CARLOS ELIAS BARRAZA TREVINO

Tom Rakewell

Carlos Elias Barraza Treviño He/Him/His, tenor, loves to sing art song in several different languages, but his favorites include Spanish, his native language, and German. He got his B.M. in Music Education from The University of Texas at El Paso. Currently, he is pursuing a master's degree in Performance and Pedagogy at ASU. He debuted his first opera role as Tonio in ASU's 2022 production of Donizetti's La fille du regiment. Tom Rakewell will be Carlos’ second ever role in an opera. A huge thank you to the MTO faculty and staff, the cast and crew who have been absolutely incredible, and to his family and friends for all the love and support. 

AARON SMITH

Tom Rakewell

Aaron Smith began his musical career as a classical violinist, where he encountered and fell in love with operatic style. He has performed the roles Rememdado in Carmen with Utah Lyric Opera, Tonio in La Fille du regiment at ASU, and both Mr. Earlanson in A Little Night Music and The Wigmaker in Ariadne auf Naxos with Arizona Opera. Aaron also enjoys performing concert works and was priviledged to appear as the soloist in Joseph Julian Gonzalez’s work Misa Azteca. This season, Aaron will perform the role of Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor with Druid City Opera. When not singing, Aaron performs as an improv violinist and studio musician.

MICHELLE PEREZ

Anne Trulove

Michelle Perez She/Her/Hers, looks forward to performing as Anne Trulove in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Michelle has enjoyed the countless opportunities for collaboration and performance here at Arizona State University. She is in the final semester of her Masters in Opera Performance, and has been honored to portray Marie in La fille du régiment, Enyo in We've Got Our Eye on You, and Gretel in Hänsel and Gretel. Michelle would like to extend special thanks to her family, friends, and professors for all of their love and support. 

KATIE BARTLETT

Anne Trulove

Katie Bartlett is thrilled to be a part of her second production with Arizona State University Opera. Katie has performed opera and musical theatre roles including Euridice in Orpheus in the Underworld, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Prima Donna in Viva la mamma, Jo March in Little Women, Veronica Sawyer in Heathers, and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family. She graduated from from Mercer University with a BM in Vocal Performance and she is currently pursuing an MM in Opera Performance in the studio of Dr. Stephanie Weiss. Katie thanks you for supporting this wonderful program and she hopes you enjoy the show! 

ROD SHARP

Trulove/Nick Shadow Cover

Rod Sharp He/Him,  is a second-year masters student studying Opera Performance. He has performed at various venues around the United States, Germany, Colombia, and Poland. His favorite roles include Count Almaviva from Le Nozze di Figaro, Rev. Blitch from Susannah, Amonasro from Aida, Escamillo from Carmen, and Malcolm from X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X. After graduation, Rod plans to begin his career as an opera singer and concert soloist. Special thanks to his family, friends, castmates, crew, and voice teacher for all their love and support.

WAN ZHAO

Baba the Turk/Mother Goose Cover

Wan Zhao is thrilled to be in the cast of The Rake's Progress at ASU. She is a doctoral student majoring in Vocal Performance and studying with Dr. Stephanie Weiss. This is her first time in the opera production at ASU and her second time singing Baba the Turk! She was last seen as Soon-Yi Nam in ¡Figaro! (90210) and as Gossip 3 in The Ghosts of Versailles at Chautauqua Opera. Special thanks to her family, friends, the incredible cast and crew, and the voice teacher for all their love and support.

CARLIE BECKERT

Mother Goose/Baba the Turk Cover

Carlie Beckert, grew up in Utah and graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. She was most recently seen in ASU’s production of Daughter of the Regiment as the Marquis.  She has also performed with UVU Opera, UVAA Opera, and Utah Festival Opera holding leading and supporting roles: Prince Orlovsky (Die Fledermaus), Gertrude (Romeo et Juliette), Third Lady (Magic Flute), Flora (La Traviata), and ensemble (Carmen, Magic Flute, and The Tenderland). Thank you to the amazing MTO faculty, this amazing cast, and all of you for coming to support.

CHRISTIAN FRONCKOWIAK

Sellem

Christian Fronckowiak, he/him, tenor, of Fishkill, NY is a second year graduate student at Arizona State and practices Margolis Method. Recent musical roles include Mr. Hartley in Titanic, Dametas in Head Over Heels, The Cat in the Hat in Seussical, and Herr Shultz in Cabaret. He has sung in the operas: La fille du régiment, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and ASU’s Opera Scenes program as the Old Prisoner in La Perichole; and has appeared in the plays, Hotel Universe, To Damascus, and Our Town for which he also served as vocal coach. Christian holds three undergraduate performance degrees from SUNY Dutchess CC and Eastern Connecticut State, and currently studies voice with Nathan De’Shon Myers.

JP MOORE

Nick Shadow

Joshua Pierre-Moore, This is JP’s second production with ASU Music Theatre and Opera and he is thrilled to be performing the role of Nick Shadow in The Rakes Progress! JP is in his first year pursuing his Master’s in Music for Opera Performance, graduating in 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Music for Vocal Performance. Roles he has performed include Sulpice in Daughter of the Regiment, Ariodate in Xerxes, Le Roi in Cendrillon, and Sarastro in The Magic Flute. JP is excited to continue his studies and hopes you enjoy the show!

DESMOND WOODWARD

Keeper

Desmond Woodward is so excited to be a part of this thoughtful production. He is currently a second year Master's student studying voice under the instruction of Professor Nathan De'Shon Myers. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Chapman University. Here at ASU, he has had the opportunity to portray the roles of Perseus in We've Got Our Eye On You, Jesus in Godspell, and most recently Pythio in Head Over Heels. A big thank you to the production team for all the hard work put into making this show happen, and to his amazing family for all their love and support.

SAYLEM DUPONT

Chorus

Saylem duPont She/Her, Is grateful to be sharing the stage with so many amazing artists in The Rake’s Progress! She is currently in her third year of pursuing her Bachelors' in Vocal Performance, and Music Learning and Teaching. Previous favorite roles include Amy in Little Women, Chorus in Daughter of the Regiment, and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. Many thanks to her parents, the amazing cast, crew, and production team, her lovely voice teacher Dr. Amanda DeMaris, and YOU for supporting live theatre in Arizona!

YUEYAO LI

Chorus

Yueyao Li is thrilled to be cast in The Rake’s Progress  at ASU. She is a senior student majoring in Vocal Performance under Dr. Andrea Pitman-Will. She was last seen as chorus both in The Daughter of the Regiment and We’ve Got Our Eye On You at ASU. Also, La Bohème at Chandler Opera Company. She would love to thank the wonderful cast and crew for their support, special thanks to her friends, family and voice teacher for their endless love!

GABRIELLE SALOMON

Chorus/Anne Trulove Cover

Gabrielle Salomon she/her, is a 3rd year undergraduate studying Vocal Performance and Music Learning and Teaching, while minoring in history. She studies under Dr. Amanda DeMaris. Most recently, she appeared on ASU’s stage as Meg in Little Women by Mindi Dickstein. Her previous credits include Alexandra in 600 Square Feet by Nkeiru Okoye. She placed 1st in the 2022 Cal-Western NATS Competition and the 2020 AZ NATS competition. Gabrielle would like to thank the directors for the amazing opportunity to cover Anne Trulove and her voice teacher for her immense support through this process. 

ALICIA WERNER

Chorus

Alicia Marisol Werner is so excited to be involved in ASU MTO'S production of The Rake's Progress. Alicia is currently finishing junior year of her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance, and has had the opportunity to be in other MTO choruses, including Hansel and Gretel, and La Fille du Régiment. The Rake's Progress has been her favorite chorus experience so far, and hopes for many more like it! Thank you to family, friends, and all music educators for your care and support!

EVENING CALABRESE

Chorus

Evening Calabrese is incredibly excited to be performing in her first ever opera, Arizona State University’s production of The Rake’s Progress. She is a Musical Theatre Performance major continuing her Senior year at ASU. Her favorite roles include Mopsa in Head Over Heels, Turn Back O Man in Godspell, and Beth in Little Women. She would like to thank the cast and crew for putting their hearts and souls into this production! 

ZOE CUMMARD

Chorus

Zoë Cummard She/Her- This is Zoë’s first production with ASU Music Theatre and Opera and she is overjoyed to have the opportunity to be a part of it. Zoë is a senior Music Learning and Teaching and Vocal Performance double major. Other opera experience includes La Bohème and The Barber of Seville with the Chandler Opera Company chorus. Special thanks to the cast and crew, her family, and her voice teacher, Stephanie Sadownik, for their support and encouragement.  

BRI SIEMINSKI

Chorus

Bri Sieminski she/they, is a junior BMUS Music Theatre major at ASU. Some of her favorite roles include being Beth in Little Women, the “Day by Day” soloist in Godspell and Dance Captain/Ensemble in Head Over Heels. She is looking forward to being Rapunzel in Into The Woods in April!

KENDAL TURPIN

Chorus

Kendal Turpin 

She/Her- This is Kendal’s 1st season with ASU Music Theatre and Opera. Her favorite shows are SIX, Something Rotten, and She Loves Me! Shout out to my family for supporting my education and music journey, and special thanks to everyone in the cast and production team for all the hard work, and for being so welcoming!

LIAM BOYD

Chorus

Liam Boyd is currently a junior musical theatre student at Arizona State University. Select credits: Jamie in The Last Five Years (Arizona State University), Mike in A Chorus Line (Arts Express), Johnny Simpson Understudy in Bandstand (Phoenix Theatre), and Professor Bhaer in Little Women (Arizona State University). Liam is looking forward to portraying the Baker in Into the Woods this upcoming April. Liam also recently placed 10th at the World Irish Dance Championships and 3rd in North America. “Many thanks for the endless support from the MTO program, family, and friends.” @Liam__boyd

MATT GRIESGRABER

Chorus

Matt Griesgraber is a Junior Music Theatre Performance Major! He has been seen in other MTO shows such as: “All Good Gifts” Godspell, Billy Cane Bright Star, Ensemble/Musidorus U/S Head Over Heels. He is excited for everyone to see this powerful moving production! 

MATT VILLAR

Chorus/Sellem Cover

Matt Villar he/him, is a senior Vocal Performance major in his final semester of study at ASU.  In addition to singing, Matt enjoys composing music, making lists, and building LEGOs.  This semester, he is preparing his senior recital and producing his original song cycle, Tales from the Amusement Park, which will be featured at the Festival of New American Theatre at The Phoenix Theatre Company.  He would like to thank the entire cast and crew of The Rake's Progress for providing a safe and inviting place to explore and play.  He would also like to thank his family, his friends, and his girlfriend Jena.

SHAUL LEKET-MOR

Chorus/Trulove Cover

Shaul Leket-Mor is a graduate student. This is his debut opera with the ASU School of Music, Dance, and Theatre. He has previously performed in the valley with Arizona Opera in Carmen and Tosca, and Arizona Musicfest in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and the Creation. 

JOSH PIKE

Chorus/Keeper Cover

Josh Pike is currently a freshman at ASU pursuing his BMUS in Vocal Performance. Some of his favorite past performances include  John the Baptist/Judas in Godspell (ABT), Cain in Children of Eden (Theaterworks), and Officer Lockstock in Urinetown (ABT). He would like to thank David, Brian, Marissa, and Kate for giving him the opportunity to perform in his first opera, and of course, his mom and dad for their endless support. 

CARICK VEALE

Chorus

Carick Veale He/Him, this is Carick's first season with ASU Music Theatre and Opera. He has a rich background in choral music including performances with the All-Regional, All-State, and All-National choirs throughout high school, as well as an extensive solo knowledge spanning recital and competition work. Previous accolades include winning the 2021 and 2022 "Best in Class" awards from the Arizona Solo and Ensemble Competition. He is now working on his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance at ASU also having performed in their production of La fille du régiment.

DESMOND WOODWARD

Keeper

Desmond Woodward is so excited to be a part of this thoughtful production. He is currently a second year Master's student studying voice under the instruction of Professor Nathan De'Shon Myers. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Chapman University. Here at ASU he has had the opportunity to portray the roles of Perseus in We've Got Our Eye On You, Jesus in Godspell, and most recently Pythio Head Over Heels. A big thank you to the production team for all the hard work put into making this show happen, and to his amazing family for all their love and support.

JENA ALLEN

Dancer

Jena Allen She/Her/Hers, is so grateful to be a part of The Rake's Progress at ASU. She is in her final semester studying Musical Theatre under Dr. Amanda DeMaris. Select credits include Philoclea in Head Over Heels, Liesl in The Sound of Music, and Cosette in Les Miserables. She wants to thank the entire cast and crew for all of their hard work as well as her family, friends, and Matt for their love and support!

@jena.allen

LEO GALLEGOS

Dancer

Leo Gallegos He/Him/His, is a senior Musical Theatre Performance Major. Select credits include Musidorus in Head Over Heels, Chip in Spelling Bee, Daryl in Bright Star, and a swing for On Your Feet at The Phoenix Theatre Company. He is grateful for the opportunity to perform alongside his friends and would like to thank the creative team for the opportunity as well as their hard work putting this show together.

DAVID LEFKOWICH

Director

David Lefkowich is an accomplished stage director and fight choreographer and has enjoyed success with different companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera.  Upcoming directing engagements include Madama Butterfly at the Grand Teton Music Festival and Don Giovanni a Opera Colorado.

Recent directing engagements include Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliaci at Opera Colorado, a fully-immersive La Traviata for Out of the Box Opera in Minneapolis and Opera Columbus, Tosca at Austin Opera at a Formula 1 racetrack, a site-specific Acis and Galatea for Out of the Box Opera in the catacombs of a former Pillsbury Mill in Minneapolis and a fully-immersive Pagliacci in a circus at Boston Lyric Opera. 

Currently he is the Artistic Director of Out of the Box Opera in Minneapolis, a company dedicated to creating high-quality operatic experiences in site-specific locations, most notably with Diva Cage Match, an epic battle of voices, egos, and talent in a boxing gym.

BRIAN DEMARIS

Conductor

Equally at home in opera and musical theatre, and involved with the development of over two dozen new works, Brian DeMaris currently serves as Principal Conductor of Anchorage Opera and Artistic Director of Music Theatre and Opera at Arizona State University. He has led productions with Anchorage Opera, Opera Columbus, El Paso Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, Syracuse Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Ash Lawn Opera, American Lyric Theatre and American Opera Projects. He has served as Associate Conductor of New York City Opera, Assistant Conductor of Florida Grand Opera and Glimmerglass Opera, Resident Conductor of Ashlawn Opera Festival, and Répétiteur at Opera Theater of Saint Louis. He has appeared at the United Nations, the Aspen Music Festival, Boston’s Jordan Hall, New York’s Studio 54, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Alice Tully Hall, and in recitals, competitions, and master classes throughout the United States and abroad. He is the 2nd place winner of the 2013 and 2015 American Prize in Opera and Musical Theater Conducting. He was previously Director of Opera and Musical Theatre at Ithaca College and founding Music Director of the Mill City Summer Opera in Minneapolis.

MARISSA BARNATHAN

Assistant Director/Choreographer

Marissa Barnathan She/Her, is pursuing her MFA in Directing, currently in her 2nd year of the three year program. She hails from Philadelphia, PA, where she worked as a professional theatre artist for 9 years prior to graduate school. Recent productions at ASU include: The Wolves (Director), Safe at Home (Choreographer), La Comedia of Errors (Choreographer & Assistant Director), and Healing Wars (Assistant Director). Marissa is grateful to Brian and David for this wonderful opportunity! Feel free to check out more of her work on her website: www.marissabarnathan.com

KATE LEONARD

Stage Manager/Property Designer

ZACH SALSBURG-FRANK

Assistant Conductor

With a renewed perspective for classical music, emerging conductor Zach Salsburg-Frank brings his unique mixture of vocal and orchestral background to lead sensitive and dynamic performances of opera and orchestral repertoire for a new generation of music lovers.

Zach's 2022-2023 conducting season includes conducting Chandler Opera's production of II Barbiere di Siviglia, assisting Jordan de Souza on Seattle Opera's production of Tristan un Isolde, and assistant conducting Arizona State University's La fille du regiment and The Rake's Progress.

Originally from Oakland, California, Zach found his passion for conducting and singing when he joined the Pacific Boychoir at age 9. Zach made his opera debut in Opera McGill's 2019 production of Die Zauberflöte, singing in the chorus. While completing his undergraduate degree, Zach made his opera conducting debut in Opera McGill's production of Verdi's Un Giorno di Regno. 

Past engagements include, coordinating and assistant conducting 10 virtual operas at McGill University, assistant conducting Britten's The Turn of the Screw, Joseph Bologne's L'amant Anonyme, and Kurt Weill's Street Scene.

Zach's inspiration for his approach to music is cultivated by mentors: Jordan. de Souza (former First Kapellmeister at the Komische Oper in Berlin), Jeffrey Thomas (Founder and Artistic Director of the American Bach Soloists), and Ming Luke (Principal Conductor of Nashville Ballet).

Zach is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Conducting, with an emphasis in opera, from Arizona State University under the tutelage of Brian DeMaris. He received his Bachelor of Music in Voice and Conducting from McGill University, where he studied with mezzo-soprano Annamaria Popescu and conductor Stephen Hargreaves. 

MICHAEL SHANNON

Assistant Conductor/Chorus Master/Rehearsal Pianist

Michael Shannon is a pianist, vocal coach and music director from London, Canada. Before coming to ASU to pursue his DMA in Collaborative Piano, he was a member of the music staff at the Canadian Opera Company for almost a decade. Michael has also enjoyed a fruitful relationship as a music director with Tapestry Opera in Toronto, creating new operas and challenging the boundaries of the art form. Recently, Michael has been on music staff at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the International Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal, and the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance in Nova Scotia, Canada.

SERGIO FREEMAN

Assistant Conductor

Conductor and instrumentalist Sergio Freeman was born in Mazatlán, México. As a versatile conductor he has led symphonic concerts, ballets and productions of operas like La Bohème and L’elisir d’amore. He was appointed music director of the Angela Peralta’s Theater during the 2021-2022 season. Currently he serves as Assistant Conductor of the ASU Symphony Orchestra and pursues a DMA in Orchestra and Opera Conducting under the tutelage of Jeffery Meyer.

As a pianist and vocal coach he was part of the Young Artists Program at the National Opera Studio at the Bellas Artes Theater in Mexico city where he worked as repetiteur and vocal coach for operas such as Don Giovanni, L’elisir d’amore, Il Barbiere di Seviglia as well as many opera and zarzuela galas. He also collaborated with the Mazatlan Opera Studio in operas such as Traviata, Butterfly, The Medium, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi among others.

As an instrumentalist he performed as principal clarinet with the Mazatlan Chamber Orchestra for six seasons and collaborated as guest musician with other ensembles such as the Orquesta del Teatro Bicentenario and Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes.

COLIN COSSI

CHORUS MASTER

Colin Cossi is a choral and vocal artist pursuing a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at Arizona State University. He teaches Beginning Choral Conducting and Choral Methods, conducts the Sol Singers, and assistant-conducts the Concert Choir. He has a passion for serving artists of all ages and abilities. He brings dynamic energy, excellent musicianship, and vulnerability to a variety of musical projects. With community, inclusion, justice, and story-telling as a lens for music making, he approaches the vocal arts as a multifaceted practitioner and pedagogue. His skills in singing, educating, conducting, composing, and writing serve to bring people across all sorts of difference together through music.

MACKENZIE LYN MARR 

Rehearsal Pianist and Harpsichord

Mackenzie Lyn Marr she/her, is a DMA student at Arizona State University, and holds additional degrees from the University of Maryland and the University of Georgia. She has had further studies at SongFest, Source Song Festival, the Castleman Quartet Program, Bay View Music Festival, and The Atlantic Music Festival.  As a member of The Evelyn Duo, she is dedicated to elevating women’s voices and showcasing works by contemporary composers, and has performed at The Dark Water Women in Music Festival, The Washington Arts Club, the Epiphany Concert Series, and Hartwick College. In addition to performing, she is also a teacher, and has presented at the MTNA National Conference and the MTNA Collegiate Piano Pedagogy Conference.

WESLEY BRADSTREET

Assistant Stage Manager

Wesley Bradstreet is excited for the opportunity to work with ASU Music Theatre and Opera in this new capacity.  Currently in his fifth year at ASU, Wesley is finishing his degrees in Music Theatre Performance and Music Learning and Teaching.  He would like to thank Kate Leonard for being an amazing mentor, friend, and boss. Lots of love to his family, friends, and mentors for their unending love and support. Find him @wesleybradstreet on Instagram or at wesleybradstreet.com. 

DOUGLAS CLARKE

Scenic Designer

JORDAN MCAULIFFE

Lighting Designer