ABOUT THE CAST OF AMAHL AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL

AUBREY ADAMS-MCMILLAN

enjoys an active career singing Opera, Chamber Works, Art Song and major Symphonic Works. During her residency with the Westminster Choir in Princeton New Jersey, she worked with renowned conductors, including maestros Claudio Abbado, Kurt Masur, and Joseph Flummerfelt singing for the New York Philharmonic. She regularly performs with the prestigious Utah Symphony and Opera, Intermezzo, Eutopia, Nova, The American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Cathedral of the Madeleine Concert Series, Southwest Symphony, and Utah Lyric Opera. Her debut album, Beautiful Dreamer can be found on all streaming platforms worldwide. JOHN ALLEN brings a refreshing depth of musicality and new life to his work, having performed internationally both as a violinist and singer, and enjoys interpreting the standard repertoire as well as championing new works and writing his own music. Recent operatic credits include Scarpia, Sweeney Todd, Rigoletto, Germont, Gianni Schicchi, Don Alfonso, Enrico, and Leporello. In addition to music, John is passionate about teaching yoga, climbing mountains, and skiing Utah snow. ISABEL COSSA is in her junior year at the University of Utah School of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. A native of West Valley City, UT she participated in a multitude of choirs, clubs, and musical theater productions throughout high school. As a soprano studying with Professor Julie Wright-Costa, she has most recently performed in a student-led production of Dido & Aeneas and the U of U Opera production of Sweeney Todd. She is currently a member of the University of Utah Chamber Choir, the University of Utah Student Opera Guild, the Black Student Union, and the Black Cultural Center’s S.U.C.C.E.S.S. program. When she’s

not singing, Isabel enjoys learning French, reading, playing board games, dancing, doing yoga, and spending time in the sun. KATELYN COX is so excited to be debuting as Mother with U Opera. Born and raised in Utah, she is in her 4th year at the University of Utah studying to get her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, with a certification in Arts and Technology. She is a current Michie Scholarship recipient, as well as a School of Music Scholarship recipient. Next Fall, she will be presenting her Senior Recital entitled The Power of Women. MARA DAVIS is a native of Henderson, Nevada. She is a junior, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and is studying with Dr. Seth Keeton. Recently, she has sung in the Opera Workshop’s Fall 2022 Opera Scenes, as Dorabella in U Opera’s Spring 2022 production of Così fan tutti, as an ensemble member and featured soloist in U Opera’s Spring 2022 production of Sweeney Todd, and in the chorus of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 at the Grand Teton Music Festival. She is currently the Vice President of the University of Utah Student Opera Guild, the acting president of the University of Utah SNATS Chapter, and has been a member of the University of Utah Chamber Choir and Michie Undergraduate Vocal Quartet since 2022. CAMILLA DUMOND is a sophomore in the Vocal Performance program at the University of Utah. She has studied under Professor Julie Wright-Costa since 2019 and has loved every minute of it. Singing has been Cami’s passion all her life. She has performed in roles in over 15 musicals, including Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Martha in White Christmas, and Medda Larkin in Newsies. This is Cami’s first opera, and she could not be more grateful for this opportunity to expand her performing horizons. She would like to thank the amazing directors for giving her a chance, as well as her esteemed colleagues and GRAND THEATRE | grandtheatrecompany.com

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fellow students who have been so welcoming through the whole process. JOURDAN ELTERMAN is a junior Vocal Performance major at the University of Utah. Some of her experience on the stage includes performing with the University of Utah Chamber Choir and playing roles in theatre productions such as Pippin, Footloose and Honk. Jourdan is elated to be performing in her very first operas this year. This journey has allowed her to work alongside such talented, hardworking people who further fuel her inspiration and passion for voice each day. When she isn’t studying or practicing music, she is most likely taking care of her two dogs and three cats or enjoying a laugh with her husband. Jourdan is incredibly thankful to be performing with the U Opera and she is excited to see what other opportunities lie ahead for her.

MARYBETH GROTH is a second-year student at the University of Utah who is currently studying vocal performance and theatre studies with an emphasis in playwriting. MaryBeth made her opera debut in U Opera’s spring 2022 production of Sweeney Todd. She is originally from North Florida where she appeared in several musicals, straight plays, and served as dramaturge at her local theatre. MaryBeth would like to thank her private voice professor Dr. Allred, her good friend and mentor Mishelle Knight, her family, and everyone in U Opera for this amazing experience! ALEXANDER HARRELSON is a 22-year-old tenor master’s student from Tryon, North Carolina. He currently studies with Dr. Robert Breault at the U. In 2021, Alex graduated with a BA from Davidson College. In 2019, Alex received a Fujita Arts Grant from Davidson College to attend La Musica Lirica and the International Vocal Artists Academy of Payerbach where he performed as Gherardo in Copeland Woodruff’s Gianni Schicchi. In 2021, he returned to perform as Gastone in Michael Scarola’s a Traviata. In his first year at the U, he performed as Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and as Anthony in Sweeney Todd, both directed by Dr. Breault. Most recently, he returned to La Musica Lirica for a third time to perform as Lindoro in a David Ronis’s L’Italiana in Algeri. MEG JOHNSON is pleased to make her debut with Utah Lyric Opera! As a student of Professor Julie Wright-Costa, she was most recently seen in the University of Utah Chamber Choir and New Music Ensemble Performances. Some of her favorite roles have included Christine in Phantom of the Opera, Desdemona in Othello, and Susan in Baby with the Bathwater. She wants to thank her supportive family, her inspiring teachers, and caring friends. ELISSA JONES is Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy student at the University of Utah. Most recently, she has been seen on the musical stage in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Jerusha Abbott in Daddy Long Legs. Favorite opera roles include Mrs. Nolan in The Medium and Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town. Elissa obtained a Bachelor of Music Education from Utah State University and has continued to make music with the Choral Society of Durham, Handel Society of Dartmouth College, Idaho State University Choirs and ProMusica Vermont. Elissa is excited to be a part of U of U Opera and thanks her family for their support of her higher education endeavors. SETH KEETON, bass-baritone, has been described by the NYT as “driven” and “emotionally pointed,” and as “stentorian” by Opera News. He has performed throughout the United States and at Theater Bremen in Germany. In 2006, he was a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and received awards from the Sullivan Foundation and the Eleanor McCollum Competition. In 2018, he was featured on

Chamber Music, Volume 2, of forgotten composer, Richard Stöhr. 2020 saw the release of Transparent Boundaries, an album set to the poetry of Whitman and Dickinson. Dr. Keeton created the free index SongHelix, simplifying the discovery of related art songs, found at songhelix.com. Keeton received his DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and is an Assoc. Prof. of Voice at the University of Utah. MICAH KENNEY, soprano, received her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in music from Idaho State University (2020) under the tutelage of tenor Dr. Geoffrey Friedley. She is currently pursuing her Master of Music at the University of Utah under the guidance and instruction of soprano Julie Wright-Costa. Kenney recently appeared in the University of Utah performance of Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Despina, in the chorus of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and in Utah Vocal Arts Academy’s 2022 production of Dido and Aeneas.

ABIGAIL YINGLING KETCH, Soprano from Alpine, Utah, is currently in her 3rd year as a master’s student in Vocal Performance at the U. Abby graduated from BYU with her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance with a Spanish minor. Previously, she sang with Utah Lyric Opera as Countess Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto. With BYU opera she sang the Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Dulcina in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and the chorus in Handel’s Theodora. She has participated in Scenes from King Solomon Oratorio, Carmen, The Ballad of Baby Doe, Der Rosenkavalier, and Cosi fan tutte. She also sang supporting roles in Lehár’s The Merry Widow with UVAA Summer Opera Festival. Abby recently premiered the role of Dinah in He Shall Prepare a Way. NELSON LEDUC has never been a stranger to music. He played clarinet in elementary school, bass guitar in a rock band in the 1970s, and since 1988 has been a regular singer with Utah Opera Company, having now sung in close to 90 productions with that company. Besides singing a number of cameo roles with Utah Opera, Nelson has also been a featured soloist in the Mozart Requiem, Messiah, and with Utopia Early Music. He has sung roles in The Mikado, Iolanthe, The Grand Duke, and Gianni Schicchi, and in several productions for Lyrical Opera Theater, including Baron Douphol in La Traviata and Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor. Nelson is currently pursuing a degree in music composition from the University of Utah. JOSÉ MIGUEL is a promising, eclectic, young Chilean tenor. He is currently pursuing his D.M.A. at the University of Utah. Past credits include Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème, the Duke in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Pirelli in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Arturo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, among others. In October 2021, José made his official directorial debut with De Falla’s El retablo de Maese Pedro. This past summer, he launched his own summer series: “Arias of the Vine.” His voice has been heard internationally in Chile, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Austria, Italy, and Canada. José Miguel is a native of Santa Cruz, Chile and holds a B.A. in Music from St. Lawrence University and a M.M. in Voice Performance from the University of South Florida. JACQUELYN MILLIGAN is a first year Masters student in the Vocal Performance and Pedagogy program. She has received her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah in 2020. She has enjoyed being apart of several operas with the University including Don Giovanni, Semele, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Rigoletto. Jacquelyn is married to the love of her life and has two perfect dogs, Soprano and Athena.

MICHAEL MURRAY grew up on a small farm in Woodville, Idaho. He attended BYU-Hawaii and received a degree in business and a minor in art. After working in Human Resources for a time, Mike decided he needed a career that validated him in a different way and employed skills that allowed a more creative outlet. He excitedly attended the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City from September 2012-2015. It was the perfect fit! Mike officially graduated in April 2016 and received the certificate of Luthier. Since then he has continued learning and refining his skills as a repair and restoration technician. Having always had a propensity for music and voice. He decided to augment his musical experience by returning to school to study opera.

HANNAH OLSEN is a freshman at the University of Utah this year and is majoring in vocal performance. She has been singing for six years and currently studies with Dr. Robert Breault. Some of her favorite roles that she’s played include Jenny Hill in Big Fish, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and Anastasia in Anastasia. When she’s not singing, she loves to spend time with her family and be outside. She is so excited to be a part of the opera program and hopes you enjoy the show!

MICHELLE MARIE PEDER-

SEN, soprano, is a third year doctoral student at the University of Utah. Michelle’s most recent performances with the U Lyric Opera have been Lucy the Beggar Woman in their 2022 production of Sweeney Todd and Gilda in their 2021 production of Rigoletto. Ms. Pedersen has also been a featured soloist with Salt Lake Choral Artists, the Salt Lake Symphony, and was the graduate winner of the U Philharmonia’s 2022 Concerto Competition. In 2019 Michelle made her debut with The Ohio Light Opera, where she performed character roles such as Bloody Mary (South Pacific), Babcock Bellamy (The Fantastiks), Stepmother (R&H’s Cinderella), and Mrs. Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!). Ms Pedersen is a voice student of Dr. Robert Breault. ROSLYN REEVES is thrilled to be a part of the University of Utah Christmas operas. Recently she was seen as Despina in the University of Utah’s Cosi fan tutte. Roslyn is completing her last semester of her bachelors degree in vocal performance, and plans to begin a Masters degree in voice next year. ANNA ROELOFS is a fourthyear Vocal Performance major and Theatre minor at the U. On campus, she holds multiple leadership positions, including RA, VP of the American Choral Director’s Association, Secretary for the Student Opera Guild, ASUU Scholarship Committee, and Undergraduate Chair for the School of Music SAC. Anna is a third-year member of the University’s A Capella Choir. She currently studies under Dr. C. A. Allred, with whom she credits many of her successes. Roelofs also participates in the arts outside of school as a soloist for the West Jordan Symphony’s Handel’s Messiah (2019) and as a choir member in Holst’s The Planets with Salt Lake Symphony. Recently she began working as a background actor for Hallmark and Studio C, as well as starting as a voice acting director. MATTHEW TANG is a native of Walnut Creek, California and is currently in his second year at the U. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance under the instruction of Dr. Lynn Maxfield. He started in the Contra Costa Children’s Choir at the age of 8 and has continued ever since. In high school, he was a part of the Pacific Boychoir Academy, singing in the SATB and the acapella group/chamber ensemble, Continuum. He is a part of the worship team at Rolling Hills Community Church in Danville, playing acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums. Some of the highlights of his career in music were performing in Carnegie Hall, performing with