Connect with a Chorister

My name is Alexis Alfaro, and I’m a proud San Diego native with a deep-rooted passion for both the arts and athletics. From an early age, I was enchanted by the power of music, and I’ve been fortunate enough to turn that passion into a journey that has taken me all over the world.

Since 2012, I’ve had the honor of performing with San Diego Opera, an experience that began long before I stepped onto the stage. As a high schooler, I was mesmerized by Dr. Nicolas Reveles on UCSD-TV’s OperaTalk! and sat in awe during SDO performances. Encouraged by my teachers, I attended masterclasses and absorbed everything I could from the brilliant conductors, orchestra (shoutout to the world class SD Symphony:) and singers at SDO.

My first step into the professional opera world came as a member of the SDO chorus, which quickly turned into opportunities to perform throughout San Diego as part of the “Words & Music” outreach program. Over the years, SDO has been my artistic home, guiding me from chorus member to supporting/leading roles on both national and international stages.

It’s an incredible feeling to be recognized as one of the top tenors in San Diego and the Western Region, and I owe so much to the community that believed in me. Every performance has been part of a cherished journey, and I’m eternally grateful for the love and support of audiences like you, who continue to keep the magic of opera alive.

Thank you for supporting the arts, and for being part of this extraordinary adventure with us.

Connect with me:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/elEclectiveValente/
• X (Twitter): x.com/AlexisAlfaro619
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@AlexisAlfaro9

Training:
Jerabek Elementary, San Diego Children’s Choir, San Diego Junior Theater, Scripps Ranch High School, University of San Diego, San Diego Youth Symphony, Mainly Mozart, San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Playhouse, OperaWorks, Academy of Performing Arts, Opera Academy of California, Opera Wednesdays, University of Kansas

Companies:
San Diego Opera, Point Loma Opera Theater, Lyric Opera Kansas City, Eutiner Festspiele, Pacific Lyric Opera Association, Lyric Opera Orange County, Cinballera Entertainment

Teachers:
Martin Wright, Dr. John Craig Johnson, Dr. Genaro Mendez, Sharmay Musacchio

Coaches:
Dr. Nicolas Reveles, Ines Iwarati, Bruce Stasyna

Abigail Grace Alwein is a Craig Noel Award-winning artist who has been seen in the Kathleen Marshall directed Much Ado About Nothing at the Old Globe, as well as Globe For All’s The Winter’s Tale for which she composed original music. She has also appeared in ONCE (Lamb’s Players Theatre: Craig Noel Award), Sister Act (Walnut Street Theatre), Indecent (Cape Rep Theatre and Chautauqua Theatre Co.), and numerous other theatrical productions. Her San Diego Opera credits include Turandot, One Amazing Night, Cosi fan tutte, Romeo et Juliette, El último sueño de Frida y Diego, Suor Angelica (Suor Osmina), and Tosca (Little Shepherd Boy).  www.abigailgraceallwein.com

Andrew Robert Bennett, lyric tenor from Santa Monica, CA began studying voice at the age of 16 in the studio of Seth Riggs. “Andrew Bennett’s voice is even from top to bottom with a clear, crystalline, sweet consistency that, in this day and age, is very rare. His is a beautiful quality, always a pleasure to hear,” says Mr. Riggs.

Mr. Bennett regularly performs with multiple companies in Southern California both in lead and supporting roles. Mr. Bennett was a recipient of an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, San Diego District (2014). He is chorister with San Diego Opera and a former Resident Artist for Redlands Opera Theatre.

Recently Mr. Bennett sang Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte with Center Stage Opera. Valley Scene Magazine wrote: “the power of his voice brings us into the very heart of his character.” He also played Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi for the Sinatra Opera Workshop at Loyola Marymount University.

Some of Bennett’s other roles include Nemorino (Elixir of Love), Monostatos (Magic Flute), Gaston (La Traviata), Lysander (Midsummer Night’s Dream), Lykov (Tsar’s Birde), King Kaspar (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Camille (Merry Widow), Malcolm (Macbeth), Remendado (Carmen), and Roger Doremus (Summer and Smoke). Previously, he has sung with the Utah Festival Opera, San Diego Opera, Center Stage Opera, Redlands Opera Theatre, Independent Opera, Arte Musica, and the Horizon Chamber Choir.

Mr. Bennett attended the University of Southern California studying with Elizabeth Hynes and in 2009, graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.

He sings in the Cathedral Choir at Los Angeles’ Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles

Roles:

• Maestra delle Noviziae Suor Angelica Puccini, independent production
• Berta The Barber of Seville Rossini, Lyric Opera San Diego
• Kate The Pirates of Penzance Gilbert & Sullivan, Lyric Opera San Diego

Other Performances:

• 2^nd Seraphim, Elijah, Mendelssohn, San Diego Symphony
• 2^nd Fairy, Midsummer Night’s Dream, San Diego Symphony
• Works of Bach, Beethoven, Caldara, Duruflé, Fauré, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Pergolesi, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saens, Schubert, and Vivaldi, various organizations

Opera chorus:

• The Abduction from the Seraglio
• Aida
• The Barber of Seville
• La Boheme
• Boris Godunov
• Candide
• Carmen
• Cavalleria Rusticana
• Cosi fan tutte
• Die Fledermaus
• Don Giovanni
• Falstaff
• Florencia en el Amazonas
• Great Scott
• Madame Butterfly
• The Marriage of Figaro
• The Merry Widow
• Nabucco
• Nixon in China
• Pagliacci
• The Pearl Fishers
• Peter Grimes
• The Pirates of Penzance
• Roméo et Juliette
• Samson and Delilah
• Suor Angelica
• Tannhauser
• Tosca
• La Traviata
• Turandot
• El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego
• Verdi Requiem

Laura Bueno is a San Diego Opera core chorister of 21 years and recently a soloist in One Amazing Night and Maria de Buenos Aires. She has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri and owns a children’s theater company, Playground Players Productions, which provides children around San Diego County the opportunity to perform in fully-staged theatrical productions. Her credits include roles with several regional companies. Moonlight Stage Productions: Into the Woods, Ragtime, Beauty and the Beast; Lyric Opera San Diego: Gigi (Gigi), Tessa (The Gondoliers), Petra (A Little Night Music), Hope (Anything Goes), Iolanthe (Iolanthe), Peep Bo (The Mikado); Ion Theater: Sophie De Palma (Master Class); Anna 1 (Seven Deadly Sins) with Bodhi Tree Concerts; and Anna (TinTypes) with the Carlsbad Playreaders. Regional credits: Wendy (Peter Pan),The Secretary (The Consul), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Zaneeta (The Music Man), Chava (Fiddler on the Roof), Margy (State Fair), and Nanette (No, No, Nanette). In addition to her children’s theater company, Laura also owns Edudance-Classrooms in Motion, which teaches children ballroom dance! She is also an accomplished baker and cake and cookie decorator, and owns Lollypop’s Bake Shoppe, making treats for all occasions.

Mezzo-Soprano Sarah-Nicole Carter has been hailed by the L.A. Times as “simply wonderful” and by San Diego Story as a “fiery mezzo-soprano”. Sarah-Nicole originated the role of 2nd Frida in the 2022 world premiere of El último sueño de Frida y Diego at San Diego Opera. Other SDO roles include Suor Dolcina in Suor Angelica, Mezzo in the two-woman opera Ascension, Giovanna in Rigoletto, and Kate in Pirates of Penzance.

Sarah-Nicole made her debut at the Kennedy Center performing “La lettre du jardinière” and her voice was featured in Netflix’s Chef’s Table. She has performed over 15 opera and musical theater roles in her long association with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater. She has sung in concert with San Diego Symphony, Opera Saratoga, Bach Collegium San Diego, Philharmonia Baroque, Mainly Mozart, Eureka Symphony, La Jolla Symphony, The Spreckels Organ Society, Musica Vitale, the Los Angeles Conducting Institute, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Festival Chorus, Loveland Opera Theater, Center Chorale & Escondido Choral Arts, and Grossmont Symphony Orchestra.

A specialist in comedic roles, Sarah-Nicole studied improvisation at the UCB Training Center and The Groundlings Theater & School. She maintains a private voice studio in Orange County and is currently pursuing a DMA in Historic Performance Practice at Claremont Graduate University. Learn more: www.snrcarter.com @mobcapmezzo

Shelby Condray is a Mexican-American bass whose profound voice mirrors the depth and diversity of his life experiences. Renowned for his mercurial career choices, bacchanalian hospitality, jovial personality, and the ability to sing exceptionally beautiful low notes, Shelby embodies the spirit of a true Renaissance man.

His academic journey spans chemical engineering, neuroscience, opera, and theology, culminating in master’s degrees from Yale and Boston University. Born in Texas and spending his early years in a Kansas home without plumbing, his horizons expanded as his father’s military career took the family to rural Kentucky, Ansbach in Germany, upstate New York, and Broomfield, Colorado, enriching his upbringing with a global perspective.

Drawn to San Diego for the weather, Shelby regularly graces the stage with the San Diego Opera, performing roles like Count Ceprano in Rigoletto and Villager 3 in El último sueño de Frida y Diego, and singing as a core chorister, as well as appearing with other local companies. His rich vocal talent has enchanted audiences across the U.S., from historic venues in San Diego and Central City to performances with the New York City Opera.

Internationally, he’s touched hearts through jazz and gospel concerts in Mongolia, Russia, and Cuba, bridging cultures with his soulful performances. Embracing roles as varied as his own life, he has portrayed characters like the cunning Don Alfonso in Barbados and the contemplative Colline in France. Notably, he performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony following the Boston Marathon bombing, offering solace through music.

Beyond the stage, Shelby is deeply committed to the transformative power of music. He takes pride in his volunteer work with children and his gospel performances in post-Katrina Biloxi, Mississippi, reflecting his belief in music’s ability to heal and unite communities.

A man of many talents, Shelby is also a New York Times published writer and a visual artist showcased at onelineink.com. He balances his artistic passions with his role as a communications manager for an advanced mathematics software development company.

Carly Cummings is a versatile performer who has sung roles in a variety of productions throughout the country. Most recently Cummings performed as Pamina in a fully staged production of Die Zauberflöte with Music on Site in Wichita Kansas. During the height of the pandemic she performed Juliette in Romeo et Juliette and first Lesní žínka in Rusalka for online operas with the companies, Midwest Institute of Opera and LAH-SOW.

At Peabody Conservatory she starred as Magda in Puccini’s La Rondine, and prior to that she sang Prima Sorella Cercatrici in Suor Angelica, Soprano Monster in the outreach production of The Hiding Tree, and Doctor #3 in The Falling and the Rising.

Recognized for her shimmering voice and her charismatic stage portrayals, Coloratura Soprano Laynee Dell, a native of Nebraska, has quickly established herself as an artist in demand since arriving in San Diego. Ms. Dell made her San Diego Opera debut in One Amazing Night accompanied by the San Diego Symphony. She joined the San Diego Opera Apprentice Artist Program in the 2019/2020 season appearing in concerts throughout San Diego County and was the Study Cover for Gretel in Hansel & Gretel. Ms. Dell was previously a Young Artist with the Ezio Pinza Council for American Opera Singers Program. A winner of numerous competitions she’s been named the First Place Winner in the Virginia & Susan Hawk Vocal Competition, First Place Winner in the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus Young Artist Competition, and Winner of the Musical Merit Trovillo/Graham Award.

Her operatic roles include, in part, the title role of Lakmè, Olympia in Les contes d’Hoffmann, the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Birdie in Regina, Sofia in Il Signor Bruschino and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Ms. Dell earned her Masters of Music from the Maryland Opera Studio at University of Maryland and her Bachelor of Music from Nebraska

Wesleyan University. She is a student of Enrique Toral.

Baritone David Marshman received his Master of Music degree in Vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Since 1998, David has been performing regularly with the San Diego Opera, both in the chorus and in several roles on the main stage, including Friar John in Romeo and Juliet, Third Noble in Lohengrin, Second Trojan Man in Idomemeo, the Notary in Don Pasquale, the Herald in Otello, the Usher in Rigoletto, and the Customs Guard in La Bohème. He has also sung with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

David has appeared as a soloist in major choral and solo works, including Handel’s Messiah, Saul, Israel in Egypt; Bach’s St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio, Magnificat, Cantatas No. 56, 82; Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Requiem; Faure’s Requiem, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, in which he was featured in the title role. He is a former member of the Bach Collegium and Sacra Profana, two San Diego based professional choral ensembles and has also been a guest soloist with the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus.

David is also a long-time committee member and stage manager for the annual Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, San Diego District, supporting young aspiring operatic artists.

An Iowa native, Ms. Mein holds a Masters of Music degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College.  Past operatic roles include Zerlina/Don Giovanni, Lauretta/Gianni Schicchi, Despina/Cosí fan tutte, Suor Genovieffa/Suor Angelica, and Mabel/Pirates of Penzance, as well as Papagena/Die Zauberflöte and Barbarina/Le Nozze di Figaro with the New Opera Festival di Roma. Also while in Rome she understudied the roles of Susanna/Le Nozze di Figaro and Pamina/Die Zauberflöte.  Ms. Mein has also performed partial roles as Zerbinetta, Nannetta, Ännchen, Violetta, Sandman, Romilda, and Mrs. Fiorentino.  In 2003 she traveled to Graz, Austria with the AIMS program, performing various opera and operetta concerts in the region. Ms. Mein won the 2000 Iowa NATS competition as well as placing 2nd and 3rd in other years.  In 2003 she was also awarded the Alan and Sally Brudos Scholarship for operatic vocal performance. In 2005 Ms. Mein had the honor of performing Barber’s Knoxville: The Summer of 1915 with the UNLV orchestra as a winner of the James K. Huntzinger Concerto Competition.  She currently lives in San Diego, California and sings with the San Diego Opera, Church of the Nativity, and Temple Adat Shalom. Ms. Mein formerly taught at Point Loma Nazarene University, Mesa College, Moreno Valley College, and Nightingale Music. She currently works at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. as an executive assistant. Amy lives with her husband and personal chef Schuyler and son Rigel.

Maria Miller has been a member of the San Diego Opera Chorus since 2014. Locally, she has performed with Pacific Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera of Orange County, San Diego Master Chorale, Sacra/Profana, San Diego Pro Arte Voices, as well as many other ensembles. A graduate of SFCM, in the Bay Area she performed with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, West Edge Opera, Pocket Opera, and West Bay Opera. She particularly enjoys performing and premiering new music, a passion which grew out of her time singing with the Berkeley-based new music collective, Wild Rumpus. She teaches voice and piano in Oceanside, while also putting her English degree to use, working on her first collection of short stories.

Frank Napolitano studied voice at New England Conservatory under Edward Zambara. His operatic roles include Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte), Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Ramiro (La Cenerentola). As a choral singer he has sung with Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (NYC), The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (NYC) and Old South Church (Boston). Since moving to San Diego, Frank has appeared most frequently with San Diego Pro Arte Voices and Sacra/Profana. In his spare time, Frank can be found volunteering at Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Del Mar, CA carrying on full-length conversations with birds he is convinced understand him completely.

Hailed by Opera News as “vibrant,” Katherine Polit is excited to be performing with the San Diego Opera Chorus this season, making her house role debut as First Touriere in Suor Angelica. Other appearances during the 2022 – 2023 season include singing Belinda in Dido and Aeneas with Bodhi Tree Concerts, and her debut with Orchestra Santa Monica. Locally, she has been a soloist with La Jolla Symphony (Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Handel’s Messiah),
Pacific Symphony (Pamina in The Magic Flute), and San Diego State University Symphony. Throughout the United States, she has been a principal artist with Virginia Opera (Ännchen in
Der Freischütz, Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld), Opera Naples (Papagena in The Magic Flute), and Ohio Light Opera (Rose Maybud in Ruddigore, Fiona in Brigadoon). Concert
highlights include Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate (Helena Symphony), Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (Charlotte Symphony), and Vivaldi’s Gloria (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center).
Katherine is also a member of the voice faculty at San Diego State University and an active recitalist.

Tenor from Chile who has been part of several opera productions in Southern California. He sang the role of El Remendado in Carmen, Aldeano in El ultimo sueño de Frida y Diego and, The Prince of Persia in Turandot with San Diego Opera, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Alfredo in La Traviata, and Alfred in Die Fledermaus with Pacific Lyric Association, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte by W.A. Mozart with Lyric Opera of Orange County , Il Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto with Guild Opera Company. He was also Rodolfo in La Opera de Tijuana´s production of La Boheme, and Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte with Pacific Palisades Symphony. Additionally he has been a featured soloist for the concert Opera Highlights with the California Philharmonic Orchestra. As an active member of multiple professional ensembles such as the California Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale he has had the great honor to perform in great venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Warner Grand Theater, The Santa Anita Race Track, and the UCLA’s Royce Hall

Company Work: James has performed in over 20 productions with San Diego Opera since their 2008 season. He sang the role of Spanish Sailor in Moby Dick (2012). Other company work includes Opera San Jose, Pacific Opera Project, Opera Theater Pittsburgh, Pacific Lyric Association, Lyric Opera San Diego, and the Light Opera Company of Salisbury. Mr. Schindler received his training at San Diego State University.

Timothy has been a part of San Diego Opera’s chorus since 2006 and has sung in 25+ productions as a core chorister. Most recently, Timothy performed in Bodhi Tree Concerts’ production of Dido and Aeneas and will be part of All is Calm’s 6^th year. He has also sung with SACRA/PROFANA, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Pro Arte Voices, and is the tenor soloist for First United Methodist Church of San Diego. He has a been a featured soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Bach’s Magnifcat in D and Cantata 63, and several solo quartet concerts at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, Handel’s Messiah with SACRA/PROFANA, Handel’s L’Allegro, Il Penseroso, ed il Moderato, Bach’s Cantata 140 and Vivaldi’s Lauda Jerusalem, and Schubert’s Mass in G, with Grossmont Symphony and Master Chorale, and Schubert’s Mass in Eb at Chapman University. In concert with San Diego Symphony, Timothy was featured in “Beyond the Score: Ives’ Symphony #2: Things Our Father Loved”, and also in the Symphony’s Summer Pops, he has been a soloist in the Final Fantasy and Broadway Pops concerts. Timothy holds a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Chapman University, where performed the roles of Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte, Herr Eiler in The Impresario, and Henrick in scenes of A Little Night Music, and many opera scenes programs with Opera Chapman.

Michael Sokol, Baritone

Company appearances: Sergeant of Police, The Pirates of Penzance (2017), Ensemble, All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (2018); soloist, When I See Your Face Again (2021); Maestro Spinelloccio, Gianni Schicchi (2023)

Notable appearances:  Metropolitan Opera; Philadelphia Orchestra; Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago; Frank Lloyd Wright, Shining Brow (Madison Opera); director, San Diego Summer Gilbert and Sullivan Workshop.

Karin Wilcox, mezzo-soprano, first discovered her love of classical singing as a youth growing up in Germany, which then developed into a passion for opera upon starting her studies at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. There, she performed the roles of “Zweite Dame” in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, “La Ciesca” in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, “Second Witch” in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and “Madame de la Haltière” in Massenet’s Cendrillon with Point Loma Opera Theatre.

In October 2011, Karin distinguished herself as District Winner at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in San Diego. She has been a frequent featured performer in the Colorado Springs Vocal Arts Festival, and made her debut with Opera Theatre of the Rockies in 2014 in the role of “Miss Bentson” in Delibes’ Lakmé, where she was recognized for bringing “[…] fine vocalism and entertaining acting to the libretto’s stereotyped depiction of English females.” She returned to Opera Theatre of the Rockies in 2016 to cover the role of “Dorabella” in Mozart’s Così fan tutte and then again in 2017 to cover both the roles of “Pitti-Sing” and “Peep-Bo” in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado. Shortly thereafter, she reprised the role of “Madame de la Haltière” in Massenet’s Cendrillon with Boulder Opera Company in December, 2017. Karin made her debut with Breaking Glass Arts as “The Secretary” in Menotti’s The Consul in April, 2018.

Karin participated in San Diego Opera‘s Young Artist Training Program in it’s 2019-2020 season. She was also seen in early 2020 as “Siebel” in Valley Opera and Performing Arts’ production of Gounod’s Faust, and as “Armelinde” in Lyric Opera of Orange County’s production of Pauline Viardot’s Cinderella. Most recently, Karin has been active as a recitalist, having presented her lecture-recital “A Journey in Classical Singing” in Colorado Springs (September, 2021), Greely (January, 2022), and La Jolla (May, 2022).