Michael Scott Harris recently appeared as Father in the Musical Theatre West production of RAGTIME.  Previously, he stared in the World Premiere production of the new musical Shooting Star at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood, CA. Other recent performances include a return trip to Anchorage, Alaska as Captain Georg Von Trapp in Sound of Music at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts where he had previously portrayed the dastardly Captain Hook. He has performed all over Southern California is such musicals as Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde) and Emile de Becque (Sound of Music) at the Candlelight Pavilion, Mary Poppins (George Banks) at Cabrillo Music Theatre, Camelot (Sir Dinadan) at the Granada Theater in Santa Barbara (staring Robert Sean Leonard), Ewart Dunlop in Music Man with Musical Theater West, and Cyril Fonsdale in the reading of Going Hollywood. Prior to his move to Los Angeles, Michael spent a couple of years traveling the world as the lead singer for Crystal Cruises. Previous to that, he was touring the U.S. with the Broadway National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera where he performed the role of Piangi. Michael grew up in Portland, Oregon (really a suburb but close enough) where his parents encouraged his love of singing by allowing him to join any singing group that would have him. From church choir to jazz from pop/rock to opera from barbershop to musical theater he sought every opportunity to connect with people through song. This love of music led him to earn a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of Arizona and a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Both on full merit scholarships. He then went on to star Off- Broadway with the critically acclaimed New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players for six seasons. There he performed lead roles in The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Trial by Jury, The Gondoliers, Patience and The Sorcerer among others. Other favorite regional productions, in both musical theater and opera, include A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady, Music Man, Jekyll and Hyde, West Side Story, Full Monty, Beauty and the Beast, Tosca, Carmen, Cavalleria Rusticana, and Rigoletto. Michael was a regional finalist in The Metropolitan Opera Competition and was honored with the Special Encouragement Award.

An honor recipient of several prizes including the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Italian soprano Agnese Gallenzi has been defined as a  “propelling force” by the Austrian magazine Kleine Zeitung as she mesmerizes the  audience with her poignant interpretation of the female operatic characters.  

On the mainstage, Gallenzi made her international debut at State Opera Stara  Zagora (BLG) with the role of Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore and received national  critical acclaim for the role of Queen of the Night in the staged production of Die  Zauberflöte, Stefaniensaal (AUST), 2024. Selected role credits include, Susanna in  Le Nozze di Figaro, La Princess Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore, Zerlina in Don  Giovanni, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Musetta and Mimi’ in La Bohème, Micaela  in Carmen, Anna Maurrant in Street Scene, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Fiordiligi in  Cosi’ Fan Tutte and Agrippina in Agrippina.  

On the concert stage, she has been a featured soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s  Messiah, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle, works by Bach, Charpentier, Rutter,  Allegri, and Galuppi and the Mozart’s Requiem.  

Gallenzi graduated at the Conservatory G. B Pergolesi di Fermo (ITA) with high  honors in 2016 and earned her master’s degree at California State University  Northridge (CA), in 2023. She has been a 2024 AIMS participant and prized with  honorable mention at the Meistersinger Vocal Competition Finals. Gallenzi was  recently one of the eight finalists in the Palm Springs Vocal Competition 2024,  winning the Audience Choice Award, and she received a Career Grant in the  Pasadena Vocal Competition 2025.  

Gallenzi’s next appointments include the debut of the roles of Rosalinda in Die  Fledermaus at El Portal Theater, North Hollywood with Valley Opera Performing  Arts in June 2025, and the role of Page, with Modern Opera Company in the newly  composed contemporary opera Tell Tale Heart in October 2025.

Veronica Robinson is a multidisciplinary Soprano from Los Angeles who has performed with opera companies across the U.S. She won first prize in the 2023 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Young Artist Awards for the Los Angeles region, and was also a finalist in the 2023 NATS Artist Awards and the 2024 AIMS Meistersinger competitions. As an Apprentice Artist at Sarasota Opera in 2023, she sang in the choruses of Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni, Ernani, and Thérèse. Veronica has performed roles such as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Contessa Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Un Amante in Il Tabarro, and Suor Osmina in Suor Angelica. She has also sung in opera scenes from works such as Lucia di Lammermoor, Anna Bolena, Un Ballo in Maschera, La Traviata, Il Pirata, and Chérubin. Veronica holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory at CSU Long Beach, where she won the 2022 Concerto Competition. Her choral soloist repertoire includes Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Rutter’s Requiem and Gloria. She has performed with ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and New West Symphony and appeared in the opera chorus for Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress at the Ojai Music Festival. Veronica has recorded for multiple liturgical albums, has appeared on the Dark Encounter film soundtrack, featured at the Cannes Film Festival, and on the demo album for the upcoming musical, Jo - The Little Women Musical. During the Halloween and Christmas seasons, she can be seen performing on Disneyland properties with acapella ensembles. Outside of music, Veronica also works as a bridal makeup artist.

Leanna Crenshaw is excited to be making her VOPA debut! She recently moved back to her native Southern California, after completing an Artist Diploma in Voice. Since returning to So-Cal, she has sung several of Gilbert & Sullivan’s soprano ingenue roles, and also roles in Madonna: The Merry Widow and Cold Sassy Tree, and L’enfant et les sortilèges. Prior to her return to So-Cal, she portrayed many of opera’s iconic leading ladies, receiving critical acclaim for her “legendary high notes” (Classical Voice North Carolina), “soaring voice” and “captivating, unaffected thespianism” (Voix des Arts).  She also holds M.M. and B.M. degrees in Voice Performance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Biola University Conservatory of Music, respectively.

Atalia Später graduated from the University of Redlands in 2013 with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. She is a native of California, lived in Germany for 8 years, and has performed in many places throughout the US, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Scotland. Her opera roles include Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Olympia (The Tales of Hoffmann), Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), Gilda (Rigoletto), Madame Herz (Der Schauspieldirektor), The Queen of the Night, Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Musetta (La Boheme), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte). She has performed with Passaggio Oper (which she co-founded and produced), Clyde Opera Group, OperaClassica Europa, Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, Lyric Opera Berlin, Alltagsoper Berlin, The Franco-American Vocal Academy, Riverside Lyric Opera, Pacific Opera Project, StageDream Musical Company, Theater in Pfarrkirchen, OperAcappella, and ORSO: Orchestral & Choral Society. Notably, she performed as the high soprano in Disney's "Der Glöckner von Notre Dame" directed by Scott Schwartz at the Stage Apollo Theater in Stuttgart, Germany and as Princess Toragana in the European premiere of the new musical "Marco Polo" at the Admiralspalast Studio in Berlin, Germany. Atalia is excited to be performing Adele in her first production with VOPA!  

Bass-baritone Joe Chiapa is an LA-based educator, writer, and performer. He has sung roles such as Tom Collins in Rent and Walter DeCoeurcey in Chess: the musical with Jaxx Theatricals and performs with local opera companies such as Independent Opera Company, Valley Opera Performing Arts, and LA Opera. Favorite roles include Escamillo in “Carmen,” Don Giovanni in “Don Giovanni,” Salieri in “Mozart and Salieri,” and Guglielmo in “Così fan tutte.” He is on faculty as a Professor of Voice at Loyola Marymount University and Pierce College and writes and produces for web shows, comedy, and theater.

Nandani Sinha is a dynamic mezzo-soprano whose rich tone, magnetic stage presence, and versatility have earned her critical acclaim across opera, musical theater, and concert stages worldwide. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Cornell University, and California State University Los Angeles, she brings both technical mastery and emotional depth to her performances.

She has been featured in leading roles with companies including LA Opera, Opera San José, Long Beach Opera, and Opera Santa Barbara, portraying characters ranging from Carmen and Amneris to Suzuki and Mrs. Lovett. Known for her command of contemporary repertoire as well as the classics, Ms. Sinha is a sought-after interpreter of new works and a passionate advocate for underrepresented composers.

In addition to her performance career, Nandani is a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University, where she explores the intersections of music, medicine, and social change. She is the founder and executive director of Music Heals Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to using music as a therapeutic tool for individuals with cognitive and neurological challenges.

With a voice described as “luminous, compelling, and profoundly human,” - Opera News, Nandani continues to captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of vocal artists.

Baritone and organist Matthew Cook has gained a reputation as an adaptable and versatile musician. He graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and later earned a Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California. Matthew currently holds the position of Assistant Music Director and Organist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona Del Mar, where he works with world-renowned concert organist Lukas Hasler. He studied organ at Pomona and USC with Dr. William Peterson and Dr. Ladd Thomas, respectively. As a voice major, Matthew studied with Scott Lehmkuhl at Pomona College and Rod Gilfry and Thomas Michael Allen at USC. In 2024, he spent the winter in Florida as an Apprentice Artist with the Sarasota Opera, and the summer studying at Barock Vokal Akademie in Mainz, Germany. Matthew lives in Claremont and is the pianist for the choirs at El Roble Middle School and Claremont High School. When not singing or playing, Matthew enjoys long road trips (he has been to 46 states), playing pickleball, and hosting his podcast, Trivia Over Tea.

Tenor David De Melo has performed in leading roles such as Radamès in Aida with the Temecula Valley Symphony, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana with the Con Forza Lyric Theatre, and Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca at the Mediterranean Opera Festival in Sicily. He has sung with various orchestras and opera companies, including the San Diego Community Orchestra and Inland Valley Opera, and performed as the tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Handel’s Messiah. With experience in both opera and Broadway standards, Mr. De Melo has appeared in roles such as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables: In Concert and The Lover in Menotti’s Amelia Goes to the Ball.

Colin A. Schmaltz is thrilled to be making his VOPA debut in their production of Die Fledermaus. After having previously attended Texas Christian University for Musical Theatre, he is now attending CSUN on the path of obtaining his Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance at CSUN. On top of school he is currently working on getting his private pilots license. Colin would like to thank his best friends for always being his biggest fans, to family for their unending love and support, Dylan for being a phenomenal director, and most importantly God for being the steady guiding light in the dark. Much love to all!

Alex Denysov is a Ukrainian-American actor, filmmaker, and musician. Growing up in a small town in Crimea, Ukraine, Alex discovered his love for performing at age 7 and hasn’t looked back since. Starting with school plays and local productions, he landed his first leading screen role at just 13. Since then, he has appeared in various projects across Ukraine and the US. Alex holds degrees in acting and film/TV production, with training from The Second City, Dylan F. Thomas Acting Studio, and Michelle Danner Acting School. As a recording artist, Alex creates music spanning genres like alternative, rock, country, and pop. His passion for filmmaking has led him to direct and produce feature films, shorts, and pilots for talk shows and sitcoms. With endless possibilities ahead, Alex Denysov continues to pursue his creative passions in numerous capacities.

Laura Barrows is honored to be a part of this production. She has received her Bachelors of Music from Cal State University Northridge. She has most recently appeared as the Second Witch in Verdi's Macbeth with Guild opera. She has also featured as Mother Marry in Marry- a musical with Modern Opera Company,the Wardrobe in Beauty and the beast with Actors Repertory Theater of Simi Valley and Papagena in Landmark Opera’s production of The Magic Flute.  Laura has played many roles with VCGSRC including Utopia (Zara), The Pirates of Penzance(Mabel), Patience(Patience), The Sorcerer(Aline) and Yeoman of the Guard(Elsie). With The Musician Club she performed in Dido and Aeneas (Belinda). She has been a part of Riverside lyric opera in Amahl and the night visitors, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica, and HMS Pinafore. She is excited to be joining this cast and crew and is grateful for this wonderful opportunity.

David Bruskin’s acting career began, peaked, and ostensibly ended at age seven when he played Michael Banks in a summer camp production of “Mary Poppins” (56 lines; several songs; eyepatch, glasses, and crew cut). In the decades that followed, he had great fun lip-synching Spike Jones classics like “Cocktails for Two” and “My Old Flame” (largest-ever audience: 1400  at his high school holiday program), performing improv with Los Angeles Theatresports, and writing and producing “The Hollywood Hills,” a song parody revue targeting the entertainment biz that played five months at West Hollywood’s late great Luna Park where it garnered raves from Los Angeles Magazine, Daily Variety, and Us Magazine. Earlier this year, he stumbled into VOPA’s enthusiastic mounting of “Oklahoma!” which became the first of his three VOPA performances in the chorus, the third being this production of J. Strauss’s operetta “Der Fledermaus” audaciously reset in ‘70s-era New York City’s iconic disco, Studio 54. A non-actor on the rise for his searing portrayals of furniture, David remains delighted to be associated with VOPA until they’re finally on to him.

Lilach Cary is thrilled to be back for her fourth show with VOPA, and her third magical balancing act as both Assistant Stage Manager and ensemble member—basically a human Swiss Army knife. When not sprinting between cues and costume changes, she's working hard to maintain her proud and unbroken record of never accidentally stepping onstage with her headset still on. (So far, so good.) Big thanks to the extremely talented cast and crew of this show, and to her family for helping her find time to continue to pursue her passion for theatre and music.

Sandra C. Cook is delighted to be working with VOPA for the first time. Sandra is a singer and educator in the Ventura County area, recently appearing in Patience with the Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company as an ensemble member and understudy for the role of Saphir. Sandra currently tutors English literacy in Thousand Oaks, and in their spare time enjoys writing poetry and experimental pop music. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Tash Cox is an internationally touring songwriter and musician. She began her musical training in classical piano before branching into vocals and has written and performed in a variety of musical styles including jazz, blues, classical, rock, industrial, and metal as both a singer and multi-instrumentalist. She enjoys exploring different artistic mediums as a theater performer, writer, and musician and loves inspiring others to unlock their creative potential.Tash serves as lead vocalist and songwriter for the electronic rock band AL1CE. She has had the opportunity to serve as a cultural envoy for the US State Department to both Algeria and Uzbekistan as a performer and educator. AL1CE’s mission is ultimately to bring together communities of musicians, filmmakers, dancers, visual artists, and performance artists, through the universal language of creativity. She hopes to continue this type of work of bridging worlds through art and music.

Laura Lee Colten is an LA based singer and actor. She had the pleasure of performing in VOPA’s performance of Fiddler on the Roof last June and had an amazing time! Laura Lee has also performed in feature films, short films, TV shows, commercials, theatrical productions, verticals,and a music video. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her children and reading the latest best-selling novels.

Linda Escobar has been singing and performing professionally all her life. She started as a classically trained opera singer doing such roles as Carmen, Suzuki, The Beggar Woman from Sweeney Todd, and many others. Linda also has conducted various choirs and has produced shows here in Southern California. This is Linda’s second performance with VOPA. She performed as Grandma Tzeitel In Fiddler on the Roof, and is excited to explore this new role of Aunt Eller. In her spare time, Linda enjoys walking and avidly walks 3 miles every morning.

Brooke Forman is an LA based singer who studied theater arts at NYC’s Pace University. She grew up doing musical theater which is where she found her roots in music. After graduating, she began working for record labels learning the ins and outs of the music industry. That led her into Electronic Dance Music (EDM) where she wrote and sang on her record with Nicky Romero that went to number one on the charts worldwide. Brooke has gone on a world tour under her stage name Singa with Ultra Music Festival! She’s performed mainstage at Ultra Brazil, Japan, Singapore and Miami’s 20th Anniversary. As well, Brooke lived in Bali during her residency as a singer. She’s excited to get back to where it all began when she was a child, the love of theater. Most recently, she played Chava in VOPA's Fiddler on the Roof. "It was one of the greatest honors to be in a production of Fiddler and a dream role to play Chava." She's now beyond excited to step into the world of Opera and combine forces yet again with VOPA on this incredible production of Die Fledermaus. Coming from a musical theatre, pop and EDM background to now Opera, was a challenge that she was ready to accept and looks forward to sharing the El Portal stage with this amazing company!

Perry Fredgant is a full-time practicing attorney whose first love is music. He has been singing in choirs for several decades, and is a veteran of UCLA Opera’s fully-staged productions of La Boheme (chorus) and La Traviata (chorus), studio recordings of numerous choral film scores and individual choral works, and VOPA’s wonderful productions of Fiddler on the Roof (pit chorus), Oklahoma! (Ensemble) and Best of Broadway and Everything Else! 3 (Ensemble), in which he had the time of his life. Perry is once again honored and delighted to be participating in the latest VOPA production – Die Fledermaus, and is grateful to Dylan, Shira and Julia for giving him the continuing opportunity to be part of this amazing community.

Debra Kamenir is thrilled to be performing in VOPA’S production of Die Fledermaus. She recently performed with VOPA’s production of Oklahoma! in the ensemble, as well as Fiddler On The Roof as a bottle dancer and in the ensemble. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Deb developed a love of singing and dancing as a little girl. Inspired by her mother Claire, Deb joined Maestra Noreen Green’s choir at Temple Ramat Zion some 40 years ago, where she and Claire sang together. This was the beginning of Debra’s friendship with Noreen, as well as her participation in Noreen’s various choirs - both of which continue to this day. Debra has appeared alongside her husband (acclaimed pianist, accompanist, composer and arranger David Kamenir) performing medleys and duets with such groups as The Pierce College Community Choir and The Encore Singers. She also performs with Happy Notes, a harmony group led by Kim Levett that performs regularly at various venues throughout the Valley and Los Angeles. Deb studied ballet and jazz dance for many years, and often choreographs dance routines to accompany her groups’ vocal performances. Debra majored in music at Pierce College and currently studies voice with vocal coach and mentor Tova Morcos, Ricki Gole and Dylan F. Thomas. When not dancing or singing, you can find Deb styling hair in her private hair salon in Tarzana.

Jennifer Kersey is thrilled to return to the VOPA family after appearing in Oklahoma! as Laurey and Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel. Other Credits: Frozen the Broadway Musical (Queen Iduna, West Coast Regional Premier), The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia, California Theater), The Sound of Music (Musical Theater West), The Sound of Music (BroadwayAsia International Tours), Laura Ingalls Wilder (Laura, Artspower Tours), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew), Parade (Mary Phagan), Godspell (“Bless the Lord”), “A Goofy Movie” (Max, El Capitan Theater 2023/2024). Disney Cruise Line: Toy Story the Musical (Andy), Disney Dreams (Anne Marie). Operas: Cendrillon (Cendrillon, Viardot), Die Fledermaus (Adele). Theme Park Shows: Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm (5yrs as Cameo Kate), Legoland, Six Flags America, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Paramount’s Kings Dominion- plus film, television, commercials, and more! Jen travels with her children’s theater, Storybook Family Playhouse, performing at libraries, preschools, kids clubs, and senior centers.

Miranda Miller has been on stage since the age of 3, both in the theatre world and the music world, playing piano, guitar, ukulele, and singing. She spent many years of her life writing music under record label contracts, performing in almost 20 countries, and teaching music lessons, but she has recently been focused on musical theatre once again. Miranda first worked with VOPA in Fiddler on the Roof, where she got to understudy Golde while also performing in the ensemble. Having never studied opera, she had never even considered being in one, but 70’s Die Fledermaus sounded too fun to pass up, so here she is in her first operetta! Some of her favorite theatrical roles have included Maria in The Sound of Music, Sharpay in High School Musical, and Ewart Dunlop in The Music Man. She would like to thank VOPA and the cast and crew for the opportunity to try something new!

Jamie Sanderson, baritone, possesses a voice that critics have described as “mellifluous” and  “commanding.” He is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but now resides in Los Angeles and  performs with many local opera companies. He recently premiered the role of Administrator Taylor in  Daniel Kessner’s The Camp. He also recently performed the role of Count Gil in Wolf-Ferrari’s Il Segreto  di Susanna, as well as Ben in Menotti’s The Telephone. Other roles include Marullo in Verdi’s Rigoletto,  The Wolf in Cesar Cui’s Little Red Ridinghood, and Leadre in Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges. Jamie is also a Fox singer in the Verdi Chorus of Santa Monica and has gone on tour to Japan with the  Roger Wagner Chorale. Jamie earned a Master of Music from the Peabody Institute in 2019 and a  Bachelor of Music from the University of California, Irvine in 2016.

Alex Siegers is an Australian vocalist and educator based in Los Angeles, known for her versatility across jazz, classical, and choral genres. Described as “exhilarating and exuberant” (Sydney Morning Herald), she has performed with leading musicians and ensembles across Australia and the US including The Song Company, Cantillation, and The Choir of St James’ King St. As a soloist she has performed at world-class venues including Sydney Opera House and has premiered two chamber operas, as Roberta in Sally Greenaway’s Da Vinci’s Apprentice, and as Sophie in Antony Pitt’s Anna’s Rapid Eye Movement. Alex released her debut album From Here on ABC Jazz in 2024.

In LA, she sings with The Choir of St. James-in-the-City Episcopal Church and Tonality. In 2025, she will be a featured artist at N.E.O. Voice Festival. Alex holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz), a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies/Linguistics) with Honours from The University of Sydney.

After a 25-year hiatus from the stage—spent wrangling international development projects and business strategies—Yaniv Snir made his grand return in VOPA’s Oklahoma!, followed by Best of Broadway… and Everything Else 3. Now he’s traded cowboy boots for shorty shorts in Die Fledermaus, grooving his way through Strauss with a side of disco. He thanks his family for their patience, his colleagues for pretending this is totally normal, and the audience for indulging what is clearly a sequined mid-life renaissance.

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Melissa Strongin is an accomplished classical vocalist with a passion for storytelling through music. A finalist in the Las Vegas Vocal Competition’s Classical Division, Melissa Strongin  has brought powerful performances to the stage, including a featured role as the Mother in Three Women of Jerusalem with LA Opera’s ensemble. A dedicated ensemble artist, Melissa Strongin has also performed with the City of Angels Community Choir and was featured in the Los Angeles City College Showcase, highlighting emerging talent in Southern California’s vibrant vocal scene.

Shira Renee Thomas is the General & Artistic Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), currently in its 19th season. VOPA presents performances of everything from fully-staged opera and musical theater works with orchestra, to laid back concerts of jazz standards and even classic rock with its band, VOPA Rocks. Through the company’s outreach, education, and community service program, VOPA provides entertainment to underserved and economically or otherwise disadvantaged communities such as retirement communities, charities, homeless shelters, schools, and more. VOPA has helped launch the careers of many singers and instrumentalists who’ve gone on to perform in organizations such as English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. 

As a singer herself, Shira has performed all over the world and with some of the biggest stars in opera, including Metropolitan Opera stars, Quinn Kelsey, Christian Van Horn, and Ana Maria Martinez. Among the numerous awards earned by her, Shira won 1st prize in the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in North Wales, which has hosted such legendary opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Bryn Terfel in past years. Having suffered from debilitating recurrent Depression for 25 years, Shira has become an advocate for mental health, and has been interviewed on the subject by National Geographic and KTTV News. She has also written articles for HuffPost and Classical Singer Magazine, and is frequently invited to attend various events and conferences to tell her story of overcoming Depression. Shira is grateful to the staff at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for helping her to finally beat the illness.
www.VOPArts.org   www.shira-renee-thomas.com   www.shirareneethomas.wordpress.com

Dylan F. Thomas is in-demand as a Stage Director, Acting Coach, and Performer. Last year, he was invited to be Guest Lecturer and Stage Director at Yale University, where he staged the Opera Scenes and taught his unique acting method, The Dressler Technique, in “Acting for Opera”. This Spring, Dylan looks forward to directing  a double bill of operas at his alma mater, Cal State University, Northridge. Dylan acts as Opera Program Manager for the GRAMMY-winning National Children’s Chorus’s youth opera program, National Youth Opera Academy, where he teaches acting and prop-making, and co-directs the fully staged operas during the summer opera camp. Dylan is Co-Founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), where he has directed many operas, musicals, and other events over the past 19 years.

As a singer/actor himself, Dylan has performed all over the world in many different musical genres, including musical theater, opera, jazz, pop, and classic rock. He spent 11 months performing in several different productions for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, singing for tens of thousands of people every day. At Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he had the honor of performing for legendary musical theater lyricist and songwriter Sheldon Harnick in two of Harnick’s musicals: the rarely seen Rex, as well as Fiddler on the Roof. 

As a passionate educator, Dylan maintains a private acting studio, offering individual, small group, and large group classes for performers in all genres of theater, including musical theater, opera, straight theater, and tv/film. Acting student Eden Kontesz says that Dylan’s technique is “unique, different, and highly effective,” and Grammy-nominated composer Sharon Farber comments that he “offers a new perspective that is truly profound”. Superstar Quinn Kelsey, a favorite leading baritone at the Metropolitan Opera, shares that Dylan, "utilized his own intuitive twists on the storyline of certain pieces to give me as a singer a different perspective of my interpretation.”  

David Vazana did not attend the prestigious Juilliard School, but he did take an “Acting for Non-Majors” course at the University of Florida. David sings daily in the shower, and as a member of the VBS Community Choir. David made his theatrical stage debut with VOPA for their fantastic production of Oklahoma! and is so excited to be here. David would like to thank his beautiful wife Carly and his kids Gavin, Riley, and Zoey for their patience and Shira, Dylan, Julia, Molly and Lilach for liking him enough to invite him back. Please check out The Poodoocast, available everywhere!

Beverly Wilkerson has been singing with the a cappella caroling quartet “The Music Companie” for decades, and several other quartets and choirs. She was a featured soloist for the Colorado Springs and San Fernando Valley Master chorales. BFA: Musical Theatre/Dance/Honors in Directing, from the Boston Conservatory.  NYC: Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, Lincoln Center, Atlantic City, cruise ships, and three G&S operettas. Beverly did multiple runs in “Sugar Babies” and “Sweet Charity,” two with Award-Winning Choreographer, Susan Stroman. LA: originated roles at the Whitefire (“Scream Queens: The Musical”), Court, Attic, Powerhouse, and American Renegade theaters. She recently danced in film:  SIA’s “Music” and “Ratched.” Beverly’s taught and directed kids’ after-school theatre programs all over LA for years, but she’s thrilled to return to the stage herself, with grown-ups, and VOPA: Assistant Choreographer for “Fiddler” and “Oklahoma!” and on stage: “Best of B’way,” and now…Strauss!

Chasen Greenwood Choreographer, creator, actor, and new director of a 501c nonprofit professional Ballet Company currently based in Santa Monica, "The Realm Company". His recent project has been a feature film produced by Paramount, coming out this year and directed by Alec Roth. Chasen has also choreographed for such projects as LGBTQ Models of Pride, Costa Mesa live performance and most recently a collaboration with Candlelight Concerts in San Diego. Chasen is bi-coastal primarily living in L.A giving him the opportunity to work with artists such as Lady Gaga’s choreographer Richy Jackson for Sofi commercial, and Director Neal Brennan for Xbox Super Bowl commercial. Chasen just recently finished a collaboration with "The Ballet Agency" choreographing for a sold out 7,100 seat Peacock Theatre performance downtown Los Angeles with a 120 symphony. Chasen's next 2025 project will be working as producer and choreographer for a 5mil indie dance film in the summer.

London Davis is a dynamic dancer and choreographer from Orange County, CA, with over two decades of training in a wide range of styles including tap, jazz, musical theatre, pom, heels, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballet. A graduate of UC San Diego with dual degrees in Dance and Political Science, she brings both academic depth and creative vision to her work. She was also on the UC San Diego dance team. London’s passion for tap dance has led her to perform nationally with the Los Angeles-based company TapTribe and earn recognition for her intricate footwork and award-winning choreography.

Her work has been presented at venues such as the La Jolla Playhouse. In her choreography, she explores rhythm as a language, investigating how sound, space, and human connection intersect through movement. In addition to performing, she teaches adult dance classes throughout Southern California and recently appeared in the professional cabaret production Selvatico. Whether in the studio or on stage, London is driven by a love of storytelling, rhythm, and the community dance creates.

Dylan F. Thomas is in-demand as a Stage Director, Acting Coach, and Performer. Last year, he was invited to be Guest Lecturer and Stage Director at Yale University, where he staged the Opera Scenes and taught his unique acting method, The Dressler Technique, in “Acting for Opera”. This Spring, Dylan looks forward to directing  a double bill of operas at his alma mater, Cal State University, Northridge. Dylan acts as Opera Program Manager for the GRAMMY-winning National Children’s Chorus’s youth opera program, National Youth Opera Academy, where he teaches acting and prop-making, and co-directs the fully staged operas during the summer opera camp. Dylan is Co-Founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), where he has directed many operas, musicals, and other events over the past 19 years.

As a singer/actor himself, Dylan has performed all over the world in many different musical genres, including musical theater, opera, jazz, pop, and classic rock. He spent 11 months performing in several different productions for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, singing for tens of thousands of people every day. At Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he had the honor of performing for legendary musical theater lyricist and songwriter Sheldon Harnick in two of Harnick’s musicals: the rarely seen Rex, as well as Fiddler on the Roof. 

As a passionate educator, Dylan maintains a private acting studio, offering individual, small group, and large group classes for performers in all genres of theater, including musical theater, opera, straight theater, and tv/film. Acting student Eden Kontesz says that Dylan’s technique is “unique, different, and highly effective,” and Grammy-nominated composer Sharon Farber comments that he “offers a new perspective that is truly profound”. Superstar Quinn Kelsey, a favorite leading baritone at the Metropolitan Opera, shares that Dylan, "utilized his own intuitive twists on the storyline of certain pieces to give me as a singer a different perspective of my interpretation.”  

Shira Renee Thomas is the General & Artistic Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), currently in its 19th season. VOPA presents performances of everything from fully-staged opera and musical theater works with orchestra, to laid back concerts of jazz standards and even classic rock with its band, VOPA Rocks. Through the company’s outreach, education, and community service program, VOPA provides entertainment to underserved and economically or otherwise disadvantaged communities such as retirement communities, charities, homeless shelters, schools, and more. VOPA has helped launch the careers of many singers and instrumentalists who’ve gone on to perform in organizations such as English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. 

As a singer herself, Shira has performed all over the world and with some of the biggest stars in opera, including Metropolitan Opera stars, Quinn Kelsey, Christian Van Horn, and Ana Maria Martinez. Among the numerous awards earned by her, Shira won 1st prize in the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in North Wales, which has hosted such legendary opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Bryn Terfel in past years. Having suffered from debilitating recurrent Depression for 25 years, Shira has become an advocate for mental health, and has been interviewed on the subject by National Geographic and KTTV News. She has also written articles for HuffPost and Classical Singer Magazine, and is frequently invited to attend various events and conferences to tell her story of overcoming Depression. Shira is grateful to the staff at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for helping her to finally beat the illness.
www.VOPArts.org   www.shira-renee-thomas.com   www.shirareneethomas.wordpress.com

Julia Timmons is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University holding a BFA in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Music Technology and a Masters in Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM). Timmons currently serves as Executive Assistant to General and Artistic Director of VOPA, Shira R. Thomas. She is also an administrator at the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and runs her vocal studio - JCT Vocal Studio. Timmons is accomplished both on and off stage. Some favorite onstage roles include Sandrina (La Finta Giardiniera), Sharpay (High School Musical), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown) and Bunny Byron (Babes in Arms). Offstage, Timmons is skilled in audio technology, stage and production management, and Audio/Video capture and live streaming.

Molly Anders recently graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Communication and a Minor in Drama focusing on directing immersive, collaborative and safe theatre spaces. Originally from Seattle, Molly has always been active in the PNW theatre scene. Some of her most recent projects include directing How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying through the University of Washington’s ‘StageNotes’ as well as directing Thirst through Seattle’s Lowbrow Opera Collective. Molly has recently moved to LA and is now working with Space Pirates Theatre Collective as their operations director and resident stage manager. This is Molly's second production with VOPA, and her first ever Opera. She’d like to thank her wonderful family and incredible friends but most importantly, her dog Cedar.

Lilach Cary is thrilled to be back for her fourth show with VOPA, and her third magical balancing act as both Assistant Stage Manager and ensemble member—basically a human Swiss Army knife. When not sprinting between cues and costume changes, she's working hard to maintain her proud and unbroken record of never accidentally stepping onstage with her headset still on. (So far, so good.) Big thanks to the extremely talented cast and crew of this show, and to her family for helping her find time to continue to pursue her passion for theatre and music.

Lindsay Aldana has completed her undergraduate degree in Piano Pedagogy from Cal State Northridge, and a graduate certificate from the University of Southern California in Keyboard Collaborative Arts. For the past few years, she has participated as rehearsal and pit pianist in several opera productions across Los Angeles County. Also comfortable in musical theatre, she has served as Musical Director for various productions such as West Side Story, Music Man, Little Shop of Horrors and The Last 5 Years. She is currently on staff as collaborative pianist at CSUN, and maintains her own private studio as well.  When not performing she likes to spend her free time with her dog Gary, and her husband Alexander.

Gary Roberts is a dancer, choreographer, performer, adjudicator and creative director. He holds a degree in Theater Arts from California State University, Fullerton where he studied dance and acting. He teaches and choreographs many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, lindy hop, and musical theater. Gary has danced for Disney as well as in many industries including CBS, Oakley, and Nickelodeon Studios and has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Norma Miller and Gunhild Carling. His choreography has been featured in the short film “A Night at Club Alabam”, on the “Caroline Sunshine and Friends” tour and on competition stages across the country. Previous teaching assignments include Orange County School of the Arts, Mount San Antonio College, and Millenium Dance Complex. Gary also adjudicates dance competitions allowing him the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion for dance with young dancers across the country.

Kirk Kelly has been working as a costume designer in Southern California for almost 20 years. As a costume designer he has had the pleasure of working in both professional and educational theatre all over the state. He has had the pleasure to design productions of Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Les Miserables, Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek, and countless more. He has costume designed for schools and theatre companies in Redondo, Torrance, San Pedro, Escondido and San Juan Capistrano. He was recognized with a Jerry Herman award for best costumes in a musical for his designs for Matilda this year. He is so excited to work with everyone at VOPA on stage and backstage, and would like to thank everyone for being so welcoming.  He would like to thank his mom, Kathie and Ali, and his friends for their constant support and encouragement.

Katie Ohrn recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University with a degree in Theatre Production emphasizing in Lighting Design. She now works as the Lighting Director at Soka University in Irvine. Her work was showcased in her thesis project- The Merry Widow, where she honored and merged the unique styles of dance, theatre, and opera lighting together. Katie has continued her work assisting in the Lighting Design and Programming for the 2024 GRIO Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton, as well as 2023 NAACP Image Awards at LA Live. She has a love for the creativity and thrill that comes with live event design and theatrical design.

Jennifer Kersey is thrilled to return to the VOPA family after appearing in Oklahoma! as Laurey and Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel. Other Credits: Frozen the Broadway Musical (Queen Iduna, West Coast Regional Premier), The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia, California Theater), The Sound of Music (Musical Theater West), The Sound of Music (BroadwayAsia International Tours), Laura Ingalls Wilder (Laura, Artspower Tours), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew), Parade (Mary Phagan), Godspell (“Bless the Lord”), “A Goofy Movie” (Max, El Capitan Theater 2023/2024). Disney Cruise Line: Toy Story the Musical (Andy), Disney Dreams (Anne Marie). Operas: Cendrillon (Cendrillon, Viardot), Die Fledermaus (Adele). Theme Park Shows: Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm (5yrs as Cameo Kate), Legoland, Six Flags America, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Paramount’s Kings Dominion- plus film, television, commercials, and more! Jen travels with her children’s theater, Storybook Family Playhouse, performing at libraries, preschools, kids clubs, and senior centers.

Miranda Miller has been on stage since the age of 3, both in the theatre world and the music world, playing piano, guitar, ukulele, and singing. She spent many years of her life writing music under record label contracts, performing in almost 20 countries, and teaching music lessons, but she has recently been focused on musical theatre once again. Miranda first worked with VOPA in Fiddler on the Roof, where she got to understudy Golde while also performing in the ensemble. Having never studied opera, she had never even considered being in one, but 70’s Die Fledermaus sounded too fun to pass up, so here she is in her first operetta! Some of her favorite theatrical roles have included Maria in The Sound of Music, Sharpay in High School Musical, and Ewart Dunlop in The Music Man. She would like to thank VOPA and the cast and crew for the opportunity to try something new!