Behold The Man

Paul Fowler’s music will “work on you from the inside out” (Philadelphia Inquirer), integrating old and new into “emotionally intense” (Washington Post) works which are “radiant, ghostly and shimmering” (New York Times). His works have been commissioned by The Crossing, New York Youth Symphony, SYMPHO, San Juan Symphony, Ju Percussion Group, Hope Mohr Dance, and Boulder Ballet, and have been heard at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Park Avenue Armory and the National Concert Hall of Taiwan. Recent projects include Singularity, an original evening-length work with 3rd Law Dance/Theater, live vocal looping with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and performing as "the Singer" in the Colorado premiere of Shockheaded Peter with The Catamounts. Fowler is the Music Director of 3rd Law Dance/Theater.

Dramatist Andrew Flack writes for the stage, television and film. His first collaboration with composer Paul Fowler was the musical documentary, I Go On Singing, Paul Robeson’s Life in Word & Song, commissioned and performed by American baritone Anthony Brown. Since 2012 he has been singularly focused on creating a work of music theatre which celebrates the heroic journey of Cecilia Giménez and her botched restoration of the “Ecce Homo” fresco. In that time, Andrew and his partner, Barbara Duff, have made several trips to Borja, Spain, the village where the story is set, to spend time with Cecilia and her family, who have given their blessing for this story to be told. On the occasion of this premiere, Drew remembers with love and gratitude the life of his opera-loving friend, Stephen M. Parks.

Barbara Duff began her professional life in New York City as a producer and actor, appearing in dozens of films, commercials, soap operas and plays. Transitioning from the stage to a career in marketing, she next worked in the organic food industry as public relations director of The Pew Charitable Trust’s Organic Alliance, developing marketing campaigns and strategic alliances for the mainstreaming of organic foods nationwide. Also in Minnesota she was the inaugural producer of the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience and special events manger of Minnesota Monthly Publications. A founding partner of the public relations firm Buzz, Inc., she oversaw media and marketing strategies for a host of organic food producers and personalities, including chef Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods fame.

Kimberly Gratland James, Mezzo-Soprano, is thrilled to return to Opera Las Vegas for another modern opera premiere. She was previously seen in The Ghosts of Gatsby and 27. Ms. James’ tone has been described as powerful, well-rounded, deep, and rich,” and rich by critics and audience members. Her performances are also noted for musicality and convincing dramatic portrayals.

Recent concert and chamber music performances include: Mahler’s 2nd Symphony (UNLV Symphony Orchestra), Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and orchestral songs by Ethel Smyth (Great Falls Symphony), Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (Idaho Falls Symphony) Ravel’s Chansons madécasses, & Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle. She performs as the alto soloist in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt in  Summer 2023.

James currently serves as the Acting Associate Director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Music and Associate Professor of Music. She earned advanced degrees from Rice University and Indiana University.

Ashley Stone received her Doctorate of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University where she studied with Costanza Cuccaro. During her time at IU, she taught studio and class voice as well as performing in Falstaff (Mistress Quickly), Candide (Old Lady), Suor Angelica (Principessa), Mark Adamo's Little Women (Meg). She received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. While in Rochester, NY, she was in Eastman Opera Theater's Suor Angelica (Principesa) and was soloist with the Voices Choral Ensemble, the Gregory Kunde Choral, and the Eastman Chorale.  Ms. Stone has appeared with Opera Las Vegas in Voices Raised for Vets, Holiday on Broadway, Bravo Bernstein!, and The House Without a Christmas Tree.

Baritone André Chiang has been described as “vocally commanding” (Oregonian), “handsome of voice” (Opera News), and lauded with “let’s hear more from this singer” (Washington Post). Chiang’s recent engagements include Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera Mississippi, Captain Smith (A Capacity for Evil) with Opera Las Vegas, and Clint (Fearless (workshop)) with Opera Delaware. Previous companies include Portland Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the Glimmerglass Festival to name a few. Competition honors include Winner of the 2017 NFMC Biennial Young Artist Award and the 2018 NATS Artist Awards Competition. Chiang’s Carnegie Hall debut came as the Baritone soloist in the World Premiere of Martin Palmeri’s Gran Misa. Upcoming company engagements Landlocked Opera, Opera Las Vegas, Opera Western Reserve, Mobile Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.

As an educator, Chiang was a 2018 NATS Intern and a part of the first cohort of Pan American Vocology Association – Recognized Vocologists (PAVA-RV) in 2022. Upcoming presentations include the PAVA National Conference and the CMS National Conference both in Miami, FL. Chiang was the Artistic Director of Opera NexGen and currently Chairs the NFMC Young Artist Competition for Man’s Voice, Chairs the NATS Art Song Coalition and is Vice President of the Las Vegas Chapter of NATS, and is a board member of the Asian Opera Alliance. Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an Instructor of Voice at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and runs a private online and in-person studio teaching acoustic and amplified styles. www.andrechiangbaritone.com

Tyler Putnam’s recent performances include The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance with Opera Tampa, Colline in La bohème with Gulfshore Opera, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte with St Petersburg Opera, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and Alidoro in La Cenerentola with Geneva Light Opera, and Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers with Winter Opera St Louis. Recent credits include the Commentator in Scalia/Ginsburg with Opera in the Heights, and the  duo roles of Marduk/Commander Mard in Cosmic Cowboy with White Snake Projects. Tyler makes his European debut in 2023 singing Rigoletto with Opera På Skäret in Sweden.

Originally from Chebeague Island, Maine, Tyler Putnam is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

William is an emerging artist with an expressive, clarion sound. Frequently sought after as a soloist and collaborator, he has performed leading roles ranging from Bacchus in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos to Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème. Most recently heard as Froh in Das Rheingold with the Miami Music Festival, William has also performed the roles of Erik in Der Fliegende Höllander and Canio in I Pagliacci with Vegas City Opera. Happy to be returning to Opera Las Vegas, William has previously performed the roles of Jaffet in Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde and Geppetto in John Davies’ Pinocchio.

Soprano, Olivia Yokers is well regarded for her thrilling voice and versatility onstage. Her most notable roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Dayton Opera, Tulane Summer Lyric, Utah Festival Opera), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Dayton Opera, Chance Opera Theatre), and Miss Honey in Matilda (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Miss Yokers has performed as a solo artist with companies such as Virginia Opera, Dayton Artist Alliance, and Oklahoma City’s Canterbury Voices. Performing in oratorios such as the Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. As an advocate for new music, Ms. Yokers was a part of the debut of Before the Night Sky presented by Opera America New Opera Showcase. With Opera Las Vegas in 2022 Miss Yokers performed the role of Lily in the debut of Letters to Lily composed by Emily Clements.

Athena Mertes is one of the Valley’s most celebrated sopranos, whose opera and concert credits include Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Lucy (The Telephone), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Gianetta (L'Elisir d'Amore), Morgana (Alcina), Musetta (La Bohème), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Abigail (The Crucible), Nella (Gianni Schicchi) and soprano soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and Honegger’s King David. She has performed as a guest soloist with the Burbank Philharmonic, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Henderson Symphony, Opera Las Vegas, Vegas City Opera and Lexington Opera Outreach. She is also the director of the OLV Youth Chorus.  Athena was Alice B. Toklas in OLV’s  West Coast premieres of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek’s 27, portrayed Lilly in Sasha Matson's Cooperstown, and Zelda in Evan Mack and Joshua Snyder’s The Ghosts of Gatsby.

Marshall Morrow has recently performed Sciarrone in OLV's Tosca, and the Prince in Vegas City Opera’s Cinderella, Jackie Brown (The Threepenny Opera), Pirate King (Pirate of Penzance), Gamekeeper (Cunning Little Vixen), Father (Hansel and Gretel), and Papageno (The Magic Flute). Opera News stated Marshall Morrow “tall, thin and hilariously snooty, showed real comic skill” (Isouard’s Cendrillon). Previously Marshall performed the role of Rambaldo in La Rondine as a Young Artist at Lidal North in Oslo, Norway. His roles include Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Dandini in Isouard's Cendrillon and the summer of 2017, Marshall performed the role of Le Surintendant des plaisirs in Massenet's Cendrillon the role title of Don Giovanni at Trentino Music Festival. Other performance credits include the role of Miton in the U.S. premiere of Delibes' Le Roi L'a Dit. Marshall performed/ created the role of Gregory in a workshop of Vera by Matthew Barnson in collaboration with American Opera Project. Marshall has sung with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Alan Gilbert.

Collin Salmon is a senior at UNLV preparing to finish his degree in vocal music education. Throughout his collegiate career he has had many opportunities to showcase his talent. Many semesters in UNLV’s scenes program led to his collegiate debut as Peter Quint in Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw.” He was invited this past summer to participate in two summer programs in Europe, one with UNLV Choirs touring Northern Europe, and the second participating in the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. He looks forward to pursuing a master’s degree in vocal performance leading to a professional career in performing and sharing his talents on the stage.

Praised for conducting with "steady acumen and considerable aplomb" and "awesome control” (Opera Today), Joshua Horsch is an extremely versatile operatic and symphonic conductor.  A two-time winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, Joshua serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor of Opera Las Vegas. Joshua’s recent and upcoming conducting engagements include appearances with Atlanta Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Orlando, Opera Idaho, Opera Baltimore, Greensboro Opera, Mobile Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Tri-Cities Opera.  With a diverse repertoire of over sixty operas and a broad spectrum of orchestral and choral works, Joshua has recently held positions as a conductor and pianist/coach on the music staff of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Detroit Opera, Florida Grand Opera, North Carolina Opera, Opera Saratoga, Pensacola Opera, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Newport Music Festival. Joshua studied conducting and piano at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Pennsylvania State University, and Ithaca College.

Audrey Chait is a director, writer, and producer of opera and theater. Favorite recent credits include the world premiere of Marie Begins for Westminster Opera Theater (online release), L’elisir d’amore and La fille du regiment for Winter Opera St. Louis, Don Pasquale and La Cenerentola for Opera Las Vegas, L’inganno felice for Opera Southwest, The Bartered Bride, Dinner at Eight, and the Bach St. John Passion for CCM, and Scalia/Ginsburg with Opera North. Her new libretto adaptation of The Elixir of Love premiered at Tri-Cities Opera in May 2021. Ms. Chait holds a BA in Literary Arts from Brown University and an Artist Diploma from CCM. She is currently on the music faculty at Northern Kentucky University and the summer faculty at Westminster Choir College. She has been on staff at Glimmerglass, Houston Grand Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera.

Conductor, educator, and singer Dr. Stephanie Council is Assistant Professor of Choral Music at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she conducts the University Chorale and Chamber Consort and teaches Choral Conducting, Choral Literature, and Choral Methods. She is a sought-after lecturer in choral music education and conductor of collegiate, high school, and youth honor choirs around the United States, and she was a graduate finalist in the American Choral Directors Association National Conducting Competition. A strong proponent of new music, Council is an active commissioner and performer of new works. She sings professionally with mirabai and the San Antonio Chamber Choir and has been engaged in the past to sing with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and at the Spoleto Festival USA. Council received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and a graduate certificate in early music performance practice from Texas Tech University. She holds a Master of Music with distinction in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College and Bachelor of Music degrees in vocal music education and vocal music performance from Oklahoma State University.

Catherine M. Pratt is a theatrical, dance, and opera Lighting Designer based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Her recent design credits with Opera Las Vegas include Approaching Ali, A Capacity for Evil, Letters to Lily, and Proving Up. Catherine has also worked on various other lighting design projects that include Alice\'s Adventures in Wonderland (Rainbow Company Youth Theatre), Elf the Musical (Sierra Repertory Theatre), La Canterina & Der Scheuspiedirektor (UNLV Theater Opera & Nevada Conservatory Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (UNLV Department of Dance), This Moment of Movement (UNLV Department of Dance), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), and DramArt (a collaboration between UNLV and Cirque du Soleil).

Catherine holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with emphasis in Lighting Design from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a B.A. in Theatre from Mount Marty University in Yankton, SD.