concerts and events
September
Garrick Ohlsson Plays Rachmaninoff 2
September 19 & 20
John Williams & Friends
September 27
October
With Friends, For Friends October 3 & 4
Giselle October 10–12
November
Bizet’s Carmen November 1 & 2
Young People’s Concert: A Kaleidoscope of Sight and Sound
November 5
Dayton Ballet School Ensemble: Momentum
November 8
Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings & Youth Strings: String Sound November 16
Queens of Soul November 8
Canadian Brass November 22
December
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Winter Concert December 7
The Nutcracker December 13–22
Handel’s Messiah December 16
The Nutcracker: Sensory Friendly December 17
FROM THE LEADERSHIP
Dear Friends
This season is a moment of celebration! For the first time, Maestro Keitaro Harada takes the podium as Music and Artistic Director of your Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, leading us into an exciting new era of music-making. His artistry and vision join the brilliance of our opera and ballet companies to create a season that is as vibrant and inspiring as the community we share it with.
From the drama of opera to the grace of ballet and the power of the Philharmonic, our stage will shine with performances that honor tradition while embracing fresh possibilities. Each program is crafted to move, to thrill, and to remind us of the joy that only live performance can bring.
Most of all, this season is a celebration of you—our audience. Your presence and passion transform every note, every gesture, and every story into something unforgettable. We are thrilled to share this milestone year with you, and we invite you to join us as we begin a new chapter, together.
With excitement,
Patrick J. Nugent President and CEO Joseph Zehenny DPAA Board Chair
President and CEO Patrick Nugent with Artistic Directors Brandon Ragland, Kathleen Clawson, and Keitaro Harada
this is your scene
FIRST
Is this your first time at a DPAA event? If so, welcome! To ensure your visit is meaningful and enjoyable, we offer the following resources.
Box Office
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance proudly partners with Dayton Live for its box office services. Contact the box office at (937) 228-3630 or visit the office in the Schuster Wintergarden.
Restrooms / Family Restrooms
Restrooms are available on each level of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre.
Accessibility
DPAA is committed to providing easy access to the arts. If you have any specific needs or questions, please contact the box office.
Audio description is available upon request for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via a small receiver. Requests must be received two weeks prior to an event and are subject to the availability of the Describer. Arrange by calling the box office.
Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Borrow a device from the kiosk in the lobby or from a house manager.
Sign language interpretation is also available upon request for performances at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. Requests for sign language interpretation must be received two weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of the Interpreter. Please call the box office to make arrangements.
Age Recommendation
Our events are recommended for age 6 and up.
Military Appreciation and Discount Programs
In addition to our standard military discount, DPAA offers a Military Appreciation Program for active-duty military members, retired veterans with ID cards, and WPAFB government civilian employees in the region. Each household may receive four free tickets annually. Contact the box office to redeem.
Group Sales
Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on tickets! Contact Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette, at (937) 535-5443.
Local Dining
Make it a night on the town! We recommend the following dining options: Bistecca, Blind Bob’s, Grist, Joui, Lily’s, Lucho, Meadowlark Restaurant, Mudlick Tap House, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Sueño, Table 33, and Wheat Penny Oven & Bar.
Lost and Found / Security
In the event you lose an item at a performance or require assistance from the security team, call (937) 637-7366. For the safety of those in the audience, behind the scenes, and on stage, everyone who enters the performance space is required to pass through metal detectors.
Questions?
For additional ticket questions or information, contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette at (937) 535-5443.
Keitaro Harada’s Inaugural Season
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance would like to acknowledge Trustee Barbara N. O’Hara for her generosity and vision.
Barbara was the catalyst for bringing Maestro Keitaro Harada to the Dayton Community. We wish to thank her and the following donors for their generosity:
Barbara N. O’Hara
Patricia & Peter Torvik
Mary & Tim Riordan
Grismer Tire Company
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Christy & Michael Manchester
Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Artistic Directors
Kathleen Clawson,
Artistic Director, Opera; Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair
Kathleen Clawson is a distinguished director, performer, and educator whose career has been defined by her deep commitment to opera. Clawson’s extensive directing work includes over 20 productions for the Dayton Opera and a long-standing association with The Santa Fe Opera, where her credits include staging two world premieres, and staging the Apprentice Scenes for over two decades.
Clawson first came to Dayton as a soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic. Now a retired mezzo-soprano, she performed with opera companies and orchestras throughout the country, and performed in musical theatre, including the “Mother Abbess” in an international tour of The Sound of Music.
A passionate advocate for arts education, she served as the Associate Director of The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Singer Program for ten years and mentors the Dayton Opera Artists in Residence.
Keitaro Harada
Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic; Sponsored by Barbara N. O’Hara
Armed with intensity and depth, Keitaro Harada consistently provides riveting concerts and opera performances in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. As Music and Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic since 2020, Harada has transformed the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginative programs and charismatic presence.
In 2024, Harada was named Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner for the Aichi Chamber Orchestra, and he begins a five-year tenure as Music and Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic in the 2025–26 season. He has forged a close connection with the NHK Symphony Orchestra with whom he appears frequently and has recorded three albums. Harada is a recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.
Brandon Ragland
Artistic Director, Ballet; Sponsored by Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown
Brandon Ragland has more than a decade of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. He trained in Birmingham, AL, and has a bachelor’s degree in Dance-Arts Administration from Butler University. After graduation, Ragland danced with Alabama Ballet, followed by Louisville Ballet in 2010, spending 13 years as a leading artist. A respected choreographer, Ragland choreographed works for Louisville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Sedona Chamber Ballet, and The Perla Ballet. In 2017, Ragland was honored to perform with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Across America Program. He has received numerous awards, including “Best Artist” in Louisville Magazine and The Lift a Life Foundation’s “Emerging Leader in the Arts Award” from The Fund for the Arts.
Dayton Ballet Company Dancers
Dayton
Artists-In-Residence
Connor Barak Claire Bergman Nicolas Bierwagen
Erin Blair Tomasin Corrente
Emma Duncan
Alyssa Eyster
Hailey Flanagan Jasmine Getz Katy Gilliam
Isaac Jones Patrick Lennon
Tarique Logan Kyan Park Maxwell Peters
Lukas Pringle Francisco Rivera Belle Urben Catherine Voorhees Christian Chester
Opera
Malone Blaich Isabel Randall Aaron Hill Evan Fleming Clara Passmore
Dayton Ballet Studio Company
Xochitl Atienza Sara Beth Austin Daniela Bennetti Amber Huggett Mollie Juniewicz
Jaiden Morley Ryan Norman Elizabeth Sabol Isabelle Wilwayco
Dara Schlesinger
Carmen
Dayton Opera • Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy after a novel by Prosper Mérimée
Performed in French with English surtitles
November 1 & 2, 2025 • Schuster Center
CAST
Carmen Maire Therese Carmack*
Don José ............................ Robert Stahley
Micaëla ............................... Kathryn Henry*
Escamillo Christian Pursell*
Zuniga ........................ Christian Simmons*
Morales .................................... Ryan Wolfe*
Frasquita Malone Blaich^*
Mercédès .......................... Isabel Randall^*
Dancaïro Evan Fleming^*
Remendado Aaron Hill^*
Principal Guest Dancer .. Irene Rodríguez*
DAYTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Keitaro Harada, Music & Artistic Director
DAYTON BALLET COMPANY DANCERS
Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director
Connor Barak, Claire Bergman, Nicolas Bierwagen, Erin Blair, Tomasin Corrente, Emma Duncan, Alyssa Eyster, Hailey Flanagan, Jasmine Getz, Katy Gilliam, Isaac Jones, Patrick Lennon, Tarique Logan, Kyan Park, Maxwell Peters*, Lukas Pringle°, Francisco Rivera, Belle Urben, Catherine Voorhees, Christian Chester*
PRODUCTION & CREATIVE TEAM
Chelsea Gallo, conductor*
Kathleen Clawson, director
Irene Rodríguez, choreographer*
Paula Dunn Powell, chorusmaster
Megh Jennings-Posner, production stage manager*
Dahl Delu, scenic designer (created for Opera Southwest)
Daniel B. Chapman, projection & lighting designer
Dean Brown, costume designer
Cass Brake, wig & makeup designer
Thomas Venditelli, wig & makeup designer
Andrea Chenoweth, resident intimacy coordinator
Charlie Cromer, fight choreographer
Erica Guo, rehearsal pianist*
Steven Aldredge, chorus rehearsal pianist
Adam Kluck, chorus rehearsal pianist
Kay O'Connor, assistant stage manager*
Anazha Santiago, assistant stage manager
Naomi Reisner, wig & makeup assistant
John Lavarnway, props coordinator
Katie West, surtitle caller*
* Dayton Opera debut
^ Dayton Opera Artist-in-Residence
° Featured Dancer
The Opera Series is made possible with the support of Paul & Dolores Anderson. This performance is sponsored by the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts. Chelsea Gallo was partially supported by OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors, generously funded by the Marineau Family Foundation. The appearance of Irene Rodríguez and the Dayton Ballet are sponsored by Lee Monnin.
DAYTON OPERA CHORUS
Ron Anderson, Josh Bodey, Todd Bodey, Rachael Boezi, Sarah Bucher, Guy Chambers, Carol Chatfield, Clara Clark, Emily Cotten*, Stevin Crane, Erin Fasone*, Geoffrey Gear*, Tifton Graves, Amy Herbst, Trinity Hines-Anthony, Isaiah Jones*, Samantha Leal, Lou Liltie*, Judah Lindsey*, Samantha McIntyre, Aaron Meece, Mark Mehlhope, Emily Murphy, Kirsten Nordland*, Dylan Reynolds*, Michael Riggs*, Alaina Saliba*, Graysen Schaney, Cynthia Schindler, Diamond Sparks*, Sergio Suarez*, Elaina Vimmerstedt, Stephanie Voelker, Leo Wang*
DAYTON OPERA YOUTH CHORUS
Emerson Benbrahim, Joi Dickerson*, Pauline Donovan*, Brayden Embry*, Maddison Embry*, Shay Gogate, AnnaLee Herder*, Amelie Hymans, Lena Lewis*, Anwen Magenty*, Evalyn Pleiman, Zoey Ruland*, Brooklynn Slaton*, Ella Wright
SUPERNUMERARY
Tommy Baudendistel
* Dayton Opera debut
Acts I & II 90
Synopsis
Note: This opera contains gun shots and depictions of violence.
Act I
On the town square in Seville, a group of soldiers relax, watching people as they pass by. Micaëla, a shy young girl arrives looking for Don José. The soldiers flirt with her and try to get her to stay with them. Micaëla thwarts their advances and hurriedly leaves. Don José arrives as the guard changes. The bell from the cigarette factory rings and the women come out for their smoke break. Carmen joins them and the men taunt her, asking when she will love them. She entertains them with a song about the nature of love. Noticing that Don José remains aloof, she is intrigued and throws a flower at him. Laughing, she and the other factory women return to work. Micaëla returns and gives Don José a letter from his mother, who asks that he marry Micaëla. She leaves, and as he reads the letter, vowing to fulfill his mother’s wish, screams come from the factory. Carmen has injured another girl in a fight. Questioned by Lieutenant Zuniga, Carmen sings, mocking him. Zuniga orders Don José to guard the prisoner. Alone with Don José at last, Carmen entices him to help her escape. As she is led away, Carmen pushes Don José and escapes through the crowd.
Act II
A few months later, Carmen and her friends sing and dance for the soldiers late at night in Lilas Pastia’s tavern. She learns that Don José, who was sent to prison for letting her escape, has been released. She rejects the advances of Zuniga as the
famous bullfighter Escamillo arrives. To the cheers of the crowd, Escamillo sings about his adventures in the bullring and flirts with Carmen. After Escamillo leaves, the smugglers plan their next contraband run. Carmen tells them to go on without her. Don José arrives and is jealous when he learns she has danced for the soldiers. Carmen sings and dances just for him, but the bugle sounds, recalling him to his post. Carmen mocks him, doubting his love. José shows her the flower she threw at him, which he kept while imprisoned. Carmen insists that if he really loves her, he would leave with her for a life of freedom. He refuses and as he leaves Zuniga returns. José fights him and the smugglers burst in and subdue Zuniga. Don José has no choice but to flee with Carmen.
- INTERMISSION -
Act III
Late at night, the smugglers carry their goods over the mountains. Carmen’s love for Don José has cooled and they bicker as she tells him to return to his mother. Frasquita and Mercédès read their fortunes in the cards seeing good omens, but Carmen’s cards spell death both for her and José. The women join the smugglers on their journey and leave José on guard. Micaëla arrives looking for José and asks God to protect her. A gunshot frightens Micaëla into hiding. The bullet has barely missed Escamillo, who is there to see Carmen. The toreador claims they are in love. He and José fight until the gypsies separate them. Escamillo invites them all to his next bullfight and leaves. Micaëla is discovered in hiding. She tells José that his mother is dying. He ominously warns Carmen that he’s leaving, but they will meet again.
Act IV
Outside the bullring in Seville, an excited crowd celebrates as the parade of bullfighters process into the bullring. They cheer for Escamillo who arrives with Carmen. The two express their love for each other and he departs into the ring. Frasquita and Mercédès warn Carmen that José is searching for her. Carmen says she is not afraid and stays behind to meet him. Don José wildly begs her to forget the past and start a new life with him. Carmen says everything is over between them. She tries to go into the arena, but José blocks her way. As the crowd cheers the victory of Escamillo in the bullring, Don José, enraged, stabs Carmen to death.
Carmen is a strong, independent woman who is killed by her former lover, who would rather see her dead than with someone else. Her story continues to resonate. Serving women in Dayton who experience domestic violence for 40 years is the Artemis Center.
Artemis Center empowers survivors of domestic violence to make decisions and choices that will establish and maintain safety for themselves and their children. By working collaboratively with other community services, Artemis Center advocates are able to coordinate needed services. Since 1985, Artemis Center has made great strides in the community, helping more than 130,000 victims and their children through crisis intervention, safety planning, education, and support. Visit artemiscenter.org to learn more and support.
About the Performance
From Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director
Welcome to the opening production of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance’s 2025–2026 Opera Series. Bizet’s Carmen is one of the most often performed and most beloved operas of all time, with rich themes of love, jealousy, and fate that continue to resonate even as we mark 150 years since its premiere in Paris.
Carmen was first performed by Dayton Opera sixty years ago, and there have been ten productions since. This marks the first time audiences will hear the version Bizet composed, with spoken dialogue between the set musical pieces. Bizet died just a few months after the premiere at the age of 36. For its premiere in Vienna later that year, the composer Ernest Guiraud wrote recitatives (singing that mimics speech) to replace the original dialogue. Although Carmen is performed in both iterations, I am delighted to present the opera in its original form, filled with details, humor, and drama that are lost in the recitative version.
An all-female team has been assembled to lead this story of a fiery, strong, and independent protagonist. I am joined by Chelsea Gallo, a rising star within the conducting world, and Irene Rodríguez, an award-winning Flamenco dancer and choreographer to bring what we feel is an authentic and vibrant interpretation to the stage. As we have joined our artistic voices to tell this powerful story, I close with their thoughts and with my deep gratitude for your support of Dayton Opera.
From Chelsea Gallo, conductor
Bizet’s Carmen stands as a beacon of authenticity and honesty. Throughout the opera, Carmen remains steadfastly true to herself—never bending to please others, always speaking her mind, and freely admitting what she does not know. Rarely does Carmen sing using “I” statements; instead, she speaks of her emotions as if they are immutable laws. Within Bizet’s score, brilliant musical choices reveal the psychological struggles and evolution of the characters. The opera’s vivid contrasts—love and jealousy, freedom and constraint—are rhythmically charged, melodically captivating, and underscored by that haunting motif which reminds us: fate is inevitable.
From Irene Rodríguez, choreographer
Carmen has always been one of the most meaningful roles of my dance career. Now, as a choreographer and through the lens of a different level of maturity, this work reveals new layers of depth within me. Carmen doesn’t beg for redemption, nor does she let sorrow define her. She defiantly takes the stage with lucidity and passion, singing and dancing between seduction and fate. She chooses death over the loss of her most sacred right—the freedom to be herself. In her, I find the reflection of every woman who dares to live truthfully, unapologetically, and free.
About the Artists
Maire Therese Carmack
Carmen
American mezzosoprano Maire
Therese Carmack, Third Prize winner at the Operalia World Opera Competition, has been praised by Opera News for her “deep mezzo and vibrant metallic timbre” and for “taking focus by her very presence.” A recent graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, Carmack’s 2025–2026 season features role debuts with houses including Semperoper Dresden (La Baronessa di Champigny in Il cappello di paglia di Firenze) and Opéra de MonteCarlo (Waltraute in Die Walküre).
A committed interpreter of contemporary opera, Carmack has premiered multiple new works, including the role of Prima Donna in Philip Blackburn’s multimedia hyper-opera The Sun Palace
Her broader operatic repertoire at Deutsche Oper Berlin and beyond includes Carmen/Mercédès (Carmen), Princess Eboli (Don Carlo), Olga (Eugene Onegin), Fenena (Nabucco), Dulcinée (Don Quichotte), Maddalena (Rigoletto), The Page (Salome), Second Lady/Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Juno (Semele), Witch/Mother (Hänsel und Gretel), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Ottavia (L’incoronazione di Poppea), and Baroness Nica (Charlie Parker’s Yardbird).
Robert Stahley
Don José
Rising tenor Robert Stahley, described as “A prodigiously talented performer” (ReviewSTL), continues to thrill audiences with “his impassioned, soaring tenor” (Broadway World) and by breathing life to roles on stage, where “he tirelessly exudes gravitas and individuality” (Parterre).
In the 2024–2025 season, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as First Armored Man in Julie Taymor's celebrated production of The Magic Flute and covered roles in Aida, Salome, and Die Frau ohne Schatten with the company. He reprised the role of Canio in Pagliacci with Opera Santa Barbara following a critically acclaimed run as Canio with the 2024 Glimmerglass Festival. Stahley was also seen as Siegmund in Journey to Valhalla with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Dick Johnson in La Fanciulla del West with North Carolina Opera, and the Tenor Soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Colorado Symphony led by Marin Alsop.
Stahley graduated the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program in May 2022. He won second place in the 2024 Pasadena Competition, first prize in the 2019 Wagner Society of New York Competition, third prize in the 2018 Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition, and first prize in the 2017 Piccolo Vocal Competition. He completed his Artist Diploma and Masters at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
Kathryn Henry
Micaëla
This season, Kathryn Henry makes her
European debut as Desdemona (Otello) at Theater Bonn conducted by Dirk Kaftan and directed by Leo Muscato. She also competes in the finals of the Paris Opera Competition. In the States, she joins the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s “Ah, perfido!” under Fabio Luisi. She also sings Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Milwaukee and Sheboygan Symphonies.
In 2024–2025, she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in Die Frau ohne Schatten and with Dallas Symphony in Wagner’s Ring, singing Gutrune and 3rd Norn (Götterdämmerung) and Helmwige (Die Walküre). She also appeared as the Countess (Le nozze di Figaro) with North Carolina Opera, reprised Micaëla with Florentine Opera, and performed Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with Richmond Symphony.
In the 2023–2024 season, Henry stepped in as the title role in Janáček’s Jenůfa at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, under the baton of conductor Jakub Hrůša. An emerging voice with a remarkable affinity for the music of Richard Strauss, Henry also debuted with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra that season, performing Strauss' Four Last Songs
She earned a Grammy nomination for Best Opera Recording for her portrayal of Lucy Harker in the studio recording of The Lord of Cries by John Corigliano and Mark Adamo, following her acclaimed debut in the opera at Santa Fe Opera.
Christian Pursell Escamillo
Christian Pursell is a dynamic, impassioned actor with unmatched stage presence, an enthralling, powerful voice, and a mastery of musical genres from baroque to musical theater, including bel canto and romantic opera.
In May 2025, Pursell debuted the role of Tom in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera This House at Opera Theatre of St. Louis. The 2025–2026 season brings more exciting house and role debuts, including house debuts with Seattle Opera and Dayton Opera as Escamillo in Carmen, and role and house debuts with the Teatro Colón as Cassandro in Mozart’s La Finta Semplice, Chicago Opera Theater as Falstaff in Salieri’s operatic setting of the Shakespeare play, and with the Florentine Opera singing the Four Villian in Tales of Hoffman.
Pursell released his first art song album, Ferne, in July 2024; the live lieder recital recording is available on IDAGIO, Apple Music, and Spotify.
A graduate of the prestigious Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera, Pursell’s many role credits with the company included Lieutenant Ratcliffe in Billy Budd and Walter Raleigh in Roberto Devereux.
Pursell is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and received his Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He raises his young son in the Fingerlakes region of New York.
Christian Simmons Zuniga
Washington, D.C. native Christian Simmons, bassbaritone, was a winner in the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. Simmons made his European debut with Deutsche Oper Berlin for the 2023–2024 season, as a winner in the Opera Foundation’s 37th Annual Scholarship Competition.
In the summer of 2024, Simmons performed with the National Symphony Orchestra in Otello (Lodovico). He then performed in La bohème (Colline) with both Opera Baltimore and Opera Carolina. He also makes his Florentine Opera debut in Carmen (Zuniga).
As a member of the Cafritz Young Artists of the Washington National Opera, Simmons covered in Il trovatore (Ferrando) and La bohème (Colline), and performed in Blue (Policeman). Other appearances with Washington National Opera include the documentary film and studio recording of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue and the young artist performance of Carmen (Zuniga).
A graduate of Morgan State University and the Maryland Opera Studio, Simmons is a proud member of the nation's first and largest music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America.
presence,” “spot-on delivery,” and his “well-tutored, polished baritone.” During his two years as a Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist at LA Opera, Wolfe amassed over forty performances with the company from comprimario roles to leading roles including a morning-of jump in for the final dress rehearsal as the title role in El último sueño de Frida y Diego. Wolfe has been seen with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Wolf Trap Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Des Moines Metro Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony. He is a two-time District Winner and has won an Encouragement Award in the Central Region Finals of the Dominique and Eric Laffont Competition, is a two-time semi-finalist of the Lotte Lenya Competition, and won first prize in the 2022 University of Cincinnati–CCM Corbett Opera Scholarship Competition.
Wolfe’s 2024–2025 season began with a return to LA Opera as the Registrar in Madama Butterfly followed by Count Paris in Roméo et Juliette. In March, Wolfe was a National Semifinalist of the Dominique and Eric Laffont Competition. In the summer of 2025, Wolfe made his house debut with Santa Fe Opera as Marullo in Rigoletto and covered Schaunard in La bohème.
Wolfe holds a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati–CollegeConservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University.
Ryan Wolfe Morales
Arlington Heights, Illinois native Ryan Wolfe has been commended for his “commanding
Malone Blaich Frasquita
Soprano Malone Blaich is a recent CCM Artist Diploma graduate, where she received her Master of Music degree in 2023. Her appearances there included Zina (Dark
Sisters), Serpetta (La finta giardiniera), Zlatohřbítek (The Cunning Little Vixen) and Blanche de la Force (Dialogues des Carmélites). In Summer 2025, Blaich served as an Apprentice Artist at Santa Fe Opera where she covered the Governess in The Turn of the Screw, sang Daphne in Strauss’ Daphne, and Cunégonde in Candide in The Apprentice Scenes Programs. In 2024, Blaich attended American Institute of Musical Studies, where she performed Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Clivia in Nico Dostal’s Clivia, and Valentina in Torroba’s zarzuela, La Marchenera. In 2023, Blaich took part in the workshop-performance and recording of The Righteous for Opera Fusion/New Works. Blaich joins Dayton Opera as a 2025–2026 Artistin-Residence, performing Frasquita in Carmen, acting as the Soprano Soloist in Händel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem with the Dayton Philharmonic, and singing the role of Ivy Sweet in Shawn Okebholo’s The Cook-Off.
Isabel Randall Mercédès
Isabel Randall is a civic-engaged mezzo-soprano from Rota, Spain, praised for her “impassioned, expressive physicality” (The New England Theatre Geek). In the 2025–2026 season, she returns to Dayton Opera’s Artist-in-Residence program, making her Dayton Opera and role debut as Mercédès in Carmen. With Dayton Philharmonic, she will be a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, American Soundscapes, and as Hansel in Hansel & Gretel. She will debut with Rochester Oratorio Society in their Arts Connexions recital series.
In 2024–2025, Randall portrayed Amelia J. Piper in Whaling Women
(Boston Conservatory), covered Zoe Walker in This House (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis), and portrayed journalist Gwen Ifill in Say It Ain’t So, Joe? with Guerilla Opera.
She has performed with Boston Lyric Opera, Virginia Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and White Snake Projects, and is a recipient of the 2023 St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award.
Evan Fleming Dancaïro
Hailing from New Jersey, baritone
Evan Fleming is an avid performer of stage and concert works. Fleming is elated to serve as an Artist-in-Residence with Dayton Opera for the 2025–2026 Season. Fleming started 2025 as a Smith Young Artist with Cedar Rapids Opera, singing the King in Cinderella (Massenet). After premiering Souls for Abigail (Steven Naylor) with Praecepta at Bowling Green State University in February, Fleming was a Tyler Young Artist with Opera on the James. While in Virginia, he appeared in several chamber operas, reprising the role of Ben in Menotti’s The Telephone and touring a children’s production of Hansel & Gretel. In October, Fleming returned to perform with Opera Company of Middlebury for a celebration of the music of Leonard Bernstein. When not performing, Fleming can be found teaching music lessons and practicing fiber arts.
Aaron Hill Remendado
Aaron Hill is a versatile tenor praised for his bright timbre and dynamic stage presence across opera, musical theatre, and concert repertoire. His operatic credits include Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi (University of Louisville), Apollo in Semele, Ciccio in The Most Happy Fella, and Luiz in The Gondoliers. He has also sung with Toledo Opera in productions of Carmen and The Magic Flute. In the 2024–2025 season, Hill appeared as a featured vocalist with the Dayton Philharmonic and Muse Machine. Equally at home in musical theatre, Hill has recently performed roles such as Malcom McGregor in The Full Monty (TheatreLab Dayton), Matterson in The Hello Girls (Beavercreek Community Theatre), and Jerry in Flight of the Lawnchair Man (Dayton Theatre Guild). He earned his Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Louisville and his Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University.
Chelsea Gallo Conductor
Labeled a “rising star” within the conducting world (Associated Press), conductor Chelsea Gallo has been praised for her ability to “lead the orchestra with grace and fiery command” (Michigan Daily). Her conducting style has been described as “fully in control … stylish, skillful and attentive” (Dallas News).
For the 2025–2026 season, Gallo begins her third season as Resident Conductor of The Florida Orchestra (conducting
over 50 performances), Principal Guest Conductor of the Orlando Philharmonic, and returns to the New York Philharmonic to serve as an Assistant Conductor. She is the recipient of a 2025 OPERA America Marineau Opera Grant, a winner of the Sir Georg Solti Career Assistance Grant, and was an awardee of the Hart Conducting Fellowship with the Dallas Opera. Most recently, Gallo recorded the premiere album of the music from Johanna Senfter with the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinlandpfalz in Germany under the Capriccio label.
A passionate advocate for expanding classical music’s reach, Gallo has collaborated with a wide range of organizations and companies, including The Walt Disney Company, New York Yankees, and the Lincoln Motor Company. She describes her artistic mission as “a devotion to sharing the relevancy and humanity within classical music.” With a unique affinity for science and music, Gallo has spearheaded interdisciplinary projects uniting both worlds. She has partnered with NASA, Lockheed Martin, the National Institute of Aerospace, and the European Space Agency, and led recording projects for NASA’s Orion EFT-1 launch mission. Her ensemble became the official artistic partner for the Hubble Space Telescope’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations.
Gallo studied conducting in Vienna, Prague, and Banská Štiavnica with Leoš Svárovský and the late Maksimilijan Cenčić. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan, where she studied under Kenneth Kiesler.
Irene Rodríguez Choreographer
With more than 20 years of experience, Irene Rodríguez has been a teacher, rehearsal teacher, and choreographer of Spanish Dance and Flamenco Style for prestigious dance institutions, including the National Ballet of Cuba, the National Ballet School, and the National Spanish Dance School of Cuba.
She has also been director of the Flamenco and Spanish Dance Program at the world-renowned school at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the U.S. and has taught many master classes internationally at universities and renowned dance centers such as Juilliard School, Florida International University (FIU), University of South Florida (USF), West Valley College, and University of the Arts of Cuba, among others.
As a choreographer, her works have been critically acclaimed, receiving important and positive international reviews from publications such as The New York Times and others.
Her work as a choreographer includes multiple titles performed by the Kansas City Ballet, the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, the Irene Rodríguez Company, the Next Generation Ballet, the National Academy of Spanish Dance, the National School of Ballet of Cuba, the Professional Academy of Spanish Dances and the National Company of Lyric Art of Cuba, among others.
Paula Dunn Powell Chorusmaster
Paula Dunn Powell is an adjunct professor of voice and interim director of Bella Voce at the University of Dayton, as well as the co-owner and voice teacher at Powell Musicollab. For 15 years, she was the Director of Choirs at Stivers School for the Arts, where her choirs were selected to perform at the Ohio Choral Directors Association (OCDA) summer conference (2022 and 2025), performed at Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with many community and university choirs, such as Dayton Opera, The Bach Society of Dayton, MUSICA, the University of Dayton, Wright State University, and Capital University. Her other accomplishments include preparing the Stivers Choir for performance in the Hometown Holiday concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and serving as a clinician and conductor for the Adams County (PA) Chorus Festival and the Preble County (OH) Chorus Festival.
An active performer herself, Powell is a member of the Dayton Opera Chorus and has performed with the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra. She is passionate about fostering a love of the arts and nurturing individual talent in her students.
Daniel B. Chapman Projection & Lighting Designer
Daniel B. Chapman is a freelance
designer, software
engineer, educator, and the author of Motion. He is a member of United Scenic Artists and has worked extensively as a production manager and technical director. He received his MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon and his BA from The University of New Mexico. He was an Associate Professor of Theater at University of Montana Western and has taught previously at Western Illinois University and Berea College.
Selected design credits include On the Verge, Restoration Comedy, Construction of the Human Heart, (The Acting Company) Of Mice and Men, and Damascus in New York; West Side Story, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, and Twelfth Night with Summer Theater of New Canaan; Beowulf, Troubled Water, Pedr Solis, and No Exit with Guerilla Opera; Pagliacci, Tancredi, Aida, Il Turco in Italia, La Boheme, Don Giovanni, and Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Southwest; The Wizard of Oz with New Mexico Ballet Co; Susannah with Ash Lawn Opera; Cymbeline Lifeboat and The Snow Queen in Chicago; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast Southwest Folktales, Beyond the Classics, and Mythical Wonders with Ballet Repertory Theater of New Mexico.
Cass Brake
Wig & Makeup Designer
Cass Brake is thrilled to be back at Dayton Opera for another season, bringing characters to life with 30 years of wig and makeup artistry! Recent productions include Tosca, South Pacific, and Gift of the Magi with Dayton Opera, as well as Pygmalion, This Little Light of Mine, Madame Butterfly, and All is Calm with Kentucky Opera. When not backstage you’ll find her exploring the great outdoors with her husband.
Thomas A. Venditelli
Wig/Makeup Designer
Tom Venditelli began his professional career as an Art Educator. He has always been fascinated by beauty, either in nature or human form. He transitioned into the business 27 years ago, while studying stage makeup at the University. His work is very detail oriented, whether he is booked on a studio team, or designing wigs and makeup for an elaborate opera production. He has had the opportunity to work on feature films, national commercials as well as publications. Gratefully, his abilities have placed him in many amazing locations both in and out of the country.
close out the year with these can't-miss performances!
Queens of Soul
SAT November 8 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the powerhouse women who changed the face of music. From Aretha and Tina to Whitney, Adele, and more, Queens of Soul brings iconic hits to life with electrifying vocals and unforgettable energy. This is your chance to experience the soul-stirring songs of the greatest divas of R&B, live with your philharmonic orchestra.
Canadian Brass
SAT November 22 at 7:30pm
The world’s premier brass ensemble reunites with the Dayton Philharmonic for a spectacular night of holiday cheer. Renowned for their dazzling musicianship and charismatic stage presence, Canadian Brass infuses beloved seasonal classics with their signature wit, warmth, and brilliance. Celebrate the season with an unforgettable evening of festive favorites.
The Nutcracker
SAT December 13 at 2:30 & 7:30pm
SUN December 14 at 2:30pm
FRI December 19 at 7:30pm
SAT December 20 at 2:30 & 7:30pm
SUN December 21 at 2:30pm
MON December 22 at 2:30pm
Set in our very own city, this beloved tale follows Clara on a breathtaking, timetraveling adventure filled with dazzling choreography, enchanting sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians
Zulfiya Bashirova Concertmaster1
Aurelian Oprea Associate Concertmaster2
Youjin Na, Acting Assistant Concertmaster3
Elizabeth Hofeldt
David Goist Mikhail Baranovsky Louis Proske Sean Klopfenstein*
John Lardinois
Philip Enzweiler*
Kirstin Greenlaw, Principal4
Kara Camfield, Assistant Principal
Ann Linn Baer
Photo to come
Photo to come
VIOLIN I
Scott Moore Gloria Fiore Maggie Niekamp Yoshiko Kunimitsu Bill Slusser
Yein Jin*
Sheridan Currie, Principal5
Colleen Braid, Assistant Principal
Karen Johnson6
VIOLIN II
VIOLA
Scott Schilling Lori LaMattina
Mark D. Reis Leslie Dragan Belinda Burge
Mark Hofeldt Nadine Monchecourt
Oleg Babkov* Zoë Moskalew
Bleda Elibal
Elvin Schlanger, Principal11
Jennifer Northcut Janet van Graas
Eileen Whalen, Principal12
Robyn Dixon Costa
John Kurokawa, Principal13
Jonathan Lee, Principal Christina Coletta, Assistant Principal7
Molly Castrucci8 Lucas Song9
CELLO
Deborah Taylor, Principal10
Jon Pascolini, Assistant Principal
Stephen Ullery
Christopher Roberts James Faulkner
BASS
OBOE AND ENGLISH HORN CLARINET
TROMBONE Photo to come
to come
to come
PERCUSSION
Rachael Young, Principal14
Kristen Smith15 Aaron Brant, Principal16
Amy Lassiter Todd Fitter Sean Vore, Assistant Principal
Charles Pagnard, Principal17
BASSOON HORN
Eric Knorr Christian Pagnard
Tyler Bentley, Acting Principal18 Richard Begel
TRUMPET
Chad Arnow19
Timothy Northcut, Principal20
Hamza Able Principal21
TUBA
TIMPANI
Photo
Michael LaMattina, Principal22
Davi Martinelli de Lira23
Jerry Noble
Leslie Stratton, Principal24
Joshua Nemith, Principal25
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
Endowed
Chairs
* Denotes leave of absence
1 J. Ralph Corbett Chair
2 Huffy Foundation Chair
3 Sherman Standard Register Foundation Chair
4 Jesse Philips Chair
5 F. Dean Schnacke Chair
6 Grace Counts Finch Chair
7 Edward L. Kohnle Chair in Memory of Andra Lunde Padrichelli, Principal Cellist 2003–2018
8 Gilbert and Patricia Templeton Chair
9 Paul and Susanne Weaver Chair
10 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association/C. David Horine Memorial Chair
11 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association Chair
12 Catharine French Bieser Chair
13 Rhea Beerman Peal Chair
14 Robert and Elaine Stein Chair
15 David and Lois Gribler Chair
16 Frank M. Tait Memorial Chair
17 John W. Berry Family Chair
18 John Reger Memorial Chair
19 Bill and Wanda Lukens Chair
20 Zachary, Rachel and Natalie Denka Chair
21 Rosenthal Family Chair in Memory of Miriam Rosenthal, In Honor of Donald Donnett, Principal Timpani 1966–2023
22 Miriam Rosenthal Chair
23 Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Chair
24 Daisy Talbott Green Chair
25 Demirjian Family Chair
Our Members Make the Magic!
Special thanks to all our DPAA Members who keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation.
IMPRESARIO ($100,000+)
Anonymous
Paul & Dolores Anderson
Steve & Lou Mason
Barbara N. O’Hara
Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation
Peter & Patricia Torvik
Dr. Troy Tyner & Dr. Ingrid Brown
AFICIONADO ($50,000+)
Kate & Steve Hone
ELM Foundation
Linda W. Lombard & Paul W. Marshall
VIRTUOSO ($25,000+)
Thomas & Frances Bankston
John & Kathleen Beran
Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz
Neal Gittleman & Lisa M. Fry
Luke & Juanita Lovell
Raymond & Sue Merz
Tim & Mary Riordan
Miles & Linda Schmidt
Bill & Dianne Schneider
Larry & Abbie Trittschuh
Betsy B. Whitney
Walter & Marcia Wood
LUMINARY ($10,000+)
Anonymous (4)
Dr. Ron Anderson & Robb Sloan-Anderson
Drs. Charles & Mary Bane
Ann Barr
Thomas E. Bettcher
Catherine Clark
Jim Crosset
John & Allyson Danis
Richard M. DeLon
Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian
Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss
Jane A. Dunwoodie
Debra Edelman*
Vernon & Janet Fernandes
Stanley C. & Ann* Herr
Michael A. Houser
Dr. Wallace Johnson & Karen Duguid
Michael & Judith Kreutzer
William* & Wanda Lukens
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Dr. Michael & Christine Manchester
Kenneth & Darrell May
Mike & Peggie McQuiston
Dale & Karen Medford
Dr. Jeffrey & Susan Mikutis
Dr. Thomas G. Olsen & Mary Boosalis
Cathy Ponitz
Dr. David H. Ponitz
Milt & Dawn Ross
Jonah Sandler
Matthew J. Scarr
Pamela & Andrew Schwartz
Richard & Jane Schwartz
David Strohscher
Cynthia Uhl
Dr. Byron & Theresa Wade
William & Carolyn* Winger
Philip G. Wise & Dr. Joe Law
Brian & Sandra Woodruff
Kathleen & Joseph Zehenny
CENTER STAGE ($5,000+)
Anonymous
Nirmala Abraham & Scotty
Blackburn
Mary L. Arnett
David & Esther Battle
David & Maria Berry
Dr. Gwen L. Brubaker
Thomas & Joan Burkhardt
Kathleen Clawson
Daniel & Linda Deitz
William DeVenzio & Linda Short
Pat & Dave Diven
Thomas P. Gratto & Dr. Sharon D. Gratto
Jonas & Susan Gruenberg
Charlie Hardwick
Constance A. McKale
Anna Jones Monnett
Kenneth Quinter
Dr. C. Daniel & Kathy Raisch
Colleen M. Ryan
William & Diane Schaff
Barbara Schmider
Thomas F. Skelley & Sharon Lindquist-Skelley
Tony Talbot & Mark Duffy
Bill & Penny Wolff
OVATION! ($2,500+)
Anonymous (3)
Mr. Joshua E. Adams
Dr. Walter & Martha Adams
Margy Anderson
Dan & Vicky Archibald
Karl & Sandy Ayers
Ronald Bernard & Dr. Judith E. Woll M.D.
Dr. Bob Brandt, Jr.
Charles & Susan Bridgman
Michelle Bryant & Alek Kohut
Christopher & Barbara Coombs
John & Martha Culp
Dr. Robert & Lisa Custer
David & Charlene Dutton
Sue Falter
Marilyn R. Fischer
Thomas & Nancy Gaudion
John & Andrea Gillespie
Mrs. Carol Graff
Mr. Donald & Mrs. Janet Grieshop
Dr. David & Pamela Griffith
Jane Heavin & David Hammond
Jon & Marge Hazelton
Donald & Lori Heinrich
Jessica & Derek Huggett
Dr. Michael A. Jaffe M.D.
Leora K. Kline
Paul & Carol Lamberger
Mark Levy & Lisa Becker
Dr. William & Kathy Lindahl
The Mark Andrew Kreusch Memorial Fund
Drs. Jerry Clark & Barry McCorkle
Judy D. McCormick
Susan B. McCoy & Allen
Kennedy
Pat & David McDonald
David McElwee
William Mitchel
Mark Olson & Barbara Furyk-Olson
Bill & Carmen Perry
Dr. Robert & Anita Rankin
Dominick & Margaret Rinaldi
Bill & Ann Schuerman
Richard & June Smythe
Lois & Roger Sutherland
Fred & Chris Tokarz
Dr. Edward & Tracey Tomme
Sharon A. Tschudin
Michael Tyrchniewicz & Dr. Rachael Courtney
Paul & Susie Weaver
Dr. Gary B. Pacernick & Peggy Weller
James & Tami Whalen
Lt. Col Robert* & Nancy Wilda
Thomas & Sharon Williamson
Tim & Miriam Wood
BRAVO! ($1,000+)
Anonymous (12)
The Albert & Nancy Freudenberger Fund
Bruce & Karen Anderson
Jo & Matt Anderson
Shirley Ark
Ellen Bagley
Zachary Beck
Lois & Donald* Bigler
Dan & Mary Bowman
Dr. Thomas & Suzanne Brown
Mr. Ronald F. Budzik & Ms. Barbara A. Hayde
Janet Burke
Patrick Martin & Eva Buttacavoli
Allen & Mary Byrum
Barbara J. Campbell
Charles & Claudia Cornett
Rebecca & Lawrence* Corson
Karen & Gary Crim
Kelly H. Dalton
Susan & Bryan Daly
Kathleen Daly
Joyce E. Dean & Mary Ellen Batiuk
Susan DeLuca
Rosario & Helen Demers
Mark Dlott & Dale Goldberg
Mr. C. Bruce Driver
Mrs. Sue Dugan
Dr. Margaret M. Dunn & Dr. William A. Spohn
Susan & Robert Ellefson
The Fraze Family Fund
Joseph & Martha Gardner
Garry & Mindy Greene
Douglas Hahn & Melody Goodwin
Dr. Bruce & Mayumi Hall
John C. Halpin & Dorothy B. Dick
Thomas Hanley
Bob Hanna
Richard & Mary Harstad
Mr. Anthony Haugrud
Delbert & Virginia Herbeck
The Holland Family Trust
Ellen Holroyd
Jeffrey Huntington
Tyron & Frances Inbody
Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates
Craig & Margarete Jennings
Sandi Simmons & Tom Jonak
Norma Keefer
Dr. Brian & Linda Kent
Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough
Chuck Knickerbocker
Jon & Susan Kreusch
Kathryn Lamme
Wayne & Mary Jo Langguth
Susan J. Lauf
Dr. James T. Lehner & Hon. Peggy Lehner
Franklin & Cheryl Lewis
Kathryn MacVeigh
Amy Radachi & Tom Maher
Moni & George Malacos
Frank & Linda Mannarino
Kevin & Mary McDonald
Marc & Melissa McNulty
Thom & Penni Meyer
Arthur D. Mills Jr.
Helen C. Potter
Shannon Joyce Neal & Philip Neal
John & Ruth Neely
Dianne & Les Niemi
John Phillips
Todd Press
Robert & Cynthia Puskar
James Kurek & Linda BlackKurek
Mary Yerina & Bob Redfield
Charles & Alice Roedersheimer
Patricia Roth
Donald & Julia Routson
Richard & Katharine Schaefer
Alan & Beth Schaeffer
Winnie Scholl
Charles V. Simms
Catherine J. Skardon
Stephanie Skelley
Gaynelle M. Spiegel
Joan Stonitsch
Rick & Tawnya Stover
Jeri & John Tate
Dr. Charles Taylor & Kim E. Iconis
Mary T. Tymeson
Sharon Vander Gheynst, D.M.E.
Jud & Julie Wallner
K Wiedeman & L Elliott-Sowers
Merle Wilberding & Susan Elliott
Janice Finch Willhelm
John & Jane Winch
David & Sarah Wrazen
Dr. Daniel Zehringer
Dr. David Zelmon & Dr. Mojgan Samardar
FELLOW ($750+)
Anonymous
Michael & Karen Armstrong
Michael Bachmann & Mary Combs
Martha L. Bell
Charles Bradford
Dr. Charles & Mrs. Barbara Cerny
Richard E. Considine & Stanley Dixon
Jill & Dale Courte
Carl & Barbara Denison
Rebecca Dianis
Carol & Don Erwine
Pam & Ron Eyink
Elizabeth Frye
Lt. Col. Frank & Diane Gentner, USAF Ret.
Terri & John
Jon & April Hale
Barbara & Edward Hennessey
William & Carol Herrick
Fred & Sharon Hill
Patricia Horvath
Dr. Caroline H. Kennebeck-Hale & Mr. Brian L. Hale
Jean Kessel
Kenji & Misao Kurokawa
Amelia Lombardo
Joyce McDonald
Perry Nystrom & Susan K. Henry
Greg & Michele Palmer
Harold Poppe & Dale Schmidt
William C. Quinn
Carolyn J. Ray
Randy Ray & Cleanne Cass
Mrs. Frances S. Repperger
David A. Saelens, Ph.D.
Southwest Ohio Home School Band
Bob & Toni Sprinkel
Terry & Diane Torbeck
Dr. Roberts & Mrs. Lynn Wood
Dr. Virginia Wood
Susan & Randy Woods
Carol Jean Yegerlehner
Neal Gittleman’s 30th Anniversary as Artistic Director and Conductor
In celebration of Neal Gittleman’s 30th Masterworks season (2024–25) and his farewell concerts on October 3 and 4 (2025), these generous friends have contributed in his honor.
Anonymous (1)
Patricia & Peter Torvik
Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation
Dr. David Ponitz & Cathy Ponitz
Drs. Mary & Charles Bane
Ann Barr
Kathleen L. Clawson
Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz
Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian
Grismer Tire Company
Karen Duguid & Wally Johnson in honor of the friendship between Anne Johnson and Neal Gittleman
LION
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Christy & Michael Manchester
Kathy & John Beran
Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen
Rochester Community Foundation
Pamela & Andrew Schwartz
Cynthia Uhl
Betsy B. Whitney
Sandra & Brian Woodruff
Matthew J. Scarr
Judy D. McCormick
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Linda & Miles Schmidt
Dianne & Bill Schneider
Marcia & Walter Wood
Colleen M. Ryan
Frances & Thomas Bankston
Linda & Daniel Deitz
Richard M. DeLon
Marge & Jon Hazelton
Darrell & Kenneth May
Carolyn & Paul Flanagan
Leora K. Kline
Haley-Sibbing Family
Tina & Mike Spaulding
Linda Bales Todd & Richard Todd
Dr. Hans & Cheryl Zwart
Corporate and Foundation Partners
We thank our corporate and foundation partners for their support of DPAA’s mission, programs, and artists.
IMPRESARIO
AES Ohio Foundation
The Kettering Family Foundation
Virginia W. Kettering Foundation
Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts
Schiewetz Foundation
Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation
MAESTRO
The Charles D. Berry Foundation
The Berry Family Foundation
VIRTUOSO
Dayton Freight
Bill and Jackie Lockwood Fund to Support Opera
LEGATO
All The Best Delicatessen
Cox First Media/Dayton Daily News
Dayton Aerospace
Kettering Health
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Marriott University of Dayton
The Shubert Foundation
The Troy Foundation
The Nick and Edna Weller Charities, Inc.
CONCERTO
Arts Consulting Group
Bob Ross Auto Group
Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9
WDPG
Grismer Tire Company
Hotel Ardent & Bistecca
iHeartMedia
Mathile Family Foundation
WGUC Classical 90.9
ARIA
Cox Media Group/WHIO
The Disability Foundation
Houser Asphalt & Concrete
The Iddings Foundation
LION
Lockwood Family Foundation
ThinkTV
Thompson Hine
Victory Wholesale Group and the Kantor Family
WYSO Public Radio
SONATA
The Allegro Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Centerville-Washington Foundation
Crown Equipment Corporation
Johnson Investment Counsel
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation
The Kuntz Foundation
Nova Creative
PNC
Sinclair Broadcast Group
University of Dayton
INTERMEZZO
AES Ohio
Appliance Gallery Dayton
Coolidge Wall
The Dayton Hydraulic Co.
Enterprise Roofing
Harlamert Foundation
Henny Penny
KeyBank
Knack Video + Photo
League of American Orchestras
Sam Levin Foundation
LexisNexis
McCutcheon Music
Merrill Lynch
Morris Home
Opera America
Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling
Square One Salon and Spa
The Synergy Schade Team
Taylor Corporation
OVERTURE
The African-American Community Fund
M&M Title Co.
Requarth Lumber Company
The Rubi Girls
Taft
Voss Auto Network
ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
Ohio Arts Council
Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District
Culture Works
The Dayton Foundation
Board of Trustees and Staff
OFFICERS
Joseph Zehenny, Chair
Patricia McDonald, Vice Chair
Rev. Joshua Ward, Secretary
Rodney Veal, Assistant Secretary
Timothy Riordan, Treasurer
Patrick Martin, Assistant Treasurer
Ed Tomme, Immediate Past Chair
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Nirmala Abraham
Dr. Ron Anderson
Libby Ballengee
Dr. Zachary Beck
Ashley Bethard
Sarah Burns
Jim Butler
Christopher Coombs
Allyson Danis
Dr. Samuel Dorf
Mary-Kathryn Haddad
Kathy Harper
Michael Howard
Dr. Xavier L. Johnson
Scott Jones
Robyn Lightcap
Peggie McQuiston
Shannon Joyce Neal
Barbara N. O’Hara
Dori Spaulding
John Tate
Rick Thie
Abbie Trittschuh
Dr. Daniel Zehringer
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Thomas Bankston, Opera
ADMINISTRATION
Patrick J. Nugent, President and CEO
Teri Warwick, Chief Financial Officer
Michael Sieveking, Chief Information Officer
Milena Treer, Chief of Staff
ARTISTIC
Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Opera
Keitaro Harada, Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic
Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Ballet
Isaac Selya, Interim Staff Conductor
Steven Hankle, Director, Philharmonic Chorus
Carolyn Sweezy, Manager, Philharmonic Chorus
Maureen Hickey Haitch, Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings
Michelle Mastin, Conductor, Philharmonic Junior Strings
Sharon Neumeister, Company Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant
Rachel Cahayla Wynne, Rehearsal Director and Dayton Ballet Studio Company Manager
DEVELOPMENT
Elaine Gounaris, Vice President for Philanthropy
Allie Haines, Director of Philanthropy
Lynnette Ivey, Director of Institutional Giving
Anne O’Hara, Development Operations Manager
LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jeaunita Ìféwándé Château Olówè, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement
Jacqueline Griffin, Learning Programs Manager
Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager
Megan Forney, Dayton Ballet School Education Manager; Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Gabrielle Sharp, Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Elizabeth Sabol, Ballet School Registrar
Vicky Archibald, Ballet School Receptionist
MARKETING
Brittany Laughlin, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development
Olivia Budde, Marketing Coordinator
James Mikolajewski, Marketing and Patron Acquisition Manager
Kate LaFollette, Engagement and Patron Services Manager
OPERATIONS
Chris Brislin, General Manager
Lyn Baudendistel, Wardrobe Supervisor
Josephine Baudendistel, Costume Assistant
Kelly DeLisle, Artistic Administrator
Maureen Hickey Haitch, Librarian
Kay O’Connor, Assistant Production Manager/ Resident Stage Manager
Sean Vore, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Katie West, Production Coordinator/ Assistant Librarian
The stagehands of IATSE Local 66
The wardrobe members of IATSE Local 886
HARRY A. TOULMIN JR. AND VIRGINIA B. TOULMIN FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION
BILL AND JACKIE LOCKWOOD FUND TO SUPPORT OPERA
MARY H. KITTREDGE FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION
