Introducing The Love For Three Oranges Fabulous Cast!

King of Clubs : Elijah Cineas

Elijah Cineas, bass-baritone, is is very excited to be making his debut with Independent Opera Company this season. Earlier in the season he also made debuts with Opera Santa Barbara and Lyric Opera Orange County. His roles have included Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, Paris in Romeo et Juliette, and the Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance. He has also been fortunate to cover the roles of Hunding in Wagner’s Die Walküre and Germano in Rossini’s La Scala di Seta. Elijah is a graduate of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach.

King cover: Misha Barsky

Mikhail Barsky (also Ensemble) was born at Kiev(Ukraine). He studied cello and piano.

Also he has degree in choral conducting. He has sung with different kind of choirs(from small to big choirs) and vocal ensembles(classical, jazz, arrange of instrumental music). Presently he sings at Wagner Ensemble(Director: Jeannine Wagner) and choir of St.Mary of the Angels Church(Bass section leader). Mr. Barsky has sung several principal roles with IOC including Sobakin in "Tsar's Bride" and Old Gypsy in "Aleko".

Prince: Xavier Prado

Xavier Prado is a Chilean-born tenor who has received numerous accolades for his exceptional singing. He was a finalist and grant winner at the2023 Loren L. Zachary Vocal Competition, finalist at the 2023 Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition, and has won numerous awards including the Audience Choice Award and one of the top three prizes at the 2022 Palms Springs Opera Guild Vocal Competition. He has also been recognized as a finalist at the 2023 Pasadena Vocal Competition, and as a finalist and Robinson award winner at the 2023 Mary Jacobs Singers of the Year Competition. In 2019-20, he won the Beverly Hills National Auditions.

Mr. Prado's performances have been described as possessing "truly stunning acting and vocals." He has starred in leading roles in various new works and world premiers such as Don Quixote in the opera Dulcinea XL by Juan Colomer, which was performed in January of 2019 with the Los Angeles Grand Ensemble under the direction of maestro Ignazio Terrasi. He made his film debut in 2018 with the lead role in an American television miniseries, and performed the role of Ruodi in Guillaume Tell with Opera Southwest, which was broadcast across the United States.

As a Studio Artist in Sarasota Opera during their 2016-17season, he performed dozens of concerts and lead role covers as well as the role of Le Premier Commissaire in Poulenc’s Les Dialogues des Carmélites. At Opera San Jose he sang roles in Le Nozze di Figaro and Streetcar Named Desire, as well as the role of Lindoro in L’Italiana in Algeri.

Mr. Prado has performed as a soloist in a wide range of repertoire with various opera companies and orchestras including the Palms Springs Opera Guild, Opera Buffs, California Philharmonic, The Lyric Opera of Orange County, Golden State Pops Orchestra, Pocket Opera, The Rousse Philharmonic in Bulgaria, Livermore Valley Opera, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Cameretta of Los Angeles, Mission Opera, The Valley Opera and Performing Arts, The Huntington Beach Symphony, Antelope Valley Symphony and Master Chorale, Ridgecrest Opera Guild, Pacific Palisades Symphony, Opera en Castellano, Independent Opera Company, and the Pacific Lyric Association.

In 2020, through the Consortium of Music Presenters of Southern California, he presented a recital series throughout Southern California. His last public appearance in 2020 was in March, as the tenor soloist for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at The Soraya Hall with the CSUN Symphony and a grand union of chorales. In late 2021 he made his return to the post-pandemic opera stage in Il Barbiere di Siviglia as Count Almaviva with the Huntington Beach Symphony & in the title role in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Kaschey The Deathless with Independent Opera Company.

Recent performances include the title role in Gounod's Faust with Huntington Beach Symphony, Romeo in Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette in several productions, including those by Mission Opera, Valley Opera and Performing Arts, and the Lyric Opera of Orange County. Some upcoming performances include his participation in the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy, in the opera Il Viaggio a Reims as part of the Academia Rossiniana “Alberto Zedda” in the Summer of 2023, and as the title character in the opera Zorro by Hector Armienta with Opera Santa Barbara in 2024.

Aside of his music career, he is a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and violinist. He is heavily involved in the non-profit sector, currently serving as executive director of the Family Rescue Center in Canoga Park, CA.

Princess Clarice: Alexis Wesley

Versatile actor/mezzo-soprano Alexis Wesley is a frequent performer with IOC. Equally at home in opera, oratorio, musical theatre, stage plays and film, she is also a writer and producer of independent film and theatre. Locally, she has performed principal roles with Pacific Opera Project, Mission Opera, The Definiens Project and IOC. Favorite roles include Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Charlotte (A Little Night Music), Prudie Cupp (Pump Boys & Dinettes), Miss Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), Madame Flora (The Medium), Kashcheevna (Kashchey the Immortal), Spring Beauty (The Snow Maiden), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Princess Anhilte (The Gipsy Princess), Gertrude (Roméo et Juliette) and Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro). Favorite oratorio solo work includes Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Handel’s Messiah, Kodály’s Missa Brevis, Buxtehude’s Jesu Meine Freude and Vivaldi’s Gloria. She is a frequent soloist at churches across LA County. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she holds an MM in Voice from CSUN and is a graduate of the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in NYC. By day, she is a graphic designer.

Leander: Jamie Sanderson

Jamie Sanderson, baritone, possesses a voice that critics have described as “mellifluous” and “commanding.” He is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but now resides in Los Angeles and performs with many local opera companies. He recently performed the role of Marullo in Verdi’s Rigoletto, as well as Albert in Massenet’s Werther. Other recent roles include Morales in Bizet’s Carmen, The Wolf in Cesar Cui’s Little Red Ridinghood, and Prince Ivan-Korolevich in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Kashchey the Deathless. Jamie is also a Fox singer in the Verdi Chorus of Santa Monica and has gone on tour to Japan with the Roger Wagner Chorale. Jamie earned a Master of Music from the Peabody Institute in 2019 and a Bachelor of Music from the University of California, Irvine in 2016.

Truffaldino: Alex Perkins

Alex Perkins has always had a passion for music. Alex studied voice at El Camino College under the tutelage of Rhona Klinghofer, M.M., Julliard, where he was a featured soloist with the orchestra. It was also there where he debuted is first opera role, King Kaspar in Ahmal and the Night Visitors. Since then, Alex has 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, performing in several of their arts and oratorio recitals. For the past 9 years, Alex has performed with The Ensemble, a South Bay based group of classical singers who have produced an annual concert series of opera favorites. Follow him on Facebook @alexperkinstenor

Pantalon: Adam McCrory

Irish-born and American-educated, Adam holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and completed his Masters in Vocal Performance at CSUN in 2023, studying with Professor Shigemi Matsumoto. He performed principal baritone roles each semester with CSUN Opera, and was one of the winners of the CSUN Music Aria and Concerto Competition in 2022. Roles include Angelotti (Tosca), Cléon (L’ivrogne corrigé), Quinn (Speed Dating Tonight!), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Frank Maurrant (Street Scene), The Clock/The Black Cat (L’enfant et les sortilèges), Marco and Schicchi cover (Gianni Schicchi), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), The Baker (Into the Woods). McCrory recently performed the title role in The Prospector, a children’s opera with LA Opera Connects based on Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West. Coming up, Adam will feature as Achilla in a concert performance of Handel’s Giulio Cesare and will sing the role of Schaunard in La Bohème with Valley Opera and Performing Arts, alongside Xavier “Prince” Prado as Rodolfo! Adam has also performed with Guild Opera Company, Glendale Opera, the LA Jewish Symphony, the HOLA and Eisner Foundation Orchestra, the Song of Los Angeles Flute Orchestra, and The Opera Buffs, Inc. (being a grateful recipient of the Opera Buffs Artist Grant). In addition, he works as a professional choral singer and section leader with various groups and religious institutions in Los Angeles

Magician Cheliy: Michael Payne

Michael Payne is a classically trained bass, based in Los Angeles. He earned 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. He was an avid performer with Ozark Lyric Opera while living in Springfield, Missouri.

Michael has performed at two separate presidential inaugurations, and is featured on many choral recordings with the Missouri State Chorale. Michael taught at Drury University (Springfield, MO) for five years, specializing in classical vocal and musical theatre vocal music.

Currently, he performs across the greater Los Angeles area as a professional singer. He is the bass section leader at Palisades Presbyterian, and a performer with Goode Time Carolers, and has sung with Pacific Opera Project. For more information, visit michaelpaynebass.com

Fata Morgana: Hagar Sara Adam

Hagar Sara Adam, Soprano, is a native of Jerusalem, and has recently moved to Los Angeles. She holds a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from Binghamton University in New York and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Hagar sang leading and supporting roles such as Pamina (Mozart), Adina (Donizetti), Clorinda (Rossini), Suor Genovieffa (Puccini), Noémie (Massenet) and Anne Trulove (Stravinsky), with Tri-Cities Opera, Binghamton University, Harvard Opera, IVAI Tel-Aviv and Boston Conservatory.

Her concert experience includes the Soprano Solo parts in Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate and Coronation Mass, Bach’s Magnificat, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, performed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Israel.

Hagar has recorded voices for several films, including the Israeli Film Academy Award winner for Best Music and Best Sound film ‘Legend of Destruction’.

Fata Morgana cover: Melanie Keller (also ensemble)

Melanie Christine Keller received her Bachelor's degree in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Vocal Arts from San Francisco State University and certificates in Audio Recording and Production from Women's Audio Mission in San Francisco. She fronted her own band for many years, performing in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Originally from Fresno, CA, she moved to Los Angeles to continue in pop music but fell into the classical music scene instead. Since 2012 Melanie has worked as a vocalist with many church choirs throughout Los Angeles. She performed solo at the Vatican in 2018 and is also a songwriter, producer and recording and mixing engineer. This is her second production with IOC.

Princess Linetta: Shannon Moore

Shannon Moore is thrilled to be singing for the first time with Independent Opera Company! Receiving a Bachelor of Arts - Vocal Performance degree from Kansas State University, she has performed all across the country with select highlights at Carnegie Hall, Franco-American Vocal Academy, and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. Shannon also sings with Mission Opera and with Golden State Pops Chorale. When she is not singing opera, Shannon can be found singing many different genres of music in the Los Angeles area at community events, lounges, and private parties. She also lends her voice for educational videos and demos, such as Vienna Symphonic Library and their collaboration with Orchestration Recipes. Shannon would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. Enjoy the show! To see more of Shannon’s work, please visit her website: www.shannonmoorevoice.com

Princess Nikoletta: Julia Powers

Mezzo-Soprano, JULIA POWERS, is an adaptive artist of oratorio, operatic and choral repertoire. She joined Independent Opera Company for Rigoletto (Countess Ceprano) last February. Recently, she sang the Alto solos in Mozart’s Requiem and Bach Christmas Oratorio throughout the Monterey Bay Area with I Cantori di Carmel. She was a soloist and member of the Phoenix Chorale, and has been an Emerging Artist with Opera in the Ozarks, Chicago Summer Opera, and Red River Lyric Opera. Julia made her Carnegie Hall debut singing Rossini’s La Regata Veneziana in the winner’s concert of Baylor University’s Semper Pro Musica competition. Her favorite roles include Miss Todd (The Old Maid & the Thief), Jo March (Little Women), Musette (Leoncavallo’s La Bohème), and Desirée (A Little Night Music). Looking ahead, she will be featured in virtual productions of Cavalleria Rusticana (Alto Chorister II) and Ariadne auf Naxos (Dryad) with Mousaverse as well as a virtual Crossover Cabaret with Opera Cecilia next season.

Princess Ninetta: Julia Behbudov

Julia Behbudov was born in Omsk, Russia. In 2001 she entered the music school, piano class. In 2008 she entered the musical college named by Shebalin. Since 2011 she was working at the Opera and Ballet Theatre of St. Petersburg State conservatory named by Rimsky-Korsakov in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. In 2012 she entered the Music Faculty of Herzen State University. Since Ms. Behbudov 2015 was the soloist of the International Academy of Music named by Elena Obraztsova under the artistic direction of Ildar Abdrazakov and the winner of nomination «The Best Voice of Academy».

In 2016 she was participating at International Opera Academy in Montecatini Terme, Italy. In 2017 she had an internship in «Academie Lyrique» at the Opera de Monte-Carlo. In 2019 she graduated with honors from the magistracy of the Music Faculty of Herzen State University. Ms. Behbudov was participating in different master- classes and studying programs on advanced training. Then she became a soloist of the Opera and Ballet Theatre at the Conservatory named by U. Hajibeyli in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Now Ms. Behbudov continues her musical career in Los Angeles, CA. She is thrilled to make her debut with Independent Opera Company in the role of Ninetta in The Love for Three Oranges by S. Prokofiev.

Princess Ninetta cover: Rachel Yeo

Rachel Yeo is a classically trained high soprano. A Los Angeles native, she has been an active member of the local performance arts industry since a young age. Recently, Ms. Yeo made her LA Opera debut as Ngon Hong in their production of On Gold Mountain and sang the principal role of Princess in Independent Opera Company’s production of Puss in Boots. In past seasons, she performed with IOC in their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Cobweb and in Celestial Opera Company’s production of Madame Butterfly. Ms. Yeo is an experienced choral singer and recitalist. She has been singing with the Wagner Chorale since 2012 and made her international solo debut during their 2022 Japan Tour. She was a featured artist in the LA Korean Cultural Center’s 2022 Ari Project and in the St. Andrew Church’s 26th and 27th Annual Bach to Broadway Concert series. Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Mount Saint Mary’s University where she received a full scholarship. During her time at school, she sang for numerous academic festivities, commencements, and local charity events. She was also a Senior Category winner for the Pasadena Schubertiade Lieder Competition as well as for VOCE.

Creonta the Cook (Kuharka): Eli Katz (also ensemble)

Eli Katz was born into a family of musicians. He studied violin and piano along with his two sisters, and sang with his Dad. In high school he played Drums and sang in a Rock Band, and even schlepped his drums to cover for his teacher on a wedding gig! His computer and art skill, along with his attention to detail landed him in a coveted position as Artist at Exceptional Minds Studio, where he does post production graphic editing for award winning Major Motion Pictures. However, Eli’s love to perform keeps tugging him back into music. He had the great fortune of being mentored by Jeannine Wagner, who invited him to sing in the Wagner Ensemble which has taken him to Japan, Korea, France and the Czech Republic. 2019 opened up new singing opportunities with Galina Barskaya, and the Independent Opera Company. He has been in Romeo & Juliet, The Gipsy Princess, The Snow Maiden, as Toby in the Medium, and The Commendatore in Don Giovanni.

Farfarello the Devil: Bedjou Jean (also ensemble)

Bedjou Jean discovered classical voice 2018 and has been studying it ever since. He is really excited to take part in his first opera production. Check out his youtube channel at https://youtube.com/@bedjoujean

Smeraldina: Savitri Labensart

From starring in her highly acclaimed cabaret show produced by Grammy-nominated Brad Benedict, to singing with the LA Chamber Orchestra, to backing up Tiger Army on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, Savi consistently wows audiences with her vocal prowess and musical skill. Her variety of talents has made her a desired presence in the music studio, on tour, at the cantor podium, and performing on a plethora of stages in her home base of Los Angeles, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Wiltern Theater, the Skirball Center, Capital Studios, the Fonda Theater, and the Theater at Ace Hotel. Savi’s opera roles include Gilda in Rigoletto for Casa Italiana Opera, Annina in La Traviata at Redlands Bowl, and Masha in the Queen of Spades with Independent Opera Co., along with many classical and opera concerts. Performing highlights also include appearances with the LA Symphonic Winds, LA Master Chorale, Golden West Opera, Laguna Beach Chamber Singers, Nick Mancini, Benny Brydern Quartet, Flight 584 Jazz Band, and a vocal appearance on the FX series Justified.

Smeraldina cover: Maureen Mihalik (also ensemble)

Maureen Mihalik is a Mezzo-Soprano based in Los Angeles, CA. She regularly performs as a soloist with the “Opera Ensemble” and spent the 2021/2022 season performing the roles of Armelinde in “Cendrillon” and Prince Orlofksy in “Die Fledermaus” at the Broad Stage.

In 2020 she designed and performed a short opera film entitled “Resilience” for UCLA Art Sci Center’s contribution (“Telluric Vibrations”) to the ARS Electronica Festival. The performance represented the shared human experience of Covid-19 from the onset of the pandemic through our global transition into a new world.

Master of Ceremonies: Egan Carroll (also ensemble)

Egan is a graduate of the Santa Monica College Applied Music Program and is currently a student at California State

University, Northridge. He’s been singing opera since 2015 and has sung roles such as: Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus),and Most recently Parpignol in CSUN’s production of La Boehme. He will also be performing in Landmark’s production of The Magic Flute as Tamino later this month as well as singing with the Song of the Angels Flute Orchestra. He also sang chorus for Wayne Shorter/Esperanza Spalding’s Jazz Opera fusion project “Iphigenia” alongside Esperanza Spalding and others. He currently studies under Shigemi Matsumoto.

Herald: Ezra Thompson

Ezra Thompson is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, and a fourth-year PhD student in Mathematics at UCLA. While at Oklahoma, Ezra was a member of Men’s Glee Club, where he was first introduced to opera performance as a member of the chorus in Carmen and L’Orfeo. During undergrad, Ezra spent a year on academic exchange in Bologna, Italy, at the University of Bologna, where he learned Italian and performed with the university chorus, Collegium Musicum. Ezra also performs each Sunday with his church choir at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

Ezra and his wife, Holly, reside in Mar Vista. Outside of music, Ezra enjoys cooking, watching sports, playing board and card games with friends, and participating in a competitive online trivia league.

Ensemble:

Samantha Rosenberg

Samantha Rosenberg is currently finishing up her Bachelor’s of Music degree at CSU Northridge, studying voice with Diane Ketchie and coach Mercedes Juan Musotto. Some of her favorite roles are: L’ivrogne corrigé (Mathurine), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), La Bohème(cover Mimì) Street Scene(Jennie Hildebrand), L'enfant et les sortilèges(White Cat, Bat), Così fan tutte (cover Despina), The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), Legally Blonde(Margot), and chorus for the LA Opera Connects production Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén. When she is not performing, she is teaching at a pre-school and a local music school.

Niko Murakami

Niko Murakami, soprano, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music - Vocal Performance from California State University Long Beach and earned her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at California State University Northridge (CSUN).

Ms. Murakami’s roles include Rose Maurrant in Street Scene, La Princesse in L’enfant et les Sortiléges, the First Child Spirit in Die Zauberflöte, Mercury in Dido and Aeneas, and Bennie in On Gold Mountain.

Niko is studying classical voice with Shigemi Matsumoto.

Lynn Wang

Lynn Wang is an emerging soprano based in Los Angeles, CA. She has been a soloist with The Opera Ensemble since 2013 under the direction of Rhona Klinghofer. Additionally, she has performed the roles of Cendrillon (Viardot) and Adele (Fledermaus) with Santa Monica College Opera Theater under the direction of Janelle DeStefano and Mercedes Juan Musotto. There, she also had the great privilege of singing in a masterclass for Jakub Jozef Orlinski, countertenor. She is currently completing a MM at California State University, Northridge, where she has studied with Shigemi Matsumoto. At CSUN, she has covered the role of Musetta (Bohème) and will cover the role of Pamina (Zauberflöte) in the fall. Lynn would like to thank all of the generous and brilliant mentors who have opened their hearts and worlds to her over the years. They have all been beautiful catalysts in a journey that at one time seemed impossible.

Melanie Keller (please see under Fata Morgana Cover)

Rose Kreider

Rose Kreider is delighted to be making her debut with the Independent Opera Company in The Love for Three Oranges! Other recent roles Miss Kreider has performed include the Turnspit (Rusalka), Dorabella (Così fan tutte),and Jennie Hildebrand (Street Scene). She sings in the choir at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, where she is the alto section leader. Miss Kreider recently completed her Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at California State University, Northridge, where she studied with Diane Ketchie. She previously earned an Associate of Arts degree in Music from El Camino College, where she studied with soprano Erin Wood.

Kristin Mcginnis

Kristin McGinnis is a twenty year old Mezzo Soprano who is currently studying at California State University, Northridge for Vocal Performance. This will be her third production with the Independent Opera Company and is excited to expand her career in opera! She has performed in venues around the world including Carnegie Hall, Royal Hall Harrogate, and the Sydney Opera House. She will be a part of the chorus in IOC’a production of The Love for Three Oranges.

Maureen Mihalik (Please see under Smeraldina cover)

Janice Batzdorff

Janice Batzdorff, mezzo soprano, has sung with the chorus for all of the Russian operas presented by Independent Opera Company: The Tsar’s Bride, Aleko, Queen of Spades, Eugene Onegin, The Snow Maiden, and now The Love for Three Oranges. Other productions include Rigoletto, Goyescas, The Bartered Bride, Orfeo, Romeo and Juliet, Don Giovanni, and The Cossack Beyond the Danube. She has also performed with Pacific Opera Project, Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera, and Celestial Opera.

Cal Aldred

Cal Aldred performed with the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club for 4 years, where he participated in the Emmy winning music video/documentary Love, Life, Loss. He is also a member of the Verdi Chorus in Santa Monica and a former member of the Annex Singers in Toronto, ON. He loves sports data analysis and strategy gaming, as well as his cats, Skipper and Shuri.

Egan Carroll {Please see under Master of Ceremonies)

Misha Barsky (Please see under King cover)

Ezra Thompson (Please see under Herald )

Bedjou Jean (Please see under Farfarelo )

Eli Katz (Please see under Creonta the Cook-Kuharka)

Richard Ye Dancer

Richard began performing with a local modern dance company in his hometown Kansas City, as an extracurricular activity about the time he was starting college. That activity soon became a life time passion, earning scholarships at Kansas University, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Milwaukee Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet Schools. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Wisconsin and has completed ballet teacher certification to Level 5 in the American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum. Richard has danced with the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center and on tour in Japan, Milwaukee Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, numerous dance the theater companies in China, Canada, Ukraine, Russia, Ecuador and throughout the United States. A little over a year ago, Richard moved from NYC to reside in Los Angeles, where he is enjoying pursuing acting, voice acting, piano playing and mountain trail bike riding.

Mariana Uchoa Dancer

Mariana Uchoa Dancer was born in Brazil where she began to dance at the age of 3. Mariana studied the Vaganova ballet method and performed with the group Jovem Ballet de Santa Catarina. She took some time off from dancing to finish her doctorate in LA and was thrilled to meet Liza Barskaya who inspired her to come back to the stage!

Tsubasa Nakatani Dancer

Tsubasa Nakatani has been dancing Hiphop, Jazz, Ballet and contemporary over 10 years. She has professionally performed music video, musical theater, live performance, commercial and TV shows in Japan and Los Angeles. This is her first time performing with opera company, and she is very excited to be part of crew.

Ellie Wein Dancer

Ellie Wein was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Champs Charter High School of the Arts, and completed Royal Academy of Dance examinations through the Advanced 2 level at Los Angeles Ballet Academy simultaneously. While training at Los Angeles Ballet Academy, she was part of their studio company, Youth Ballet Theatre, as well as competed classical ballet variations at competitions like YAGP and California Dance Classics. She currently attends UC Berkeley, and will be majoring in English.

Liza Barskaya, Stage Director/Choreographer https://www.independentoperacompany.org/stage-director

Galina Barskaya, Music Director https://www.independentoperacompany.org/artistic-director