Andrascik, Stage Manager: Sydney is so excited to be the Stage Manger for this production! This will be her first show she had managed for, but she has worked on production teams in the past, working as a Production Assistant on Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Costume Designer for Xanadu, both done at Woods Cross High School. Sydney also enjoys preforming, she has been seen on stage in Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), Curtains (Ensemble), and Xanadu (Urania, Andrews Sister, Hermes, Aphrodite). Sydney loves to go on adventures, playing E-sports, and learning new things. She is currently attending Utah Valley University where she is studying Deaf Studies and Costume Design.

I am excited to be working as a stagehand for the Lyrical Opera Theatre for the first time. I have recently graduated from Syracuse High School and have completed my first year at Brigham Young University. I have worked on many productions during my high school and college career including: Little shop of Horrors, Pirate Queen, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Hairspray, and more. I enjoy cross-stitching, painting, sewing, and the outdoors.

Jason Leavitt, Stage Hand: I am looking forward to being behind the scenes again. I have managed and coordinated stage productions at a high school level, for several performances (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked, Seussical, and more). At Lone Peak High School I participated in an award winning production, and led several construction projects. I am currently working full time at a dealership and working my way into college. I enjoy being in the mountains, on the road, and under a car in the garage.