DON GIOVANNI

Lauded for his “fine dramatic skill” and “engaging baritone” (Broadway World), Andrew Wannigman’s 2024-25 season includes a Celebration of Gershwin Classics with New Rochelle Opera, highlighting the centennial of George and Ira’s first collaboration. He also returns to the Queens College Choral Society under the baton of Dr. James John to sing as the baritone soloist for Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Opera roles include Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni with Off-Brand Opera and Silvio in Pagliacci with Regina Opera. This summer he returns to New Rochelle Opera to sing operatic highlights to mark their 40th Season.

LEPORELLO

Aaron Petrovich (Leporello) is very excited to be performing again with Off-Brand Opera after last being featured in the Spark concert. Aaron is a New York based baritone and teacher originally from Michigan. Some of his favorite past roles include Dulcamara in L'elisir d'amore, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Mr. Emerson in A Room with a View, Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore, and Benoît in La Bohème. He studied both voice and music education at Michigan State University, and currently teaches music at MS 301!

DONNA ELVIRA

Candace Lynn Matthews, soprano, a Bronx native, born of Puerto Rican and Chilean descent, received her bachelor's degree from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY-Purchase College and her master’s degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College. Credits include Maria in West Side Story (Opera North), Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi (Queens Symphony Orchestra), Soprano soloist (Carnegie Hall), Susana cover & ensemble in ¡Figaro! (90210) (Off-Broadway), Patron #9 Stonewall (New York City Opera), and was featured singing on an episode of the hit drama, Orange is the New Black. Candace made her European debut as The Mother in Hansel & Gretel in Narni, Italy and recently made her role debut as Dido in Dido & Aeneas at The New Voice Festival in Boise, Idaho. 

DONNA ANNA

Veronica Shea is a singer, actor, producer and digital marketer passionate about storytelling and sharing authentic onstage connection with audiences. She is excited to be back on stage with her OBO family after performing as Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre, Julie Jordan in Carousel, La Direttrice in Pietà, and Cinderella in Into the Woods. Other recent roles include Musetta in Light Opera of New Jersey’s production of La Bohéme,  Juno in & Aeterna at the Narnia International Vocal Arts Festival and and The Egyptian Theater, Rosalinda in Eccentric Theater Company’s Die Fledermaus, and Mabel in both Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan’s and Summit Chorale’s The Pirates of Penzance. She is the Artistic Director of Off-Brand Opera, and a theatrical marketer through Amplify Arts. veronicashea.com

DON OTTAVIO

A lyric tenor, James is a graduate of the Harvard-NEC AB/MM program, and the Professional Studies Diploma program at Mannes. A professional since the age of 5, James spent nine seasons at the Metropolitan Opera as a chorus member and soloist both there and at many of the major halls in the Northeast. Recent performances include a leading role as Florville in Il Signor Bruschino with Bronx Opera, Rodolfo (cover) in La Bohème as a 2023 Fargo-Moorhead Opera Gate City Bank Young Artist, a Culpeper Arts Residency from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Britten’s Canticle IV with City Lyric Opera. Upcoming performances include a commission (as a lyricist and singer) from Sparks + Wiry Cries as winner of the 2024 NYC SongSlam Competition. As Founding Director of arts non-profit, Amanda + James, James has worked with over 250 artists in a wide range of media for the past ten years as an executive and creative producer, curator of the Summer Happenings Festivals, Pollinate, Sessions and [working titles] programs, and as a director. His directorial work has been presented at BFI in Miami, Florida, and at venues across NYC: Christie’s, Ludlow House, SHOWFIELDS, and Pioneer Works.

ZERLINA

Soprano Kira Neary is an avid opera performer and recitalist based in New York City. Recent concerts include the Lincoln Center Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall, a concert with the Akkord Symphony Orchestra, and a recital collaboration series. Recent opera roles include Micaëla in Carmen with Lighthouse Opera Company, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Ma in Proving Up and Mimì in La bohème with Maryland Opera Studio. Accolades include two Encouragement Awards from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in the New York and Connecticut districts and a semifinalist award from the Annapolis Opera Competition. 

MASETTO

Ben Powell grew up in Kennett Square, PA, and made his professional debut as Davy Zlatic in the First National Broadway Tour of Bandstand in 2019. Recently graduating from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Jazz Studies on acoustic and electric bass and a BMA in Vocal Performance as a bass-baritone, Ben is based in Brooklyn, New York, working as a gigging musician and teacher. He can be found regularly playing in pit orchestras, jazz bands, choral ensembles, rock bands, developing original music and any other musical endeavors he can wrap his ears around.

IL COMMENDATORE

Ian Joyal has been praised for his “fine Italianate sound” and is distinctive for his comic role interpretations. His roles include Don Alfonso, Sarastro, Masetto, Leporello and the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro. In 2017, Ian made his international debut as a studio artist with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Germany, performing as Leporello in Don Giovanni and as Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte. Equally at home on the concert stage, Ian has also performed in many recitals and oratorio works, with repertoire including the bass solos in Verdi's and Mozart's Requiems, as well as multiple performances of Handel's Messiah. Ian credits his father, who was his first voice teacher and church choir conductor, for inspiring him to pursue music.

DON GIOVANNI (COVER)

Colorado native and NYC transplant Jeremy Griffin has an impressive range of musical skill and stylings. As a working Baritone, Jeremy has been renowned for his consistency of sound and rogue charm on stage. Jeremy delivers a powerful sound with ample dramatic skill lighting up the stages of the East and West Coasts alike. A graduate of University of British Columbia, Jeremy had the opportunity to perform at the Estates Theatre in Prague bringing Mozart to life as well as on Canadian stages in Nobu Uematsu's Final Fantasy Distant Worlds Orchestra Tour under the baton of legendary conductor Arnie Roth. He continues working in NYC and on the west coast bringing this amazing art form to all walks of life. Along with his passion for the craft Jeremy has worked with local opera companies in NYC producing operas and oratorios since 2012.

LEPORELLO (COVER) / ENSEMBLE

Johannes Linneballe is a Danish operatic baritone and actor based in NYC. A graduate from Manhattan School of Music, this year he’s made role debuts in ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ (Figaro, Opernfest Berlin) and ‘La Serva Padrona’ (Uberto, Garden State Opera), and performed in ‘La Tragédie de Carmen’ with New Camerata Opera. Other performance credits include ‘Midsummer Nights Dream’ (Puck), ‘Cendrillon’ (Pandolfe), ‘The Mikado’ (Pish-Tush) and ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges’ (Le Chat). This season he will reappear in Saariahos ‘La Passion de Simone’ at Opera de Reims, and make his role debut as Guglielmo in ‘Cosi fan tutte’ with Bronx Opera.

DONNA ELVIRA (COVER) / ENSEMBLE

Praised for her high-level artistry, lyric soprano Kathleen Echols has been breaking ground in classical, verismo, and contemporary opera. Recent engagements include a double-bill as Nedda in I Pagliacci and Zemfira in Aleko, and originating the role of Nancy Clutter in Truman and Nancy where she was praised for “gorgeously delivering Zeffiro’s soaring vocal lines as well as a delicate tenderness” (Jim Lowe, The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus). Kathleen has done significant work with Santa Fe’s Opera West, Opera Vermont where she will soon reprise the role of Nedda, and Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy and Teatro Grattacielo where she will perform the role of Suzel in L’amico Fritz this summer. 

DONNA ANNA (COVER) / ENSEMBLE

Internationally acclaimed soprano Holly Gash has graced stages in the U.S., Italy, and throughout Central America since 2003. She has performed over 30 leading roles in operas and musicals. Favorite roles include: Tosca, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Adriana Lecouvreur, Thaïs, as well as several Verdi roles including Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Giovanna d’Arco and Leonora in Il Trovatore. Most recent guest appearances have been with The Warminster Symphony, The Lower Merion Symphony, Newtown Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Lyric Opera and the Amici Opera of Philadelphia. Ms. Gash has recently moved to New York from Bucks County Pennsylvania. Please visit www.hollygash.com for more information.

DON OTTAVIO (COVER) / ENSEMBLE

Justin Baptista is from San Francisco California and is making his Off-Brand Opera Debut. He was last seen as Strephon in Bronx Opera's production of Iolanthe. He obtained his Master's of Music from NYU Steinhardt and is currently studying under LR Davidson. He wouldn't be where he is without the constant support from his family and friends. He would like to thank everyone for coming and hopes everyone enjoys the production of Don Giovanni!

ZERLINA (COVER) /
ENSEMBLE

Praised for her "beautifully ruby-throated quality" (Classical Voice North Carolina) and her "pointed wit and sparkling tone wielded with comedic potency" (Voix des Arts), Minnesota native Victoria Erickson is thrilled to join the cast of Don Giovanni with Off-Brand Opera. Recently, Erickson sang the title role in The Miller’s Daughter (Iowa Arts Council). Other selected roles include Harmony (Harmony, Seagle Festival), Blanche (Dialogues des Carmélites, Saltworks Opera), Liù (Turandot, NC Summer Opera), Alice Ford (Falstaff), and Pamina (Die Zauberflöte, UNCG Opera Theatre). Erickson received a grant from the DAAD-Stiftung to perform at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg and Munich. victoriaericksonsoprano.com.

CHOREOGRAPHER /
ENSEMBLE

Megan Benjamin is a native of Oneonta, NY. She received her B.M. in Vocal Performance in 2016 from Ithaca College, where she studied under Dr. David Parks, tenor. Recent roles include Hermia in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Shakespeare on the Beach, Star-to-Be/Boylan Sister in “Annie,” and ensemble roles in “The Music Man” and “The Pirates of Penzance,” all with Four Corners Musical Theatre Company. Special thanks to all my friends, family, teachers, and wonderful husband, Andy!

LIGHTING & SCENIC DESIGNER / ENSEMBLE

Dan Drew is thrilled to return to Off-Brand Opera! Dan is a native of Newark NJ, and holds a degree from Rutgers University in Theater Arts and History. Following this production, he will be returning to his role as Choreographer, Principle Dancer, and Guest Vocalist with the National Tour of A Celtic Angels Christmas. Past Credits: Memphis (Huey), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), A Little Night Music (Henrik), Hairspray (Corny Collins), South Pacific (Cable), A Little Princess (Capt. Crewe), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince). IG: @dan_drew3 / danieldrewjr.com

ENSEMBLE

Tom is grateful that his opera debut is an Off-Brand one! He was most recently Emmett in Legally Blonde with the Broadway Haven Players, and he sings and plays keyboard for his jazz-funk band, Amoxichillin. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Tom is a medical student at Columbia and lives in NYC with his wife and seven harmonicas.

JAZZ PIANO / RECITATIVE ADAPTATION

Nick Stamatakis is a pianist, music director, composer and Off-Brand aficionado who has worked with professional and educational theater and opera organizations in Pittsburgh, New York and nationally, including Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, SAS Performing Arts, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the National Tour of Spamilton. Writing credits include music and lyrics for “Just Beyond Balboa,” selected for The Theater Center’s New Work Incubator program, and incidental music “Himbos,” part of the Community Supported Arts program at the New Hazlett Theater.

BASS

Stephen Burke is a freelance musician and current owner/proprietor of GoodWood Music. He is an accomplished luthier, technician, and audio engineer who has also worked as a master carpenter. Stephen has worked as a music minister, arranger, and composer for over 30 years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania churches. Steve earned his BFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He looks forward to making his Off-Brand Opera debut with Don Giovanni!

VIOLIN I

Kelsey Philbrick is a professional violinist and educator currently living in New York City. Kelsey grew up, received her education, and began her career in North Carolina, holding several titled positions in orchestras around NC and the surrounding states. Since moving to NYC, Kelsey has enjoyed gigging around the city, including at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Dimenna Center, the Juilliard School, and the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Kelsey currently plays as concertmaster with the new repertory orchestra Collegium Musicum NY and regularly performs as first violinist in the Chelsea Symphony. When not performing, Kelsey teaches private violin lessons and assists with orchestral programs around the city, including through the Brooklyn Music School, St. Ignatius Loyola School, Herald School of Music/Joyous Music School, and in the public schools through the Science of Music program and the Harmony Program. Kelsey plays on a 2008 Italian violin made by Andrea DeMeo.

VIOLIN II

Sara Salomon is a French violinist and pianist who has performed at various venues around the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center in New York, the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore, the Wiener Konzerthaus in Wien, the Smetana Hall in Prague… She has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians including multi-Grammy award winner violinist Anne Sophie Mutter, Renaud Capuçon, conductors Jaap van Sweden and Alan Gilbert among others. Sara earned degrees from the Mannes School of Music at The New School, the HEMU in Switzerland, and the Sorbonne University in Paris. Sara is Partnership Manager at The Violin Channel.

VIOLA

Noah Stevens is a violist and composer based in the NJ/NYC area. Recent engagements include his debut performance of Telemann’s Viola Concerto, a collaboration with the Grammy award-winning Attacca String Quartet, recording on the latest album from NJ band Echo Road, and the offering of solo Bach at a reception for the National Fulbright Association. He has composed scores for several short films, one of which premiered at the Montclair Film Festival. His concert music has been read by groups like Time for Three and the Cavani String Quartet. @noahstevensetc

CELLO

Anthime Miller (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed composer and performance artist based in Brooklyn. Anthime is the composer-in-residence for The Circle Theater of New York and a regular composer and actor with the National Theater of Luxembourg. Anthime is Principal Cellist of the Regina Opera Company and plays with New Amsterdam Opera, the Greenwich Village Orchestra and chamber ensembles across North America and Europe. They’re very excited to return to the stage with Off-Brand Opera! Recent Acting Credits: Alfred Stieglitz - Nearby, Faraway 2022, Bollingbroke/Jester - Richard II 2022, Ferryman - Strangers 2018, Fagin - Oliver! 2017.

REED 1

Quinten Hansen is an oboist, woodwind doubler, and composer from Palmer, Alaska. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and his Masters at Montclair State University in Multiple Woodwind Performance. Currently Quinten is a freelance musician working in New Jersey and New York with extensive experience in Opera and Musical Theater. Most recently he was the oboist for the 2023 season of the College Light Opera Company. He is also the oboe instructor at the Wharton Performing Arts School. As a composer,  Hansen has written mostly chamber music featuring the oboe as well as arranging theater works for a doubling quintet. Outside of music, Quinten loves to cook, crochet and cuddle with his two cats Mozzarella, and Phoebe.

REED 2

Brian Levels is an accomplished national and international multiple woodwind specialist. A native of Texas, he earned a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts in multiple woodwind performance from the University of North Texas. His national and international touring experience includes performances with 42nd Street, Aida, Hairspray, Ain’t Misbehaving’ and Legally Blonde. Other experiences include performing with the Grammy Nominated University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, Paradigm Orchestra, Lyric Stage Orchestra, and Broadway tours of Porgy and Bess and Phantom of the Opera. He is currently a freelance Broadway musician and teacher in New York City.

BASSOON

Jeff La Marca performs as a bassoonist throughout the New York area. Formerly the contrabassoonist for the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, he has traveled as a musician throughout Europe and Asia. He has served as principal bassoonist with Amore Opera, Utopia Opera, Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Opera Theatre of Montclair, New Jersey Civic Light Opera, and Trilogy: An Opera Company. In addition, he performs with numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles, including the New York Repertory Orchestra, the New York Kammermusiker, and Hellgate Harmonie. As an undergraduate, he studied bassoon performance at California State University, Northridge. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside.

KEYBOARD

Erin Kennedy is a music director, pianist, and singer originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the Executive Producer and a co-founder of Off-Brand Opera, where she MD’d Jane Eyre, Carousel, and Into the Woods, and assisted for Rosie: The Musical. She has recently worked with Red Bull Theater (Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Tempest), Light Opera of New Jersey (Seussical), The York Theatre (GenYork Composers Concert), and Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company (Ruddigore); she has also frequently appeared as a pianist and vocal arranger for cabarets at The Green Room 42 and Don’t Tell Mama. More at erinkatkennedy.com!

DIRECTOR / LIBRETTIST

Brendan Hartnett is an accomplished educator, director, and singer. Before moving to the Jersey Shore, Brendan directed up and down the coast of California with companies including Opera Parallele and the Pacific Opera Project. As an educator, he has been a Lecturer in Music at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and has taught undergraduate acting and directing at UCLA. Most recently, he directed Iolanthe with the Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, where he has directed five shows since 2019. Some favorite projects Brendan has led include The Elixir of Love and Don Giovanni with Cascadia Chamber Opera, The Tragedy of Carmen and Down in the Valley with Opera UCLA, The Araboolies of Liberty Street and Xochitl and the Flowers with Opera Parallele’s ‘Family Opera’ program, and The Center Cannot Hold with Pacific Opera Project. When he’s not directing, Brendan is passionate about educating the next generation of singers and performers. He owns a community music school, Midgarden Music, in Asbury Park, NJ where he teaches voice lessons, directs student productions, and coaches young actors. Brendan holds an MFA in theater from UCLA’s School of Theater Film and Television, and a Bachelor’s of Music from UC Santa Cruz.

CONDUCTOR

Rider R. Foster studied at Westminster Choir College, and has performed with myriad prominent conductors, choirs, and orchestras. As both a conductor and a soloist, his professional engagements have included all manner of civic ensembles, professional recordings, various opera companies including New York City Opera, and a multitude of sacred music ensembles in the New York Metropolitan area. He is the founding director and conductor of Clarum Sonum, a musical arts organization which includes an entirely volunteer choir dedicated to the performance of new music and collaboratively enriching local music programs both sacred and secular. He serves as a music director and conductor throughout the tri-state area and a choral scholar at Christ Church in Ridgewood under the direction of William Trafka.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / COSTUME DESIGNER

Anna Larranaga is a performer, artist, and writer originally from Minneapolis, MN. Previous Off-Brand Opera productions: Into the Woods (Little Red), Carousel (Starkeeper, Assistant Director). Any complaints about the costume design for this production can be directed to elonmusk@x.com

INTIMACY DIRECTOR

Alexandra Tydings comes to intimacy directing with a deep background in the performing arts. After playing the role of “Aphrodite” for six years on the TV series Xena, Warrior Princess, she turned to writing and directing, winning the Best of Fringe award and the DC Council Fellowship for the Arts and Humanities. As an intimacy coordinator, she has worked on productions with Amazon, Peacock, Showtime, A24, and Apple TV. She recently earned her M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies, and lectures locally and nationally. She is delighted to be working on her first opera with the excellent team at Off-Brand Opera.

STAGE MANAGER

Hannah Gruendemann (she/they) is a composer, writer, director, and performer raised in Los Angeles, CA. She recently completed a year-long research fellowship studying the intersection of musical performance and the natural world in Spain, Italy, the UK, Indonesia, and Aotearoa New Zealand, which included producing the world premiere of a musical about reducing carbon emissions, working on a permaculture coconut farm, and walking 550 miles across Spain. She has had recent compositional premieres at the Northwestern Beinen School of Music, I/O New Music Festival, and the New Explorative Oratorio Voice Festival. Most recently, she directed Off Brand Opera’s production of Jane Eyre: The Musical.