Katie Kennedy

Soprano

Titania

Katie has performed in several plays, musicals, concerts, operettas and operas in Whatcom, Skagit & King counties. Prior to Opera Popolare she sang with Skagit Opera and The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society. She was in Opera Popolare's Dido & Aeneas last August as well as thier concert last April. She thanks Opera Popolare for the opportunity and her husband, Eddie Lester, for his love & encouragement.

Eddie Lester

Baritone

Oberon and chorus

Eddies stage experience includes musicals, dramas and too many comedies. This is his first opera. He would like to thank Opera Popolare for the opportunity, but most especially his own Fairy Queen. "Gee, thanks Katie."

Heidi Roland

Soprano

Hermia and chorus

Heidi's first performance was at the age of five where she first sang at a school talent show and since then she has been singing non-stop. She graduated from Mount Baker High School where she participated in many shows including "Anne of Green Gables", "Brigadoon", "The Man Who Came to Dinner", and "Li'l Abner". She also participated in the choral and marching band program at Mount Baker. After graduation, she then attended Western Washington University as a Music Major in Vocal Performance where she was a member of WWU's Women's Chorale, Concert Choir, Western Voices, and even gave a vocal recital. She also performed in many operas there including Hagar in Handel's "Haman and Mordecai", Charlotte in "Krenek's Der Diktator", and Prince Orlofsky in "Die Fledermaus". Along with performing in "Dido and Aneas" she also currently can be seen singing at her church where she is a cantor and a member of two choirs.

Alexander Todd

Baritone

Lysander and Corydon

Alexander is passing through the Bellingham area. He found out that he had a half brother in Ferndale, and decided to come out to the Pacific Northwest from New York City. Alexander has sung throughout North America and Europe. His acting career spans from Shakespeare, to Mamet, to the 24/48 Festival at the Idiom Theater in Bellingham. He has sung Opera and Oratorio in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera. His roles range from Handel, to Mozart, to Puccini. He is happy to be performing with Opera Popolare tonight.

Denise Reynolds

Soprano

Helena and chorus

Fred Lund

Bass

Demetrius and chorus

Fred, a retiree and lifelong Bellinghamster, and has been a voice student of Rob's for many years. This has taken him from Barbershop and church choir to Whatcom Chorale, musical theatre, and now a first venture into opera. Many thanks go to Rob for his guidance, and for the support of my wife Pat.

Justin Cook

Bass

Bottom and chorus

Justin Cook was raised in South Eastern Idaho where he found his love of singing while accompanying his parents as they went to church choir rehearsals. While in High School he performed in every ensemble men were allowed to sing in, he also was an active member of the SPEBQSA chapter in Pocatello, Idaho, and helped form the a cappella group, "Local Sound". After graduation he moved to Boulder, CO where he audited choir at the University of Colorado, and joined the alternative A cappella group "In the Buff". Upon returning to Idaho we was a member of the Idaho State University Concert Choir, and performed in Carslisle Floyd Opera "Susanah, "as Elder Ott, and a few opera workshops. In 2001 Justin transferred to Western Washington University where he studied under Dr. Marvin Regier, and earned his Bachelor's degree in music. While at Western he was a member of the barbershop groups "Vocal Essences" and the "Missing Man Quintet", he was also a member of the Concert Choir, which performed at many MENC convention's and premiered a piece at the National ACDA convention in Los Angeles, at the Disney concert hall, and also traveled to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic to perform for the Festival of Light, Other ensembles he participated in were the Western Men's Choir, Jazz Choir, Chamber Choir, and the Bellingham Chamber Chorale, which he has continued to be a member, and occasional soloist for the last seven years. Opera's that he participated in at Western included Hindemeth's "Hind und Zuruck", Strauss' "Die Fliedermaus", an adaptation of the Oratorio Esther titled, "Haman and Mordecai", among some Opera workshops. Since earning his degree he has premiered the role of the Critic, in Hau Wei Chang's opera "The Critic", been a chorus member with solo parts with the Skagit Valley Opera's production of "La Boheme", and one season as chorus member and soloist with the Whatcom Chorale, and has now joined Bellingham's Inspire Choir, and looks forward to a life filled with singing.

Wendy Donaghy

Soprano

First woman

Wendy is very happy to participate in her third Opera Popolare production. She wants to thank Robert Viens for his amazingly inspirational teaching skills and his thoughtful guidance over the past few years....for her, the art of singing has grown from mere exploration to a life-changing and gloriously obsessive passion.

Sonia Alexis

Mezzo Soprano

Second Woman and chorus

Sonia Alexis has been in love with music for as far back as she can remember. She has participated in school and church choirs, as well as musical productions, since her childhood in Trinidad and everywhere else that she has lived. Here in Bellingham, she is a member of the Assumption Catholic Church choir. In 2009, Sonia co-ordinated and performed in a Gospel/Jazz music concert, to raise funds for the Assumption Outreach Ministry. She become a voice student of Rob Viens in 2006. Through his encouragement, she has performed a number of times with the Bellingham Festival of Music chorus, and has also participated in each Opera Popolare production since it's inception in 2009. .

Caitlin Hill

Soprano

Song Fairy and chorus

Caitlin Hill is a junior at Bellingham High School. This is her first performance with Opera Popolare, although she has studied with Rob for over two years. You may have recently seen her in Damn Yankees at the Bellingham Theatre Guild, and in Western's "High School Musical" last summer. She is absolutely thrilled to be involved in the opera and working with so many talented and kind friends. She would like to thank Rob for his support and guidance, and her parents for putting up with all the busy weekends and late nights. Enjoy!"

Annette Richardson

Soprano

Night and chorus

Annette has been studying voice for the past five years with Margot Hanson. During her vocal education she discovered a passion for opera, musical theatre, and jazz standards. She has performed with the Whatcom Community College Chamber Choir, as well as in the chorus of fiddler on the Roof with the Bellingham Theatre Guild, as well as numerous solo performances on different local stages. 

Karen Powers

Soprano

Mystery and chorus

Karen has been singing in the Assumption Church Choir for over 15 years. A year and half ago, she decided to take lessons from Rob Viens. After the experience of singing in Opera Popolare's Orpheo performance, she is excited to again be invited to be in this chorus of friends and new opera fans. Thanks, Mom, for your support! Thanks Celie and Rob for bringing a new opera company into the community!

Lesley Riggs

Mezzo Soprano

Secrecy and chorus

Lesley started singing as a child in Scotland, and it remains a constant source of joy and energy. She enjoyed being part of an amateur operatic group back then – Gilbert & Sullivan, Die Fledermaus, Offenbach. At Edinburgh University she sang with the Renaissance Singers, and later with a choral society in Glasgow. Since coming to Bellingham she has had a wonderful time with two dear friends, singing acapella as “Mockingbird”. She is excited about new musical adventures with Opera Popolare!

Sam Muscatine

Bass-Baritone

Sleep, Hymen, and chorus

Tricia Sikes

Mezzo Soprano

Mopsa and chorus

Tricia sings in "The New Directions" at the Center for Spiritual Living and through a fellow band member was referred to Rob Viens as a vocal coach. After 30 years of voice lessons with other teachers, Rob's teaching has taken Tricia to new heights. Because of Rob, Tricia is experiencing her first opera and is excited to participate in this new genre. Her background has been in everything from country to jazz. She is a native of Los Angeles and started her career singing in clubs throughout LA. She was also a studio singer, singing for movies and television. Tricia decided she'd actually like to make a living at music so she moved to Las Vegas singing in every casino on the strip. Performing in Las Vegas truly taught her to be the seasoned entertainer she is today. After quite a long hiatus in the music business she is joyful and grateful to be back in the swing!

Wanda Maddox

Soprano

Attendant and chorus

Wanda currently studies voice with Rob Viens Voice Studio/Ensemble Enterprises Inc in Bellingham and with Dr. Michael Warren in New York City. I can't imagine life without singing, but when I moved to Bellingham 12 years ago, I never dreamed there could be an opportunity here to sing in an opera! Celie Thomas and Rob Viens are making dreams come true and their Opera Popolare is making this great musical experience available to and for all of us! Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this sensational Bellingham experience.

Scott Fleischman

Tenor

Songster, Phoebus and chorus

From the subtle melodies of Gregorian chant to the dramatic beauty of grand opera, Scott brings a wide variety of singing experience to the stage. He sings in the Assumption Church choir and has sung with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale and the Festival of Music chorus. He thanks Rob Viens and Opera Popolare for this opportunity to fulfill his passion for singing opera.

Serena Viens

Soprano

Juno and chorus

Marilyn Junkersfeld

Alto

Chorus

Marilyn first went on stage at age six singing a duet with her brother; went on to star in the juvenile lead in "The Drunkard rd" in a Texas small town theater guild, and was hooked on performing by the age of 10. She sang in selected choirs in state competitions and began composing and arranging songs in high school, where she first was given opportunities to learn choral conducting. In college as a music major, she sang alto and mezzo-soprano solos in numerous oratorios and other works. She has sung in many small vocal ensembles and particularly loves to participate in groups with two to three on a part that specialize in a cappella contrapuntal music. She is excited about performing with the wonderfully talented and gifted artists in Dido and Aeneas, which was her first opportunity to sing opera. Marilyn has been married for 25 years to Tom Junkersfeld. They have lived in Bellingham for 25years and have seven children and 12 grandchildren between them. Two of their sons are successful professional musicians.

Kendrick Bradley

Tenor

Chorus

Kendrick was immersed in music from a very young age taking lessons in various instruments; however, Kendrick’s true passion is singing and theater. At the Waldorf School, he was inspired in the arts with daily singing and a class play a year. To develop his voice and acting skills, he participated at BAAY (Bellingham Arts Academy of Youth) in the Boys Choir and in several musical productions (Beauty and the Beast, Scrooge, and Oklahoma) under the direction of David Post. Currently, Kendrick is an incoming junior at Sehome High School and is involved with its drama program and school choirs (Concert Choir and Chamber Choir) under the direction of Vicki Chaney and Jessica Schlichting, respectively. This summer Kendrick will be participating in a high school internship program with KUOW radio station and hopes to expand his experience in the use of his voice in media. Kendrick is a voice student of Rob Viens, and this is his first time participating in an Opera Popolare production. .

Jared Anderssel

Tenor

Chorus

This is a dream come true! Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. This will Jared's second opera, though he has sung in choirs and other performances for almost 16 years. From international tours and choir competitions with the Piedmont Children's Choir as a child to singing with my church choir and local productions today, he feels blessed to be able to sing every day. He wouldn't be standing before you today if not for the wonderful family and friends who have loved and supported him all the way. He thanks you for joining us tonight and hopes you enjoy the show!

Sue Rivord

Mezzo Soprano

chorus

Sue Rivord grew up in Bellingham and sang in the Assumption Church Choir for a number of years. Currently, Sue is a Cantor/Choir member at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Everett and teaches Music/Physical Education at St. Benedict School in Seattle. She has studied voice with Rob Viens for several years and is excited to be in this Opera Popolare production .

Bryce Bernal

Tenor

chorus

Bryce likes playing piano and he composes music for a brass quintet that he leads. He is president of the Sehome High School band and plays trumpet, saxaphone, and french horn. As for getting drafted into singing, one of his best friends (Avery Myers) Forced him to audition for my schools choir, which, in hindsight, was one of the better choices he's ever made. He likes hanging out with his friends in the sunshine. He also likes cutting edge fashion.

Katie O'Rourke

Accompanist

Katie is a pianist who received a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from Western Washington University. She teaches piano at Mojo Music, plays for a church, and accompanies throughout the community and at Western. She also played harpsichord for Opera Popolare's production of Orfeo ed Euridice, and is excited to be on board for another opera!

Celie Thomas

Mezzo Soprano

Third Woman, chorus, and Producer

Celie has a Bachelors of Arts degree in music and has taught public school music, accompanied, and directed church choirs. She has sung with Whatcom Chorale, Ensemble Celeste, Skagit Opera Chorus, Whatcom Chorale, and Bellingham Chamber Chorale.

Shelley Jepson

Choreographer

Shelley was born in Eastern Montana, transplanted here in 1963. She began ballet training at 8 yrs old in North Dakota, continued in BC, Canada, with Royal Academy of Dancing to Advanced Level, with teacher training. Shelley began teaching younger children when she was 16, and opened schools in Ferndale and Bellingham, in which she sprouted new dancers for 15 years. She and her husband, Ron, have 2 grown children, and live in a garden in SE Bellingham.

Laura Barnes

First Violin

Laura Barnes, violinist, has been performing and teaching in the Bellingham area for the last 15 years. She enjoys performing with the WSO and Chamber Orchestra. She also enjoys long walks with her dogs.

Kris Turner

First Violin

Kris Turner grew up in the "City of Subdued Excitement" - Bellingham, Washington. As a youth, she enjoyed performing in multiple school ensembles including chamber ensembles and Strolling Strings. She attended Eastern Washington University where she studied with Kelly Farris as well as performed in the EWU Symphony Orchestra and Gonzaga University Symphony. Kris transfered back home to finish her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Western Washington University, studied violin with Walter Schwede and continued to perform in Symphony, Chamber, and New Music Ensembles. Kris has been teaching in Bellingham since 2000, is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and has been a member of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra since 2007.

Frances DeRook

Second Violin

Frances DeRook, or FDR as she is called by friends has played with the WSO since she moved to Bellingham 5 years ago. Before that she played in various community orchestras in Maine, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Northern California. She has also played in several pit orchestras including for BHS's production last season of South Pacific. In 2007 she played the title role in Fiddler on the Roof with the Bellingham Theatre Guild. She teaches High School Science and was at BHS last year (Biology and Anatomy/Physiology) and THIS fall she'll be teaching AP Bio at Sehome. She played for Dido last year and is thrilled to have my daughter as my stand partner.

Saskia Comess

Second Violin

Saskia is 15 years old and a junior at Bellingham High School. She has played violin since she was seven, and has participated in several musical productions, both as an actor and violinist. She is excited to join the cast of The Fairy Queen, and especially enjoys having her mother as her stand partner.

Jane Perkins

Viola

Jane Perkins' bio and photo are in the works.

Adrienne Syvertson

Cello

Adrienne Syvertson earned both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Cello Performance at Arizona State U. In 1997, she moved to Bellingham and continues to perform and collaborate with other local musicians.

Natalee Binning

Double Bass

Natalee recently graduated from Western Washington University with BA in Double Bass performance. She plans to go to graduate school to pursue a masters in conducting. She has been teaching piano, violin, and bass for the past seven years, and in July 2010 she spent amonth living on Victoria Island studying the double bass with the leading soloist of this time, Gary Karr. She is a member of the Whatcom Symphony, and has been a member of Western’s Symphonic Orchestra, and the Wind Symphony.

Calyx Hoag

Oboe

Calyx Hoag was a double major in music at WWU, and has been a long time business owner in Whatcom County. He has played in 14 different orchestras in Washington and in many groups locally, including the 108 Quintet.

Kristy Gillig

Oboe

Kristy Gillig grew up in Kirkland, Washington and moved to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University where she majored in Music History and Literature and Music Performance under the guidance of Nick Bussard, former Maestro and founding father of WSO. In addition to her studies with Nick Bussard, Kristy also studied with Laurie Uhlig, Franck Avril, Roger Cole, and Dan Williams. Due to an eye disorder that did not allow her to properly read or track words, Kristy listened to music and became infatuated with the unique tone of the oboe, often predominantly featured in orchestras. At age 6, she underwent corrective eye surgery and hours of eye therapy enabled her to catch up to her peers in reading. As a reward for her hard work and determination, Kristy began playing the oboe when she was 7. Her ongoing love affair with the oboe continued during her school years and through college. After leaving WWU, Kristy performed as a guest artist throughout the Pacific Northwest including ensembles such as the Pacific Northwest Orchestra, Orchestra Seattle, the Willamette Symphony Orchestra, and as Principal Oboist for the Mahler Festivals. Kristy's life changed dramatically upon the birth of her oldest child who was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Kristy set aside her performing career to focus on the health of her son. She developed sign language skills and became an advocate for individuals with disabilities, acting as Program Coordinator for Down syndrome Outreach, a program of The Arc of Whatcom County, and often featured as a guest speaker for Seattle Children’s Hospital as an advocate for their Children's Uncompensated Care Program. Kristy currently works in the special education department of the Bellingham School District and is the proud mother of 4 wonderful children and wife to a Navy Chief. During her off' time (HA!), Kristy plays soccer, runs, occasionally cooks a good meal, and is an avid reader of books thanks to that corrective eye surgery.

Steve Sperry

Trumpet

Steve, a lifelong Bellingham resident, has been playing the trumpet for 32 years. He has been a member of the WSO for 20 years. He has studied with Hazel Brown, Phil Smith- NY Philharmonic, Thomas Parriott & Ray Kirkham of VSO, and Vince Greene.

Andrew Bybee

Trumpet

Andrew Bybee is a recent graduate of Western Washington University where he received a B.M. in Trumpet Performance and an endorsement in K-12 Music Education. While attending WWU, Andrew played in Western Brass (the scholarship brass quintet) for three years, and served as the Principal Trumpet in the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Among other endeavors, Andrew has played with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale on their production of Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgan & the Manitcore and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and with various Jazz/Pop groups in Bellingham. Andrew has also worked as a brass coach for North Sound Youth Symphony and The Bellingham Youth Jazz Band. Andrew is currently teaching private lessons and playing music in the greater Bellingham area.

Stephanie Straight

Percussion

Stephanie teaches percussion and drumset. She plays Timpani with the WSO, and percussion with the Halleck Stret Ramblers, a Dixieland band, and the Makedonians, who play music of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. She has 2 children and works at Boundary Bay Brewery and Mt. Baker Theatre.