Noreen Green is the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), which she created in 1994. A trailblazing, inspirational conductor, educator and lecturer known worldwide for her knowledge and skill in presenting music with Jewish themes, she has served as guest conductor and lecturer in the United States, Israel, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean. Wherever she appears, Noreen Green exudes a spirit of joy and harmony – bringing people together through the universal language of music through a Jewish lens. In November 2022, as a panelist at the United Nations in New York City, Dr. Green spoke on Music and the Holocaust: History, Memory and Justice. In January 2023 and January 2024, she was a presenter at the International Conductors Guild Conferences on Jewish music topics (2023 in Valencia, Spain; 2024 in New York City). In June 2023, Dr. Green served as artist-in-residence, dramaturge, musical director and pianist for a three-week run of the play “Stories from the Violins of Hope” in Sydney, Australia, where she was also honored by a member of the Parliament of New South Wales for her participation in Jewish Arts’ “Melodies of Memories” at North Shore Temple. Due to her noteworthy accomplishments and prominence in her field, Dr. Green was recently inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry. Dr. Green holds a Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

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 20th 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 Vinyl. 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

Praised by the Washington Post for having a voice of “unearthly power,” The Houston Press as a “Blow-away singer,” and The New York Times as “an earthly bass” award winning American bass-baritone, Nathan Stark, has performed on operatic, concert and recital stages throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and China.

Mr. Stark has performed leading roles throughout the United States with such companies as; The Metropolitan Opera, Atlanta Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, Arizona Opera, Detroit Opera and Seattle Opera – among many others. His noted operatic roles have included - Mustafà in L’Italiana in Algeri, both Don Basilio and Don Bartolo in il Barbiere di Siviglia, both Leporello and il Commendatore in Don Giovanni, both Sparafucile and Monterone in Rigoletto, Hunding in Die Walküre, and Colline in La bohème.

Equally comfortable on the concert stage, Mr. Stark has performed as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Baroque, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra – among many others.

Mr. Stark has presented recitals in Germany and the United States – including programs at the U.S. Germany, French, Cuban and Austrian Embassies in Washington D.C. and The Washington National Cathedral. In 2005, he was the featured soloist for, then President of the United States, George W. Bush, First Ladies Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan, members of the United States Senate and Congress, for the nationally televised Air Force One Exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Mr. Stark has been the recipient of several vocal awards & scholarships throughout his career including – District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Competition, First Place Winner of the Classical Singers Association, Palm Springs Opera Competition, Fort Worth Opera Competition, Brentwood Artist of Tomorrow Competition, Opera Buffs Competition, Pasadena Opera Guild Competition, Columbus Opera Competition, and The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Corbett Opera Scholarship.

He holds music degrees in opera performance from California State University, Long Beach (B.M. & M.M) and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (A.D.) His voice teachers have included Dr. Lewis Woodward, Dr. Cherrie Llewellyn, Ms. Shigemi Matsumoto, Mr. Kenneth Shaw, and Ms. Marilyn Horne.

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 Managing Director of VOPA, Artistic Director of Ah, Zapad Music Festival 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 Evans (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.

Adrien Roberts will be performing Mrs. Baines in Elmer Gantry with Opera Santa Barbara 2026 Spring. She performed Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana in the fall at Opera Santa Barbara. In the spring of 2025 she found herself performing Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro also at Opera Santa Barbara. Adrien’s operatic roles at VOPA and Center Stage Opera include: Marguerite in Faust, Cio Cio San in Madame Butterfly, Mimi in La Boheme, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Adina in Elixir of Love, and Angelique in the World Premiere of Marie’s Orchard.

Mezzo-soprano Hannah Headland is thrilled to return to Valley Opera and Performing Arts for its 20th Anniversary Concert. She has appeared with VOPA in the title role of Rossini’s Cenerentola, as Annina in Verdi’s La Traviata, Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Gianetta in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and La Maestra delle Novizie in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, among other roles with the company. Her other favorite performances include Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with Pacific Symphony, Meg in Verdi’s Falstaff, La Zia Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Diana in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with Lyric Opera of Orange County; the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with Riverside Lyric Opera, and appearances with the San Diego Opera chorus. In addition to performing, Hannah teaches voice and the Diocesan Children’s Choir at Christ Cathedral, where she also cantors and sings in multiple ensembles.

Sarah Salazar is thrilled to return to VOPA’s stage! A multifaceted vocalist, she performs across classical, musical theater, and pop genres with equal passion and versatility. A Top Talent Award recipient and Non-Finalist Talent Award winner at Miss California, Salazar earned recognition for her standout performance of “Gimme Gimme,” which she is excited to bring back to life on this program.

Salazar has performed with Opera Santa Barbara, Pacific Opera Project, and Lyric Opera of Orange County, as well as serving as a Soprano Section Leader with The Verdi Chorus of Santa Monica, among others. She is also an active worship leader and a sought after substitute singer for churches throughout Orange County.

Beyond the stage, Salazar is an educator and mentor committed to nurturing the next generation of performers. Known for her vibrant personality, musicality, and genuine love for storytelling through song, she views her voice as a God given gift, one meant to inspire, encourage, and uplift others. Salazar resides in Rancho Santa Margarita with her two French bulldogs, Don Giovanni and Donna Elvira (known as Gio and Ellie), who clearly live in a very musical home.

Learn more at SweetSarahnade.com

Cymbaline Filippi is a professional singer, actor, dancer, pianist, and flautist with many years of experience in the sacred, classical, and musical theater genres. She has been dancing since the age of 5, and choreographed Seussical the Musical, as well as several dance, musical theater, and choral numbers for various performances. Some of her favorite roles include Anna in The King and I, Fiona in Brigadoon, Nellie in South Pacific, “Pop” in Chicago, Marian the Librarian in The Music Man, and Gertie in Oklahoma!. She is very excited to dance and sing in her third Best of Broadway and Everything Else concert. Cymbaline teaches general music and band at CHIME Charter School, and directs the children’s choir that will be singing in the program. This is her fifth production with the company, and she is loving being a part of the VOPA family.

Zachary Mascarinas is a Los Angeles-based baritone recognized for his powerful artistry, warm timbre, and vibrant stage presence. He has been praised for his ability to bring both humor and emotional depth, described by Mark Ross as “expressive, beautiful, and... showing mastery of the nonsensical homily.”

He has performed with several esteemed companies and festivals, including Pacific Opera Project, Lyric Opera of OC, Opera Italia, Miami Music Festival, and Chicago Summer Opera. Recent highlights include Papageno in Die Zauberflöte with the CSULB Opera Institute, Marcello in La Bohème with Opera Italia, and Figaro in The Ghost of Versailles with the Miami Music Festival. Upcoming engagements include Ping (cover) in Turandot with Pacific Opera Project, Frank in Die Fledermaus with Opera Italia, Escamillo in Carmen with Valley Opera & Performing Arts, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte with Opera Seme.

Zachary is also an emerging artist of distinction, having won the 2025 - 2026 Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Voice Concerto Competition, first place in the 2025 Southern California Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, second place in the 2025 Whittier Regional Symphony Young Artist Competition, and a semi-finalist in the 2025 Opera Buffs Young Artist Competition. He is also a recipient of the Martin Figoten Performing Arts Scholarship at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Zachary is a student of Dr. Jennifer Sung.

Zach McDonald is thrilled to be returning to VOPA as Doody/Kenickie in Grease! Having received formative training at AMDA College and Conservatory and Mercersburg Academy, he credits his mentors and educators for instilling in him the skills and passion necessary for his craft. Recent credits include Will Parker in “Oklahoma!”, Asher in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and The Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood. Zach would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, roommates and mentors whose unwavering support and guidance have been the cornerstone of his journey.

Jennifer Kersey is so excited to help celebrate VOPA's 20th Anniversary!

Past VOPA: Grease as Sandy, Oklahoma as Laurey, Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel, and Die Fledermaus.

Other Credits: Frozen the 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”), Maddi’s Fridge (Maddi, Storybook Family Playhouse). Disney's El Capitan Theater: Zootopia 2 (Judy Hopps), A Goofy Movie (Max, 2023-2025). 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! @jactressz

Amanda Benjamin Is excited to take the stage as Ado Annie! From enchanting audiences as "Little Red" in Into the Woods, to captivating them as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, and mesmerizing them as Christine Dae in a concert rendition of Phantom of the Opera, Amanda has proven time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the world of theater.

Amanda's passion for music led her to pursue a degree from UC Davis. Eager to make her mark in the world of performing arts, she came to Southern California to establish herself on the stage. To further expand her artistic horizons, she ventured to Italy, where she not only studied but also had the privilege of performing. Immersed in the rich tapestry of Italian culture and history, she honed her skills and brought her unique flair to the international stage. She hopes you enjoy this performance as she brings new life to this classic character!

Denise Bradley started showbiz at age 7, singing "Gonna Fly Now" on the soundtrack for Rocky II. Her favorite theatre credits include Bebe in A Chorus Line at Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera, (Baayork Lee, director), performer on the MS Westerdam for Holland America Line, and Swing for the European Touring Company of 42nd Street. She spent a year in Berlin Germany doing Anthing Goes, and even longer in Myrtle Beach, SC in the original musical, Summer of ’66. Denise loves performing opportunities with her sons. She played Bradley’s mom in The Music Man and his mom, Djuka in the original musical Tesla. She played Mrs Cratchit to her son Bowie’s Tiny Tim at Glendale Centre Theatre. Nowadays, she stays busy writing songs with her sons and for various film/tv projects! Denise would like to send love to her sons, and her husband Mike for all of their encouragement and support! And to Shira and Julia of VOPA for being so awesome!

At age 3, Bradley Bundlie fell in love with the art of becoming ‘someone else’ when he first stepped onto the stage. A two-time YEA winner for his title role in Oliver! at Lawndale PAC, and Auggie Pullman in Phantom Project’s Wonder, Bradley is thrilled to be doing his first VOPA show! In 2019, he and his brother Bowie played John and Michael in McCoy Rigby’s Peter Pan in Riyadh. Most recently, Bradley played Orpheus in Theatre Palisades’ production of Hadestown. With his band FDOS, Bradley has played lead guitar in over 200 shows, from the beaches of Santa Monica, to NYC and the streets of Edinburgh, the Stan Lee Comic Con in Jeddah, and last fall in Monaco, opening for the Plain White T’s. Bradley currently plays in the jazz ensemble at The Colburn School of Music, having been mentored by jazz great, Mark Whitfield.  Follow him @bradleybundlie

Bowie Bundlie's theatrical debut was at age 4 in Glendale Center Theatre’s, A Christmas Carol, where he continued for 3 seasons as Tiny Tim. This summer, Bowie played Fate 3 in Theatre Palisades’ production of Hadestown. Other favorite roles include Chip in Casa 0101s Beauty and the Beast, Michael in McCoy Rigby’s Peter Pan in Saudi Arabia and Asher in Phantom Projects’ “The Giver”.  On TV, Bowie co-starred on Homecoming with Julia Roberts,  ABC’s The Goldbergs and appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show as half of the music duo, FDOS (@fdosofficial) with his brother. Bowie is the voice of Remy in the new animated show, “Remy Bear & Friends” coming soon to Peacock. Bowie is an accomplished jazz pianist and composer, and Bowie is working on the follow-up to his debut piano album, “This Goes  To 11” due out this winter.

Tylor Scott Jenkins (he/him/his) is a Southern California–based theatre artist and educator. He is a graduate of OCSA, holds an Acting Certificate from Fullerton College, and earned his BFA in Theatre Arts with a Musical Theatre emphasis from California State University, Fullerton, where he is currently completing his teaching credential in Theatre Arts. With over 20 years of experience in musical theatre and seven years in the Entertainment Department at The Walt Disney Company, Tylor is passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity through theatre. Learn more at TylorScottJenkins.com.

Richard Yé, born and raised in Kansas City, began training in modern dance as an extracurricular activity, outside of college. This led him to earning scholarships to professional training programs at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the University of Kansas and the Milwaukee Ballet, and he eventually completed his BFA in Dance at the University of Wisconsin. Richard has performed for numerous dance, theater and opera companies throughout the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, the Milwaukee Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet Companies. He has performed for the Metropolitan Opera in Japan, Ballet for Young Audiences, before a stadium of fifty thousand in China, in various other shows in Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Ecuador and on a Carnival Cruise Ship in the Caribbean Sea. In recent years, Richard has performed in various Off, Off-Off and Off-Off-Off Broadway shows as an actor, singer, dancer, stage manager and director. He is a certified teacher in the American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum. A few years ago, he left NYC for the sunny world of LA, CA where he now enjoys riding trails on his E-bike and studying piano and acting.

With over a decade of dance experience, Randy Garner brings passion, creativity, and dynamic energy to every class he teaches. Trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, and Tap, he earned his Associate of Arts in Dance from Mt. San Antonio College, where he attended American College Dance Association conferences, traveled, and competed nationwide with the college’s competitive dance team.

He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Fullerton, focusing on modern techniques including Graham, Horton, and Limón, as well as Cecchetti and Russian ballet. Outside of his academic training, Randy continued developing his commercial style in Los Angeles under renowned industry professionals such as Jojo Gomez, Galen Hooks, and Brian and Scott Nicholson. An experience that solidified his path into the commercial dance world.

Now signed as a dancer and choreographer with Briizy Talent Agency, Randy has performed in numerous venues and appeared in music videos for Robert Rene and Bar Bionic. He has also choreographed for live performances and appeared on the court show Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams. Above all, Randy is passionate about sharing his love for the arts and inspiring the next generation of dancers through his work.