Northeastern-Opera Workshop

Northeastern Illinois University Department of Music presents

An

Opera Workshop Scene Recital of

Bel Canto Opera Scenes from: Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, Il Pirata, Norma, La Favorita & La Traviata Directed by Sasha Gerritson Accompanied by Kay Kim & Jane Kenas-Heller

Performance running time: approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes (including one 15 minute intermission)

L E T T E R F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R Dear friends, Thank you so much for being here tonight to celebrate and support this Opera Workshop Scene Recital presentation. It has been a fabulous summer! The students have worked really hard on their singing, acting and Italian language skills. This is a class where students can take the necessary steps to learn and develop as a young artist. Much progress was made indeed!

I feel it so important for students to have a safe, constructive learning environment that challenges them where they are today and encourages them to grow towards the singer/actor they aspire to be. This summer was the first class of its kind, and I am certain it won’t be the last.

Thank you to my dear friend and colleague Dr. Shayne Cofer, who encouraged and supported the student’s desire to continue their training this summer. You made this possible and we all are very grateful!

We had an amazing team working together to help the students flourish this semester. To our accompanists and musical coaches – Kay Kim, Jane Kenas-Heller, Rick Hagedorn and Paul Hamilton – you four are fantastic!!! Thank you for helping us to make such beautiful music! To our lovely Italian language coach, Lucia Marchi, we say “mille grazie per tutto!” To our outstanding technical team – Kaylea Meyers, production leader extraordinaire, Carly Cara, stage manager, Bill Morey, costume designer, Chris Burpee, lighting designer, Sarah Linske, assistant to the director, David Mitchell, Narrator, Steve Zivin, concert coordinator, and the NEIU Auditorium staff and crew – we say a GIANT thanks!

So, to conclude I can only say mille grazie, merci beaucoup, muchas gracias, danke schön and in every other way thank you for making this show possible.

In November we will present another Scene Recital, which will include Opera and Musical Theater, and in April 2013 we will present a full musical theatre production, after last year’s modern Opera, as it is our tradition to rotate every other year. Please keep in touch.

Fondly,

Sasha Gerritson Director

2 Northeastern Illinois University

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC & THE DANCE PROGRAM

Offering Undergraduate Majors in: • Vocal or Instrumental Performance • Vocal or Instrumental Music Education Offering Graduate Programs in: • Applied Vocal or Instrumental Pedagogy Offering Minors in: • Music • Dance Please contact Sasha Gerritson at S-Gerritson@neiu.edu or phone 773.442.5906 for more information

A B O U T T H E O P E R A / M U S I C A L T H E AT R E P R O G R A M AT N E I U In order to give our students a variety of experiences, as they go forward with their performing and teaching careers, an intentional four year repertoire rotation was established in 2007. In between major productions we supplement the student learning experience with scene recitals drawn from all types of repertoire.

YEAR ONE:

YEAR TWO:

YEAR THREE:

YEAR FOUR:

Modern opera, sung in English.

Modern musical theater (i.e. Sondheim and later) Standard repertoire opera/operetta (sung in the original language, when possible) Standard/”legit” style musical theater.

2007-2008 (Year one) Susannah by Carlisle Floyd The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti 2008-2009 (Year two) Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim 2009-2010 (Year three) La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini (sung in original Italian) 2010-2011 (Year four) The Secret Garden by Lucy Simon 2011-2012 (Year one) A Christmas Carol by Ronald Combs Street Scene by Kurt Weill 2012-2013 (Year two) TBA

Opera Workshop Scene Recital 3

PROGR A M Sasha Gerritson, director Jane Kenas-Heller & Kay Kim, accompanists David Mitchell, narrator I. Le Nozze di Figaro..........................................................................................................Mozart Our scene includes excerpts from Acts II & III: Cherubino, the young boy page is quite smitten with the Countess, and he sings the famous “Voi che sapete”, admitting how he is madly in love with every woman he sees! After he finishes, Susanna comes up with the idea to play dress up and trick some of the other characters in the opera. While Susanna goes out to find a ribbon, the Count (the Countess’ jealous husband) knocks at the door, furious to find it locked. Cherubino quickly hides away and the Countess admits her husband, who, when he hears a noise, is skeptical of her story that “Susanna” is inside the wardrobe. He takes his wife to fetch some tools with which to force the closet door. Meanwhile, Susanna, having observed everything from another place in the room, helps Cherubino out a window. Then we skip ahead and hear the very famous aria for the Count “Hai gia vinta la causa”, in which his jealousy is even more apparent.

Countess – Xiaoli Wang Susanna – Sasha Rashidee Cherubino – Margot Kinscherff Count – Lorenzo Formosa

II. Cosi Fan Tutte..................................................................................................................Mozart Our scene includes excerpts from Acts I & II: Naples, late 1700’s. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are comparing pictures of their boyfriends and receive the news later that the men have been ordered away with their regiment. The sisters are overwhelmed with grief. The chambermaid, Despina, consoles her mistresses and advises them to forget their old lovers with the help of new ones. The sisters are scandalized by Despina’s depiction of men as swaggering liars. She urges Fiordiligi and Dorabella to choose their favorites, and gives a few lessons in courting.

Comparing notes later, Ferrando is furious over Dorabella’s betrayal and sings the famous “Tradito!”

Fiordiligi – Gretchen Sheirok Dorabella – Jennifer Barrett Despina – Michelle Guy Ferrando – Alex Makkawy

III. Il Pirata................................................................................................................................Bellini Our Scene includes excerpts from Act III: Sicily, late-thirteenth century. On the castle terrace toward daybreak, Gualtiero refuses to be persuaded by his friend Itulbo that they should make their escape immediately, as Ernesto stipulated.

Gualtiero wants to defy Ernesto, risking his own men’s lives if necessary. Itulbo leaves as Imogene arrives for a final rendezvous with Gualtiero, who delivers an ultimatum: Either she flees with him, thereby punishing Ernesto, or Gualtiero stays and fights. Refusing to dishonor her marriage vows, no matter how unwelcome, she asks Gualtiero to forgive her and to flee from Ernesto’s wrath. As she bids him farewell, Ernesto draws near and sees their last embrace, then bursts forth to 4 Northeastern Illinois University

P R O G R A M ( c o n t .) challenge his rival. Both men are spoiling for a fight and ignore Imogene’s pleas to kill her instead. They rush off. With Adele, who has arrived to comfort her, Imogene heads after the men, hoping to stop them. Later on she returns and realizing, despite her madness, that her son is about to die, she envisions the scaffold and declares herself ready to die too, of grief.

Imogene – Gretel Mink Hansen Gualterio – Jung Hyun (Jake) Hwang Ernesto – Jared Metzger Adele – Allison Hennessy Itulbo – Cristian Audiffred INTERMISSION (15 minutes)

IV. La Favorita................................................................................................................. Donizetti Our scene includes excerpts from Acts II & III: Spain. In conversation with the courtier Don Gaspar, the King expresses his pleasure at Fernando’s bravery. Alone, the King expresses his love for Léonora and his desire to divorce the Queen and marry her. He realizes that this will provoke the opposition of his powerful father-in-law Balthazar who is ultimately backed by the Pope. Léonora enters and expresses her anguish at remaining his mistress rather than his Queen. The King suspects that he is losing her affection. Don Gaspar enters with news that a letter has been discovered revealing that Léonora has a lover. She makes no denial, but at that moment Balthazar enters intent on forcing the King to abandon his plans for the royal divorce. Alphonso is to honor Fernando for his role in the war. He asks Fernando what reward he would like and Fernando asks to marry the woman who has inspired him in his bravery. Alphonso asks who she is and Fernando points to Léonora. The King is astonished to learn that Fernando is his successful rival. In an abrupt change of mind, he orders Fernando and Léonora to marry within one hour. Léonora is left with mixed feelings of apprehension and delight.

Don Gaspar – Alex Makkawy King Alphonso – Ron Combs Léonora – Theresa Egan Ines – Robyn Falasz Fernando – Wellington Da Silva Balthazar – Freddie Collier

V. Norma ..................................................................................................................................Bellini Our scene is from Act II. One night, dagger in hand, Norma tries to bring herself to murder her children in their sleep to keep them from Pollione. But she cannot, instead summoning Adalgisa to take them to him. The girl refuses, pleading with the despairing mother to pity her children. Norma embraces Adalgisa, overcome by her offer to go to Pollione and plead for Norma.

Norma – Jodi Jean Amble

Adalgisa – Laura Camacho Child – Kendall Battaglia

Opera Workshop Scene Recital 5

P R O G R A M ( c o n t .)

VI. La Traviata ........................................................................................................................... Verdi Our scene is the final scene from the opera: Paris, mid 1800’s. In Violetta’s bedroom, Dr. Grenvil tells Annina her mistress has not long to live: tuberculosis has claimed her. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo, who knows all and is on his way to beg her pardon. But Violetta senses it is too late “Addio del passato”.

Paris is celebrating Mardi Gras and, after revelers pass outside, Annina rushes in to announce Alfredo. The lovers ecstatically plan to leave Paris forever “Parigi, o cara”. Germont enters with the doctor before Violetta is seized with a last resurgence of strength. Feeling life return, she staggers and falls dead at her lover’s feet.

Violetta – Sarah Linske Annina – Angela Zuniga Alfredo – Christian Ketter Germont – Lorenzo Formosa Doctor – Brennan Roach TECH / NEIU PERSONNEL

Director................................................................................................................... Sasha Gerritson Accompanists.....................Rick Hagedorn, Paul Hamilton, Jane Kenas-Heller, Kay Kim Production Manager...........................................................................................Kay Lea Meyers Stage Manager.................................................................................................................Carly Cara Lighting Designer....................................................................................... Christopher Burpee Costume Designer..........................................................................................................Bill Morey Props Mistress....................................................................................................Gretchen Sheirok Videographer...................................................................................................................Greg Boris Audio Recording Engineer........................................................................................ Rick Martin House Manager..............................................................................................................Steve Zivin Assistant to Director..................................................................................................Sarah Linske Programs.........................................................................................................Marcus Promotions Photography......................................................................................................................Joe Davis Italian Language Coach.......................................................................................... Lucia Marchi BIOGR APHIES Jodi Jean Amble (Norma) is pursuing a Masters Degree in Applied Vocal Pedagogy at NEIU. She is a singer and songwriter, performing in Chicago and throughout the Midwest with the Jodi Jean Band (www.jodijean.com) and Jenny Dragon (www.jennydragon. com). Theatre credits include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Remy Bumppo, American Players Theatre, Bialystock and Bloom (Milwaukee, WI) and Maine Shakespeare Festival.

Cristian Audiffred (Itulbo) is a sophomore at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), majoring in Vocal 6 Northeastern Illinois University

Performance. In his words “Working with Sasha is an awesome experience and I can’t wait for more years to come!”

He studies voice with Dr. Hurt. He gives thanks to his parents and Mrs. QuattrinCampagna for their endless support. “I wouldn’t be here today with out them!”

Jennifer Barrett (Dorabella) is very excited to be returning to the NEIU stage. A proud alum, she received a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern in 2006, and a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education from North Central College in 2001. Jennifer is currently a private music instructor

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) and vocal health consultant in the Chicago suburbs. She would like to thank her wonderful husband and children for their love, support, and their tolerance of her around-the-clock singing. Enjoy!

Greg Boris (Videographer) enjoys any chance to work with other artists. He is currently studying cinematography at Columbia College Chicago. He would like to thank his awesome parents for supporting him.

Chris Burpee (Lighting Designer) is glad to be back at NEIU, after designing lights for last year’s productions of A Christmas Carol and Street Scene. Chris’ lighting can be seen around town, including Redtwist Theatre where he is the Resident Lighting Designer.

Chris also designs for many other educational productions, including for College of Lake County, Chicago HS for the Arts, Guerin Prep HS, and Plainfield South HS. Chris is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Laura Camacho (Adalgisa) is a music major at NEIU where she studies with Phyllis Hurt. She had an exciting junior recital and was thrilled to have a lead role in last semester’s production of Street Scene, in which she played the part of Mrs. Emma Jones.

Carly Cara (Stage Manager) is a 22 year old student who attended Illinois State University and majored in Theatre Studies. She is involved in all aspects of theatre, but particularly enjoys acting and special effects makeup. She is thrilled to be stage managing a show that is filled with such talent. “Good luck to cast and crew!”

Freddie Collier (Balthazar) is very excited to be in this scene recital. He is an aspiring vocal performance major at NEIU and studies voice with Kathy Cowan. He was last seen as City Marshall Henry in Street Scene and in A Christmas Carol.

Dr. Ron Combs (King Alphonso) has been teaching, performing and composing music for about sixty years.

He has a Bachelor and Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Doctorate from Northwestern. He has taught at the University level for more than forty years and sung with a number of opera companies in the Midwest. He has written nine operas, choral and orchestral compositions as well as chamber music. He has been retired from university teaching for five years, but continues to teach voice privately in the city.

Wellington Da Silva (Fernando) is a student in NEIU’s Music Performance program. He has performed leading roles in numerous operas and musicals at Northeastern and is so pleased to have been a part of this scenes recital.

He was last seen as Sam Kaplan in Street Scene, the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden.

Theresa Egan (Léonora) is currently working towards her Masters in Vocal Pedagogy at NEIU where she is a student of Dr. Bob Heitzinger. She is the winner of Northeastern’s 2012 Concerto Competition, in addition to winning the Ruth Chakos Memorial Scholarship in 2011. She was recently seen in the OpTIC program as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and Sister Constance (cover) in Dialogues of the Carmelites, she has also appeared as Mrs. Fiorentino in Street Scene and Mrs. Cratchit in NEIU’s production of A Christmas Carol. Her previous credits include Papagena (understudy) in Verismo Opera Theater’s production of Magic Flute and as Musetta (understudy) in the company’s production of La Bohème and as the principal Musetta in NEIU’s April 2010 production, Gianetta from Elixir of Love and Laurie from The Tender Land in Northeastern’s Opera Scenes and as Rose in NEIU’s production of The Secret Garden in 2011.

Opera Workshop Scene Recital 7

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Robyn Falasz (Ines) is a Sophomore Vocal Performance Major at NEIU. She studies voice with Dr. Bob Heitzinger.

She would like to thank Sasha for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful performance.

In her spare time she sings opera and musical theatre and serves as the Music Minister of the Park Ridge Community Church. Sasha lives in Glenview with her husband Eugene Jarvis and their sons Nate and Josh.

Lorenzo Formosa (Count in Figaro and Germont in La Traviata) With his vivid and fresh lyric baritone sound and engaging stage presence Formosa has distinguished himself as an artist who delights audiences in performances of opera, operetta and symphony works. Making his critically acclaimed debut as Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Eugene Opera, The Register-Guard praised his performance saying, “Formosa has it all- voice, looks, intelligence and absolute command of the stage.” Highlights of recent engagements include the role of Germont in La Traviata with L’Opera Piccola; Ping in Puccini’s Turandot with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra; Carmina Burana with the Hawaii International Choral Festival and Honolulu Symphony Orchestra; Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with L’Opera Piccola. Other highlights include Carmina Burana with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra; Silvio in I Pagliacci with the Dayton Opera; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra; Pops concerts with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd with Chicago’s Ravinia Festival where he also understudied the title role.

Michelle Guy (Despina) is a Biology and Vocal Performance double major at NEIU, studying voice with Dr. Robert Heitzinger since 2009. She has performed leading roles in scene recitals of Hansel and Gretel and The Pirates of Penzance, and full-scale performances of Street Scene, The Secret Garden and A Christmas Carol. She has also performed in master classes hosted by Deborah Birnbaum, Jeffrey Peterson, and Peter Mark. This year she was the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Tuition Waiver, the NEIU Music Department Tuition Waiver, the Ruth Hanna Scholarship and the Orvieto Musica Scholarship. Outside of school she performs in the Queen of Angel’s Catholic Parish Adult Choir and enjoys making beautiful floral arrangements at Dominick’s. Michelle thanks her mother, family, and friends for their continued support.

Sasha Gerritson (Director) is extremely grateful to all the people who helped to make tonight’s performance possible.

A graduate of NEIU and DePaul, Sasha has been the NEIU Opera Director for five years, in addition to teaching Music Theory. This year she has taken on the new role of Recruitment and Scholarship Coordinator for the Department of Music, a job she loves!

8 Northeastern Illinois University

Paul Hamilton (Vocal coach, Accompanist) a native of Savannah, Georgia, has developed a versatile career as a pianist, composer and music director. Venues: Carnegie Hall; Cappella/Smolny Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia; Tokyo International Oboe Competition; Galway Music Festival, Ireland; Ravinia Festival, Chicago. Pianist/coach: The Secret Garden & La Bohème, NEIU; Redwoods Opera Workshop with Elizabeth Vrenios, Mendocino, California; conductor/ pianist, The Barber of Seville, Opera Fresca, Mendocino; Odetta & Robert Sims in Norfolk, Virginia; Simon, Sykes, & Sims with Robert Sims, Sony recording artist Jubilant Sykes, and opera veteran Simon Estes. Composer: The Winter’s Tale, Equus, On Golden Pond, Tartuffe, Sadako and a Thousand Cranes, Alice

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) in Wonderland, and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Theatre: A Lot of Living with Charles Strauss, New York. The Light in the Piazza, Goodman Theater; Jesus Christ Superstar, Drury Lane Theatre; Sweeney Todd, Ravinia.

Allison Hennessy (Adele) is a Junior Music Education Major at St. Olaf College. She sings and tours with the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong, and studies with Dr. Christopher Aspaas. This summer, she was a counselor at Interlochen Fine Arts Institute in Interlochen, MI. She is a member of the Park Ridge Community Church Choir under the direction of Sasha Gerritson, and has toured with that choir to Italy, Austria, and Belgium. She is thrilled to be participating in the summer opera workshop this semester at NEIU. Jung Hyun (Jake) Hwang (Gualterio) is a native of South Korea. He is a NEIU graduate student studying voice with Dr. Phyllis Hurt at NEIU. He also studied with William Lewis, Gary Lakes, Richard Stilwell, Tracy Watson, and Giulio Favario.

He has performed Hoffmann from Tales of Hoffmann (2009), Rinuccio from Gianni Schicchi (2008, 2000) Albazar from Turkey in Italy (2004), and Monsieur Vogelsang from Impresario (2005). He has also performed the tenor solo in works such as The Messiah by Handel and Coronation Mass by Mozart, and others. Last semester he appeared in the NEIU Opera production of Street Scene, in which he sang the role of Lippo.

Jane Kenas-Heller (Accompanist, Vocal Coach) served as the staff accompanist for the NEIU Music Department until her recent retirement in December 2010. Jane earned her Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy degree at NEIU and accompanies the Park Ridge Chorale, is organist at Edgewater Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and enjoys performing with her clarinetist husband, Irwin.

Christian Ketter (Alfredo) most recently had the pleasure of being musically coached and staged by composer Carlisle Floyd in a concert celebrating his works. His past credits include: 2011: (Che) in Evita- Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra; (Mario Cavaraossi) - scenes from ToscaCalumet City Chamber Ensemble; (Radames’) Celeste Aida from Verdi’s Aida in concert with Music by the Lake; (Gaylord Ravenal)- Show Boat in concert. Mr. Ketter also performed at Ravinia in a 2010 benefit concert for the Misericordia Foundation. Winner of the 2012 American Prize in Opera; The 2012 Grand Prize Winner: Shirley Rabb Winston Scholarships in Voice; a 2012 American Prize Winner in Art Song; 2012 National Finalist in the Shreveport Opera Competition; a Harold Haugh finalist and young artist award; 3rd place National Finalist for Hal Leonard Vocal Competition; Opera Birmingham semi-finalist; 2012 ChicagoOperaAward Semi-Finalist. For more information go to: www.christianketter.com Margot Kinscherff (Cherubino) is an NEIU graduate student at large, studying vocal performance. She has her bachelor’s degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a student of Dr. Phyllis Hurt.

Kay Kim (Accompanist, Vocal Coach) An active collaborator, pianist Kay Kim performs an average of over 50 concerts a year both domestically and internationally. She has been one of the pianists of Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s conductor’s rehearsals, performed with the Stradivari Society artists and collaborated with Chicago Chamber Musicians. As a member of musical ambassador group Trio Chicago and Friends, Ms. Kim performs worldwide in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. She has been heard in CBS ‘Early Show’, WFMT ‘Impromptu’ and Dame Myra Hess Series. Ms. Kim serves as a full-time staff pianist and as Opera Workshop Scene Recital 9

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) an instructor of piano accompanying at NEIU. Her previous teaching and staff positions include Northwestern University, Indiana University and the Juilliard School. She holds a doctoral degree in piano performance from Northwestern University.

until eventually founding his own full-time private music studio. Jared has sung leading roles in numerous operas, been a choir member and soloist at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago and has sung with The Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Sarah Linske (Violetta) is thrilled to be a part of this scene recital! Some of her favorite roles include Lily (The Secret Garden), First Lady (The Magic Flute), Adina (L’Elisir D’Amore) and Rapunzel (Into the Woods). Sarah received her Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University and Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from NEIU. She’d like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support.

Kay Lea Meyers (Production Manager) loves working for Sasha Gerritson and has been a part of several Music Department productions under Sasha’s direction, including The Secret Garden, Street Scene, Susannah, and The Medium.

She is proud to have a production team (and an auditorium staff!) made up of incredibly talented individuals who are also good and kind people. She sends the world’s biggest thank you to Sasha for taking her in, for building her up, and for giving her every opportunity to find happiness and strength in herself.

Kay is super blessed.

Alex Makkawy (Ferrando in Cosi & Don Gaspar in La Favorita) is a senior at NEIU, Vocal Performance major and is thrilled to be returning to the NEIU stage for yet another fabulous production. He was seen as Ebeneezer Scrooge in last fall’s production of A Christmas Carol and as Sam Kaplan in the spring production of Street Scene. Other NEIU roles include Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden and Schaunard in La Bohème. Alex will be graduating this year with a BA in voice performance and would just like to thank Sasha for giving him the life changing opportunity to get to work with her on so many fabulous productions. “It has truly been an honor to get to work with such talented cast, crew and of course director.”

Lucia Marchi (Italian Diction Coach) is an Italian musicologist who teaches at NEIU. Jared Metzger (Ernesto) earned a Master of Arts in vocal pedagogy from NEIU where he studied voice with Dr. Ronald Combs and piano with Dr. Allen Anderson. After graduating, he began teaching music at several Chicago public and private schools 10 Northeastern Illinois University

Gretel Mink Hansen (Imogene) a Florida Native, is a graduate from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music in Coral Gables, Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance. Gretel received numerous scholarships and awards for Vocal Excellence from the University and performed in Opera and Musical Theater Productions throughout South Florida. Since graduation, Gretel has sung in various venues in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, worked for The Walt Disney World Company, and The Orlando Opera. She is currently a resident artist with Chamber Opera Chicago and is working towards her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Northeastern Illinois University, studying under Dr. Phyllis Hurt. She was lucky enough to have played “Rose Maurrant” in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene at NEIU as well as “Susanna” in Susanna’s Secret with Sinfionietta Bel Canto, within 2 weeks of each other this past spring. She would love to thank her family and Sasha Gerritson for believing in her.

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Bill Morey (Costume Design) designed NEIU’s Street Scene, The Secret Garden and A Christmas Carol. He is a two time Equity Jeff Award winner as well as the recipient of two After Dark Awards and a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award. For more info please visit www.billmorey.com

Gretchen Sheirok (Fiordiligi/Props Mistress) is thrilled to be in another show at NEIU. This makes her 19th appearance singing and being the prop mistress. She also enjoys singing in local choir groups around the city and suburbs.

Sasha Rashidee (Susanna) Chicago Credits: A Chorus Line (Maggie), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Usherette), Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sara), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), NBC’s “The Playboy Club (Audition Bunny, 3rd Episode). Four productions with the Lyric Opera of Chicago including appearances in Doctor Atomic, Abduction from the Seraglio, Carmen and The Magic Flute.

Sasha is a graduate student at large and this is her first scene recital at NEIU.

Xiaoli Wang (Countess) is a graduate of NEIU Music Department. She has over fifteen years of experience in music and has effectively interacted in three different languages. She has been commended for communication and organizational skills in vocal performance. For the last two summers, Kathy Cowan and Robert Heitzinger have accompanied Xiaoli and co-taught with her in China while teaching private lessons, group master classes, and lectures to students who range in age from 14 to 80. Xiaoli truly enjoys giving diverse groups of students feedback to help improve their vocal technique, breath support, and tone focus!

Brennan Roach (Doctor) is a graduate student in the NEIU Vocal Pedagogy program, where he studies with Dr. Bob Heitzinger. A native Chicagoan, Brennan has been seen recently performing leading roles in: Street Scene, A Christmas Carol and The Secret Garden at NEIU, as well as professionally in: Shadow of a Gunman, with Seanachai Theatre Company, The Student Prince, at Light Opera Works, 50 PLAYS by Joe Janes, as part of the WNEP director’s series, Sweet Bird of Youth and Murphy’s Law with The Artistic Home, and Finding Eleusis with Terra Mysterium as part of The Chicago Fringe Festival.

He appeared regionally in Into the Woods at Reagle Musical Theatre of Greater Boston. Brennan holds an undergraduate degree in music from The Boston Conservatory.

Angela Zuniga (Annina) is a Senior at NEIU majoring in Vocal Music Education and studying with Dr. Phyllis Hurt.

She aspires to perform as a jazz and classical vocalist/pianist as well as teach both privately and publicly. She is President of NEIU’s Collegiate Music Educators National Conference under the advisement of Sasha Gerritson.

“Thank you to all the NEIU music faculty for your encouragement and fellow students for your enthusiasm, it is a pleasure to work with all of you.”

Opera Workshop Scene Recital 11

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