Meet the Team

FOUNDING FACULTY

Bree Nichols, General Director

Bree Nichols, Co-Founder of Stafford Opera Troupe, is an operatic soprano known for her compelling stage presence, warm timbre, and shimmering pianissimi. She recently debuted as Gilda in Rigoletto with Capitol City Opera and is also an avid interpreter of song repertoire, performing Strauss’ Brentano Lieder and Milhaud’s Quatre Chansons de Ronsard this season. Bree’s career has taken her to the stages of Carnegie Hall, Symphony of the Mountains, Capitol City Opera, Opera Roanoke, Opera on the James, Appalachian Opera Theatre, Druid City Opera, and more. She has recently portrayed the title role in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Despina in Così fan tutte, Jennie in Kurt Weill’s Down in the Valley, Nedda in Pagliacci, and Valencienne in The Merry Widow. She also sang Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro under the baton of Maestro Hillary Griffiths and performed as Nella (Lauretta cover) in Gianni Schicchi with conductor Mark Cedel. Additional cover roles include Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and Madame Silberklang in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor

Bree earned her M.M. from University of Georgia and her B.M. from Liberty University. Also a passionate educator, Bree is a Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas College of Music, where she studies with internationally renowned soprano Carol Wilson. During her time at Appalachian State University, Bree taught voice classes for undergraduate music majors, working with her students in both group settings and through private lessons; she also worked as a production assistant for the opera scenes and full opera productions at ASU. At University of Georgia, Bree taught vocal diction for music majors in addition to private voice lessons for music majors. She currently calls the state of Texas home, where she lives and frequently performs with her husband, Jason Nichols.

Corinn Keene, Theatrical Director

Co-Founder of Stafford Opera Troupe Corinn Keene graduated from the New York Film Academy in 2012 and from Liberty University in 2015, where she studied voice with soprano Adelaide Muir Trombetta and frequently performed with Liberty University Opera. She recently performed the roles of Prince Orlofsky in Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Mabel in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Other productions include The Marriage of Figaro, Pagliacci, and multiple scenes concerts.

Also an accomplished actress, Corinn performs perennially with Fredericksburg's Rude Mechanicals; in 2017, she performed as Hero and as Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Corinn has also recently appeared as Ophelia in Hamlet, Imogen in Cymbeline, Goneril in King Lear, and Sally in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!

Mrs. Bonita Keene, Musical Consultant and Liason

Mrs. Bonita Keene has been an educator with the Stafford County Schools Arts Programs since 2000, and was a student in SCPS, having graduated from North Stafford High School in 1984. Mrs. Keene has a degree in Music Education from Emory & Henry College, where she studied under Dr. Charles “Chick” Davis. Mrs. Keene is the current Director of Choirs at Mountain View High School and previously taught in the county at H.H. Poole Middle and North Stafford High. In addition to her role as an educator in the school system, she also volunteered and traveled with Maranatha Touring Choir (a local interdenominational youth choir) serving as Assistant Director for 20 years. She has taught private piano and voice lessons, been a choral festival adjudicator, and appeared as a guest lecturer on topics concerning music education.

In addition to her involvement with choral programs, Mrs. Keene has also been very committed to theatre arts in the county, either directing or performing in many crowd-favorite locals shows. She played in the pit orchestra for performances of Into the Woods at UMW and numerous shows at BPHS. She was the musical director for Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Wizard of Oz, Crazy for You, Once Upon A Mattress, Anything Goes, and In the Heights. Each year, her choral program performs Rutter’s The Reluctant Dragon, taking the show to young theatergoers in the local elementary schools. Mrs. Keene is a life long resident of Stafford County, where she resides with her husband, Greg, and her children Corinn and Evan.

2018 GUEST FACULTY

LISTED ALPHABETICALLY

Christopher Apfelbach, Baritone and Voice Scientist

Christopher Apfelbach has been active in classical singing since 2007, when he joined the Madison Opera chorus, a company he would continue to work with for the next eight years. While earning his bachelor's degree in vocal performance, he also performed with Opera for the Young, the University of Wisconsin Opera, the Madison Choral Project, and Four Seasons Theatre. Later performance credits include shows with the University of Georgia Opera in Athens, GA, and with Capitol City Opera in Atlanta.

Although Mr. Apfelbach continues to perform as opportunities arise, his true passion lies with voice pathology, voice science, and the world of clinical research. After attending the University of Iowa's prestigious Summer Vocology Institute in 2012, Christopher earned a master's degree in speech-language pathology, enabling him to work independently as a voice and speech-language therapist in schools, hospitals, and private practice. Ever eager to keep in touch with the musical world, Mr. Apfelbach has also maintained a private voice studio since 2015 that specializes in working with singers recovering from vocal injuries. He currently attends the University of Delaware as a doctoral student in communication sciences and disorders; clinical and research interests include fluency disorders, paradoxical vocal fold motion, vocal fatigue, muscle tension dysphonia, and the contributions of endocrine pathology to the development and maintenance of voice disorders.

Oleg Bellini, Collaborative Pianist

Oleg Bellini, pianist, was born in Alessandria, Italy. He grew up surrounded by classic music, playing his first concerts as an accompanist to his mother, who is an opera singer. In 2007, Oleg graduated with honors from the Vivaldi Conservatory of Alessandria, where he studied piano; there he was honored with the Ghislieri Award as the conservatory’s preeminent graduate. His studies continued at the Romano Romanini Academy in Brescia, where he studied with Maestro Sergio Marengoni. Oleg performed in masterclasses for Professor Elisso Virsaladze at the Fiesole School of Music and with Maestro Oleg Marshev at the Milano Music Master School. He has attended lectures by Maestro Paolo Restani in La Spezia and Professor Sulamita Aronovsky in London.

Also a decorated competitor, Oleg has been invited to prestigious national and international piano competitions; first place victories include international piano competitions at Oviglio, Rocchetta Tanaro, Terzo d'Acqui, and many more.

Oleg Bellini has performed in concert in several Italian cities including Brescia, Milan, Terzo d'Acqui, Bosco Marengo, and Turin. He taught piano at the Academy of Music in Alessandria from 2010-2012 before relocating to Sweden to study harpsichord at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where his teacher was Mayumi Kamata.

Bellini is currently earning his Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Recent accomplishments include a collaboration with countertenor Rodrigo Sosa Dal Pozzo, with whom he recorded pieces from various musical eras, and playing as the rehearsal pianist for UGA Opera Theatre’s productions of Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro. Oleg joined the SOT team in 2017, performing Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and returns in 2018 to rehearse and perform Viardot's virtuosic Cinderella (Cendrillon).

Zarah Brock, Soprano

Zarah Brock, soprano, is a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Zarah graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. While attending VCU, Zarah sang several roles, including Hanna Glawari/The Merry Widow, Casilda/The Gondoliers and First Spirit/Die Zauberflöte. Along with her education at VCU, Zarah has studied at various music festivals. She trained at the late Lorin Maazel’s Castleton Festival and also had the privilege to travel to Oman with the Castleton Festival to sing in La Bohème at the Royal Opera House in Muscat. In addition, she has attended the Atlantic Music Festival and Harrower Summer Opera Workshop. She recently portrayed Lucy/The Telephone and Don Ettore/La Canterina with Old Towne Opera. Zarah is excited to return as a performer and faculty member with SOT this summer. Prior to SOT, Zarah will travel to the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival to sing the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni this summer. Ms. Brock is pursuing her Master of Music in Opera Performance as a member of the Opera Studio at the University of Maryland under the tutelage of Delores Ziegler. Zarah will perform the roles of Annio/La Clemenza di Tito and Soeur Constance/Dialogues des Carmélites with the Maryland Opera Studio this coming season.

Zarah Brock has been a part of Stafford Opera Troupe since its founding in 2016.

Andrew Ellis, Tenor

Lyric tenor Andrew Ellis completed his B.M. at Liberty University in 2013 studying voice with Dr. Wayne Kompelien. While at Liberty Andrew placed first in the 2012 Virginia NATS voice competition, and in 2013 was awarded the distinction of Liberty University Vocalist of the Year. Following graduation, Mr. Ellis sang supporting roles with Opera on the James, Hub Opera Maryland, and Opera Roanoke. He also toured Sicily singing with the Mediterranean Opera Studio and coaching under tenors Salvatore Fisichella and Marcello Giordani.

From 2014 to 2017, Andrew continued his training with acclaimed tenor Rockwell Blake. During this time, Mr. Ellis was featured as the tenor soloist in performances of Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Magnificat, and Schubert’s Mass in G. Returning to the operatic stage last Fall, Andrew debuted as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Bel Cantanti Opera. Engagements in 2018 have included Tebaldo in I Capuletti E I Montecchi, Sopel in Sadko, and Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor. This year, Andrew will begin his tenure as the tenor-in-residence at UGA Opera Theatre.

Isaiah Feken, Baritone (Visiting)

Isaiah Feken, native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is currently pursuing his DMA in vocal performance at UGA where he has served as a graduate assistant to the UGA Opera dept. since 2014. He completed his MM in vocal performance at UGA in 2016. Before attending UGA, Isaiah received his B.M. in vocal performance from the University of Tulsa in 2014, Magna Cum Laude. Isaiah made his professional debut in 2016 singing Fred Graham in Pittsburgh Festival Opera's production of Kiss me Kate! to critical acclaim. Other roles include the title roles in Gianni Schicchi, Don Giovanni, Sweeney Todd, and The Impresario as well as Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutté, and Count Danilo in The Merry Widow. This summer Isaiah will be giving his debut as Ford in Crested Butte Summer Festival's production of Verdi's Falstaff.

Dr. Rachel Eve Holmes, Soprano

Dr. Rachel Eve Holmes is an American soprano, recently described as “expressive and subtle, with a stunning instrument.” (Capital Times) A Georgia native, Holmes’performing career has taken her to Belgium, China, Italy, Austria, Canada, and the Czech Republic, as well as all over the United States.

Dr. Holmes has performed over twenty-five leading operatic and musical theater roles with many companies and orchestras, including the Arapahoe Philharmonic, Natchez Festival of Music, Opera Lancaster, the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Opera Fort Collins, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Intermezzo Festival, Opera for the Young, La Musica Lirica, Loveland Opera Theatre, Fort Collins Symphony, St. George Opera, Capitol City Opera, Fresco Opera Theatre, Four Seasons Theatre, Children’s Theater of Madison, the Ralph Opera Center, the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra, University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, and New England Conservatory.

A highly decorated soprano, she is the 2018 First Runner Up of the Orchestra Noir International Golden Medallion Competition, the 2018 Third Place Winner of The American Prize, Women's Art Song and Oratorio, Collegiate Division, winner of the 2017 ACSO Ruth Kern Concerto Competition, the 2016 American Fine Arts Festival Golden Era of Romantic Music International Competition, the 2016 University of Georgia Concerto Competition, the 2016 Atlanta Music Clubs Competition, the 2015 American Protégé International Vocal Competition, the 2015 Roschel Vocal Competition, 2015 Schubert Club Competition, the 2014 Kenwood Symphony Orchestra Concerto and Aria Competition, the 2012 Wisconsin Public Radio Neale-Silva Young Artists Competition, the 2011 Carnegie Hall Weill Hall Young Musicians Concert Competition, the 2010 NATS Graduate Division Competition (Colorado, Wyoming District), and the 2009-2012 Schuyler Grant for Career Bridges, NYC.

Dr. Holmes is the previous student of the late James McDonald, and currently studies with Frederick Burchinal and Kathy Wright. She is a proud member of the Musica Grande Artists Roster. Her career is managed by Samuele Liadi. In addition to performing, Rachel Eve maintains a large voice studio, and is passionate about working with young voices! Many of Rachel's students have gone on to enter Conservatories and state college music programs around the country. Rachel Eve Holmes first joined the SOT faculty in 2017, teaching private lessons, masterclasses, and workshop sessions in addition to starring as Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

Evan Keene, Bass-Baritone

Bass-baritone Evan Keene completed his B.S in Music Education at Liberty University in 2018 studying voice with Dr. Wayne Kompelien. While at Liberty Evan was active in the Opera Workshop program, performing in scenes as Franck in Die Fledermaus, Grandpa in The Tender Land, and Don Bartolo in Barber of Seville. He has performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and also performed several works with the Roanoke Symphony, most recently Haydn’s Creation. Evan is also an accomplished instrumentalist, performing in the Pit Orchestras for the Alluvion Stage Company, MasterWorx Theater, and Academy Center for the Arts Encore Youth Theatre’s Summer Program. He has also served as Music Director with the Fredericksburg area’s Rude Mechanicals Shakespeare on the Lawn program, where he arranged, orchestrated and performed with various musical ensembles, both vocal and instrumental. Evan also continues to pursue composition, and is currently composing his first opera.

Evan has been a participant in Stafford Opera Troupe since its inception, both performing in scenes and later teaching voice lessons. He is currently pursuing a career as a choral educator, and looks forward to taking a greater role in Stafford Opera Troupe this summer.

Mrs. Kathlyn Kulp, Collaborative Pianist

Kathlyn Kulp is a local music educator and has been privileged to work with students in a variety of choral and musical activities from kindergarten through college. Miss Kulp received a Master of Music degree in Kodaly from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, and has specialized training in organ, voice and biblical studies. Throughout her career she has earned awards in the areas of academic excellence, philosophy and service, including Walmart Teacher of the Year and Delta Epsilon Chi. Her professional experiences have included convention presentations, music festival coordination, service on accreditation and curriculum review teams, and four years of teaching in Honduras, Central America.

When she is not enjoying time with her students, Miss Kulp relaxes with classic mysteries, worship songs, gardening and cooking. Her favorite musicals are “Les Miserables” and “Newsies”. Her life mission is to train young people in musical excellence to glorify God and encourage others. Miss Katie Kulp currently serves as an elementary music specialist and choral director at Fredericksburg Christian Lower School.

Miss Kulp has been a part of the Stafford Opera Troupe team since its founding in 2016, performing as the collaborative pianist in the Summer Opera Program's first ever production, A Night at the Opera. Since then, she has continued to lend her skill at the piano by serving as a rehearsal pianist.

Brett Pardue, Tenor (Visiting)

Since 2016, Brett Pardue has served on the Music Faculty of Lehigh University as the Sametz Artist-in-Residence, acting as Lecturer of Voice Pedagogy and Introductory Voice Seminar classes, instructor of private voice study, and resident tenor soloist for the Department of Music. In 2017, Pardue was invited to join Rowan University’s Department of Music Theatre and Dance as a Collaborative Pianist and Vocal Coach. During his time in the Northeast, Pardue has also performed as a Guest Artist of the National Endowment of the Arts and has served as an Adjudicator for the 2018 New Jersey National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition, hosted at Rowan University.

As a performer, Pardue has been praised by Opera Lively as "a name to be followed," and by D.C. Metro Theater Arts for having "matinee-idol looks and personality, and [singing] equally attractively." Solo performances have included venues such as Carnegie Hall (New York Lyric Opera, 2017), Lincoln Center (Philharmonia of New York, 2018), and Cincinnati Opera, as well as internationally in Italy, Canada, and Japan. In 2019, Pardue will be featured as the leading tenor in a recording project sponsored by the National Opera of Bulgaria in partnership with NAXOS, featuring previously unrecorded works by Johann Strauss.

Pardue has appeared as a guest artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts (Concert Operetta Theatre), Westminster Choir College, Mannes School of Music (International Vocal Arts Institute), and Rutgers University. Pardue has performed as a soloist for the historic Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and has appeared in concert with the Philharmonia of New York, the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and in recital with Metropolitan Opera’s Jane Klaviter. He holds the following degrees:

Ph.D. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2021 (forthcoming)
Voice Pedagogy Institute; Westminster Choir College, 2018
M.M. Voice Performance; Hugh Hodgson School of Music (UGA), 2016
B.M. Voice Performance & Keyboard Studies; Mars Hill Baptist College, 2014

Rebecca Sacks, Mezzo-soprano

Mezzo-soprano Rebecca Sacks is known for her dynamic stage presence, smart musicality, and stylistic versatility. She performs opera and concert repertoire in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Roles have included Medoro in Orlando (Handel), Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (Mozart), Laura in Iolanta (Tchaikovsky), Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito, Dorabella in Così fan Tutte (Mozart), Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Zweite and Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte (Mozart), the title role in El Gato con Botas (Montsalvatge), Sesto in Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Händel), and Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck). Equally comfortable in concert repertoire, Ms. Sacks has performed as an alto soloist in the Mozart Requiem , Monteverdi's Vespro della beata Vergine, Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, The Messiah, and the Vivaldi Gloria.

In 2017, Ms. Sacks was a semi-finalist in the Orpheus, Jensen, and Giulio Gari competitions. In 2016, she competed in the National Finals of the NATS Artist Awards in 2016, where she received the Herald Stark Award. She additionally won second place in the National Finals of the NATS Student Auditions.. Ms. Sacks was also honored to receive an encouragement award winner at the 2014 Oregon District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. While completing post-baccalaureate work at the University of Oregon, she was a member of the small ensemble that won second place at the National Opera Association’s collegiate scenes competition (graduate division).

Ms. Sacks is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Opera at the University of Georgia under the instruction of Frederick Burchinal and Kathryn Wright.

Gyuyeon Shim, Soprano

For the 2018 engagement, Gyuyeon Shim appears operas as the role of La Fée in P. Viardot’s Cendrillon at the Cambridge Chamber Ensemble in Boston and Stafford Opera Troupe in Virginia, Fiakermilli in Arabella at Pittsburgh Festival Opera as a resident artist and concerts as a soloist in Mozart’s Exultate, jubilate at the Westchester Korean Choral Society in New York and winner recital at Opera Susquehanna in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Shim’s 2016–2017 seasons, her performances included the role of Morgana in Handel’s Alcina at Lyra New York Opera , Poppea in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea at the National Opera Center in New York, La Fée in Massenet’s Cendrillon at the Curtler Majestic hall in Boston, Adele in J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at Daegu Opera House in South Korea, and Königin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the Chautauqua Music Festival. She is also a guest faculty of Stafford Opera Troupe from 2017.

During the 2015-16 seasons featured the role of Dalinda in Handel’s Ariodante, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Chautauqua Music Festival and AIMS, Nella in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi at New England Conservatory, Lakmé in Delibes Lakmé at the Opera Delaware and Manhattan School of Music.

Ms. Shim was winner at Connecticut district and got 3rd prize at The Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition, New England Regional Finals in 2016. She previously has winner at Opera Susquehanna Voice Competition, won 1st-prize at The American Protégé International Vocal Competition in 2017, 1st-prize & the Platinum award in 2015 at the Forte International Competition held at Carnegie Hall, and she has also won 2nd-prize in 2014 at an Austrian competition called Meistersinger-Gesangwettbewerb. Ms. Shim received her Bachelor of Music from Korea National University of Arts, Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, and Graduate Diploma from the the New England Conservatory.

PAST GUEST FACULTY
2017

Ashley Alden, Soprano

Ashley Alden made her New York City role debut as Barbarina in dell’Arte Opera Ensemble’s Le nozze di Figaro as part of their critically acclaimed Beaumarchais Trilogy. Other favorite roles include a Menotti double bill as Monica (The Medium) and Lucy (The Telephone), as well as Tolomeo, under the baton of J. David Jackson, in Giulio Ceasare directed by David Gately through Music Academy International. Ms. Alden recently completed a Professional Studies certificate at Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Marlena Malas. There she performed with the Manhattan School Opera Theater as Julie in their performance of Susa’s Dangerous Liaisons in addition to many performances with the Baroque Aria Ensemble. Ms. Alden received both her Master’s and Bachelor’s from The Catholic University of America where she was honored with the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music Performance Award in recognition of her work as Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus) and Musetta (la bohème) to name a few. While in Washington, DC, she performed with Bel Cantanti Opera as Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Adina (Elixer of Love) and Der Konnigen der Nacht (Die Zauberflote). Recently, Ms. Alden worked closely with Joan Dornemann in her International Vocal Arts Institute held in New York City. In addition to her opera performance, Ms. Alden has performed great vocal works such as Schubert’s Mass in G, The Coffee Cantata, and Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasilieras at Chautauqua Institute with Maestro Arie Lipsky. As a core member of The Mendelsohn Club of Philadelphia she debuted the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning Anthracite Fields by Julia Wolf. She looks forward to performing Mozart’s Laudate Dominum from Vesperae Solemnness di Domenica K321 with Maestro Giovanni Reggioli and the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra.