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Bree Nichols – Rusalka Praised for her “rich vocal disposition,” soprano Bree Nichols is an internationally active artist known for her work in Czech opera and new music. Based in Prague, she has appeared with companies including Tulsa Opera and the Janáček Philharmonic and joins Opera Modesto in the title role of Rusalka.

Isaiah Musik-Ayala – Vodnik Praised by The New York Times for his “burly and resonant” voice, bass Isaiah Musik-Ayala is an internationally active artist known for his commanding stage presence and expansive repertoire. He has appeared with companies including the LA Phil, Virginia Opera, and New York City Opera and joins Opera Modesto this season.

Jason Nichols – Prince Praised for his “vulnerability and passion” (Roanoke Times), bringing emotional intensity and lyrical warmth to the stage. He recently made his debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème at the Silesian Theatre Opava. This season, he debuts as the Prince in Rusalka with Opera Modesto and the North Czech Philharmonic, sings with Lithuanian National Opera, covers Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress at the National Theatre Prague, and performs Alfredo in La Traviata in collaboration with AVA Prague and Studio Martinek.

Emily Geller – Ježibaba NYC-based contralto Emily Geller is lauded for her remarkable vocal depth and dramatic presence. Her recent work includes appearances with Opera Santa Barbara, Tri-Cities Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Gulfshore Opera, with Opera Modesto marking her house debut in 2026.

Jessica Sandidge – Foreign Princess Praised for her “voice of both power and beauty,” soprano Jessica Sandidge appears regularly with major opera companies across the U.S. and internationally. Recent highlights include title roles in Tosca, Susannah, and Manon Lescaut.

Guillermo Garcia Jr. –The Hunter/Gamekeep Baritone Guillermo García Jr. began his musical training as a violinist before earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from CSU, Stanislaus. He has appeared with Opera Modesto in productions including The Merry Widow, Roméo et Juliette, and The Barber of Seville, and has also performed with Center Stage Opera and Pacific Chorale. He currently serves as Director of Liturgical Music in Manteca, California.

Leandra Ramm – Turnspit/Kitchen boy Praised for her expressive singing and vivid character portrayals, mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm makes her Opera Modesto debut after appearing with companies including the San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, West Edge Opera, and Livermore Valley Opera. She is also a regular member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus.

Bella Dávila – Wood Sprite Bella Dávila is a classically trained soprano and multi-instrumentalist actively involved with Opera Modesto as a chorus member and Children’s Chorus Director. A Summer Opera Institute alum and Modesto Junior College musician, she has appeared in multiple main stage productions and continues to expand her work as a performer and educator.

Addison Mendenhall – Wood Sprite Soprano Addison Mendenhall is a young artist gaining attention throughout the Central Valley for her natural talent and vocal flexibility. A participant in Opera Modesto’s Summer Opera Institute, she sings with the Modesto Symphony Chorus and Gregori High School Choir and is thrilled to make her Opera Modesto debut.

Katie Overton – Wood Sprite Katie Overton is a longtime performer turned stage manager. She began with Opera Modesto’s Summer Opera Institute in 2018 and has since worked behind the scenes as Assistant Stage Manager since the 2024-2025 season.

Director: Annalisa Winberg

Conductor: Caleb Yanez Glickman

Scenic/Production Design: Corey Strauss

Costumer: Shannon Andrews

Saturday, January 17th Cast

Kayla Wilfong – Cinderella Praised for her “extraordinarily powerful and carrying voice,” soprano Kayla Wilfong has appeared in leading roles across opera and concert stages in the U.S. and abroad. A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, her recent and upcoming engagements include La bohème in Italy, Cavalleria rusticana, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and the world premiere of Waterfall in 2026.

Hayden Smith – Prince Charming Praised for his “burnished tone” and expressive singing, American tenor Hayden Smith has appeared with companies including Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Baltimore, and American Lyric Theater. Recent roles include Alfredo in La traviata, Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia, and Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia, alongside frequent concert appearances nationwide.

Jason Detwiler – The Baron Baritone Jason Detwiler has earned acclaim for his “richly expressive” and commanding performances with companies including Tulsa Opera, Opera Idaho, Opera Modesto, and New Rochelle Opera. With nearly seventy roles to his credit, recent highlights include Escamillo, Gianni Schicchi, Ford, and Don Pasquale, alongside national appearances in opera and concert.

Leah Huber – La Fée Soprano Leah Huber, noted for her “dazzling” high notes, appears in opera, musical theatre, and cabaret, with roles ranging from Gretel and Tytania to Christine Daaé and Josephine. Originally from Northwestern Louisiana, she is the Artistic Director of Pittsburgh’s Azure Family Concerts and a former Festival Artist with the Savannah VOICE Festival.

Sarah Lonsert – Maguelonne Praised for her “angelic voice,” soprano Sarah Lonsert performs with leading Southern California ensembles and appears regularly in both opera and musical theatre. She is a Grammy Award–winning artist for her work on Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has performed internationally across Europe and Asia.

Monica Danilov – Armelinde Internationally active mezzo-soprano Monica Danilov-Marquez has performed with companies and orchestras including Opera Columbus, Opera de Colombia, Stockton Symphony, and the Colombian National Symphony. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Brooklyn College (CUNY), she has sung roles ranging from Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia to Maddalena in Rigoletto.

Chris Colbourn, Julian Zavala – Barigoule Alternating as Barigoule, Resident Stage Manager Chris Colbourn and Scenic Assistant and Chorus Member Julian Zavala bring their backstage expertise and onstage artistry to this production. Both are core members of Opera Modesto’s Artistic Team and familiar faces to audiences and company alike.

Sunday, January 18th Cast

Elise Walters – Cinderella Praised for her versatility, Los Angeles–based artist Elise Walters has performed widely with Pacific Opera Project, Opera San Luis Obispo, Theatre West, and Independent Opera Company. A graduate of Queens College, she has sung roles from Sancta Susanna to Elixir of Love and will appear as Charlie in Mighty Casey with Lyric Opera of Orange County in 2025.

Jonathan Saatman – Prince Charming Sacramento-based tenor Jonathan Saatman has performed with companies including Opera Modesto, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Verismo Opera, and Light Opera Theater Sacramento. Known for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, he has recently appeared in Die Fledermaus, Faust, Tosca, Pagliacci, and Cabildo.

Andrew Pardini – The Baron Baritone Andrew Thomas Pardini, a Modesto native, returns to Opera Modesto after roles in Mansfield Park, Dead Man Walking, Rigoletto, La bohème, and Un ballo in maschera. A Tenured Member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, he has performed featured roles in La traviata, Madame Butterfly, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, and more, alongside frequent solo engagements throughout the Bay Area.

Chloe Sundet – La Fée Praised for her “serious star power,” coloratura soprano Chloe Sundet has performed with companies including Pacific Opera Project, Opera Neo, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and Inland Northwest Opera. Known for standout roles such as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, she has also appeared as Adele in Die Fledermaus and premiered leading roles in new opera works.

Emily Gallagher – Maguelonne Soprano Emily Gallagher, noted for her “splendiferous” performances, specializes in contemporary and world-premiere opera, having originated roles in five new works. Recent credits include Minute to Midnight, Rusalka, and Songs from the Uproar, with upcoming appearances for Opera Italia and Lyric Opera of Orange County. A 2022–23 Fulbright Scholar, she also created the interactive fairytale opera Enchanted Melodies.

Tzytle Steinman – Armelinde Mezzo-soprano Tzytle Steinman has appeared with companies including The Glimmerglass Festival, Ohio Light Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, and Sarasota Opera. Recent roles include Mistress Slender in Salieri’s Falstaff with Chicago Opera Theater and upcoming performances in Elizabeth Cree with Opera Today. A Grand Prize winner of the Patricia Crump Vocal Competition, she holds degrees from Northwestern University and Boston Conservatory.

Chris Colbourn, Julian Zavala – Barigoule Alternating as Barigoule, Resident Stage Manager Chris Colbourn and Scenic Assistant and Chorus Member Julian Zavala bring their backstage expertise and onstage artistry to this production. Both are core members of Opera Modesto’s Artistic Team and familiar faces to audiences and company alike.

Director: Annalisa Winberg

Conductor: Caleb Yanez Glickman

Scenic/Production Design: Corey Strauss

Costumer: Shannon Andrews