Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Sonia Alexis has been in love with music for as far back as she can remember. She is a member of the Assumption Catholic Church Women’s Schola, has been a member of the Bellingham Festival of Music chorus, and has been a performer with Opera Popolare since it’s inception in 2009. She most recently had the role of The Baker’s Wife in the Skagit Valley College’s production of Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”. She wants to thank Rob Viens (voice coach extraordinaire), her sister Alisa, and all of her friends and family for their support and encouragement.
Performances: Dido and Aeneas, The Fairy Queen
Bio: Music has been an important part of Jared’s life for as long as he can remember. He has sung in choirs and other performances for almost 16 years. From international tours and choir competitions with the Piedmont Children’s Choir as a child to singing with his church choir and local productions today, he feels blessed to be able to sing every day.
Performances: The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Bryce likes playing piano and he composes music for a brass quintet that he leads. He is president of the Sehome High School band and plays trumpet, saxaphone, and french horn. As for getting drafted into singing, one of his best friends forced him to audition for school choir, which, in hindsight, was one of the better choices he’s ever made.
Performances: The Fairy Queen
Bio: :Kendrick was immersed in music from a very young age taking lessons in various instruments; however, Kendrick’s true passion is singing and theater. He participated at BAAY in the Boys Choir and in Beauty and the Beast, Scrooge, and Oklahoma under the direction of David Post. Kendrick attends Sehome High School and is involved with its drama program and school choirs under the direction of Vicki Chaney and Jessica Schlichting. Kendrick is a voice student of Rob Viens.
Performances: Paride ed Elena
Bio: Monica Burlingame is excited to finally be in her first opera. She loves to sing and recently went to state for the WMEA solo contest. Along with singing opera, Monica also participated in Ferndale High School’s productions of “Oliver”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “West Side Story” and NWTG’s production of “Cinderella.”
Performances: Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Dorothy ChildsWeber, a junior at Bellingham High School, has lived from coast to coast in her 16 years of life. She looks forward to advancing in music, particularly singing. She currently studies voice with Rob Viens.
Performances: Dido and Aeneas
Performances: The Fairy Queen
Bio: Justin participated in WWU’s “Haman and Mordecai”. Since earning his degree he has premiered the role of the Critic, in Hau Wei Chang’s opera “The Critic”, been a chorus member with solo parts with the Skagit Valley Opera’s production of “La Boheme”, and one season as chorus member and soloist with the Whatcom Chorale, and has joined Bellingham’s Inspire Choir, and looks forward to a life filled with singing.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Opera Selections 2011
Bio: Charlotte graduated from WWU with a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance. Her dual emphasis vocal training (in early and new music) prepared her for everything from baroque opera to premiering new works.
She has appeared as a featured soloist many times with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale, in works such as Mozart’s Requiem and more recently Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
She teaches voice lessons and yoga classes in Bellingham.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Wendy studies voice with Robert Viens and Mark Power. She is very active in the musical community in Bellingham, but is also a frequent cantor/soloist in Seattle. She also stays busy as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and concerts throughout the Puget Sound area where she sings everything from Bach to the
Beatles. As always, it is her great pleasure to participate in another Opera Popolare production!.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Maria completed her Masters of Music Degree in 2004 and has been active in the opera community since graduating performing in Opera Nuova’s 2004 production of Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio and in Vancouver Opera’s 2006 production of Gounod’s Faust.
In addition to her opera singing Cristina has established her own music school (Blue River Music Studios) and produces events, workshops and recitals. She also fronts Canada’s foremost operatic bluegrass trio ‘Fantini, Wood&Wells’.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen
Bio: From the subtle melodies of Gregorian chant to the dramatic beauty of grand opera, Scott brings a wide variety of singing experience to the stage. He sings in the Assumption Church choir and has sung with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale and the Festival of Music chorus. He thanks Rob Viens and Opera Popolare for this opportunity to fulfill his passion for singing opera.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Opera Selections 2011
Performances: The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2011, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Caitlin Hill is a senior at BHS, and a voice student of Rob Viens for almost 4 years now. A busy performer, Caitlin recently appeared as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Daisy Cowgill in Mark Twain in Fairhaven, and represented her district in the state Solo/Ensemble contest. Caitlin is very pleased to be appearing in her first major operatic role, playing Paris in Paris and Helen, and would like to thank Rob for his support and countless hours of coaching.
Performances: The Fairy Queen
Bio: Sage, Puck for Opera Popolare’s The Fairy Queen in 2011, played the murderous Bill Sykes in BAAY’s production of Oliver, and has had major roles in school productions.
Performances: Orfeo ed Euridice, The Fairy Queen, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Calyx Hoag was a double major in music at WWU, and has been a long time business owner in Whatcom County. He has played in 14 different orchestras in Washington and in many groups locally, including the 108 Quintet.
Performances: Dido and Aeneas, The Fairy Queen
Bio: Marilyn first went on stage at age six singing a duet with her brother; went on to star in the juvenile lead in a Texas small town theater guild, and was hooked on performing by the age of 10. She sang in selected choirs in state competitions and began composing and arranging songs in high school. In college as a music major, she sang alto and mezzo-soprano solos in numerous oratorios and other works. She particularly loves to participate in small groups that specialize in a cappella contrapuntal music
Performances: Paride ed Elena
Bio: Kathlyn Kinney studied harp with Jill Whitman and oboe with Jennifer Weeks, both of Whatcom Symphony, while a student at Western.
She has made appearances in the Whatcom Symphony performances of “The Planets” and “The Composer is Dead”. Musical theater has fascinated her since a young age and she is thrilled to be joining this group of talented performers for the production of Paride ed Elena.
Performances: Orfeo ed Euridice 2009, Paride ed Elena 2012
Bio: Aaron began studying voice with Rob while he was in high school. These days he plays in local bands, Amish Warfare and Tripmadam, in such varying styles as Rock & Roll, Punk Rock, and Folk. Aaron has composed music for films in Vancouver and in Bellingham.
Performances: The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Eddies stage experience includes musicals, dramas and too many comedies. The Fairy Queen was his first opera. He thanks Opera Popolare for the opportunity, but most especially his own Fairy Queen. “Gee, thanks Katie.”
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Fred, a retiree and lifelong Bellinghamster, and has been a voice student of Rob’s for many years. This has taken him from Barbershop and church choir to Whatcom Chorale, musical theatre, and now ventures into opera. Many thanks go to Rob for his guidance, and for the support of my wife Pat.
Bio: Candice Lundy is currently a senior at BHS and is enrolled in the Running Start Program at WCC. She is in Honors Drama III and the award-winning BHS showstoppers and Concert Choir. Productions you may have seen her in include: “Pirates of Penzance” as ‘Ruth’, “Hairspray” as ‘Amber’, “Little Shop of Horrors” as ‘Audrey’, “Into the Woods” as ‘Lucinda’, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” as ‘Ms. Dorothy’, and many others. Candice has performed in 35 productions in all and she plans to pursue a career in Musical Theatre and Opera/Voice Performance.
Candice studies with Jami Templeton
Performances: Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Wanda currently studies voice with Rob Viens Voice Studio/Ensemble Enterprises Inc in Bellingham and with Dr. Michael Warren in New York City. She can’t imagine life without singing, but when she moved to Bellingham 12 years ago, she never dreamed there could be an opportunity here to sing in an opera!
Performances: Paride ed Elena 2012
Bio: Chris is excited for his debut with Opera Popolare. Chris is a graduate of the vocal program at Shoreline Community College where he studied from 2004 to 2008. Some of Chris’ other performances include: Bizet’s Carmen, Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffman, and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. While at SCC, Chris studied voice privately and sang with the select chamber choir The Shoreline Singers, Where he also met his soprano girlfriend. Chris has also had the fortune to travel with his choir to exotic and spectacular places such as Ireland in 04’ and Spain 06’. After Graduating SCC, Chris continued his education and recently graduated from the Woodring Education Department at Western Washington University in March 2012.
Performances: The Fairy Queen
Bio: Sam has been entranced by the world of singing since first joining his high school choir at age 14. Now 21, he is excited to be performing in his first baroque opera. Past opera performances include singing in the West Bay Opera chorus in Cosi Fan Tutte and Carmen, and the role of Antonio in the Western Washington University production of The Marriage of Figaro. Thank you Mom, for endless encouragement, and to Opera Popolare for this fabulous opportunity.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas
Productions: Orfeo and Euridice; Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Katie received a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from Western Washington University. She teaches piano at Mojo Music and Bellingham Academy of Music, plays for a church, and accompanies throughout the community and at Western.
Performances: Opera Selections 2011
Bio: Ibidunni Ojikutu is a graduate of Western Washington University While at WWU she played the 2nd Spirit in their production of W. A. Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte She was cast as Florinda in WWU’s production of Into the Woods. In 2011 she sang the role of Strawberry Woman and cover the role of Serena in Seattle Opera’s 2011 production of “Porgy and Bess”.
Performances: Paride ed Elena 2012
Bio: Ever since he was little, Aidan had a thing for fabrics. He could always pick out his mom’s best fabric from the massive collection she had. Now, he has his own fabric collection. Aidan regularly does commissions for costumes or props, usually for cosplayers and anime conventions,though he prefers to alter already existing clothes.
Aidan is 18 years old and headed of to Evergreen State College to study psychology and performance art.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: When Lee Potzler lost his voice for several years in the mid-1990′s, he realized how important singing was to his life. (The culprit was an asthma inhaler.) After he could talk again, he reported in to Rob Vien to help recover his singing voice and ended up singing classical music. He now sings in three other choirs. Lee has appeared in Godspell (Judas) and in the chorus for Orfeo and Euridice.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Mark has spent years studying, training and teaching vocal technique in Los Angeles, New York City, and now in Seattle. In Seattle, he has been seen on stage performing Opera, Musical Theatre, Classical, Sacred, Pop, and Rock; but considers teaching to be his greatest love and calling.
Performances; Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena, Opera Selections 2013
Bio: Karen Powers sings with Assumption choir and is one of the founding members of the Women’s Schola. She studies voice with Rob Viens. Karen has been a chorus member and soloist in Opera Popolare’s productions. She thanks her family and friends for their encouragement to continue singing. Karen is delighted that you are here tonight.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen
Bio: Denise has always loved singing. She has been taking voice lessons from Rob Veins for a number of years. She sings on the worship team at church and in the choir. She has been involved in musical theater with Northwest Theater.
Performances: Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Annette has been studying voice for the past five years with Margot Hanson. During her vocal education she discovered a passion for opera, musical theatre, and jazz standards. She has performed with the Whatcom Community College Chamber Choir, as well as in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof with the Bellingham Theatre Guild, as well as numerous solo performances on different local stages.
Performances: The Fairy Queen, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Lesley started singing with her family in Scotland, and it remains a constant source of joy and energy. She performed with Edinburgh University’s Renaissance Singers, amateur operatic groups, and choral societies, joining Opera Popolare in 2011. Locally she sings acappella with Mockingbird and with Calyx, and is expanding her range in voice lessons with Rob Viens.
Performances: Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Sue Rivord grew up in Bellingham and sang in the Assumption Church Choir for a number of years. Currently, Sue is a Cantor/Choir member at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Everett and teaches Music/Physical Education at St. Benedict School in Seattle. She has studied voice with Rob Viens for several years and is excited to be in this Opera Popolare production
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen
Bio: Heidi’s sang the role of Hagar in Handel’s “Haman and Mordecai”, Charlotte in “Krenek’s Der Diktator”, and Prince Orlofsky in “Die Fledermaus”. She can be seen singing at her church where she is a cantor and a member of two choirs.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice; Opera Selections 2011
Bio: Charlotte graduated from WWU with a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance. On WWU’s opera stage she played 1st Spirit in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Cinderella’s mother in Into the Woods. She has appeared as a featured soloist many times with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale, in works such as Mozart’s Requiem and more recently Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. She teaches voice lessons and yoga classes in Bellingham.
Performances: Paride ed Elena
Bio: Ken is a published composer. His adult gospel compositions are published by Tate Music. He uses many of his own compositions in his job as Music Director at St John’s Lutheran Church. Ken plays many instruments, among them are Piano, Classical Guitar, Native American Flute, and Appalachian Dulcimer.
Performances: The Fairy Queen
Bio: Tricia sings in “The New Directions” at the Center for Spiritual Living and through a fellow band member was referred to Rob Viens as a vocal coach. After 30 years of voice lessons with other teachers, Rob’s teaching has taken Tricia to new heights. Her background has been in everything from country to jazz. A native of Los Angeles, she started her career singing in clubs throughout LA. She was also a studio singer, singing for movies and television, and had a career in Las Vegas.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Daniella Smith is a junior at Bellingham High School. She has studied voice with Jami Templeton for two years although she’s been involved in theatre and choir in her schools and the community her entire life. This past summer, she studied in New York City with Trish McCaffrey and plans to pursue a career there once she graduates high school. Daniella has recently won the district Solo and Ensemble Contest in the mezzo-soprano category and is extremely excited to perform at state. Daniella is also an educated piano player having taken lessons for seven years. She is also an honor student and avid reader.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011
Performances: Dido and Aeneas
Performances: Orfeo ed Euridice, Dido & Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Adrienne Syvertson began taking cello and piano lessons at a very young age. She studied music at Arizona State University where she earned both a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Cello Performance. In 1997, she moved to Bellingham, where she continues to perform and collaborate with other local musicians.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Jami Templeton is a world renowned vocal technician, coach, adjudicator, and an award-winning songwriter and performer. She was featured as Bobby Valentino’s voice teacher on BET’s television show, “Played By Fame”, and was a judge for the ABC television show, “Karaoke Battle USA”. Jami studied vocal performance at Arizona State University and Manhattan School of Music and has received nods for her vocal excellence from the highly esteemed Metropolitan Opera. She has performed lead roles in Opera, Musical Theater, and countless solo recitals. For more information, visit http://www.jamitempleton.com.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Celie, owner of Opera Popolare, has a Bachelors of Arts degree in music and has taught public school music, accompanied, and directed church choirs. She has sung with Whatcom Chorale, Ensemble Celeste, Skagit Opera Chorus, Whatcom Chorale, and Bellingham Chamber Chorale. She is passionate about making opera accessible to all.
Performances: Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen
Bio: Alexander has sung throughout North America and Europe. His acting career spans from Shakespeare, to Mamet, to the 24/48 Festival at the Idiom Theater in Bellingham. He has sung Opera and Oratorio in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera. His roles range from Handel, to Mozart, to Puccini.
Performances: Orfeo ed Euridice, Dido & Aeneas, The Fairy Queen, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Kris Turner attended Eastern Washington University where she studied with Kelly Farris as well as performed in the EWU Symphony Orchestra and Gonzaga University Symphony. Kris transfered back home to finish her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Western Washington University, studied violin with Walter Schwede and continued to perform in Symphony, Chamber, and New Music Ensembles. Kris has been teaching in Bellingham since 2000, is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and has been a member of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra since 2007.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012.
Bio: Kaleb, a Junior at Bellingham High School, has been singing and performing in local theatre and musical productions ever since he can remember. Kaleb recently played Jack in the professional production of “Into the Woods,” at the Mt. Baker Theater. In May, Kaleb will play Trevor Graydon in BHS’s Thoroughly Modern Millie, and in August he will direct High School Musical at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY). Music has always been his great love, and he wishes to pursue it as a profession throughout the rest of his life.
Performances: Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena, Opera Selections 2013
Bio: You may have recently seen Serena as the roles of “Helen” in Opera Popolare’s production of “Paris and Helen,” “Juno” in “The Fairy Queen,” as well as singing in various Opera Popolare performances and was a performer with Bellingham High School’s “Showstoppers” through her senior year in 2012.
-She is looking forward to “Semele” this fall and many other operatic opportunities in the future!
-Serena has studied voice with her father, Robert Viens before day one out of the womb.
Performances: Orfeo and Euridice, Dido and Aeneas, Opera Selections 2011, The Fairy Queen, Opera Selections 2012, Paride ed Elena
Bio: Rob’s work as a performer, conductor, educator, adjudicator & clinician has been featured locally at such venues as WWU, the Bellingham Theatre Guild, and the San Juan Music Educators’ festivals. He has been music and stage director for Opera Popolare since its inception. Rob is passionate about helping the singers in his voice studio achieve their dreams—whatever their level and musical style preference!
Performances: Paride ed Elena 2012
Bio: Andie studies classical and jazz voice with Ann MacDonald
She has 2 children who perform in musical theater at BAAY (Bellingham Academy of Arts for Youth)
Performances: Paride ed Elena 2012
Bio: Vaughn is a software engineer for Attachmate, a Seattle-based software company that has a remote office in Bellingham. In the mid-90s, he studied music at Western Washington University and has since enjoyed playing piano in church and for special occasions. He has also taken a stab at composition, recently writing a piece for two voices, cello, and piano. Vaughn also likes spending time with elementary students, teaching them the game of chess.
Performances: Opera Selections 2012
Bio: Jason sang in select choirs in college and is coming back to music after a long break. He wishes to thank Celie and Rob for this opportunity. Music has always been indescribably important to him, and even though he’s never had a family of his own, he’s managed to fall in love many, many times . . . with every song he’s ever learned to sing.