The Medium/Gianni Schicchi

Maryn West is a 21-year-old lyric soprano from Houston, Texas studying voice at the University of North Texas with Dr. Carol Wilson. Maryn was recently awarded second place in the San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club Competition in Voice. She is a past finalist in the Schmidt Undergraduate Vocal Competition as well as a semi-finalist in the UNT Concerto Competition. Recent roles include the Littler Zegner Daughter (Proving Up) with UNT Opera, Zerlina (Don Giovanni) at Varna International Music Academy, the Sandman (Hansel und Gretel) with UNT Opera, and Desirée and Voice Student (Notes on Viardot) with Music On Site, Inc.

Julie-Michelle Manohar (soprano) is a classical and jazz vocalist. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music (BM ‘23, Vocal Performance and Music Theory, m. Eurhythmics) and most recently received a Graduate Diploma from the same institution, studying with Tyler Duncan and Dina Kuznetsova. She was selected to sing in baroque masterclasses led by Dame Emma Kirkby, Gemma Bertagnolli, Michael Chance, Nicholas Phan, James (Jimmy) Taylor, Daniel Taylor, and Molly Netter. Manohar was named the soprano fellow for the 2024 Emmanuel Music Bach Institute, led by Ryan Turner. She has won awards at Ohio NATS competitions, presenting baroque music and Negro Spiritual. With the Case Western Reserve University Historical Performance Practice, she sang in their Orpheus before Gluck production and in 2025, solos in Michel de La Barre’s “La Sculpture” in Le Triomphe des arts. With the Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble, she was featured on the Negro Spirituals “Motherless Child” (arr. Donald Dumpson) in 2023 and “Hold Out Your Light” (arr. Lena McLin) in 2024. She was selected as a soloist in the 2017 Honors Performance Series Choir at Sydney Opera House, conducted by Dr. Jeffery Ames, and sang a soli at HPS at Carnegie Hall in 2018, led by Dr. Jeffery Redding.

In addition to baroque and chamber singing, she is passionate about opera theater and new music. With CIM Opera Theater, she has performed Hérisson de Porc-Épic in Chabrier’s L’Étoile. Manohar has also sung the following partial roles: “Gretel” in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, “Amor” in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, “Oscar” in Verdi’s In Ballo in Maschera, “Carolina” in Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio Segreto, “Marie” in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment, and “Susanna” in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Manohar was the soprano soloist in several world premieres including Steven Mark Kohn’s “Will We No Longer Recognize this Place?,” part of Yolanda Kondonassis’ Five Minutes for Earth benefit concert, Alexander C. Moiseev’s The Witch and Love Letters, a few of Noah Hertzman’s Winnie The Pooh chapters (movements), and Emma Cardon’s The Maligned and A Storm We Call Progress.

Aside from singing, Manohar regularly tutors preparatory, collegiate, and conservatory students in music theory and Eurhythmics, and she has taught supplemental theory classes at CIM for undergraduate and graduate level students. She is passionate about creating positive change in her community, serving on the executive boards of multiple student organizations (Co-President of Social Justice at CIM, the Women’s Empowerment Association, and Graduate Ambassador of the Student Government Association). Furthermore, Manohar loves to blend activism into her concert programming to raise consciousness of various issues that plague society, in hopes that audiences will leave ruminating on how to combat them.

Val Chong is a distinguished 22-year-old Singaporean soprano known for her light and expressive voice. In 2023, Val earned second prize at the Vocal Concerto Competition at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Her roles include Soprano soloist for Bach's Easter Oratorio (Red Dot Baroque Singapore), Mozart's Coronation Mass (National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Vienna Opera Academy), Monica in The Medium and Serpina in La Serva Padrona (Conservatory opera scenes), and Despina in Così fan tutte (Classic Lyric Arts Italy opera scenes). She has sung in the chorus of La Sonnambula (The Opera People Singapore) and La Cenerentola (The Opera Lab Singapore). She was a scholarship recipient of a university exchange programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland of 2024 fall. She previously trained under esteemed coaches such as Julian Tovey, Stephen Robertson, Donald George, Glenn Morton, and Roger Vignoles.

London Witherwax, a soprano from West Des Moines, is an upcoming sophomore at Drake University, majoring in Vocal Performance and Public Relations. Studying under Dr. Ann Cravero, she has already performed in ensemble roles in Die Zauberflöte and an Opera Gala, as well as participating in opera scenes and a masterclass with Andrew Ryker. Passionate about both her vocal craft and academic pursuits, London looks forward to continuing her growth as a performer and communicator.

Soprano Alana Blankenship is a native of Americus, Ga. She is a junior at Mercer University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance studying voice under Dr. Richard Kosowski. She has also previously studied with Beau Palmer of Georgia Southwestern University while in high school from 2020-2022. Alana regularly performs with the Mercer University Opera, having performed roles such as Armida in Rinaldo (March 2025), Laurencia in The Beautiful Bridegroom (February 2024), and various characters in opera scenes including Mrs. Grose (Turn of the Screw) and Pitti-sing (The Mikado). She has also in the GANATS and SERNATS National Student Auditions. She was awarded state finals winner for her category at GA NATS in 2022, Honorable Mention at SERNATS in 2023, and has also been a preliminary audition winner for her category at GANATS and a semifinalist for both classical and musical theatre categories at SERNATS. In addition to solo and opera performances, Alana has also been performing with the Mercer Singers since 2022 and has had the opportunity to travel with the group to France to perform the Duruflé Requiem and more recently to New York to perform Ola Gjlelo’s Sunrise Mass at Carnegie Hall.

LaTetra Lewis is a Mezzo-Soprano hailed for her "rich voice and magnetic stage presence." Her operatic studies began at the renowned Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA. LaTetra has performed many roles such as Orfeo in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, Madame Flora in Menotti’s The Medium, and Third Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. A frequent soloist in concerts, conferences, and festivals; she has been featured in a special performance for the Governor of Virginia at the Virginia State Capitol Building for their 2024 Independence Day celebration.

LaTetra has performed in many shows as a member of the Virginia Opera chorus beginning in their 2008 season, with recent performances including La Traviata and Madama Butterfly. She will tour with the company in their 2025 production of the new world premiere opera by Damien Geter, Loving v. Virginia. In addition to her professional work, she performs at events in support of the arts and the community.

Juliet was a CFO in financial services but saw the light, obtaining a postgraduate diploma in voice from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. Since graduating she has appeared in numerous opera roles, including Carmen (Carmen), First Norn (Götterdämmerung) , La Zia Principessa (Suor Angelica), Ottone and Arnalta (L'incoronazione di Poppea), Miss Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice) Endimione (La Calisto), Bradamante (Alcina), Juno (Semele), Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas), Klytemenaestra (Elektra), Florence Pike (Albert Herring), Maddalena (Rigoletto) and Olga, Larina and Filipyevna (Eugene Onegin). For Chicago Summer Opera she has played Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Mrs Herring (Albert Herring). In 2023, she also appeared as a Handel-singing ghost in the multi-award-winning short film, Per Aspera.

She enjoys playing ladies of questionable morals, horrible old women and suspiciously short men, which is just as well.

Award-winning mezzo soprano, Ashley Leparik, captivates audiences with her velvety tone and powerful performances. Born in Milford Connecticut, she began her musical journey in choir. Ashley's a sophomore at East Carolina University, honing her craft and making debuts in Italy and England. Ashley is excited to explore the world of classical music and share her talents with audiences.

Aileen Conner (Mezzo-Soprano) is 20 years old and a sophomore at the University of Southern California, majoring in Vocal Arts and Opera at the Thornton School of Music, where she studies with Professor Derrick Lawrence. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, she has placed in multiple regional and state vocal competitions, including Third place at the Schmidt Vocal Arts Ohio Regional Competition and first place at the Kentucky Regional NATS competition. She has performed through the Thornton Chamber Opera, including Cherubino in Le Nozze de Figaro scene, mezzo-soprano chorus member in Dido and Aeneas, and Joanne in Company, the Musical scene. She was recently invited by the Los Angeles Clippers to sing the National Anthem and won an encouragement award and Frampton Runner-up People's Choices Award at the Opera Buffs Young Artists Vocal Competition. An alum of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program (2022) and Kentucky Governor's School of the Arts Vocal Arts (2021), she is excited to be playing Ms. Nolan in the Medium and looking forward to her time at the Chicago Summer Opera Program!

Michael Breaux is a 20-year-old sophomore voice student at Angelo State University, where he studies under Dr. Mark Covey and is the recipient of a merit-based music scholarship. He has developed performance experience in both operatic and concert settings, with roles including Papageno in The Magic Flute at Angelo State and Ophemon in L’amant Anonyme with the H-Town Orchestra & Theatre Co. In 2024, Breaux participated in the OperaMaya Summer Festival, performing a selection of arias with orchestra on tour throughout Mexico. In 2025, he was selected to join the Young Artists Vocal Academy (YAVA) with Houston Grand Opera. He will also perform the role of Gianni Schicchi in Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini and Mr. Gobineau in The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti with Chicago Summer Opera in the summer of 2025.

Ryan Kelly is a rising senior at Texas State University pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an Opera Minor. He has performed in many operas at Texas State, the most recent of which was in Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortilege. Mr. Kelly has also performed in Vienna, Austria with Vienna Summer Music Festival where he performed the role of John Brooke in Mark Adamo's Little Women. He is very excited to be joining Chicago Summer Opera this summer and taking his next step towards a career in performing.

Juanlin Yang, soprano, born in Sichuan, China.

She graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music with a bachelor's degree and obtained the qualification for admission to the CCOM’s music education master's program with an average score of 90+ in all subjects. She is currently studying for a master's degree in vocal performance with Pro. Jane Eaglen at the New England Conservatory of Music.

During her first year at NEC, she has participated in a series of Handel concerts and performed in two opera scenes productions, gaining substantial stage experience. Her operatic roles include Norina in Don Pasquale and Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites. In April of this year, she had the privilege of participating in a masterclass with renowned soprano Heidi Stober, where her performance was met with high praise.

Daisy Dalit Sigal is a young Canadian soprano from Montreal. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in Classical Vocal Performance at the Manhattan School of Music where she was awarded the Presidential Scholarship, under the guidance of Cynthia Hoffmann.

Throughout her artistic journey, she has interpreted various pieces ranging from musical theatre to operatic repertoire. After winning First Prize in the American Protégé International Vocal Competition in 2018, she was inspired by the idea of pursuing a career in opera. In June 2023, she was named a Future Star by the Fondation de la Place des Arts and was invited to perform as a soloist in the 12th annual edition of the Future Star’s Grand Premiere gala on the biggest stage of Place des Arts in Montreal. In January 2023, Daisy appeared as Une Bête in her school’s concert production of Maurice Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges.

She had her official role debut as the Sorella Infermiera in Puccini’s Suor Angelica on the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre stage and performed the roles of Sutton/Marine/Mrs. Foster in Kurt Weill’s Lady in the Dark in the summer of that year. Last summer, Dalit Sigal appeared again on the CHQ Amphitheatre stage as Maria in Nino Rota’s I due timidi.

Her most recent performance was in the role of Princess Ida in Manhattan School of Music’s Undergraduate Opera Theatre mainstage production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida: the Glow Up in May. Daisy is thrilled to sing the role of Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi with the Chicago Summer Opera this summer!

Rose is thrilled to continue her artistic journey with CSO. She is a committed artist with experience in opera, theater, dance, and jazz singing. Favorite credits include HMS Pinafore (Josephine), Macbeth (Macbeth), Chicago (Liz) and Gypsy (June). She cherishes the opportunity to perform this material, as she grew up hearing her mother, a professional opera singer, perform "O mio babbino" too many times to count. She would like to thank the artistic community at Yale University for helping her grow, the Opera Theater of Yale College, Dan Egan and the Shen curriculum, her spectacular voice teachers Janna Baty and Joy Hermalyn, the Onstage School of Performing Arts for their tireless support, her family, her sister/best friend, and especially her mom. Thank you for the music, BQM.

Tatum Murphy is an incoming sophomore at Drake University in Iowa, studying for her BM in Vocal Performance. She has been studying under Dr. Ann Cravero for the past three years who has been a great teacher and mentor as she continues learning. Tatum debuted her first opera role as a mezzo-soprano in the chorus of Die Zauberflote at Drake University, but she has many musical theater credits: most recently, Betty Haynes in White Christmas, Sr. Mary Roberts in Sister Act, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid.

Gabrielle is a French born soprano with credits spanning multiple continents. 

Previous roles include Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte), Despina (Cosi fan tutte), Paoluccia (La Cecchina, ), Zerlina (Don Giovanni) Gianetta (L'Elisir d'Amore, ), Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana), Suor Infermiera (Suor Angelica), Amital (Betulia Liberrata), Cherubino (Three Little Pigs feat. music by W.A. Mozart, Chicago IL), The princess (L’enfant et les Sortilèges).

In 2017, she participated in Opera Laboratorio di Roma Sinfonietta, a professional training program for talented young artists in Italy. 
Throughout her path, she has committed to sing music of living composers in various settings from melodies to chamber music, choir and orchestra pieces or pieces including electro acoustic elements.
Her training and experience includes in-depth work with choreographers and stage directors, allowed by her long time practice of theatre and dance since she was a child.

She has also performed solo recitals in cities including Huanuco and Lima and since 2023, she has been an artist in residence at Project 88 in Berwyn, Illinois to perform recitals in collaboration with Brazilian pianist Elider DiPaula. The programs included French and Russian composers, and Di Paula’s song cycles.

In the Chicago area she is a soloist and ensemble member for companies such as the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Consonances, Chicago Summer Opera, The Savoyaires or Lira Ensemble, Lincoln Chamber Orchestra


Early 2025 she sang the Bach Mass in B Minor with Consonances (Chicago Choral Artists), the Princess role in L'enfant et les Sortileges by Ravel with Sinfonietta Bel Canto and in a new project around Mozart and improvisation with Chicago Fringe Opera.

She is now thrilled to sing Nella in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi!

Esther Lee, mezzo-soprano, is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2022 and returned in 2023 for One Harmony: A Musical Odyssey Beyond Borders. Her recent recital and operatic engagements include performances across Europe and the United States, featuring works by Mozart, Verdi, Bellini, Mahler, and Offenbach. She has sung scenes from Così fan tutte, Alcina, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Tales of Hoffmann, and premiered several contemporary Korean art songs. Esther has participated in masterclasses with Steve Crawford, Dona D. Vaughn, and Christian Büchel.

Brynnan Brooks is a mezzo-soprano from Lubbock, Texas with a Bachelor's in vocal performance from Texas Tech University. She has performed Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at Maedgen Theater (Lubbock) and Centro Nacional de los Artes (Mexico City), Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, 3rd Lady/3rd Spirit in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Rapunzel in Into the Woods, among others. She also participated in the Music in the Marche program in Mondavio, Italy.

Alan Królikowski is a Chicago-born Polish-American tenor known for his vibrant comedic presence on and offstage. A recent graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music, he earned a BM in Opera Performance and Music Education. At DePaul Opera Theatre, he performed roles such as Eurimaco (Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria) and Abraham Kaplan (Street Scene), and sang in the choruses of Le Nozze di Figaro and Falstaff. Królikowski has also performed in opera scenes as Rodolfo (La Boheme) and Nemorino (Elisir d’amore) in Urbino, Italy with Musica nelle Marche, where he further expanded his abilities in Italian opera and language.

An active performer in Chicago’s Polish community, Królikowski has performed at events such as the May 3rd Constitution Day flag raising at Daley Plaza, the Wici Polish Dance group’s 50th anniversary, and Polish Heritage Night with the Chicago White Sox. He was also honored to sing the national anthem of Poland and the United States for the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda’s visit to Chicago. Królikowski has performed on numerous occasions for Polish organizations around the Chicagoland area such as the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, Polish National Alliance, Polish American Congress, and Paderewski Symphony Orchestra.

Off the stage, Królikowski teaches general music and choir at Spring Wood Middle School in Hanover Park, sings Polish and English masses at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Homer Glen, and is the music director for Chicago Fire Football Club supporter group Barn Burners 1871, where he plays saxophone and leads the supporter section during in song and chant.

David Wang is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Voice and Opera at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, studying under Theresa Brancaccio. He is excited to make his debut with the Chicago Summer Opera as Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi and Armored Man in The Magic Flute.

He is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast and crew and extends his heartfelt thanks to his family, mentors, and friends for their support as he continues to develop his artistry.

Jon ‘Dirk’ Ross is a Music Performance Major at Angelo State University (ASU). In the Spring of 2025, Mr. Ross competed in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and earned a Young Artist Encouragement Award. At 18 years old, Mr. Ross competed and earned first place as well as the Harold Stark Encouragement award during the 2023 Southwest Region NATS Competition. Mr. Ross is a recipient of the 2025 Schmidt Vocal Arts Alumni Grant. Mr. Ross made his debut in his first operatic role as Papageno in Angelo State’s production of The Magic Flute in the Spring of 2025. Mr. Ross has sung in multiple opera scenes within the newly revived opera program at ASU, led by Dr. Mark Covey. These scenes include roles such as ‘Papageno’ from Die Zauberflöte, ‘Figaro’ from Il Barbiere di Siviglia, ‘Don Giovanni’ from Don Giovanni, and ‘Hamlet’ from Hamlet. Mr. Ross has also performed notable roles since beginning his musical theater career with the San Angelo Broadway Academy (SABA) in August 2022, including the ‘Phantom’ in Phantom of the Opera and ‘Shrek’ in Shrek the Musical, under the direction of Angela Shanks. Mr. Ross was a featured soloist at the San Angelo Symphony’s Holiday Jubilee and the Permian Basin Opera Company’s Gala at the Gardens in April of 2024 and 2025. Mr. Ross was an emerging young artist at the 2024 OperaMaya International Music Festival. This summer, Ross will be portraying the role of ‘Gianni Schicchi’ in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi at the Chicago Summer Opera. From there, he will fly to Austria to participate in the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS).

Auden Svoboda is going into his third year at Lawrence University as a double major in music and creative writing. This will be his second opera role, after appearing as Secret Police in Lawrence's production of The Consul (Menotti). Most of his performing background is in musical theater, having appeared in many productions in his hometown of Berkeley, CA. In addition to singing, Auden enjoys writing poetry, costume design, and pickleball.

King is now pursuing his master degree in voice performance at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, under the tutelage of American bass, Peter Volpe. He graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University (first honour), under the tutelage of Miss Chan Siu Kwan. King also studies repertoire appreciation and opera chamber with Mr Caleb Woo. During his studies, King has received a number of scholarships, including The Italian Cultural Society of Hong Kong - Leo Tung-hai Lee Scholarship, HKSAR Government Scholarship and Hong Kong Children’s Choir Scholarship.

King recently participated in the performance of Ravel’s “L’heure espagnole” as Ramiro and opera scene from Massenet’s “Manon” as Lescaut. Previously, King participated in Musica Viva’s “Carmen” as Le Dancaïre and SingFest’s “Resonating • Voices Unleashed: Martin Mass”. Besides, King participated in the opera production of Bel canto singers, including "The Merry Party" as the ensemble singer and “Elijah the opera” as the follower of Elijah. He was the baritone solo of Saint Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio” with Hong Kong Youth Choir and in the premiere choral work written by Prof. Chan Hing Yan, "Spring Farewell". He was also the soloist in the concert of Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra.

Zi Wang, bass, graduated from the Vocal and Opera Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in China. He is currently studying for a professional performer diploma at the Mannes School of Music in New York, USA. He entered the semi-finals of the Premier Opera Foundation Competition in 2024. He has played Glemin in Eugenie Onegin and will go to Chicago in 2025 to perform Simone in the opera Gianni Schicchi ,and S a rwith the Summer Opera.

Christopher Jonathan Comanescu is a Romanian American clarinetist and bass singer. Christopher learned how to play the clarinet in the sixth grade and solo singing in his senior year of high school. He is a versatile musician having played a variety of different music genres on the clarinet. In the area of voice, Christopher has also sung art songs, arias, musical, and choral music in Romanian, German, Swedish, Italian, and English.