2022-2023 Series | Student Ensemble
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Show-Me Opera
Christine Seitz, Director
A Program of Opera Scenes
Including the World Premiere of Sunower Radio
Music By MU Student Composer Morima
Libretto by Anna Ralls-Ulrich
Zachary Kierstead and Tenson Liang, collaborative pianists
David Myers, Audio and Video production
Eliza Brooks, Lighting
Zhuoqiong He, Supertitle cueing
Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, 2022
7:00PM
Sheryl Crow Hall
Program
Love in a Village (1760) .................................................. Isaac Bickersta and omas Arne
Act II Trio (1733-1808) (1710-1778)
Rosetta – Elise Cressey (F), Maya Anand (S)
Lucinda – Brenna Donnelly (F), Kennedy Kinnick (S)
Hawthorn – Jourdan Flores (F), Samuel Varnon (S)
Ariadne auf Naxos (1912) .................................................................Richard Strauss
Act I Trio (1864-1949)
Najade – Caitlin Kenney (F), Wendy Kleintank (S), Maya Anand (cover)
Dryade – Tara Boydston (F), Faith Fullen (S)
Echo – Amanda Obeso (F), Chloe Prewett (S), Vaysia Knust (cover)
Sunower Radio (2022 – World Premier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morima
Libretto by Anna Ralls-Ulrich (b 2002)
Icarus – Holden Franklin
Apollo – Yonathan T. Astatke
Instrumental Ensemble:
Violin I – Alexandre Negrão
Violin II – Evan Wilde
Viola – Jojo O
Cello – Jiae Lee
Synth Bass – Greg Johnson
Toy Piano and Tapes – Morima
Conductor – Nathan Lange
INTERMISSION
La clemenza di Tito (1791) ..................................................... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Act I #11 & #12 (1756-1791)
Sesto – Lucas Gonzaga da Silva (F), Rachel Misner (S), Tara Boydston and Dani Major (covers)
Annio – Kennedy Kinnick (F), Megan S. Lyon (S)
Servilia – Sophie Heimerl (F), Kate Wyman (S), Angela Colombo (cover)
Publio – Jonathan Crader (F), Henry Braeske (S)
Vitellia – Haley Mesz (F), Jessica Scearce (S), Ste Roche (cover)
CHORUS – ALL CLASS MEMBERS
Giulio Cesare (1724) ...............................................................George Frideric Handel
Act I Duet (1685-1759)
Sesto – Dani Major (F), Rachel Misner (S)
Cornelia – Tara Boydston (F), Faith Fullen (S)
Supers – Jonathan Crader, Ethan Miller
La lle du régiment (1840). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gaetano Donizetti
Act II, Trio (1797-1848)
Marie – Caitlin Kenney (F), Kate Wyman (S), Vaysia Knust (cover)
Tonio – Zachary Reinert (F), Nathan Le (S), Jourdan Flores (cover)
Sulpice – Jonathan Crader (F), Ethan Miller (S), Jonathan Edens (cover)
Un ballo in maschera (1859) ...............................................................Giuseppe Verdi
Act III sc. i Quartet and Quintet (1813-1901)
Renato – Yonathan T. Astatke (F), Carrick Joseph O’Bleness (S)
Sam – Henry Braeske
Tom – Ethan Miller
Amelia – Mariah Dale (F), Maddie Jenkins (S), Jessica Scearce (cover)
Oscar – Lucas Gonzaga da Silva (F), Rebekah Beebe (S), Amanda Obeso (cover)
Die Fledermaus (1874) ................................................................. Johann Strauss, Jr.
Act II Excerpt (1825-1899)
Prince Orlofsky – Brenna Donnelly (F), Rachel Misner (S), Megan S. Lyon and Dani Major (covers)
Eisenstein – Zachary Reinert (F), Jack Grant (S), Jourdan Flores (cover)
Adele – Sophie Heimerl (F), Rebekah Beebe (S), Elise Cressey (cover)
Frank – Jonathan Crader (F), Henry Braeske (S), Ethan Miller (cover)
Falke – Jonathan Edens (F), Carrick Joseph O’Bleness (S)
Rosalinde – Ste Roche (F), Chloe Prewett (S), Haley Mesz (cover)
Ida – Amanda Obeso (F), Angela Colombo (S)
CHORUS – ALL CLASS MEMBERS
La Rondine (1917) ......................................................................Giacomo Puccini
Act II Quartet (1858-1924)
Ruggero – Zachary Reinert (F), Nathan Le (S), Jack Grant (cover)
Magda – Mariah Dale (F), Maddie Jenkins (S), Ste Roche (cover)
Lisette – Vaysia Knust (F), Wendy Kleintank (S), Kate Wyman (cover)
Prunier – Nathan Le (F), Zachary Reinert (S), Samuel Varnon (cover)
CHORUS – ALL CLASS MEMBERS
Thank you:
Peter Miyamoto
Lucy Urlacher
Christina Ray
Kyle Stegall
Steven Tharp
Cast Biographies
Maya Anand, soprano, is from Saint Louis, Missouri and is currently a sophomore at the University of
Missouri. She is a dual major, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Journalism. She studies
voice with Christina Ray. Anand has also studied Indian classical voice and has given several concerts in her
hometown, as well as in India.
Ethiopian-American baritone Yonathan T. Astatke is from Kansas City, MO. Yoni is in his nal year of Voice
study at the University of Missouri, and is a student of Professor Kyle Stegall. As a member of Show-Me Opera
at the University of Missouri, he has sung the roles of Il Conte (Le nozze di Figaro), Ford (Falstaff), and Samuel
(Pirates of Penzance). He has also performed in scenes with Show-Me Opera as Hamlet (Thomas’s Hamlet),
Simon Boccanegra (Simon Boccanegra), Ophémon (L’amant anonyme), Stubbs (Heggie’s Moby Dick), and
Masetto (Don Giovanni). For musical theater credits, Yoni performed the role of Alex (Madagascar: A Musical
Adventure) with Larry D. Clark Summer Repertory Theater at the University of Missouri. Also, with Bernard
Campbell Theater, he performed the roles of Chuck Cranston (Footloose), Clopin Trouillefou (The Hunchback
of Notre Dame), and Sebastian (The Little Mermaid). Yoni is a 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition
District qualier. Yoni recently won First Place in Classical and Fourth Place in Musical Theatre at the Central
Region NATS Competition, and he was a NATS National Student Audition seminalist for the classical and
musical theater categories in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Yoni is very adamant about continuing the decolo-
nization of classical music. He is a erce advocate for young artists like himself who belong to marginalized
identities to be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve all across the board. He believes that this is
the path towards keeping classical music sustainable for future generations.
Rebekah Beebe, soprano, is from Liberty, Missouri and is now studying as a sophomore at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and studying under
Christine Seitz. She is a member of the Show-Me Opera under the direction of Christine Seitz. She was a chorus
member in Le nozze di Figaro in 2022, and she performed “Saper vorreste” by Giuseppe Verdi in The Staged
Arias program in 2022. She is a member of the University Singers under the direction of R. Paul Crabb. She
was a member of the 2021 Missouri All-State Choir.
Tara Boydston, mezzo-soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is a senior attending the University of
Missouri for Vocal Performance and Psychology, studying under Prof. Christine Seitz. She is also a member of
MU’s University Singers, with director Paul R. Crabb, as well as the Show-Me Opera program. She has sung
many roles, including Marcellina from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Bradamante from Handel’s Alcina. She
has also done solo work including Efteraaslied by Hans Abrahmsen with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, and
Mozart’s Requiem Movement IV: Domine Jesu performed at St. Stevens in Vienna, Austria. She also qualied
as a semi-nalist in the NATS regional competition both her freshman and sophomore year.
Henry Braeske, bass, is a student in Chemical Engineering and Vocal Performance who has been singing with
Show-Me Opera for several years, performing the roles of Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Sarastro in The Magic
Flute, the Sergeant at Arms in The Pirates of Penzance, and Pistola in Falstaff. He is currently studying voice
under Kyle Stegall.
Angela Colombo, soprano, is a freshman at University of Missouri from St. Louis, and is pursuing a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business. She is currently a member of Show-Me Opera directed by Christine Seitz and is
now studying voice under Lucas da Silva, previously studying under the direction of Brenda Bailey and Sam
Revilla. She has performed the roles of Amy March in Little Women and Lily St. Regis in Annie and was a
member of the 2022 Missouri All-State Choir conducted by Dr. Michael Joseph Barrett.
Jonathan Crader is from Columbia, Missouri, and studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is
currently completing a second degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Music, while studying voice under Professor
Kyle Stegall. He is currently developing his knowledge of opera in the MU Show-Me Opera productions, where
he has performed as Bartolo in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and excerpts as Dr. Cajus in Nicolai’s The Merry
Wives of Windsor and Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring. He has performed frequently in the
realm of musical theatre, appearing as Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Edna Turnblad
in Hairspray, among other roles. Jonathan has worked regularly in rst-rate choral ensembles such as MU’s
University Singers for several years, and sings often in a choral setting. He will be competing in NATS under
Professor Stegall’s direction, and further developing his work as a solo performer.
Elise Cressey, soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri and is a transfer student at the University of Missouri.
She is pursuing a BA in music, as well as double majoring in Communications. She is studying voice with
Christina Ray and has also performed in a variety of shows. Some of her favorite roles performed have been
Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
and Mrs Mayor in Seussical. She competed at state festivals for solo and ensemble throughout her high school
years, receiving superior “1” ratings throughout, as well as being in the 2019 Missouri All State Choir.
Mariah Dale, soprano, from Columbia, MO is currently a senior music major at the University of Missouri,
where she studies with Christine Seitz. She has previously worked with The Missouri Symphony Society in
their productions of Carmen in 2019 and La Bohème in 2018, the university’s Bach Collegium Choir, Hitt St.
Harmony Jazz Ensemble, University Singers, and the Show-Me Opera. In her time at Mizzou, Mariah has stud-
ied and performed a variety of characters including Amelia from Verdi’s Simon Bocconegra, Fiordiligi and De-
spina from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Susanna from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Blanche de la Force from Pou-
lenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, First Lady and Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Clorinda from Rossini’s
La Cenerentola, the title character of Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Donna Elvira from Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
Mariah won rst place in the Classical Division at the 2022 Central Region NATS Competition. She was a Miz-
zou Emerging Artist Finalist in the Spring of 2021, she won the upper division of the MNTA Collegiate Voice
Auditions in November 2021, and she was a seminalist in the Central Regional NATS singing competition in
2019, 2018, and 2017. She previously assisted in leading worship at Missouri United Methodist Church and has
been a scholarship singer at First Baptist Church in Columbia since 2020. In April of 2021 Mariah performed
Alice Ford in Verdi’s Falstaff with the university’s Show-Me Opera program, and in March of 2022 performed
the role of La Contessa Almaviva in the program’s production of Le nozze di Figaro.
Brenna Donnelly, mezzo-soprano, is a senior at the University of Missouri who hails from Wichita, KS. Ms.
Donnelly is a double major, pursuing a Bachelor of the Arts in Music as well as a Bachelor of Journalism.
Ms. Donnelly is studying voice with Steven Tharp and is a member of Show-Me Opera under the direction
of Christine Seitz. Most recently, Ms. Donnelly has been seen in Show Me-Opera’s staged arias in 2022,
performing the Griserie Ariette from La Perichole. She has played roles such as: Miles from Turn of the Screw
and Suor Osmina from Suor Angelica in Show-Me Opera’s 2020 Opera Scenes performance. Ms. Donnelly also
covered the role of Cherubino in Show-Me Opera’s production of Le nozze di Figaro.
Jonathan Edens, tenor, is currently a junior pursuing a BM in Vocal Music Education at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. He is originally from Liberty, Missouri. He is a vocal student of Professor Steven Tharp
and has been a member of both the University Singers for three years, directed by Dr. R. Paul Crabb, and the
University Glee Club for four years, directed by Dr. Brandon Boyd. He serves as President of the University
Singers, as well as holding section leader positions in the University Glee Club and his church choir at First
Disciples of Christ. He has also been involved with other ensembles in the Columbia area such as Ars Nova, the
Columbia Community Chorale and Cambiare Youth Chorus. In the past, he has portrayed the roles of Le Fou
in Beauty and the Beast and Harry Bright in Mamma Mia!, and in the future, Jonathan hopes to build and guide
future musicians as a secondary level vocal music educator.
Jourdan Flores, tenor, from Warrenton MO, is a junior at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is pursuing
a BM in Vocal Performance and is studying with Prof. Kyle Stegall. He is currently enrolled in The University
Glee Club and Choral Union. Jourdan has only been in Opera on campus for a short time, but has already been
in several performances, including singing the role of Don Curzio in the Spring 2022 production of Le nozze di
Figaro. Another favorite role was Slender in Opera Scenes in Fall 2021. He was also in several performances
during his high school years.
Holden Franklin recently graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia with his BA in music
composition where he studied under Dr. Stefan Freund, Dr. Yoshiaki Onishi, and Dr. Carolina Heredia. He
has had pieces performed by many prestigious groups such as the Saint Louis Symphony, Khemia Ensemble,
Quatour Diotima, and Mizzou New Music Ensemble. Along with Holden’s compositional endeavors, he also
studied voice at the university with Prof. Steven Tharp for solo voice, Dr. Paul Crabb for choral singing, and
Prof. Christine Seitz for operatic singing. He has performed in operas such as Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Gilbert
and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Verdi’s Falstaff, and many other roles in opera scenes.
Faith Fullen, mezzo-soprano, is from Columbus, Ohio, and is currently a rst-year graduate student at the
University of Missouri. Having received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Industry from Capital University,
Ms. Fullen is now pursuing her Master’s in Vocal Performance. Ms. Fullen is a current section leader of the
University of Missouri’s University Singers, and studies voice under Kyle Stegall. Most recently, Ms. Fullen
has been seen in the roles of Joy from Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Dr. Alexander Manette in Jill
Santoriello’s A Tale of Two Cities, and she covered the role of Lucille in Jason Robert Brown’s Parade.
Lucas Gonzaga da Silva, soprano, is from São Paulo, Brazil and is currently a graduate student at the
University of Missouri. Gonzaga holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and is pursuing a Master of
Music in vocal performance. He studies voice with Steven Tharp and is a member of the Show-Me-Opera
under the direction of Christine Seitz. He is a former singer at São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP)
Academic Choir at Sala São Paulo, Brazil.
Jack Grant, tenor, is in his third undergraduate year at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying Music
Education. An active member in the School of Music, Jack is the music director for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
fraternity, as well as director of the Canticum Novum chamber choir, a premier student-led undergraduate
chamber ensemble in the state of Missouri. He is currently a member of the University Singers and Mizzou
Glee Club, directed by Dr. R. Paul Crabb and Dr. Brandon A. Boyd respectively. He was previously a member
of the Fort Zumwalt South chamber choir led directed by Jason Martin and asst. Christopher Loftin, which
was a featured performing ensemble at MMEA in January of 2020. Over the course of his high school career,
Jack has been a member of the Metro 8 all-district choir 3 times and has been a member of the Missouri All-
State Choir twice. As well as being a member of these high-level ensembles, Jack has also received gold
and silver ratings in both solo and ensemble categories at the MSHSA state solo/ensemble festival held at
the University of Missouri-Columbia. A dedicated member of his high school theatre program, Jack was the
lead in both Footloose and Once Upon a Mattress, and also directed shows such as The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare, Abridged and I Hate Hamlet. Since beginning college, Jack has transferred this passion
for performance onto works in the Show-Me Opera program, performing in choruses for opera scenes and a
full-length production of Falstaff. He also has held scene rolls as Laurie in Little Women, Guglielmo in Così
fan tutte, and Antonio in a full-length production of Le nozze di Figaro. Jack intends to nish his degree and
perform for a few years, and then teach as a high school music teacher in the public school system.
Sophie Heimerl, soprano, comes from Naperville, Illinois, and is presently a junior vocal music education
major at the University of Missouri. She sings in Show-Me Opera under the direction of Christine Seitz and
University Singers, the school’s auditioned choir, and she studies privately with voice professor Steven Tharp.
She has performed in the chorus of the opera program’s productions of Falstaff and Le nozze di Figaro.
Previous achievements include being in the 2020 ILMEA Honors All-State Choir, and performing in the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Merry, Merry Chicago! Annual Christmas concert.
Missouri native Maddie Jenkins, soprano, has been fascinated by music her entire life. As a vocal music
education student at the University of Missouri, she has had the pleasure of singing at conferences on a national
scale and at music festivals abroad. Maddie had multiple roles in musicals when she was growing up including
Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins and Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! and has been active in the Show-Me
Opera program at Mizzou. Maddie just nished a season as a scholarship singer for Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Columbia, Missouri and just nished a run as the music director for a production of Cinderella in the
Black Hills of South Dakota. You can nd her teaching voice and piano lessons at Palen Music Center along
with accompanying Columbia Youth Choirs. Maddie is currently studying under the directions of Dr. R. Paul
Crabb and Professor Christine Seitz.
Caitlin Kenney, soprano, is from Kansas City, Missouri. She is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia
working towards earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music as well as minoring in Education and Human Devel-
opment and Family Sciences. She is a vocal student studying under Professor Kyle Stegall. She has spent three
years as a member of the Show-Me Opera with roles including Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Miss Word-
sworth in a scene from Albert Herring, Flora in a scene from The Turn of the Screw, Beth in a scene from Little
Women, and Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Her choral work includes The University Singers under Dr. R.
Paul Crabb and the Mizzou Treble Choir under Professor Emily Edgington Andrews.
Zachary Kierstead is a collaborative pianist working within the Columbia area. After receiving his Master
of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia, he is now an adjunct instructor at
MU and accompanies several ensembles: University Singers, Choral Union, and the Show-Me Opera. He also
works with numerous vocal and instrumental students, playing for undergraduate and graduate degree recitals,
competitions, as well as any other of the various needs of the school’s music students. Zachary works outside
of MU as well and will be traveling with the Central Methodist University Chorale in their Fall Tour around
Missouri, as well as playing several additional concerts with the ensemble. Outside of his work with college
institutions, he regularly performs with area high schools in district competitions and individual concerts,
accompanies local instrumental studio recitals, and performs with traveling guest artists in professional recitals.
Additionally, he plays for Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and is an associate accompanist at Missouri
United Methodist Church.
Kennedy Kinnick, mezzo-soprano, is from Raymore, Missouri and is a freshman at the University of Missouri.
Kennedy is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. They are also involved in University
Singers and currently study voice with Kyle Stegall. They recently won rst place in Classical at the Fall 2022
Central Region NATS Competition. Kennedy has performed the roles of Winnifred the Woebegone in Once
Upon A Mattress and Ariel Moore in Footloose The Musical. They also received superior “1” ratings on all of
their solos at the state solo and ensemble festival and were a two-year member of the Missouri All-State Choir.
Wendy Kleintank, soprano, is originally from North Manchester, Indiana, and her current home is in Sedalia,
Missouri. She has been playing the violin for 15 years and started taking vocal lessons in her last year of high
school. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in violin and voice at the University of Missouri-
Columbia, where she studies violin with Eva Szekely and voice with Christine Seitz. She is currently a member
of the University Philharmonic under the direction of Stephen Rogers Radcliffe, and she is also a member of the
University Singers, under the direction of R. Paul Crabb. At age 12 Wendy joined the Manchester University
Orchestra in North Manchester, Indiana, and three years later, she joined the Huntington University Orchestra
in Huntington, Indiana, as assistant concertmaster. After attending the Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar for
two years, she was offered the opportunity to study with Eva Szekely. At 16, Wendy started studying at the
University of Missouri, taking violin lessons with Eva Szekely, participating in studio class, taking chamber
music, playing with the Chamber Soloists, and becoming a member of the Mizzou University Philharmonic
Orchestra. She has performed with the Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra at the Kauffman Center for
the Performing Arts, has presented a solo recital at The Honeywell House, and her string quartet has participated
in a masterclass with Michael Stern at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. She has also won rst
place for the senior strings division at the MMTA State Competition, an Honorable Mention at the Odyssey
Concerto and Aria competition on voice, and an Honorable Mention at the MMTA State Competition on
voice. Wendy also founded the Alainn Ceol Quartet, which has performed at various locations in Sedalia and
Columbia. In the summer of 2021, she was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra, playing concerts with
them at Carnegie Hall. Wendy was soprano soloist for the Farnham and Byas Playhouse production of Handel’s
Messiah and was asked to sing with the Manchester Symphony Choir at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2022.
She was also asked to perform for a masterclass at Carnegie Hall for members of the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra in the fall of 2022.
Vaysia Knust, soprano, is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia and hails from Kansas City,
MO. Vaysia is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Music with a focus in Vocal Performance. She has been a
member of the University of Missouri’s Show-Me Opera, University Singers, Concert Chorale, and University
Treble Choir. Vaysia currently studies voice under Professor Christine Seitz, with previous instruction from Lori
Pinnell and Sarah Haskins. In recent years, Vaysia has performed as Baby Doe from The Ballad of Baby Doe in
the Show-Me Opera’s Staged Arias performance, and was as a chorus member in Show-Me Opera’s Le nozze do
Figaro.
Nathan Le, tenor, is from Kansas City, Missouri and is currently a Junior at the University of Missouri-
Columbia where he is pursuing a BM in Vocal Music Education. He currently studies with Kyle Stegall and is
a member of the Show-Me Opera where he has performed the roles of Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, Bardolfo
in Falstaff, and a Pirate in The Pirates of Penzance. He has also performed roles such as Angel in RENT,
Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Baker in Into the Woods.
Tenson Liang, collaborative piano, was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and began his piano studies at the age of ve.
After he got a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in Taiwan, his passion for piano then brought him to
Peabody Conservatory in 2016. He has won several awards, which include 1st prize of the National Taiwan
Mandarin Daily News Piano Competition, Gold medal of the National Taiwan Young-Artist Piano Competition,
Finalist of the International Wideman Piano Competition and West Virginia International Piano Competition.
He has studied piano with Gwhyneth Chen, Brian Ganz and Alon Goldstein. Now he is studying at Mizzou with
Peter Miyamoto, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Piano Performance.
Megan S. Lyon, mezzo-soprano, is from Independence, Missouri. She is in her fourth year at the University
of Missouri, pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Music Education and a minor in Spanish. She is a proud student of
Steven Tharp. In high school, she was a member of the auditioned chamber choir and played Little Red in
Into the Woods. Since coming to Mizzou, she has participated in many choral ensembles, including University
Singers, Concert Chorale, Ars Nova, Canticum Novum, and Hitt St Harmony. Megan has been working as a
Scholarship Singer at Missouri United Methodist Church since Fall 2021, under the direction of Nathan Lange.
This semester, she is excited to begin her position as Administrative Assistant for Columbia Youth Choirs to
further her conducting experience and work with amazing people in the area. This is her rst semester in the
Show-Me Opera program, and she is looking forward to learning about this genre of classical music, and most
importantly, performing with her friends.
Dani Major, mezzo soprano, comes from Platte City, Missouri. They are a rst-year master’s student pursuing
an MA in Theatre at the University of Missouri. Dani recently graduated with a BA in music from Mizzou
in August, and during their time at the university they have been a member of Mizzou’s University Singers,
Show-Me Opera, and Canticum Novum in addition to being a scholarship singer at Missouri United Methodist
Church. They have appeared as Mistress Quickly in Show-Me Opera’s production of Falstaff by Verdi,
Cherubino in Mizzou’s recent spring 2022 production of Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart, and Maureen Johnson in
Mizzou Theatre’s recent production of Rent. They recently won rst place in Musical Theatre and second place
in Classical at the Central Region NATS Competition.
Haley Mesz, soprano, is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri and is currently a junior at the University of Missouri-
Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She
is studying voice with Christine Seitz and has been singing with the Show-Me Opera, covering the role of
Marcellina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, performing the roles of Orfeo from Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice,
Romilda in Handel’s Serse, soprano in the chorus of Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sulivan, and soprano in the
chorus of Verdi’s Falstaff. In high school, Haley performed in a few shows including portraying the role of
Urleen in Footloose and Miss Phillips in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Along with that, Haley sang soprano in the
Kansas City All-District Choir three years in a row. She also had the chance to intern and sing soprano in the
Collegiate Choral Scholars Choir at the Kantorei Summer Choir Institute of Kansas City. Haley competed in
the local NATS competition the past two fall semesters, receiving honorable mention, and has been involved in
ensembles here at Mizzou including singing alto in Dr. R. Paul Crabb’s University Singers and singing soprano
in Nathan Lange’s Ars Nova ensemble.
Ethan Miller, bass-baritone, is a senior at the University of Missouri. He is a Columbia native pursuing a
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a minor in Health Wellness. Mr. Miller is part of both University
of Missouri’s Glee Club and also Show-Me Opera, and currently studies under Christina Ray, previously
studying under Steven Jepson. Most recently Mr. Miller took part in Lawrence Opera Theatre’s (LOT)
production of La Cenerentola as the understudy for Don Magnico. Ethan has also played Antonio in Le nozze
di Figaro and has been a chorus member in Le nozze di Figaro and Falstaff, all produced by Show-Me Opera.
Rachel Misner, mezzo-soprano, is from Chestereld, Missouri, and is currently in her fourth year at the
University of Missouri. She is pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Performance, and will be graduating in May 2024. She
has studied voice with Professor Kyle Stegall, and under his guidance, received honorable mentions in both the
Classical and Musical Theater divisions of the NATS competition in 2020. She is now studying with Professor
Steven Tharp, and recently won rst place in Musical Theatre and third place in Classical at the Central Region
NATS competition. She is planning a recital for the end of this semester. She has participated in Show-Me
Opera since her freshman year, but has also been a member of many other ensembles at Mizzou, including
University Singers, Concert Chorale, Hitt Street Harmony, Ars Nova, and Canticum Novum. During Summer
2021, she was cast in Mizzou’s Larry D. Clark Summer Repertory Theater, her rst musical theater endeavor.
Through this experience, she performed as Private and Mort in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, as well as
various roles in the Blame it on the Summer Night Benet Concert in honor of Marcia Berry. In opera, she has
had the opportunity to perform in the Fall Opera Scenes for three years, was a member of the chorus in Pirates
of Penzance, played Meg Page in Falstaff as a sophomore, and most recently performed the role of Cherubino
in Le nozze di Figaro. This past summer, she had the opportunity to travel to New York to participate in the
NYU Summer Study in Musical Theater, working with artists such as Justin John Moniz, Rona Siddiqui, and
Natalie Weiss.
Morima is the composer of Sunower Radio, with librettist Anna Ralls-Ulrich. Morima is a cellist from
St. Louis, Missouri. He is a junior Sinqueeld Scholar at the University of Missouri and is studying for a
Bachelor’s of Music with emphasis in music composition. Morima takes inspiration from many composers,
from Monteverdi to Mitski and many in between. From his pop inuenced drum beats to his classically inspired
soundscapes, Morima combines current and past to create a new musical language.
Carrick Joseph O’Bleness, bass-baritone, comes from Kansas City, Missouri and has been participating in
vocal music since his junior year of high school. Now a fourth-year student under Professor Kyle Stegall, he
is working toward a BA in Music and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus area in Ethnomusicology.
Carrick covered the role of Figaro in W. A. Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, later showcasing the titular bass’s
witty and scheming aria “Se vuol ballare” in the Staged Arias program. Alongside Opera Workshop, he is a
member of the University Singers large ensemble choir and the Hitt Street Harmony vocal jazz choir. He has
recently assumed the positions of President & Co-Director of Canticum Novum, Mizzou’s Premiere Student-
Led Chamber Ensemble. He also serves as the Chair of the Service & Outreach Committee of the Zeta chapter
of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Amanda Obeso, soprano, is from Nixa, Missouri and is currently a senior studying at the University of
Missouri, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education. She proudly studies voice with Kyle Stegall
and is Vice President of Mizzou’s University Singers. She has also performed in Hitt Street Harmony and
Show-Me Opera and is an active member of ACDA. Amanda has held numerous roles in her college career,
including Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Edith in Pirates of Penzance, Léontine in L’amant anonyme, Anne
in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and cover for Oscar in Un ballo in maschera. Additionally, her musical theatre
experience includes playing Wednesday in The Addams Family, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Rusty in
Footloose. She holds the title of National Quarternalist in the 2021 NATS Competition in the Lower Treble
Musical Theatre category and is the recipient of the 2022 Robert J. Schwegman and William and Stella Pommer
Awards, each awarded to high achieving voice students.
Chloe Prewett, soprano, from Cairo, Missouri is currently a senior at the University of Missouri and is working
towards getting her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She studies voice under Professor Kyle Stegall
and is a member of the Show-Me Opera under Christine Seitz. Chloe has received superior “1” ratings at the
Missouri State Solo and Ensemble Festival in both voice and horn performance.
Anna Ralls-Ulrich, librettist for Sunower Radio, is a Columbia native who grew up singing and playing vio-
lin, ute, and piano as part of a large, musical family. They later focused on vocal training during their under-
graduate work at Columbia College, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Their rst play, when i
open my mouth, premiered in 2017. Their poetry, ction, and nonction works have been published in Contrary,
Atticus, Hawai’i Review, and Colorado Review, among others, and have been nominated for Best of the Net
and the Pushcart Prize. Anna holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing from Oxford University, where they
wrote a full-length stage play as a part of their thesis. Sunower Radio is their rst libretto.
Zachary Reinert, tenor, is a trained vocalist with a background in Musical Theatre. He has been involved in
over 20 productions by the Robidoux Resident Theatre, as well as many leading roles throughout his High
School acting career. The highlights of his endeavors include Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, William Bloom
in Big Fish, and Lord Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes. He has been a part of multiple district, state, and nation-
al level ensembles and has signicant experience in speech and debate as well. He has participated in multiple
Opera Scenes Programs and full opera productions with the Show-Me Opera Company. Zachary sang the role
of Dr. Caius in Show-Me Opera’s production of Falstaff, and in 2020 he played Major General Stanley in The
Pirates of Penzance. In 2018 he took rst at the MTNA Vocal Contest Lower College TTB Classical division.
In 2019 He attended his rst young artist program at the University of Southern Illinois, Carbondale. Zachary
won Third place in the Lower Undergraduate TTB Classical division at the Central Region NATS competition
in 2019.
Christine Seitz, Stage Director, is Teaching Professor of Music and joined the faculty at the University of
Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2008, where she is Director of Show-Me Opera. She was the Director of the
Resident Opera Artist program with the Missouri Symphony from 2016 through 2019, directing productions
of Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, La Bohème, and Carmen. She was a member of the stage directing staff for
the Apprentice Artist Program at Des Moines Metro Opera from 2006 through 2013, and she was the founding
Opera Director for the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, directing and producing
operas there from 1992 through 2002. She has been a guest director for the University of Kentucky Opera
Theatre, the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee (educational outreach productions), the University of Wisconsin-
Madison and Luther College. She has created original translations and supertitles for productions at the
Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, the Pine Mountain Music Festival, the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
the Dubuque Symphony and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Christine Seitz is an established dramatic
soprano, and she most recently appeared with the Des Moines Metro Opera, singing the role of Madame
Larina in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. She has also sung operatic roles with the Seattle Opera, the Dallas
Opera, Madison Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Toledo Opera, Kentucky Opera, the Florentine Opera of
Milwaukee, Central City Opera, and in Europe with the Wuppertaler Bühnen and the Stadttheater Bern. She
sang the leading role of Anna Clemenc in the world premiere of The Children of the Keweenaw, by composer
Paul Seitz and librettist Kathleen Masterson, at the 2001 Pine Mountain Music Festival. She has also sung in
concert with the MU Choral Union, the Waukesha Symphony, the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the
Caramoor Festival, the Germanfest Symphony in Milwaukee, the Cincinnati May Festival and the Las Vegas
Philharmonic. She has sung in numerous recitals in New York City and throughout the Midwest, collaborating
with pianists Steven Blier and Jessica Paul, and she has presented voice workshops and master classes in
Houghton, Michigan, and the University of California-Irvine. Professor Seitz is the past Central Region
Governor of the National Opera Association. She received B.Mus. degrees in both applied voice and music
education and an M.Mus. in applied voice from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A native of Madison,
Wisconsin, she was a two-time winner of the Eastern Wisconsin Metropolitan Opera District Auditions.
SOPRANO STEFFI ROCHE HAS A STRONG PERFORMING ARTS BACKGROUND. SHE HAS
PERFORMED AT THE DETROIT INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL SINCE THE AGE OF 10, AND
SHE PERFORMED IN FIVE OPERAS WITH THE MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE. SHE WAS A DISNEY
SCRIPT TESTER WITH ITHEATRICS IN NYC, HAD LEAD ROLES IN HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS
AT DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, WAS THE OPENING ACT FOR REGIS PHILBIN AT AGE
12, AND RECENTLY PERFORMED AT THE PHOENIX ARTS CLUB IN LONDON’S WEST END. SHE
ALSO WAS A VOICE ACTOR FOR A “DILIGEND” COMMERCIAL IN LONDON. STEFFI PERFORMED
WITH SHOW-ME OPERA IN THEIR FALL 2021 SCENES PROGRAM, SINGING THE ROLE OF LADY
BILLOWS IN ALBERT HERRING.
Jessica Scearce is a soprano from Gower, MO. Currently she is a junior at the University of Missouri-
Columbia, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management, as well as a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. She is studying with Christine Seitz and is currently a member of the Show-
Me Opera, where she has performed in the chorus of both Falstaff and Le nozze di Figaro. In addition, she has
received honorable mention from the Missouri Music Teachers Association competition. Also, she did several
productions with the East Buchanan High School Theater, and she performed in the Missouri All-State Honor
Choir during high school.
Sam Varnon, tenor, is from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is currently a junior at the University of Missouri,
pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and studying voice with Christine Seitz. As a member of Show-Me Opera,
he sang the role of Don Curzio in last year’s production of Le nozze di Figaro, and he has sung the roles of
Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Colin in L’amant anonyme in opera scenes programs. He is also a
member of University Singers. In 2021, he placed rst in the MMTA voice competition in the undergraduate
lower category, and he was a seminalist in the Central Region NATS competition in the lower classical
division. This summer, he was selected to participate in New York University’s Classical Voice Intensive.
Kate Wyman, soprano, is from Dexter, Missouri. She is currently a senior at the University of Missouri
pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in addition to a Bachelor of Journalism degree with a Strategic
Communication emphasis. Kate is a proud voice student of Professor Kyle Stegall, and she is currently a
member of University Singers and the Show-Me Opera workshop. In high school, she was a member of the
Missouri All-State Choir and the Southeast Missouri All-District Choir, and was selected as Top Vocalist in
her district by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) during her senior year. Kate has also been
involved in a number of musical theater productions, including High School Musical 2 at the Sikeston LIttle
Theater, where she played the lead role of Gabriella Montez. In 2020, Kate was named as a semi-nalist in the
Mid-Missouri Central Region NATS competition in the art song category. Wyman was a chorus member in the
Show-Me Opera’s 2021 production of Falstaff, and most recently, she sang one of the Due Donne in the Show-
Me Opera’s 2022 production of Le nozze di Figaro.
