Presents: 

LESLIE DALA
Conductor
Toronto, ON
Last VO Appearance:
Conductor, The Magic Flute, 2013
Recent Appearances:
The Tales of Hoffman and Carmen with UBC Opera
Music for China, presented by Soundstreams Canada, with performances in Toronto, Shanghai and Beijing
Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
Upcoming Engagements:
Messiah with the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Albert Herring with the University of Toronto Opera Division
Mr. Dala is the Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Music Director of the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony.

More about Leslie Dala
Mr. Dala’s appearance is supported by a gift from The Illahie Foundation

GLYNIS LEYSHON
Director
Victoria, BC
Last VO Appearance:
Rigoletto, 2009
Recent Appearances:
Falstaff and Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again with National Arts Centre
La traviata with Calgary Opera
God of Carnage with Belfry Theatre, Victoria
Upcoming Engagements:
Madama Butterfly with Calgary Opera
Proud with Belfry Theatre, Victoria
Ms. Leyshon’s appearance is supported by a gift from Mike & Kathy Gallagher

LAWRENCE WILIFORD
Tenor
Victoria, BC
Albert Herring
Vancouver Opera DébutRecent Appearances:
Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail with Opera Atelier
Elijah (Mendelssohn) with The Colorado Symphony
Mass in B Minor (Bach) with Elmer Iseler Singers
Requiem (Mozart) with National Arts Centre Orchestra
Upcoming Engagements:
Messiah (Handel) with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Recording: Britten: Divine Musick: The Late Works for Tenor and Harp (ATMA Classique, 2010)

More about Lawrence Wiliford

Mr. Wiliford’s appearance is supported by a gift from Mary Tait & Bill Sirett

SALLY DIBBLEE
Soprano
Fredericton, NB
Lady Billows
Last Vancouver Opera Appearance:
Pat Nixon in Nixon in China, 2010
Recent Appearances:
Soloist, Requiem (Fauré) with Symphony New Brunswick
The Merry Widow with The Newfoundland Symphony
Lady Billows in Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
Elizabetta in Maria Stuarda with Pacific Opera Victoria
Upcoming Engagements:
Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly with Calgary Opera
Soloist, Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) with Symphony New Brunswick
Ms. Dibblee’s appearance is supported by a gift from Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Christopher

SYLVIA SZADOVSZKI
Mezzo-Soprano
Vancouver, BC
NancyLast VO Appearance:
Papagena in The Magic Flute, 2013
Recent Appearances:
Kate in The Pirates of Penzance with Vancouver Opera
Rosina in Der Barbier von Sevilla with Theater Hof, Germany
Mercedes in Carmen with Pacific Opera Victoria
Hansel in Hansel & Gretel with Vancouver Opera In Schools
Upcoming Engagements:
Soloist, Messiah with the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Soloist, Choral Fantasy (Beethoven) with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra
Ms. Szadovszki’s appearance is supported by a gift from Lis & Bruce Welch

AARON DURAND
Baritone
100 Mile House, BC
Sid
Last VO Appearance:
Sciarrone in Tosca, 2013
Recent Appearances:
The Speaker in The Magic Flute with Vancouver Opera
Javan in When the Sun Comes Out with the Queer Arts Festival
Soloist, Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) with Vancouver Academy Orchestra
Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance with Vancouver Opera
Upcoming Engagements:
Soloist, Messiah with Victoria Symphony
Masetto in Don Giovanni with Vancouver Opera
Mr. Durand’s appearance is supported by a gift from Mrs. Irene McEwen

SUSAN PLATTS
Mezzo-Soprano
Victoria, BC
Florence Pike
Vancouver Opera Début
Recent Appearances:
Symphony No.8 (Mahler) with the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
Nixon in China with BBC Symphony Orchestra Proms Concert
Florence Pike in Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
Rosamunde (Schubert) with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
 Upcoming Engagements:
Symphony No. 8 (Mahler) with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Sea Pictures (Elgar) with the Louisville Orchestra
Mr. Platts’s appearance is supported by a gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous

MELANIE KRUEGER
Soprano
Abbotsford, BC
Miss Wordsworth
 Last VO Appearance:
Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance, 2012

Recent Appearances:
Lillian Alling with the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts
Sharon in Master Class with The Arts Club Theatre Company
Annina in La traviata with Vancouver Opera
Les Noces (Stravinsky) with the Vancouver Bach Choir
Upcoming Engagements:
The Voice from Heaven in Don Carlo with Vancouver Opera

More about Melanie Krueger
Ms. Krueger’s appearance is supported by a gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous

REBECCA HASS
Mezzo-Soprano
Coldwater, ON
Mrs. Herring
Last VO Appearance:
Third Secretary in Nixon in China, 2010Recent Appearances:
Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
Marquis of Berkenfeld in La fille du regiment with Manitoba Opera
Lady in Waiting in Macbeth with Pacific Opera Victoria
Azucena in Il trovatore with Astoria Music Festival, Oregon
Upcoming Engagements:
Writer/Contributor, CBC Radio
Guest Host, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, CBC Radio 2
Ms. Hass’s appearance is supported by a gift from Val & Dick Bradshaw

PETER MCGILLIVRAY
Baritone
Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Gedge
Vancouver Opera Début
Recent Appearances:
Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Opéra de Québec
Vicar Gedge in Albert Herring and Noye in Noye’s Fludde with Pacific Opera Victoria
Thomas in Shelter with Tapestry New Opera / Edmonton Opera
Stubb in Moby Dick with Calgary Opera
Upcoming Engagements:
Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus with Edmonton Opera
Schaunard in La bohème with Manitoba OperaMore about Peter McGillivray
Mr. McGillivray’s appearance is supported by a gift from Mr. Ken & Mrs. Ellen Mahon

 MICHAEL COLVIN
Tenor
Toronto, ON
Mr. UpfoldLast VO Appearance:
Belmonte in The Abduction from the Seraglio (concert), 2004
Recent Appearances:
Bob Boles in Peter Grimes with Accademia Nazionale do Santa Cecilia, Italy and with London Philharmonic Orchestra
L’Aumonier in Dialogues of the Carmelites with the Canadian Opera Company
Red Whiskers / Captain Vere (cover) in Billy Budd with English National Opera
 

Upcoming Engagements:
Bob Boles / Peter Grimes (cover) in Peter Grimes with English National Opera
Dr. Caius in Falstaff / Goro in Madama Butterfly with the Canadian Opera Company

More about Michael Colvin
 

Mr. Colvin’s appearance is supported by a gift from Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt

GILES TOMKINS
Bass-baritone
Toronto, ON
Superintendent Budd
 Last VO Appearance:
Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance, 2012
Recent Appearances:
Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring with Pacific Opera Victoria
Black Bob in The Little Sweep with Pacific Opera Victoria / Belfry Theatre
Colline in La bohème with Kingston Symphony Orchestra
Oberto with Opera in Concert, Toronto
Upcoming Engagements:
Leporello (March 7 & 9 performances) in Don Giovanni with Vancouver Opera
Colline in La bohème with Manitoba Opera

More about Giles Tomkins
Mr. Tomkins`s appearance is supported by a gift from Mrs. Barbara Lowy

MARIA BAMFORD
Soprano
Vancouver, BC
Emmie
Vancouver Opera Début
Recent Appearances:
Mi in Land of Smiles with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Gretel in Hansel und Gretel with UBC Opera
Klina in The Inventor with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and UBC Opera
Soloist, Carmina Burana with UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble

SIMONE MCINTOSH
Soprano
Vancouver, BC
Cis
Last VO Appearance:
Rosie (Understudy) in The Barber of Barkerville (Vancouver Opera In Schools), 2013
Recent Appearances:
Giulietta in The Tales of Hoffman with UBC Opera
Fox in The Cunning Little Vixen with European Music Academy
Sister St. Charles in Dialogues of the Carmelites with UBC Opera
Upcoming Engagements:
Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro with Burnaby Lyric Opera
Fox in The Cunning LIttle Vixen with UBC Opera

EVA TAVARES
Soprano
Langley, BC
Harry
 Last VO Appearance:
Naomi (Understudy) in Naomi’s Road (Vancouver Opera In Schools), 2013
Recent Appearances:
Oscar in Viva Verdi! with UBC Opera
Cecily in Ernest in Love with Applause! Musicals
Mi in Land of Smiles with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Chorus and Olympia (Understudy) in Les contes d’Hoffman with UBC Opera
Upcoming Engagements:
Light for the Child with musica intima

KINZA TYRRELL
Conductor
Victoria, BC
Last VO Appearance:
Children’s Chorus Director / Principal Répétiteur, Tosca, 2013
Recent Appearances:
Conductor, Le nozze di Figaro with Vancouver Summer Opera Studio
Diction Specialist at Opera Nuova
Piano Soloist in The Four Temperaments (Hindeminth) with Edmonton Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic
Upcoming Engagements:
Visiting Teacher with Calgary Opera’s Young Artist Program
Trio Recital on ‘Cap Classic’ series at Capilano UniversityMs. Tyrrell is the Music Director of Vancouver Opera In Schools and Vancouver Summer Opera Studio, and Répétiteur at Opera Nuova, COSI Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, and Opera as Theatre at the Banff Centre
Ms. Tyrrell’s appearance is supported by a gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous

PATRICK CLARK
Scenic & Costume Designer
Fredericton, NB
 Vancouver Opera Début
Recent Appearances:
Tartuffe with National Theatre Centre, Ottawa
The Mousetrap with Theatre Aquarius
The Norman Conquests with Soulpepper Theatre
Private Lives with Theatre New Brunswick
Upcoming Engagements:
Good People with Manitoba Theatre
Beaux Strategem with Stratford Festival

Mr. Clark is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada and The Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts.

MICHAEL WALTON
Lighting Designer
Stratford, ON
 Vancouver Opera Début
Recent Appearances:
Venus in Fur with Canadian Stage Company
Fiddler on the Roof, Othello, and The Three Musketeers with the Stratford Festival
Maria Stuarda with Pacific Opera Victoria
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and Sideways with La Jolla Playhouse, California
Upcoming Engagements:
Cosi fan tutte with the Canadian Opera Company
King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra with the Stratford Festival

STACEY BUTTERWORTH
Wig Designer
Vancouver, BC
Last VO Appearance:
Tosca, 2013
Recent Appearances:
Wig design and construction, Bard on the Beach 2013
American Hustle feature film – wig maker for Jennifer Lawrence
Fox Catcher feature film – wig maker for Channing Tatum
Moneyball feature film – wig maker for Brad Pitt
Upcoming Engagements:
Conflagration feature film
The Interview feature film – wig maker for Seth Rogan
The Strain television production, directed by Guillermo del Toro, Toronto
Ms. Butterworth has been Wig Designer at Vancouver Opera since 1995. Stacey Butterworth Wig Creations is one of the top suppliers of custom made wigs in North America, supplying film, television, theatre and opera.

TINA CHANG
MUSICAL PREPARATION
TaiwanLAST VO APPEARANCE
Musical Preparation, Tosca, 2013

RECENT APPEARANCES
Pianist, Recital with Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program at YVR
Pianist, Cinderella with Vancouver Opera In Schools
Pianist and Coach with the Atelier Lyrique at l’Opéra de Montréal

Musical Preparation, Tea: A Mirror of Soul, 2013

KIMBERELY-ANN BARTCZAK
MUSICAL PREPARATION
LAST VO APPEARANCE:
Musical Preparation, Tosca, 2013
RECENT APPEARANCES
Répétiteur, University of Toronto opera program
Accompanist, Women’s Chorus at the University of Toronto and the Mississauga Festival Choir
 UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Music Director, Talk Opera with Opera 5
Pianist and coach, Opera on the Avalon and St. Andrews Opera Workshop

SHEILA MUNN
STAGE MANAGER
Vancouver, BC
LAST VO APPEARANCE
Tosca, 2013RECENT APPEARANCES
When The Sun Comes Out with Queer Arts Festival
Dialogues des Carmélites, The Merry Widow and Albert Herring with UBC Opera Ensemble
The Magic Flute, The Pirates of Penzance, La Bohème, Aida, The Barber of Seville, Roméo et Juliette, La Traviata, La Clemenza di Tito, Lucia di Lammermoor, Lillian Alling, Madama Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro, Nixon in China, Norma, Salome, Rigoletto, Carmen, Eugene Onegin, Fidelio, The Italian Girl in Algiers, Cavalleria Rusticana/I Pagliacci, Tosca, Ariadne auf Naxos, The Magic Flute, and Macbeth with Vancouver Opera.