Lakme

Soprano Haojin Mo is a Canto Artist with Florida Grand Opera. She has performed with Amore Opera, Mannes Opera, Frost Opera, and the Trentino Music Festival. Recent roles include the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Le Feu in L'enfant et les sortilèges. A semifinalist at the Premiere Opera Foundation competition in 2024, Haojin holds degrees from Mannes School of Music and the China Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing her DMA at the University of Miami.

Described by Chicago Theatre Reviews as a “captivating, magnificently multitalented… starlet”, Tessa Newman is a singing actor and AGMA soprano based in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from University of North Texas under the tutelage of Molly Fillmore and is currently undergoing her Masters of Music at Depaul University as a member of Viktoria Vizin’s voice studio. Musical theatre highlights include playing Fredrika in A Little Night Music at Theo Ubique Cabaret, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at Theatre on the Hill and Janet Vandegraf in The Drowsy Chaperone at Westmont Performing Arts. Opera highlights include playing Lucia in Lucia di Lamermoor at Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival, Elvira in Don Giovanni with International Bel Canto Academy, and Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte at FAVA Opera. Look out for Tessa as “Miss Addy” in Opera for the Young’s production of The Elixir of Love, touring at schools all across the Midwest. In addition to her professional singing career, Tessa can be spotted playing princesses, super heroes, and other famous characters with Princess Party Chicago.

Ruoyu Wang, a coloratura soprano from China, currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at The Ohio State University. Performed the roles of Serpina in La serva padrona and Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw.

Huihui Lou is a soprano and currently a DMA student at the UMKC Conservatory, studying with Dr. Maria Kanyova. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and a Master’s degree from the University of Southampton. She has performed in numerous roles in operas such as The Magic Flute, Turandot, La Bohème, and In the Fields of Hope, etc., showcasing her exceptional vocal technique and stage presence. Her passionate performances always leave a lasting impression on audiences. In addition to her work as a performer, she has gained experience in stage management, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of both musical performance and production.

Alicia Boucher, soprano, is originally from New Hampshire and currently resides in the Greater Boston area, where she studies voice with Sue Ellen Kuzma. Her performance highlights include concert excerpts from Olympia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Despina (Così fan tutte). She has also appeared as Grandma Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (Millis Theatre Group), in the chorus of Don Giovanni (Boston Summer Opera), and as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro (Winter Harbor Music Festival). A regular soloist for churches in the Boston area, she finds deep fulfillment in sacred music. In addition to performing, Alicia is an emerging composer whose works include original song cycles and piano music. She holds an Sc.B. and Sc.M. in Computer Science from Brown University.

From Chillicothe, Illinois, soprano Eva Wilhelm completed her Master of Music in Voice degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of music under Timothy Noble in May 2025. Completing a B.S. in Music Business from Indiana State University, where she studied with Dr. Yana Weinstein, in 2022, she has held a variety of non-singing positions at organizations including Chicago Opera Theater, Riviera Theater, Jacobs School of Music, and interned in the Rosenthal Archives at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during the 2021-2022 season. In 2019 she won the ISU Concerto and Aria competition and performed with the ISU Symphony Orchestra. Recently she participated in the AIMS lieder program in Graz, Austria summer 2023 and is a current member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. While at IU Wilhelm sang in University Chorale, Anne Frank (Ran) opera chorus, NOTUS, and multiple contemporary chamber groups. This is her first time singing with Chicago Summer Opera.

Jinge Ma is a soprano who was born in Linyi, China. She moved to the United States in 2019 and completed her high school education in 2023. Currently, Jinge is a Sophomore at Tell School of Music in Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Jinge has had the privilege of developing her voice skills under the guidance of Professor Kristin Sims from 2019 until the present.

Jinge performed two solo recitals during high school. At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, she was the soprano soloist for a chamber music performance of the cantata, Orphee. She also performed scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro and Hansel and Gretel at the Tell School of Music. In the past winter, Jinge appeared as a featured soloist in Glorious Sounds of the Season showcase. Jinge also currently just performed a solo recital in April. This July, she will debut in an opera with Chicago Summer Opera.

Mezzo-soprano Ariana Iniguez has been praised for “her musicianship, colorful tone, and attention to technique.” She is thrilled to make her debut as Mallika in Delibes’ 'Lakme' with Chicago Summer Opera. Ariana has had the pleasure of performing the title role of Angelina in Rossini’s 'La Cenerentola' at the Festival of International Opera in Urbania, Italy, and Varna International Music Academy. She is a member of the Grammy award winning Phoenix Chorale as well as the Arizona Musicfest Festival chorus and Quartz Ensemble. Each Sunday, she performs as a church soloist at Christian Science First Church. Ariana made her oratorio solo debut in Bach’s 'St. John Passion' with Quartz Ensemble in March of this year. Currently, she studies with distinguished pedagogue Gail Dubinbaum Massaro. Ariana holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of Arizona.

Celine Juhyung Lee – Mezzo-Soprano

A vibrant and expressive mezzo-soprano, Celine Juhyung Lee brings a unique blend of dramatic depth and vocal warmth to the operatic stage. Originally from South Korea and currently based in New York City, she is pursuing her Master of Music in Opera at the Mannes School of Music. Celine has captivated audiences in diverse roles—from the poised Malika in Lakmé (Chicago Summer Opera) to the spirited Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro (Mannes Opera), and the poetic Flora in La Traviata. Her artistry reflects both technical finesse and an innate ability to illuminate the inner lives of her characters.

Her career is marked by early distinction, having earned top prizes at Haneum, Gachon University Competition, and more. She has appeared as a soloist in celebrated venues across Korea and Europe, including the Seoul Arts Center and Johannes Church in Saarbrücken, Germany.

Celine began her vocal training at a young age and quickly distinguished herself as a remarkable talent, attending both Kaywon Middle and High School of the Arts, prestigious institutions for young musicians in Korea. Educated at Kyung Hee University and now pursuing her M.M. in Opera at Mannes School of Music, she continues to train with leading artists and pedagogues, including Laquita Mitchell and Anthony Manoli, and has refined her craft in masterclasses with world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo.

With a voice that resonates beyond the notes and a soul committed to the storytelling power of opera, Celine Juhyung Lee stands at the dawn of a remarkable international career

Eva Daltoso, mezzo-soprano, is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in Vocal Performance at Loyola University of New Orleans. She is a voice student of Irini Kyriakidou-Hymel. Eva is so excited to sing the role of Mistress Bentson in Chicago Summer Opera’s Production of Delibes’ Lakme. Recent roles include L’Enfant in Ravel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortilèges and Cupid in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Eva has also been featured in Loyola Opera Workshops scenes programs and sings with Loyola’s University Chorale and Chamber choirs. She recently participated in the Fall NATS Southern Region competition, receiving first place for Classical voice and third place for Musical Theatre. Eva is honored to be a part of this program and hopes you enjoy these performances!

Sonja Bloeser, originally from the Iowa City area in Iowa, is thrilled to perform her first role in a full-length opera! She is entering her undergraduate senior year studying voice performance under Carla Thelen Hanson at Luther College, with plans to pursue a master’s in opera performance. Recently, she has performed in Viardot’s Cendrillon as a featured ensemble member, Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight! as Daters 56 & 86, and excerpts from Die Zauberflöte as the Third Lady. She is so so excited to debut with CSO!!

Sasha Tomasevich is a young tenor based in Chicago. Originally from Oakdale, Minnesota, Sasha just finished their first year at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, studying with Allan Glassman. They completed their undergraduate at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Recent role credits include Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro), Laurie (Little Women) and Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte). Earlier this summer, Sasha was at Harrower Summer Opera, singing the roles of Rev. Samuel Parris (The Crucible) and Dr. Caius (Falstaff). Sasha is ecstatic and grateful to be singing Gérald this summer.

Outside of singing, Sasha can be found hanging out with friends, catching up on Survivor, and crocheting. Much love to my family and friends.

MJovanni Ferrer is a bass-baritone from Los Angeles. He is graduating from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with an MM in Voice Performance. He sang with the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Institute in 2024, singing Benôit and Alcindoro in La Bohème. He will attend the Berlin Opera Academy singing Monostatos in The Magic Flute.

Chicagoland area Bass-Baritone Jack W. Ellis leads a double life as both an opera singer, and as a chanteuse in the Chicago cabaret scene. Mx. Ellis has been seen in productions with The Savoyaires, Uncommon Grounds, Venus Cabaret Theatre, Chicago’s Symphony Center, and the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University (where they graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Vocal Performance). Previous operatic repertoire has included roles such as Private Willis in Iolanthe, Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro, Top in The Tender Land, Antonio in The Gondoliers, the Tsar in Der Zar Läast Sich Photographiren, and Littore/Mercurio/Famigliare in L’Incoronazione di Poppea. Concert and oratorio rep has included solo work in Beethoven’s Mass in C, Mozart’s Spatzenmesse, Fanny Hensel’s Hiob Cantata, and Vaughan William’s Serenade to Music. Jack has been a recipient of 3 awards from Chicago Chapter NATS, in both musical theatre and classical categories. Jack is excited to return to Chicago Summer Opera as Nilakantha in Lakme after making their debut last season as Mr. Kofner in Menotti’s The Consul.

Matthew Hilberts (baritone) completed his Bachelors of Music performance in 2022, and his Masters of Music Studies (opera performance) in 2024, both at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney. Matthew studied with Dr. Simon Lobelson for both his degrees.

Performing arts have always been a part of Matthew’s life. Learning piano from his mother, and studying ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance throughout most of his school years. He began studying voice formally in 2012 with Patricia Woods, and completed his A.mus.A. in 2022.

Matthew will be performing both Frederick in “Lakme” by Delibes, and Marcello in “La Boheme”, by Puccini, in mid 2025, with Chicago Summer Opera.