Christopher Scott (Roger Tomchek)

Christopher Scott, baritone, serves as Associate Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University, where he teaches a voice studio as well as other music classes. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music where he studied voice with Tom Baresel and taught a voice studio of Music Theater majors. He completed a master’s degree at the same institution, singing the roles of Tarquinius in Lucrezia and André Thorel in Thérèse. Between degree programs, Chris served Augustana College in Rock Island, IL as Artist in Residence, teaching applied voice and various departmental courses. At Augustana he sang an orchestral concert of Mahler songs and performed the roles of Lieutenant Worthing in Truce of Carols and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. Professionally, Chris sang in Microscopic Opera's productions of Michael Ching's Speed Dating, Tonight! and Robert Xavier Rodríguez's Frida, both in 2014. Chris sang as an apprentice with Des Moines Metro Opera in 2013, debuting as Paris in Romeo et Juliette. In 2008, he sang the role of Giuseppe in Cincinnati Opera's production of La Traviata. His debut with the same company was as a Foundry Worker in the world premiere of Rise For Freedom: The John P. Parker Story. With Opera Quad Cities, Chris sang the roles of Marcello (La Bohème) and Guglielmo (Così fan tutte).

Desiree Soteres (Rose Hartzell)

Soprano Desirée Soteres is known for her powerful voice and vivid characterization in opera, musical theater, and concert work. Her career has taken her from stages across the United States to international audiences through performances with Cunard Cruise Lines. A co-founder of Aria412, she performs regularly in Pittsburgh and has created roles and premiered new works with Aria412, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Alia Musica, and the New Dischord Festival. Recent highlights include the role of the Queen of Elfenland in Thomas the Rhymer and appearing in Aria412’s filmed and staged production of I Hear America Singing, directed by composer Daron Hagen. She has originated leading roles in new operas including Eve Apart, The Mother of Fishes, and A New Kind of Fallout, and is especially known for her performances as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute with Opera San José, Portland Opera, West Bay Opera, and others. Desirée holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Rhodes College.

Robert Frankenberry  (Robbie Doerfler)

Robert Frankenberry leads a multi-faceted career as a vocalist, pianist, educator, actor, and conductor. His credits in musical direction cover the span of opera on film, Orson Rehearsed (Principal Coach / Orson #2), and 9/10: Love Before the Fall (Music Director / Cory) opera on stage, including Sweeney Todd (Weathervane Theatre), The Tales of Hoffmann (D’Angelo Opera Theatre), Cosi fan Tutte (DaCorneto Opera), Monteverdi’s 8th Book of Madrigals (Opera Theater of Pittsburgh), Robert X. Rodriguez’ Frida (microscopic opera), and the world staged premiere of Daron Hagen’s Vera of Las Vegas (Center for Contemporary Opera). During the 2013-2014 season, he served as Associate Music director for Glass/Ginsberg’s Hydrogen Jukebox and Music Director for the premiere of Hagen’s I Hear America Singing at Skylight Musical Theatre and returned in the Spring of 2015 as Music Director/Alberich/Hunding/Mime/Hagen for the premiere of The Skylight Ring. This past summer, he conducted the premiere of Gilda Lyons’ and Tammy Ryan’s opera, A New Kind of Fallout, based on the life and work of Rachel Carson, for Opera Theater of Pittsburgh’s SummerFest.