2008 Merola Artists

	Young Joo An baritone HOMETOWN: Seoul, Republic of Korea SCHOOLS: Mannes College of Music, Yonsei University TEACHERS: Joseph Colaneri, Regina Resnik, Ted Taylor, Susan Caldwell MAJOR ROLES: Marcello (La Bohème), Falstaff, Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Michele (Il Tabarro) HOBBIES: Photography, basketball, reading, swimming MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Tonio (Pagliacci), Giorgio Germont (La Traviata)
	René Barbera tenor HOMETOWN: San Antonio, Texas SCHOOLS: North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Texas at San Antonio TEACHERS: Dr. Marilyn Taylor, James Allbritten, Steve Lacosse, Elizabeth Colson, Martile Rowland MAJOR ROLES: Arbace (Idomeneo), Lippo Fiorentino (Street Scene) HOBBIES: Reading, watching films, playing video games MEROLA ROLE: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Ernesto (Don Pasquale)
	Nicole Birkland mezzo-soprano HOMETOWN: Moorland, Iowa SCHOOLS: University of Northern Iowa, Indiana University TEACHERS: Carol Vaness, Carlos Montane, Jean McDonald MAJOR ROLES: Giulietta (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Zita (Gianni Schicchi) HOBBIES: Baking apple pie, travel MEROLA ROLE: Florence Pike (Albert Herring)
	Eugene Chan baritone HOMETOWN: Rohnert Park, California SCHOOLS & Young Artist Programs: Sacramento State University, Seattle Opera Young Artist Program, Music Academy of the West TEACHERS: Marilyn Horne, Sheri Greenawald, Warren Jones, John Churchwell, Peter Kazaras, Robin Fisher MAJOR ROLES: Danilo (The Merry Widow), Don Giovanni, Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Ottone (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Schaunard (La Bohème), Gasparo (Rita), Le Dancaïre/Morales (Carmen), L’horloge/Le chat (L’enfant et les sortilèges) HOBBIES: Billiards, ultimate Frisbee, photography, watching movies, travel MEROLA ROLE: Mr. Gedge, the vicar (Albert Herring)
	Adam Cioffari bass-baritone HOMETOWN: Columbus, Ohio SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: Indiana University School of Music, Houston Grand Opera Studio TEACHERS: Andreas Poulimenos, Giorgio Tozzi, Carol Vaness, Mark A. Baker MAJOR ROLES: Dr. Miracle and Coppelius (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Snug (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Orson (Too Many Sopranos), Frank (Die Fledermaus), Sir Joseph Porter (H.M.S. Pinafore), The Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe) HOBBIES: Baseball, classic literature, film MEROLA ROLE: Masetto (Don Giovanni)
	Kate Crist soprano HOMETOWN: Agency, Iowa SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: University of Northern Iowa, Simpson College, Indian Hills Community College, Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Artist Program TEACHERS: Dr. Jean McDonald, Sandra Walden, Dr. Korey Barnett, Dr. Robert L. Larsen, Anne Larson MAJOR ROLES: Anne Putnam (The Crucible), Nella (Gianni Schicchi) HOBBIES: Beading, freshwater aquariums, cooking, playing online World of Warcraft MEROLA ROLE: Lady Billows (Albert Herring)
	Leah Crocetto soprano HOMETOWN: Adrian, Michigan SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: Siena Heights University, Moody Bible Institute, Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artists Program TEACHERS: Arnold Rawls, Alan Darling, Alicia Berneche, Roger Bingaman, Maestro John Dodson MAJOR ROLES: Adrian Symphony Orchestra Soloist (Love Songs of the Silver Screen), The Baker’s Wife/The Witch (Into the Woods), Flower Girl (Naughty Marietta) HOBBIES: Playing with my goddaughter Hallie, recording music with my sisters, wine, jazz music MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Manon Lescaut (Manon), Norina (Don Pasquale)
	Dennis Doubin apprentice coach HOMETOWN: Moscow, Russia SCHOOL: UCLA TEACHERS: Nelms McKelvain, Vitaly Margulis, William Vendice COACHING EXPERIENCE: Hansel und Gretel, Porgy and Bess, Tristan und Isolde HOBBIES: Cooking, pilates, watching television
	Eileen Downey apprentice coach HOMETOWN: Grand Ledge, Michigan SCHOOLS & Young Artist Programs: Michigan State University, Opera North Young Artist Program, Aspen Opera Theater Center TEACHERS: Deborah Moriarty, Marie-France Lefebvre COACHING EXPERIENCE: La Bohème, The Rake’s Progress, Don Giovanni, Carmen, Roméo et Juliette, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Turandot, Candide HOBBIES: Travel, jogging, hiking, reading
	Natasha Florez mezzo-soprano HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, California SCHOOLS & Young Artist Programs: University of San Diego, University of Southern California, Los Angeles Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program TEACHERS: Dolora Zajick, César Ulloa, Anthony Manoli, Cynthia Munzer MAJOR ROLES: Pastuchyna (Jen˚ufa), Maiden of Mahagonny (Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny), Nutrice (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Idamante (Idomeneo), Madame de la Haltière (Cendrillon), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti) HOBBIES: Reading, art—drawing and sketching, cooking and baking, puzzles—crosswords and jigsaws MEROLA ROLE: Mrs. Herring (Albert Herring)
	Alan Hamilton apprentice coach HOMETOWN: Houston, Texas SCHOOLS: University of Michigan, University of Houston TEACHERS: Martin Katz, Alan Smith, Kayo Iwama, Ken Griffiths COACHING EXPERIENCE: Così fan tutte, What Next?, La Traviata, La forza del destino, Manon Lescaut, Il barbiere di Siviglia, La púrpura de la rosa HOBBIES: Reading, hiking
	Rena Harms soprano HOMETOWN: Santa Fe, New Mexico SCHOOL & Young Artist Programs: Manhattan School of Music, Music Academy of the West, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, Los Angeles Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program TEACHERS: Fred Carama, Marilyn Horne, Hilda Harris, Warren Jones, John Churchwell MAJOR ROLES: Mimi (La Bohème), Mère Marie (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Barena (Jenůfa), Sylvaine (The Merry Widow), Scarlette Sweetheart (Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny) HOBBIES: Time with Pitufo—her Shih Tzu, crafts, making candy MEROLA ROLE: Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni)
	Joélle Harvey soprano HOMETOWN: Richburg, New York SCHOOL: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music TEACHERS: Karen Lykes, Sylvia Plyler, Lisa Saffer MAJOR ROLES: Poppea (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Sophie (Werther), Cupid (Orpheus in the Underworld) HOBBIES: Poetry, yoga, playing the piano MEROLA ROLE: Zerlina (Don Giovanni)
	Austin Kness baritone HOMETOWN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: University of Northern Iowa, Indiana University, Des Moines Metropolitan Opera Young Artist Program TEACHERS: Karla Goettel, Leslie Morgan, Patricia Stiles, Timothy Noble, Alan Darling MAJOR ROLES: Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Escamillo (Carmen), Eddie Carbone (A View from the Bridge), The Unnamed Bass (Too Many Sopranos), Morales (Carmen), Count Ceprano (Rigoletto), Fiorello (Il barbiere di Siviglia) HOBBIES: Live music–classical and blues, sports, movies MEROLA ROLE: Don Giovanni
	Benjamin LeClair bass HOMETOWN: Royal, Iowa SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: Northwestern University, Wartburg College, Central City Opera Young Artist Program TEACHERS: Thomas Wikman, Gianna Panofsky, Karen Brunssen MAJOR ROLES: Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Boris Godunov, Colline (La Bohème), Oroveso (Norma), Gremin (Eugene Onegin), Sparafucile (Rigoletto), Reilly (Gabriel’s Daughter) HOBBIES: Bicycling, Russian opera and song, waterskiing, collecting records and historical recordings MEROLA ROLE: Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring)
	David Lomelí tenor HOMETOWN: Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico SCHOOLS & Young Artist Programs: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, International Institute of Vocal Arts, SIVAM National Opera Young Artist Program, Los Angeles Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program TEACHERS: César Ulloa, Anthony Manoli, Mignon Dunn, Rolando Garza, Plácido Domingo MAJOR ROLES: Javier (Luisa Fernanda), Rodolfo (La Bohème), Herald/Count Lerma (Don Carlo), Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore) HOBBIES: Reading and movies, exercise at the gym, soccer, basketball, video games, museums, making Mexican carne asada MEROLA ROLE: Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni)
	Amanda Majeski soprano HOMETOWN: Gurnee, Illinois SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: Curtis Institute of Music, Northwestern University, Gerdine Young Artist Program TEACHERS: Marlena Malas, Theresa Brancaccio, Mikael Eliasen, Danielle Orlando, Stephen Alltop MAJOR ROLES: Iolanta, Nuria (Ainadamar), Soprano (La Voix humaine), Magda (La Rondine), Cake Lady (Postcard from Morocco), Erisbe (L’Ormindo) HOBBIES: Tap dancing, keeping up with pop culture, yoga and step aerobics, knitting MEROLA ROLE: Donna Anna (Don Giovanni)
	Carlos Monzón bass-baritone HOMETOWN: Guadalajara, Mexico SCHOOLS: University of Houston, University of Guadalajara TEACHERS: Patryk Wroblewski, Harlan Snow, Erich Parce, Peter Jacoby, Buck Ross, Dean Williamson MAJOR ROLES: Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), A Sacristan (Tosca), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Colline (La Bohème), Morales (Carmen), Kaspar (Der Freischütz), The Bonze (Madama Butterfly), Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Frank Murrant (Street Scene), Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte) HOBBIES: Salsa dancing, computers, guitar, languages, cooking MEROLA ROLE: Leporello (Don Giovanni)
	Tyler S. Nelson tenor HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City, Utah SCHOOLS: University of Utah, Florida State University TEACHERS: Dr. Robert Breault, Lorna Haywood, Paul Dorgan, Stanford Olsen, Douglas Fisher, Jeffry Price MAJOR ROLES: Nanki Poo (The Mikado), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Fenton (Falstaff), Philippe (The New Moon), Marcellus (The Music Man), Pietro (Firefly), Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice), Marco (The Gondoliers), Dr. Blind (Die Fledermaus) HOBBIES: Reading—especially Harry Potter, camping, fishing MEROLA ROLE: The Mayor (Albert Herring)
	Carl Pantle apprentice coach HOMETOWN: Oakley, California SCHOOLS: Brigham Young University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music TEACHERS: Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, Kathy Cathcart, Ariel Bybee, Clayne Robison COACHING EXPERIENCE: La Bohème, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lucia di Lammermoor, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Così fan tutte, Little Women, The Old Maid and the Thief, L’Egisto, The Turn of The Screw, The Impresario HOBBIES: Genealogy, camping, road trips, hiking
	Nathaniel Peake tenor HOMETOWN: Humble, Texas SCHOOLS: Michigan State University, University of Houston TEACHERS: Richard Fracker, Patryk Wroblewski, Melanie Helton, Marie-France Lefebvre, Raphael Jimenez MAJOR ROLES: Candide, Arcadio (Florencia en el Amazonas), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Il Podesta (La Finta Giardiniera), Tichon (Kát’a Kabanová), Truffaldino (The Love for Three Oranges) HOBBIES: Creative writing, reading, photography MEROLA ROLES: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Alfredo (La Traviata), Le Chevalier des Grieux (Manon)
	Allen Perriello apprentice coach HOMETOWN: Gibsonia, Pennsylvania SCHOOLS & YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM: University of Cincinnati–College Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College, Ash Lawn Opera Apprentice Program TEACHERS: Kenneth Griffiths, Sylvia Plyler, Patrick Hansen, Jennifer Hayghe, Read Gainsford COACHING EXPERIENCE: La Bohème, Miss Lonelyhearts, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Werther, L’enfant et les sortilèges, L’elisir d’amore, West Side Story, The Merry Widow, The Consul HOBBIES: Teaching, reading, travel, cooking
	Darren Perry baritone HOMETOWN: Frederick, Maryland SCHOOL: University of Maryland TEACHERS: Francois Loup, Leon Major, Dominic Cossa MAJOR ROLES: Lockit (The Beggar’s Opera), Don Giovanni, Speaker (Die Zauberflöte), Mr. Lindquist (A Little Night Music), Aronte and Hidraot (Armide), Don Procolo (Viva la mamma), Baron Douphol (La Traviata), Number 7 (Transformations) HOBBIES: Reading, cooking, movies, hiking, writing MEROLA ROLE: Sid (Albert Herring)
	David W. Pershall baritone HOMETOWN: Temple, Texas SCHOOLS & Young Artist Program: Baylor University, Virginia Opera Spectrum Resident Artist TEACHERS: Dr. John Van Cura MAJOR ROLES: Rev. Olin Blitch (Susannah), Gianni Schicchi HOBBIES: Playing the piano, reading, travel, drinking coffee MEROLA ROLE: Schwabacher Summer Concert: Dr. Malatesta (Don Pasquale)
	James Benjamin Rodgers tenor HOMETOWN: Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand SCHOOLS: Victoria University of Wellington, Manhattan School of Music TEACHERS: Neil Rosenshein, Emily Mair, Kenneth Merrill, Carolyn Marlow, Simon O’Neill MAJOR ROLES: Sam (Street Scene), Orfeo (L’Orfeo), Pluto (Orpheus and the Underworld), The Baker (Into the Woods), Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) HOBBIES: Rugby, cricket, football, tennis, golf, literature, web design, theater, dance, politics MEROLA ROLE: Albert Herring
	Jimmy Smith apprentice stage director HOMETOWN: Rumson, New Jersey SCHOOLS: Bucknell University, Wesleyan University TEACHERS: Bob Gainer, Catherine Pogson, Tom Hunter, Felix Molzer DIRECTING EXPERIENCE: L’enfant et les sortilèges, Brundibár, The Maids, The Bald Soprano, Trouble in Tahiti, Le Docteur Miracle, Laughing Wild HOBBIES: Cooking, travel
	Renée Tatum mezzo-soprano HOMETOWN: Carlsbad, California SCHOOLS & Young Artists Programs: The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, California State University Fullerton, Chautauqua Opera, Utah Festival Opera TEACHERS: Cynthia Hoffmann, Steven Wadsworth, Steven Blier, Jay Lesenger MAJOR ROLES: Bersi (Andrea Chénier), Mrs. Webb (Our Town), Ragonde (Le Comte Ory), Mercedes (Carmen), Frugola (Il Tabarro), Le Prince (Cendrillon), Mère Marie (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti), Fatmé (Zemiré und Azor) HOBBIES: Eating Italian and Indian food, shopping for rare scores MEROLA ROLE: Nancy (Albert Herring)
	Ben Wager bass HOMETOWN: Havertown, Pennsylvania SCHOOLS: Academy of Vocal Arts, University of Delaware TEACHERS: Bill Schuman, Richard Johnson, David Lofton, Jeffrey Miller, Christofer Macatsoris MAJOR ROLES: Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Caspar (Der Freischütz), Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Gremin/Zaretsky (Eugene Onegin), Sparafucile/Monterone (Rigoletto), Speaker (Die Zauberflöte) HOBBIES: Guitar and bass guitar, reading, travel, outdoors MEROLA ROLES: Commendatore (Don Giovanni) and Schwabacher Summer Concert: Don Pasquale and Comte des Grieux (Manon)
	Ellen Wieser soprano HOMETOWN: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada SCHOOLS & Young Artist Programs: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Manitoba, Palm Beach Opera Resident Artist Program, Glimmerglass Opera Young Artist Program, Chautauqua Opera Studio Artist Program TEACHERS: Barbara Honn, Tracy Dahl, Donna Loewy MAJOR ROLES: Marzelline (Fidelio), Annina (La Traviata), Diana (Orpheus in the Underworld), Despina (Così fan tutte), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Giulia (The Gondoliers) HOBBIES: Cooking and baking, reading and discussing books, hiking, canoeing, camping MEROLA ROLE: Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring)