Introducing Stone Guest fabulous cast!

Rae Shrun - Stage Director

Rae Shrum is a multifaceted arts professional with extensive experience in stage directing, stage management, performance, nonprofit marketing, and graphic design. Rae has directed productions like Werther for NELA Opera Collective and curated POPtoberfest with Pacific Opera Project. Her marketing expertise spans major roles with Sierra Madre Playhouse as Director of Marketing, Pacific Opera Project, and Blue13 Dance Company, specializing in strategic financial oversight, brand management, and marketing strategy development. Most recently, she took over as Executive Director for the emerging opera company, Source/Filter Music Collective.

On stage, Rae has performed in prominent roles with many L.A.-based opera companies, including IOC! You may recognize her from her recent appearances as "Sister Mathilde" in Dialogues of the Carmelites and as "Oksana" in The Cossack Beyond the Danube. Select credits: Prince Orlofsky & Public Opinion (SMC Opera), Hansel (Lyric Opera of Orange County), Charlotte (NELA Opera Collective), and Mercédès (Landmark Opera). With such a diverse skill set, Rae is dedicated to enriching the performing arts scene both on and off the stage! @raeshrummusic 

Timothy Simon - Don Juan

Timothy Simon is a captivating opera singer whose voice resonates with power, nuance, and emotion. He is a Tenor based in Los Angeles but was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He has honed his craft through years of dedicated training and performance, immersing himself in the richness of operatic tradition. His operatic journey has included performances with esteemed programs such as Arizona Opera, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and Lawrence Opera Theatre, as well as in school productions at the University of Arizona and California State University, Northridge.

With a vocal musicality that melts the heart and a stage presence that commands attention, Timothy transports audiences into the world of opera with each exquisite performance. From the timeless arias of Mozart and Donizetti to contemporary compositions, Timothy’s seamless transitions showcase a remarkable versatility, infusing each performance with a kaleidoscope of vocal colors and emotions, leaving an enduring impression that leaves the audience member wanting more.

Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s in Music from CSUN, where he continues to showcase his vocal prowess and dramatic intensity. His most significant roles include Le Remendado (cover) in Carmen by Bizet (Arizona Opera), Tamino in Die Zauberflöte by Mozart (CSUN), Heraldo in the U.S. Premier of Cenicientaaa! by Marta Lambertini (CSUN) and Dieter (upcoming) in The Path to Heaven by Adam Gorb (Lawrence Opera Theatre). Beyond the operatic realm, Timothy finds inspiration in his relationships with the friends and family around him, discovering new depths of emotion and understanding through their shared experiences and perspectives.

With a commitment to preserving and evolving the rich tradition of opera, Timothy is not only a consummate performer but also a passionate advocate for the enduring power of Opera. Through his sublime voice, unparalleled talent, and unwavering dedication, Timothy continues to enchant audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the world of opera.

Michael Payne - Leporello

Michael Payne is a classically trained singer, teacher, and musical director based in Los Angeles. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree from Lee University (Cleveland, TN) and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree from Missouri State University (Springfield, MO). 

He made his Carnegie Hall solo debut with Manhattan Opera Studio in 2017 and was a part of the inaugural Teatro Nuovo (formerly Bel Canto at Caramoor) in 2018. Michael was able to represent his country twice in the 2013 and 2017 inaugurations at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. He has been on numerous music tours across the nation, and internationally to Ireland and South Africa. He was an avid performer with Ozark Lyric Opera under the mentorship of Michael Spyers. 

In addition to classical music, Michael found a love for musical theatre direction in Missouri. He was the music director for many shows at Marshfield Community Theatre (Annie, Seussical, Mamma Mia!) and Spectra Theatre Co (Spring Awakening, Head Over Heels). 

Memorable roles include Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Chelio (The Love for Three Oranges), Sparafucile (Rigoletto), Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Timur (Turandot). Michael currently performs as the bass section leader at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church and is a voice faculty member at California State University Dominguez Hills.

Shannon Moore - Donna Elvira

Rising young mezzo-soprano Shannon Alise Moore enjoys an increasingly busy schedule in various venues and styles in the Los Angeles area. Specializing particularly in the Italian repertoire of Verdi and Donizetti, she has also essayed operetta and musical theater roles. With a voice described as “both powerhouse and poignant,” the mezzo has appeared with Landmark Opera, Independent Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and Mission Opera Companies, at Carnegie Hall, and with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and Golden State Pops Chorale. When she isn’t performing opera, Shannon is all over Los Angeles in studio sessions, singing jazz in both privately and in clubs, and composing her own works as well. For more on Moore, please visit her website: www.ShannonMooreVoice.com

Ariel Pisturino - Donna Anna

Hailed as “simply exquisite,” (Fanfare Magazine), soprano Ariel Pisturino is an alumna of the University of Southern California, Northern Arizona University, OperaWorks and the Russian Opera Workshop. She made her professional debut in 2010 with Long Beach Opera as Nancy T’ang in Adam’s Nixon in China. She has performed roles such as: Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Micaëla (Carmen), Despina (COVID fan tutte), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Leonora (Il Trovatore) and Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte). Pisturino created the role of Laurie on Delos Records’ recording of “Home is a Harbor,” a new opera by Mark Abel, released in 2016. Also with Delos Records, she recorded a song cycle on the album “Terrain of the Heart.” She performed in The Industry’s critically-acclaimed production of HOPSCOTCH, deemed a “mobile opera” by the Los Angeles and New York Times. She has performed with Los Angeles Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Long Beach Opera, The Industry, Martinez Opera, Redlands Opera Theater and the Southern Illinois Music Festival. She made her Kennedy Center debut in November 2019 singing a new opera, Three Paderewskis by composer Jenni Brandon. She recently sang the role of Despina with Pacific Opera Project’s new production, COVID fan tutte. in November of 2020 in one of the first drive-in operas of the pandemic, and reprised the role in July 2021 for the Southern Illinois Music Festival.  Most recently, she sang a baroque concert inspired by the four elements at the Berkeley Early Music Festival in June 2022, she sang the role of Social Worker in the new opera, Veteran’s Journey by Ken Wells, performed at UCLA in July 2022, and she reprised the role of Leonora (Il Trovatore) and deputed the role of Third Norn (Götterdämmerung) with New York Dramatic Voices. She will be reprising the role of Second Lady in Pacific Opera Project’s Die Zauberflöte (Superflute) for the spring of 2023. www.arielpisturino.com.  MIA Artists Management. Ms. Pisturino is the head voice teacher at Chaffey College and the Director of Vocal Studies at the University of La Verne. 

David Ingram - Monk/Stature of Commandore

Described as having “a stellar voice” (Hollywood Fringe Festival) David Ingram is a graduate from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance and a Master’s in Vocal Performance from CSUN. David has over 15 years of experience performing for audiences, having performed in China, Mexico, and all over the US in recognizable roles such as Belcore, Escamillo, and Marcello. Mr. Ingram has a strong interest in new works, with two world premieres of new operas under his belt as well as several U.S.A. premieres. David most recently appeared in Independent Opera Company’s production of Dialogues of the Carmelites as the Marquis de la Force and as Clayton McAllister in Mission Opera’s production of Carlisle Floyd’s Cold Sassy Tree.

Ethan Miller - Don Carlos

Ethan Miller, bass-baritone, is a Missouri native and current graduate student at California State University Northridge. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri Columbia. Mr. Miller currently studies under Dr. Hugo Vera, previously studying under Christina Ray. Most recently Mr. Miller took part in Lawrence Opera Theatre’s (LOT) production of Don Giovanni as the understudy for Masetto. During his time with LOT he also took part of the regional premiere of The Path to Heaven playing Kapo. Ethan has played and understudied for many roles such as Antonio, Bartolo, Le Count and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Don Magnifico from La Cenerentola, and Demetrious from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Alex Perkins - First Guest

Alex Perkins, tenor, has always had a passion for music. Alex studied voice at El Camino College in their Applied Music Program under the tutelage of Rhona Klinghofer, M.M., Julliard, and was a featured soloist with the El Camino College Orchestra. It was also there where he debuted his first opera role, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Alex continues to study voice with Ms. Klinghofer and has since performed with Long Beach Opera in their productions of The Death of Klinghofer and Difficulty of Crossing a Field. He is also an alumnus of the Angel Vocal Arts program under the baton of Kristof Van Grysperre, performing in several of their arts and oratorio recitals. For the past 11 years, Alex has performed with The Ensemble, a South Bay based group of classical singers who produce an annual concert series of opera favorites. In 2023, Alex had the pleasure of working with Source/Filter Music Collective in the Los Angeles debut of Doggone! A Micro Opera by Gary Carpenter, text by Simon Nicholson. Since 2020, Alex has had the pleasure of working with Independent Opera Company in their productions of Die Fledermaus, Puss in Boots, and The Love For Three Oranges.

Zev Marx- Kahn - Second Guest

Zev Marx-Kahn (Bass) is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Also a singer with GRAMMY-winning Tonality, he is thrilled to be making his Independent Opera Company debut in Stone Guest! Past opera roles include Bellman in the first workshop of Grand Hotel Tartarus (Danielpour). Feel free to follow along or get in touch via Instagram “@zev_mk”

Ensemble:

Alexei Helmbock

Alexei Helmbock has been a mainstay of several choral groups in the Los Angeles area, singing in various genres both sacred and secular. Born and raised in Boston, Alexei has been a lifelong musician who has shown repeated flexibility in the roles he has undertaken, including both tenor and bass section leader. Alexei has enjoyed singing music as varied as oratorio, opera, and bluegrass.

Allan Mancia

A Salvadoran-American born and raised in Los Angeles, music has always been part of Allan’s up-bringing, being in choir, band, marching band and jazz band during his K-12 years, while studying guitar privately. Allan has had both education and performance experience, teaching privately and in the public sector, as well as singing in an choir ensemble for Foreigner. He has had the opportunity to play in 2023 guitar festival in Granada , Spain. Allan is currently studying guitar and voice at California State University, Dominguez Hills.