UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE PRESENTS
CAROUSEL A CONCERT
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on Ferenc Molnar's play LILIOM as adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer
Choreography for original production by Agnes de Mille
Dance music arranged by Trude Rittmann Orchestrations by Don Walker
Concert adaptation by Tom Briggs
CAROUSEL, A CONCERT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. www.concordtheatricals.com
STAGE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
James Haffner
CONDUCTOR/MUSIC DIRECTOR
Eric Dudley
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Joshua Cabardo
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR
Margaret Perry
PRODUCTION MANAGER/ SOUND DESIGN
Andrew Mell
COSTUME DESIGN
Jonathan Singer
SCENIC DESIGN
Brian Johnson
STAGE MANAGER
Jordan Bell Souza
LIGHTING DESIGN
Don Myers
MAKEUP/HAIR DESIGN
Jennifer Johnson
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, ENSEMBLES
Jonathan Latta
FILM CREW
Peter Williams
Ben Shafer
Amelia O’Donnell
LIGHTING ENGINEER
Hasina Torres
SOUND ENGINEER
Liza Bagdasarin
WIG ASSISTANT
Zero Martin
WARDROBE
Shekinah Chellsen, Renata Zapara
PROPERTIES
George Spelvin
PROJECTIONS
Ian Stark, VIT Media
This production is made possible with generous support from George Buckbee Fund, Pete Ottesen, Jesse Marks, and Paul Kimball
Content disclosure: This piece includes themes of domestic violence, physical violence, suicide, simulated alcohol consumption, and simulated cigarette smoking.
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
THE COMPANY
Billy Bigelow (double-cast) .................... Jordan Reece Guitang (March 22, 28, 30)
Landon Horstman (March 21, 23, 29)
Julie Jordan (double-cast) ..................................
Rose Krueger (March 21, 23, 29)
Charlize Price (March 22, 28, 30)
Magdalena Bowen (film & cover)
Carrie Pipperidge (double-cast) ................................. Ria Patel (March 21, 23, 29)
Katie Pelletier (March 22, 28, 30) Michelle Miracle (cover)
Enoch Snow ............................................................................. Michael Megenney
Nettie Fowler (double-cast ................................... Mia Janosik (March 22, 28, 30) Elizabeth Neumeyer (March 21, 23, 29)
Mrs. Mullin .............................................................................. Shannon Shepherd
Jigger Craigin ................................................................................ Daniel Campbell
Starkeeper/Mr. Bascombe/Dr. S ..................................................... Paul C. Ustach*
Louise ............................................................................................. Emily Zamudio
Jonathan/Enoch Snow, Jr ........................................................................ Leo Hearl
Orrin/Heavenly Friend ......................................................................... Ian Orejana
Tom ................................................................................................... Ernesto Peña
Walter .................................................................................................... Austin Nie
Hannah ........................................................................................ Michelle Miracle
Arminy ...................................................................................... Magdalena Bowen
Bessie ...................................................................................... Jordan Hendrickson
Penny ............................................................................................. Amber Medlen
PACIFIC OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
Jasmine Valentine
Oboe, English Horn
Walker Austin
Clarinet
Abigail Miller
Bassoon
Jordan Wier
Horns
Skylar Warren
Don Parker
Trumpets
Parker Deems
Kamron Qasimi
Trombone
William Giancaterino
Harp
Jacqueline Venter*
*community member
**faculty member
Eric Dudley, conductor
Keyboard
Monica Adams**
Percussion
Matthew Kulm (March 21, 22, 28, 29)
Robert McCarl (March 23, 30)
Violins 1
Jamie Lue
Lizzie Mendoza
Carissa Lee
Violins 2
Emma Young
Alizon Lopez
Viola
Erick Sariles
Cello
Nick Trobaugh
Bass
Julianna Meneses
SCENES
SYNOPSIS
The Carousel tells a romantic yet tragic story of a charming carousel barker, Billy Bigelow, and a quiet millworker, Julie Jordan. They fall in love and marry yet after losing jobs they struggle to make ends meet. To support his family, Billy turns to crime. When a robbery goes wrong, Billy dies and goes to heaven where he is given a second chance to make things right.
ACT I
Scene 1. An Amusement Park on the New England Coast in May
Prologue—The Carousel
Waltz ................................................................................................ The Company
Scene 2. A Tree-Lined Path along the Shore, a few minutes later
Mister Snow................................................................................ ... Carrie and Julie
If I Loved You .....................................................................................Julie and Billy
Scene 3. Nettie Fowler’s Spa on the Oceanfront in June
June is Bustin’ Out All Over ................................. Nettie, Carrie, and the Company
Mr. Snow Reprise ................................................. Carrie, Mr. Snow and the Ladies
When the Children are Asleep ............................................... Mr. Snow and Carrie
Blow High, Blow Low ....................................................... Billy, Jigger and the Men
Soliloquy .......................................................................................................... Billy
Finale—Act I .................................................................... Nettie and the Company
Intermission
SCENES
ACT II
Scene 1. On an Island Across the Bay, that night
A Real Nice Clambake ................ Nettie, Julie, Carrie, Mr. Snow and the Company
Geraniums in the Winder ........................................................................ Mr. Snow
Stonecutters Cut It On Stone................Jiger, Mr. Snow, Arminy and the Company
What’s the Use of Wond’rin’? ................................................. Julie and the Ladies
Scene 2. Mainland Waterfront, an hour later
You’ll Never Walk Alone ................................................................
The Highest Judge of All ..................................................................................
Scene 3. Up There
Scene 4. Down Here on a Beach
Ballet ................................................................................................ The Company
Scene 5. Outside Julie’s Cottage
If I Loved You Reprise .......................................................................................
Scene 6. Outside a Schoolhouse, the same day Finale—Act II ....................................................................................
James Haffner (stage director/producer)is a professor of opera at University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing and an artist's diploma in opera stage directing. He is also a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique and an Artistic Associate with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium.
Haffner recently tied for second place in The American Prize in Directing–The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize 2024 (Theater/Musical Theater Division) for Pacific Opera Theatre’s production of Into the Woods.
His production of Rossini's La Cenerentola took first place in the 2001 National Opera Association Production Competition and was a finalist both at the regional and national levels in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. La Cenerentola holds the distinction of being the first opera to be invited to perform in the KC-ACTF national festival. Haffner's work has been further recognized by the KC-ACTF with encore productions of his reworking of Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill and the west coast premiere of Glen Roven's musical Heart's Desire. Recognition from the National Opera Association includes Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Additional significant credits include the German premiere of Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day; Das Mahagonny Songspiel, which was presented as part of the premiere Brecht Fest at the Berliner Ensemble; and Dido and Aeneas with the first annual Museumsinsel Fest, Berlin.
Haffner served as the producing artistic director of the Stockton Opera Association and has worked with both the Bay View and Bear Valley Music Festivals. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors' Lab-West and has served as an adjudicator for the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition (Opera San Jose). A Fulbright Scholar, he has taught at the Technische Universität, Berlin, as well as the University of Kentucky- Lexington, Miami University, Ohio, Webster University and the California State University, Fullerton.
Eric Dudley (conductor/music director) joined University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in 2019. He leads a multi-faceted career as a conductor, composer, vocalist and pianist immersed in the creation of music both past and present, and as an original member of the two-time Grammy Award-winning vocal octet Roomful of Teeth, he toured worldwide with the group and appears extensively on their acclaimed recordings.
Dudley came to the Bay Area from New York in 2016 as interim music director of the orchestra program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Shortly after, he was appointed as artistic director and conductor of the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the largest and most long-standing ensemble dedicated to the performance of new music on the West Coast, where he is currently in his seventh season of leadership.
While in New York, Dudley performed and conducted with organizations as diverse as Ekmeles and Tenet vocal ensembles, the Choir of Trinity Wall Street Church, Ensemble Signal, Bard Summerscape Opera, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Prior to that, he was assistant conductor for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under Paavo Järvi for four years. His guest conducting engagements have included the Ojai Festival in California, Ensemble L'Instant Donné in France, the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in Australia.
ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION STAFF
Joshua Cabardo (assistant director) is a Stockton native and a graduate of University of the Pacific. He is an explorer of music and has performed with choirs big and small, vocal jazz ensembles, operas, musicals, as well as his own district-champion barbershop quartet, Top RawMen.
Joshua has always been on the performing side of the stage but recently had the privilege of observing the rehearsal process of Pacific Opera Theatre’s pastiche lost and found under the direction of Ann Baltz. He now has the unique opportunity to work under his former teacher Professor James Haffner and welcomes this new side of music with open arms.
Margaret Perry (assistant music director) is a group piano and piano pedagogy coordinator and teacher at University of the Pacific. She also teaches aural perceptions and is a rehearsal pianist for the opera department. She has performed throughout the United States and Italy as a soloist and collaborative pianist. She was ensemble artist pianist for the Utah Symphony and Opera. Locally, she has been a pianist for the Stockton Symphony, Stockton Opera Association, Stockton Civic Theatre, and Stockton Chorale. Perry earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Brigham Young University, where she also received her master’s degree in piano performance. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Arizona.
Andrew Mell (production manager/sound design) joined University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in 2023 as director of operations and assistant professor of practice in jazz and music industry studies. As a bassist, Mell has performed across the country at renowned venues with jazz, Latin, classical, and popular music groups. He has shared the stage with celebrated artists such as Emilio Solla, Marcus Lewis, Jeffery Jenkins, and Mitch Towne. Mell has worked in many areas of the music industry. He has held the position of artistic operations coordinator for the Eugene Symphony, stage manager for the Stanford Jazz Festival, and recording engineer for the University of Oregon. Mell holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, a master’s degree from the University of Oregon, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has also held the position of bass instructor at Willamette University and taught in the jazz and music technology departments at University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Jonathan Singer (costume design) has been working as the costume designer at San Joaquin Delta College Theatre program since 2017. A native of Stockton, he received an Associate of Arts degree and participated in actor’s training program at Delta before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from CSU
Stanislaus. Singer earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design and technology from the University of Minnesota and returned to the Central Valley and Bay Area where he has designed numerous shows over the years. Some of the notable ones include Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest. His recent shows at Delta include Working, Baltimore, Pippin, The Winter’s Tale, and Cinderella.
Brian Johnson (scenic design) has designed and built over a hundred stage productions in Stockton since first volunteering to do some scenic painting on Stockton Civic Theatre’s stage in 2007. He is honored to have joined James Haffner’s creative team at University of the Pacific in 2015 and is thrilled to still be a part of it.
Jordan Bell Souza (stage manager) is in her fifth year at University of the Pacific. Having just graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education in May 2024, she is now pursuing her master’s in music education through the one-year graduate assistantship program. Her primary instrument is voice, and she has studied under Daniel Ebbers for the past four years. She has served as music director of multiple groups including the Unitarian Universalist Stockton choir and Sigma Alpha Iota—Eta Omega chapter. In 2022, Bell assisted in stage managing The Threepenny Opera, and stage managed last spring's production, Alcina. She has had a tremendous time stage managing Carousel. Bell is thankful for the opportunity to stage manage as a part of her college experience, as she plans to teach both choir and theater at the high school level in the future.
Don Myers (lighting design) has served as lighting designer for the Stockton Opera Association and Faye Spanos Concert Hall since 1989. He has also designed for a number of theater companies including the Woodland Opera House, Sacramento’s 24th Street Theatre, Light Opera Theatre Sacramento, Davis Musical Theatre Company, Stagedoor Comedy Playhouse, and the Sacramento Community Opera Theatre. As an actor, some of Myers’s favorite roles include Alain in The Amorous Flea, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Clive in See How They Run, Geoffrey in Stepping Out, and John Box in Box and Cox. He performs regularly with the Chautauqua Children’s Theatre Company.
Jennifer Johnson (makeup/hair design) has been involved with theater in the Central Valley since 2003. She has enjoyed working as the costume shop coordinator for San Joaquin Delta College for over ten years. Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts and Master of Arts degree in education from University of the Pacific. Before her employment at Delta,
she spent time in Utah as an apprentice to a master tailor. She has designed costumes, hair, and makeup for venues such as Delta College, University of the Pacific, Livermore Shakespeare Festival, Stockton Opera Association, and Stockton Civic Theatre. Some of her costume designs include those for A Little Night Music, Forbidden Planet, Animal Farm, The Glass Menagerie, Hansel and Gretel, and The Winter’s Tale. Johnson’s hair and makeup designs have been seen in shows such as Dido and Aeneas, Beggar’s Opera, and Brigadoon.
Jonathan Latta (program director, ensembles) is an associate professor of practice in percussion and program director of ensembles at University of the Pacific. He has also maintained an active performing career as a percussionist, having performed with the Stockton Symphony, Modesto Symphony, and Sacramento Philharmonic and serving as principal for the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra in Durango, Colorado.
Prior to moving to California in 2014, Latta was director of percussion studies for six years at Fort Lewis College in Durango, teaching applied percussion, percussion ensemble, non-Western music, orchestration, and jazz. Latta was chair of the University Pedagogy Committee for the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) for six years as well as a member of the PAS Education Committee.
From 2002 to 2006, Latta was a member of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, performing in over three hundred performances on percussion/timpani for their Concert Band, drum set for the Commanders Jazz Ensemble, marching percussion for the Ceremonial Band, and drum set for the Golden West Dixie Ramblers. These performances included the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade, the 2004 Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, and the interment of former President Ronald W. Reagan. Latta has performed as a chamber musician in the Durango Chamber Music Festival, the Animas Music Festival, and at the Percussive Arts Society International Conference. In 2019 Latta performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall with Pacific’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Most recently, Latta has been heard as a soloist and helped produce the Pacific Wind Bands’ recording, From a Deep Blue Sky (2024).
Ben Shafer (film crew) is a film editor and a third-year media arts and production major originally from Marin County, California. His studies focus on developing both technical and creative skills in storytelling, applying them to a wide variety of projects. The film you see throughout this performance was a new and exciting undertaking, and a true example of multimedia art.
Amelia O’Donnell (film crew) is a music industry studies sophomore at University of the Pacific. She has been in many live productions throughout her artistic career, both on stage and behind it. Amelia has directed 14 short plays, a one-act play, and has assistant-directed an award-winning production of Lost Girl. Most recently, she worked as the assistant creative director to two short films featured in Pacific Opera Theater’s production of Carousel, and plans on continuing to pursue creative endeavors wherever she can. O’Donnell is a lover of music, a folk songwriter, and an aspiring lawyer hoping to work in contract negotiations for music artists.
Magdalena Bowen (ensemble) is in her second year at University of the Pacific, where she studies voice with Daniel Ebbers. She has been a member of University Chorus and is currently a member of Pacific Singers. Magdalena has placed in various singing competitions including the 2019, 2020, and 2022 Sacramento Master Singers and the 2018 National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions. She has also performed in Sacramento in school choirs and as a soloist. In 2024, she performed in Handel’s Alcina as an ensemble member.
Daniel Campbell (Jigger Craigin) is a first-year vocal performance major at University of the Pacific, where he studies with Daniel Ebbers. He is also involved on campus in Pacific Singers and Beta Theta Pi. Previously, he was Jud Fry in YES Company's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma. He has been performing in theater since the age of six and is excited to make his main stage debut with Pacific Opera Theatre.
Jordan Reece Guitang (Billy Bigelow), baritone, is a third-year of student at University of the Pacific where he pursues a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. He made his stage debut in Pacific’s 2024 spring production of Alcina by Handel as an ensemble soloist. In 2022, he performed the role of Papageno in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at San Francisco State University. Jordan has recently debuted with a renowned Bay Area social justice choir led by Darita Seth, Choral Audacity, and has performed with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus led by Jacob Stensberg and with the Seattle Men’s Chorus led by Paul Caldwell.
Leo Hearl (Enoch Snow, Jr.) is a senior music therapy major who studies voice with Eric Dudley at University of the Pacific. He has been a part of Pacific Singers and Pacific Opera Theatre for the last four years. Leo is also a member and current president of Pacific Stocktones, the on-campus acapella group, and a member of the co-ed music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon. Leo has been in Pacific’s productions of The Threepenny Opera, Into the Woods, and Alcina. He is excited to perform in his last show at Pacific as Enoch Snow, Jr.
Jordan Hendrickson (ensemble) is delighted to collaborate with the wonderful cast, creatives, and crew of Carousel. Jordan is a senior at University of the Pacific studying music composition with applied study on cello and voice, and will be premiering an original operetta, The Yellow Wallpaper, in April 2025. Jordan recently performed in Pacific Opera Theatre’s fall production of lost and found.
Landon Horstman (Billy Bigelow) is a second-year music education major studying voice with Daniel Ebbers at University of the Pacific. Recently, Landon
has performed with Pacific Opera Theatre in Handel's Alcina (Melisso). Landon also won first place in the 19 to 22-year-old category in Opera Modesto's Kristina Townsend Memorial Vocal Competition in 2024. Upon graduating, Landon hopes to teach music in public schools locally.
Mia Janosik (Nettie Fowler), mezzo soprano, boasts a diverse repertoire and desire for musical exploration with performance experience including opera, musical theatre, collaborations with student composers, studio recording sessions, and more. As a fourth-year vocal performance major studying with Daniel Ebbers, she has most recently portrayed Ruggiero (Alcina) and Cinderella’s Stepmother (Into the Woods) with Pacific Opera Theatre. Mia serves as alto section leader for Pacific Singers and is a member of a voice, bassoon, and piano trio on campus. She is also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Rose Krueger (Julie Jordan) is a second-year student at University of the Pacific, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music management. Her primary instrument is voice, and she currently studies with Daniel Ebbers. Rose is also a member of Pacific Singers. She has performed in Follies (2023), Alcina (2024), and Lost and Found (2024) at Pacific. Outside of school, Rose performs the national anthem at Stockton Ports and Stockton Kings games.
Amber Medlen (ensemble) is a mezzo soprano pursuing a degree in music therapy at University of the Pacific. A native of Kansas, she has performed in a variety of genres and ensembles both on and off campus. She has participated in University of the Pacific's Opera Follies and Pacific Singers. She can also be heard on recordings by the bluegrass ensemble The Flat Mountain Boys.
Michael Megenney (Enoch Snow) is a tenor currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance at University of the Pacific. From playing Jack in Into the Woods to Oronte in Handel’s Alcina, Michael enjoys performing many different styles of music. With a love for choral music and ensemble work, he hopes to continue his musical growth through new music and collaboration.
Michelle Miracle (ensemble) previously portrayed Angelina in the Cabrillo Choral Department's 2018 production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury. One of her passions is singing in choirs. She is a regular in Cantiamo, Cabrillo Chorale, Symphonic Chorus, and PUCC Chamber Choir. Her lyrical and coloratura soprano voice can often be heard as a soloist with these groups. Her other love is teaching young students to sing and to read music. She will continue her education at University of the Pacific.
Elizabeth Neumeyer (Nettie Fowler), mezzo soprano, is a transcendent young professional in the operatic industry. She has been featured in performances
throughout the country, most recently singing the roles of Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina, La Badessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Dritte Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Following her current portrayal as Nettie Fowler in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, Elizabeth will join the Brevard Music Center, where she will participate in various operatic productions throughout the summer. She is currently a second-year student at University of the Pacific, where she is a student of Daniel Ebbers.
Austin Nie (ensemble), baritone, is a second-year music industry studies and communications major at University of the Pacific. In spring 2024, he played an ensemble character in Handel’s Alcina. At Pacific, he is involved in various vocal ensembles including Pacific Stocktones and Pacific Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He is now broadening his repertoire to musical theater, with Carousel being his on-stage debut in musical performance. As the publicist of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, he further develops his community through music and brotherhood. Off the stage, he is pursuing a career in the live music business, enjoying hands-on experiences at local concerts and festivals.
Ian Orejana (Starkeeper) is a junior music composition major. Most recently, he portrayed Jesse in Pacific Opera Theatre’s Lost and Found. He is also a part of Pacific Stocktones and Pacific Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He is delighted to be a part of the cast and crew of Carousel and loves every chance he gets to perform with them. He thanks his family back in Seattle for their support and everything they have done for him.
Ria Patel (Carrie Pipperidge), soprano, enlivens repertoire spanning centuries, countries, and genres, from Indian classical to jazz. With Pacific Opera Theatre, she has played Oberto in Alcina, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, and Molly Brazen in The Threepenny Opera. She sings lead soprano in Pacific Vocal Jazz Ensemble, is the soprano section leader in Pacific Singers, co-chair of the Conservatory DEI Committee, and treasurer of Mu Phi Epsilon. Ria is a fourthyear music performance major and Spanish minor studying voice with Heidi Moss Erickson. She is thrilled to portray a character that brings her such joy in her last Pacific Opera Theatre's production.
Katie Pelletier (Carrie Pipperidge), soprano, is a passionate vocalist who is dedicated to enhancing the experience of music for everyone. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance with a minor in music industry studies at University of the Pacific, where she studies with Heidi Moss Erickson. With a passion for vocal pedagogy and performance, she aspires to teach, perform, and produce music for herself and others. When Katie is not acting, she enjoys songwriting, singing contemporary music, and performing with Pacific Singers.
MEET THE CAST
Ernesto Peña (ensemble) is a first-year music therapy major at University of the Pacific with an instrumental concentration. He is involved on campus in Pacific Singers, Stocktones, and a barbershop quartet as a bass voice. He studies oboe with Kyle Bruckmann and plays in Pacific Pep Band led by Jonathan Latta. He is excited for his main stage debut with Pacific Opera Theatre.
Charlize Price (Julie Jordan) is a soprano from Modesto currently in her fourth year of vocal performance major at University of the Pacific. With a slate of vocal styles including operatic, theatrical, pop, and rock genres, Charlize began her studies with Grammy Award-winning artist Virginia Kelsey and is now studying with Daniel Ebbers. Charlize’s most recent opera role was Oberto in Pacific Opera Theatre’s production of Handel’s Alcina. As an acoustic soloist/ songwriter, she currently holds the Modesto Area Music Award for Best Indie/ Alternative Band/Artist with her now-retired band Portrait of Elysia for their first EP titled Something Will Come.
Shannon Shepard (Mrs. Mullin) is a soprano pursing a degree in music education at University of the Pacific where she transferred from San Joaquin Delta College. She has participated in Opera Modesto’s chorus and sang Pacific's fall 2024 production of Lost and Found. She enjoys writing, watching Marvel movies, eating chocolate, and singing in the shower. She is very happy to be in Carousel this semester!
Paul Ustach (Mr. Bascome/Starkeeper/Dr. Seldon) is excited to work with and learn from Pacific's talented and dedicated students. Paul took up theater later in life and some of his recent credits include Shylock in Stockton Civic Theater’s production of Something Rotten and Dr. Waldman in San Joaquin Delta College’s production of Frankenstein. When not on stage, Paul spends most of his time up the road as a professor of biology at San Joaquin Delta College and has spent some glorious summers as a ranger in Yosemite National Park.
Emily Zamudio (Louise) is a sophomore at University of the Pacific majoring in music therapy. Her primary instrument is oboe, and she is involved in the university's wind bands and orchestras. This is Emily's first production with Pacific Opera Theatre, but she has prior experience acting in middle school and high school. Some of her first roles were Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland Jr., the Ugly Duckling in Honk Jr., and Zorah in Ruddigore. Emily's campus involvements include Sigma Alpha Iota and Delta Gamma. She would like to thank her mom and family for always supporting her dreams.
Jacquelyn Venter, harpist, is an active performer and teacher whose performance has been described as “lovely, meditative, and exquisitely played.” Venter has been featured as a guest artist with the Grammy Awardwinning choir ensemble, Conspirare. Their album Pablo Neruda: A Poet Sings, featuring Venter with the choir, was nominated for a 2016 Grammy. Venter has held faculty positions at William Jessup University, Luther College, the UNI Suzuki School, University of Texas String Project, Longhorn Music Camp, Round Rock Independent School District, and served as director of the Young Texas Harp Ensemble. She holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music (BM), University of Northern Iowa (MM), and University of Texas at Austin (DMA). She currently maintains a private studio in Sacramento and plays with ensembles throughout the region.
Monica Adams has worked as a collaborative pianist at University of the Pacific since 1995. She currently serves as assistant professor of practice and directs the University Chorus.
Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance, voice, from University of the Pacific, where she studied piano with Frank Wiens, voice with William Whitesides, George Buckbee, and John DeHaan, and conducting with William Dehning and Robert Halseth.
Adams has performed as a pianist with the Stockton Symphony Orchestra and sang the roles of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Old Maid in Old Maid and the Thief, and has served as Musical Director and conductor at Pacific for Pajama Game (Fallon House), Paint Your Wagon (Fallon House), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Apple Tree, Falsettoland, Assassins, and 1940's Radio Hour. Adams has also musicdirected Oliver, La Cage aux Folles, Babes in Arms, Footloose (conducted, also), Beauty and the Beast (Santa Rosa Repertory Theater), The Full Monty (Santa Rosa Repertory Theater) and Godspell for various theatres. In 2004 Adams participated in the summer SongFest program, which included coachings with Martin Katz, Graham Johnson, D'Anna Fortunato, John Hall, Judith Kellock and John Harbison, and performing in multiple recitals.
PACIFIC FACULTY COACHES
Voice and Opera Faculty
Daniel Ebbers, program director
Eric Dudley
Melissa Fulkerson
James Haffner
Heidi Moss Erickson
Instrumental Faculty
Brittany Trotter, flute
Patricia Shands, clarinet
Kyle Bruckmann, oboe, English horn
Nicolasa Kuster, bassoon
Sadie Glass, horn
Leonard Ott, trumpet
Bruce Chrisp, low brass
Jonathan Latta, percussion
Ann Miller, violin
Igor Veligan, viola
Vicky Wang, cello
Kathryn Schulmeister, double bass
Jonathan Latta, program director for ensembles
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Harry Mason of Brass Ring
Amusements for generously landing the carousel horses
City of Stockton-Pixie Woods
Tina Johnson
Estella Hernandez
Alondra Reyes De Lira
Jose Medina, Eagle Eye Protection Services, security
Ken Cazan, USC Thornton Opera, resident stage director
Val Cichocki, Stockton Civic Theatre
Delta Drama, San Joaquin Delta College
Media Arts and Production
St. Mary’s High School Visual and Performing Arts
Elena Wright, intimacy consultation
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