C A S T & C R E A T I V E
A M E L I A
Dramatic coloratura soprano Mary Johnston Letellier (she/her/hers) brings her warm, expressive voice and strong artistic instincts to a wide variety of repertoire. Last summer, Ms. Letellier debuted the role of Milica in Hogfish’s production of SVADBA. Last year, Ms. Letellier covered the role of Musetta and sang in the chorus of Opera Maine’s La Bohème and performed as a soloist in Opera in the Pines Valentine’s concert Pining for You. Other recent roles include workshopping the role of Harpy with Mark Adamo for his Sarah in the Theater for New England Conservatory and Odyssey Opera, the Queen of the Night in NEC’s production of Die Zauberflöte, Musetta in Bar Crawl Bohème with Opera in the Pines, Violetta in Mass Opera’s unique production of La Traviata, and covering the role of First Lady in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Maine.
With Snowlion Repertory, she portrayed Grace in The Christmas Bride in Concert, premiered the role of Conrad/ Conradine in The Secret Princess, and originated the role of the Narrator in the premiere of Mesmerized. Other recent engagements on the musical theater stage include Julie/Carrie/Nettie/Louise in Carousel at Tophat Toy Theater, Franca Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza and The Ghost of Christmas past in The Christmas Carol: The Musical, both at Biddeford City Theater. Broadwayworld.com called her performance as Franca “one of the highlights of the show.”
She has had the honor of singing the soprano soloist at the Assabet Valley Mastersinger's concert of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem. In addition, she made her debut as soprano soloist of Haydn's The Seasons with the Assabet Valley Mastersingers. This spring, she debuted her recital about the repressed feminine titled, Our Bodies, Our Voices. She has also crafted a recital about her favorite short story, titled Le Petit Prince: A Musical Journey. Last year, Ms. Letellier and Alexandra Dietrich debuted their recital, Deep Magic of the Earth and Songs to the Moon at the University of Southern Maine with Scott Wheatley and Thomas Smoker on the piano. She collaborated with Opera Maine and Bowdoin College for a recital in May called East Meets West: Exoticism in Arias and Art Song.
Also a sought after concert performer, Ms. Letellier has recently been a featured soloist in programs with Lyric Music Theater, Opera Maine, Port City Blue, Biddeford City Theater, and others. She was particularly proud to lend her voice to the concert Still Dreaming: A Tribute to MLK at Milton Community Concerts, and to the Black Lives Matter Faculty Concert at theUniversity of Southern Maine. She won the New England Regional NATS Artist Award and the Anne Marie Gertz Award at the National NATS Artist Competition in 2022.
Ms. Letellier is currently working on her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at New England Conservatory and a three-year diploma with the Complete Vocal Institute. She received her Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she appeared as Magda in La Rondine, Peep Bo in The Mikado, Miss Pinkerton in The Old Maid and the Thief, The Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas and many others. She was a member of the Young Artist Program at Seagle Music Colony and has also studied at Flagstaff in Fidenza (Italy). She is currently on faculty at the University of Southern Maine, in addition to maintaining a busy private vocal studio.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Musetta in Bar Crawl Bohème, Soloist in Pining for You
R I C H A R D
Aaren Rivard, tenor, is a Maine native praised for his "full and clear" sound. He has appeared with prominent companies such as Chautauqua Opera Company, Pensacola Opera, Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, and Opera Maine. Favorite roles performed include Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tito in La clemenza di Tito, and Bénédict in Béatrice et Bénédict. Mr. Rivard’s growing list of concert credits include: Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem, various Bach Cantatas, Whitbourn's Magnificat, and Orff's Carmina Burana. Aaren is an alumnus of the University of Southern Maine, where he studied with the beloved Ellen Chickering, as well as Wichita State University, studying under world-renowned bass-baritones Alan Held and Sam Ramey. His artistic work has been recognized by various organizations, such as the Naftzger Association's Vocal Prize, the Lillian Nordica Award, and Central City Opera's prestigious Moriarty Award, as well as The Rossini Club’s own Barbara Littlefield Vocal Prize. Aaren is also a Co-Founder of Opera in the Pines, where he is inspired to bring newly-envisioned stories to people all across his home state. After working as the Tenor Fellow with American Opera Projects for two years, Mr. Rivard continued his passion for contemporary opera with the premiere of three new operas with Opera Theatre of St. Louis' New Works Collective in 2024. Aaren continues his passion for new works with the recent premiere of Ghost Apples, a chamber opera in collaboration with the Halcyon Quartet. In addition to his operatic pursuits, Aaren is a licensed therapist, striving to combine expressive arts and therapeutic wellness in the state of Maine through compassion and creativity.
R E G I N A L D
Jazmin DeRice, mezzo soprano, is a versatile vocal performing artist and educator thriving in Maine. Recent performances range from a mini tour of “Specter: a Musical Séance” with Porchlight Ensemble, “Memory Bath”at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, “Post Pardon: the Opera” with Arisa White at Colby College, Dvorak’s “Requiem” at Watts Hall in Thomason, to “Higher Ground: a Tribute to the All Stars of Soul” at Jimmy’s Jazz Club in Portsmouth and summer waterfront gigs with BobaFunk at The PortHole. Jazmin was a collaborator on a song installation called “Grand Revolve” with Arisa White and Robin Lane, commissioned by The Indigo Arts Alliance and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She is co-founder of Porchlight Ensemble, an exciting new inter and multidisciplinary project with co-founder & Artistic Director, Morgan Lee. She also sings with Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, Aurora Camarata, is adjunct voice faculty at Bates College, Teaching Artist at 317 Main Community Music Center, has a small private studio in Woolwich, and is part of the Maine Chapter of NATS. Jazmin holds a BM and MM from University of Southern Maine and Professional Studies Degree from Mannes.
O S C A R
Born on a small farm in rural Maine, March Steiger has found their passion performing works by underrepresented composers, such as J. Rosemond Johnson, Lili and Nadia Boulanger, Cécile Chaminade, Josephine Lang, among many others. In 2025, they joined Opera in the Pines for The Barber of the Cape covering the role of Rosie, as well as joining Vigorous Tenderness as an artist for their Summer and Winter Solstice concerts.
In 2024, they performed with Hogfish Maine in their production of The Breasts of Thérèsias as Elegant Person as well as covering Thérèse. In the spring, March performed the role of Valencienne in Portland State University’s production of The Merry Widow. In 2023, they starred in the academic premier of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Fallen Giant, as well as reprising the role of the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, both with Portland State University.
March has also been chosen as an Emerging Outreach Artist from 2022-2025 for Opera Maine’s outreach program, dedicated to bringing opera to schools across Maine. March holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance from the Osher School of Music at the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Portland State University.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Cover in The Barber of the Cape
U L R I C A
Jazmin DeRice, mezzo soprano, is a versatile vocal performing artist and educator thriving in Maine. Recent performances range from a mini tour of “Specter: a Musical Séance” with Porchlight Ensemble, “Memory Bath”at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, “Post Pardon: the Opera” with Arisa White at Colby College, Dvorak’s “Requiem” at Watts Hall in Thomason, to “Higher Ground: a Tribute to the All Stars of Soul” at Jimmy’s Jazz Club in Portsmouth and summer waterfront gigs with BobaFunk at The PortHole. Jazmin was a collaborator on a song installation called “Grand Revolve” with Arisa White and Robin Lane, commissioned by The Indigo Arts Alliance and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She is co-founder of Porchlight Ensemble, an exciting new inter and multidisciplinary project with co-founder & Artistic Director, Morgan Lee. She also sings with Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, Aurora Camarata, is adjunct voice faculty at Bates College, Teaching Artist at 317 Main Community Music Center, has a small private studio in Woolwich, and is part of the Maine Chapter of NATS. Jazmin holds a BM and MM from University of Southern Maine and Professional Studies Degree from Mannes.
S A M U E L
Described as a “rich and flexible” baritone by The Rutland Herald, New England-based baritone Nicholas Tocci is an energetic and sought-after artist, known for his engaging presence. His talents extend beyond just the spotlight, as Nicholas is also deeply involved in various creative projects behind the scenes, as well as educational positions, contributing to the vibrant arts community of the region. Nicholas often works with various production companies in New England, displaying his talent in different theatrical roles. Most recent productions include: Timur in Puccini’s Turandot, Don Magnifico in Rossini’s Cenerentola, Schaunard in Puccini’s La Bohème, Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata, Don Pasquale in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, the titular role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, Creonte in Cherubini's Medea, and William in Philip Glass' Fall of the House of Usher.
In addition to his work on the lyric stage, Nicholas can be seen performing as the bass soloist in several concert and oratorio works. He has performed as a soloist in productions of Messiah, Carmina Burana, Mozart Requiem, L'enfance du Christ as Joseph, Bernstein's Mass, Robert Aldridge's Parables: An Interfaith Oratorio. Additional performances include Faure's Requiem, Magnificat, and Mozart's Coronation Mass, among others.
Nicholas shines as a skilled stage performer and makes contributions to the musical world as a stage director and educator. He formally served as the Associate Director for BARN Opera and Opera Vermont in Brandon, VT, directing and producing numerous productions while playing a crucial role in the development of the BARN Opera House. Additionally, he teaches voice at Clark University in Worcester, MA, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring singers, actors, and artists.
T O M
Daniel Laverriere is a Philadelphia-based baritone and recent graduate of Temple University. He is a member of the Opera Philadelphia Chorus and Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, recently performing Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims and Handel’s Messiah. Daniel completed an internship with Sarasota Opera in Arts Administration for the Winter 2026 season.
In 2025, Daniel covered Schaunard in La Bohème with Opera Maine and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He performed the role of Masetto in Don Giovanni with Temple Opera Theater and presented his graduate degree recital, featuring Ricky Ian Gordon’s Green Sneakers. He attended Spoleto Festival USA as a vocal fellow and returned to Quisisana Resort for a second season. In the fall, Daniel sang the role of Pandolfe in Cendrillon with Art City Opera and presented a virtual recital with A Modern Reveal, featuring works by Kamala Sankaram, Delphine Ugalde, and Sophie Gail.
Daniel spent two summers as an Emerging Artist at Seagle Festival, performing Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress, Senator McCarthy/Estonian Frank/Interrogator in Fellow Travelers, Papa Bear in The Three Bears, and various galas, concerts, and masterclasses.
Before his move to Philadelphia, Laverriere performed frequently in his home state of Maine and throughout New England. With the Portland Symphony Orchestra, he sang Pontifex in Bach’s Matthäuspassion. Daniel was selected as a participant in FUSE: Collaborations in Song with Boston Singers’ Resource and Catalyst New Music. With composer Keane Southard and poet Kendra Preston Leonard, Daniel and pianist Brendon Shapiro premiered Felling: A Song Cycle for Baritone and Piano in March 2023. The cycle features three historical and recent accounts of deforestation throughout North America.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Schaunard in Bar Crawl Bohème
E N S E M B L E
Dana Douglass is a soprano from midcoast Maine. Dana has performed in the chorus of Opera Maine in productions of La Boheme, Aïda, and Der Fliegende Holländer. She finished her masters degree at Peabody Conservatory, where she portrayed the roles of Bianca and Gabriella in Puccini’s La Rondine, and Mrs. Grose in Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw in an entirely virtual production put on by Peabody Opera Theater. During her time at the University of Maine, Dana made her professional debut in a production of La Bohème with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Along with being a member of the chorus, she performed as a milkmaid and a mother. At both Peabody Conservatory and the University of Maine Dana participated in the opera scenes program where she portrayed Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Fiordiligi in Così fan Tutte, Giulietta in Les Conte d’Hoffman, Violetta in La Traviata, Mrs. Patrick De Rocher in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, Magda in Menotti’s The Consul, Mimi in La Boheme, and Dido in a full production of Dido and Aeneas.
In addition to music, Dana enjoys spending her days reading, crocheting, practicing tarot, and spending time with the various animals around her family farm.
E N S E M B L E
Mia Love is a 2025 graduate of the University of Illinois’ Master of Music Program in Performance and Literature. She received her bachelor’s degree in 2021 from the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music where she studied Music Education. As a proud Mainer, she deeply enjoys connecting to the local music community, making her professional debut as Abigail Williams in Opera in the Pines’ 2024 production of The Crucible. She has performed regularly in Opera Maine’s ensemble over the years and was honored as their 2024 Ellen Chickering Young Artist. A recent musical highlight for Mia was performing in the Osher School of Music Inaugural President’s Concert, celebrating the opening of the Crewe Center for the Arts in Portland. She is greatly pleased to return to Opera in The Pines for this very special production.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Abigail Williams in The Crucible
E N S E M B L E
Maggie McGovern is a 29-year-old mezzo-soprano based in Astoria, Queens, in New York City. She holds an M.M. in Classical Voice Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music (‘22) and a B.A. in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Plymouth State University (‘19). She is a founding member of Musica Obsidian, a burgeoning opera group dedicated to the revival of Baroque-era works that have fallen into obscurity. She played ‘L’Estate (Summer) in their first-ever performance, Giovanni Battista Bononcini’s chamber opera, La Gara Della Quattro Stagioni (The Race of the Four Seasons) in the spring of 2023. Since then, the group has performed several concerts in bars, stores, and other small stages in an effort to bring opera to the people. In the summer of 2024, Maggie was hired to sing several arias as a part of The Opera Next Door’s summer concert series. Between auditioning and performing, Maggie lends her voice to various churches around New York City, and participates in choirs whenever possible. This past December, she sang in the New York Chamber Players Chorus in their performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. During her time at the Aaron Copland School, she had the pleasure of performing several fantastic roles; Olga Kromov, and a high-kicking Grisette in Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow, Dido, the Queen of Carthage, in Purcell’s masterpiece Dido and Aeneas, and Madame Armfeldt in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Her standout roles during her undergraduate education included Agent Scotty and Ensemble in Merrily We Roll Along, Ursula March in Sweet Charity, and, her all-time favorite, Margaret White in Carrie. Maggie has sung in the chorus for several OperaMaine productions; Die Zauberflöte, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen. Before college and graduate school, Maggie had the privilege of growing up in southern Maine, and taking advantage of the numerous wonderful artistic educational opportunities available. She studied violin with amazing Portland Symphony Orchestra violinist Clorinda Noyes for twelve years, and participated in all three Portland Youth string ensembles. She took voice lessons with one of Ellen Chickering’s former students, the incredible Dr. Elisabeth Marshall-Kallembach. Although she did not study with her directly, Ellen’s influence on Maggie’s musical journey is undeniable, and she is grateful to be a part of this production honoring her remarkable legacy.
E N S E M B L E
Tenor David Myers, Jr. performs throughout New England and has been praised for his “beautifully polished tone” and “attractive tenor sound” (Portland Press Herald). He performs regularly with professional ensembles including Aurora Camerata (formerly St. Mary Schola) and Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, and is a frequent soloist with Maine-based choral organizations such as Down East Singers, Lincoln Festival Chorus, Sheepscot Valley Chorus, and St. Cecilia Chamber Choir.
Recent highlights include his North Star Baroque debut as the Narrator in J. S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata (BWV 211), a featured soloist role in Words & Music, a new musical revue by composer Aaron Robinson with lyrics by Suzy Hallett, and his portrayal of Ezekiel Cheever in Opera in the Pines’ production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible. David also appeared as “Slushie Guy” in the world premiere of Girl in Six Beats, a chamber opera commissioned by Opera Maine with music by local composer Daniel Sonenberg presented by the University of Southern Maine.
David serves as Music Director at North Yarmouth Congregational Church, where he also maintains a private voice studio. He holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Southern Maine, where he studied with the late esteemed soprano Ellen Chickering. An active member of ACDA, NAfME, and NATS, David is honored to serve as the new Music in Worship Chair for the Maine ACDA Board. When not singing or teaching, he performs on French horn and trumpetwith local wind ensembles and pit orchestras.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible
E N S E M B L E
Baritone Jacob O’Shea is a rising young artist whose performances have been deemed, “visually and vocally [commanding]” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). In the 2023/2024 season, O’Shea completed his second year as a Bailey Apprentice Artist at Palm Beach Opera and was an Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera. Current season highlight include winning the Boston District of the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition and joining the Aspen festival as a Reneè Fleming Artists covering Marcello in La bohème and Guglielomo in Così fan Tutte. Equally at home in standard repertoire and new works, role highlights include Dr Gibbs (Our Town), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Colline (La bohème), The Sodbuster (Proving Up), and Paul (If I Were You). O’Shea has been seen as an emerging artist at some of the top programs in the country, including Palm Beach Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Central City Opera, Boston University Opera Institute, and the Seagle Festival. He has also worked with companies such as Cambridge Chamber Ensemble, Opera in the Pines and Syracuse Opera. Offstage, O’Shea finds solace in the art of embroidery, a creative outlet that complements his musical pursuits, allowing time to explore various unique forms of artistic expression. Hailing from Albany, New York, O’Shea completed his BM in Vocal Performance from Syracuse University and his MM in Vocal Performance from Boston University. He is currently under the tutelage of Bill McGraw.
P A S T A P P E A R A N C E S
Cover in The Crucible, Basil in The Barber of the Cape
S O L O I S T
Eugene Mesheryakov was born in Moscow, Russia and began his ballet training at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. With the academy he was able to be a part of productions such as The Nutcracker, and Coppélia. Furthering his studies, he has danced with the Nevada school of Dance and began training in the Vaganova method of ballet. In 2019, he joined the 2nd company of the Oklahoma City Ballet. During his time there he performed in productions such as Robert Mills Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Michael Pink’s Dracula. Recently Eugene has been performing as an Apprentice with Ballet 120 as well as Las Vegas Dance Academy and has danced in leading roles such as “Cavalier” in the Nutcracker and other excerpts. As of 2022, he joined the company with Portland Ballet and is currently in his 4th season. He is excited for the opportunity to share his passion for the art!
A S S I S T A N T M U S I C D I R E C T O R
Jeff Mosher, baritone, is a singer, teacher, and conductor who hails from the great state of Maine. He holds degrees in Voice Performance, Music Education, and Orchestral Conducting from the University of Southern Maine. At USM, he sang regularly as both chorister and soloist. Highlights included singing the role of Liberto in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, appearing as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, and completing a concert tour of Croatia with the USM Chamber Singers. Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Mosher maintained a rigorous schedule of solo recitals and private teaching. A particularly influential experience was a one-year appointment to the voice and conducting faculty of the Murray Conservatorium in New South Wales, Australia.
Mr. Mosher has been fortunate to have studied with many distinguished teachers, most notably Dr. Robert Lehmann, Dr. Robert Russell, and the late Ellen Chickering. In addition to engaging in private study, he continues to participate in conducting masterclasses worldwide.
At present, Mr. Mosher serves on the teaching faculty of Scarborough High School, assists ChoralArt, and serves as chorus master for Maine State Ballet and White Mountain Musical Arts. This season, he is excited to join Opera in the Pines as Assistant Music Director, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Director of the Children’s Chorus. He is based in Portland, Maine, and welcomes invitations to work with your choir.
C H O R E O G R A P H E R / S O L O I S T
C O S T U M E D I R E C T O R
Sarah Kennedy is an independent director, actor, and costume designer in both theater and film. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine majoring in Theatre, and continued her studies in NYC. Since moving back to Maine, she has started her own theater company, Out There Theater Company, alongside her best friends Joanna Clarke and Dalton Kimball.
Past costume design credits include, The Barber of the Cape, and The Crucible with Opera in the Pines and Once Upon A Mattress, and The Wizard of Oz with Lyric Music Theater.
Thank you to the cast and crew, her family and friends, and to Ellen Chickering for mentoring true and incredible artists that she gets to call friends and colleagues.
T E C H N I C A L D I R E C T O R
Ashley McBreairty is an award winning lighting designer based out of the Southern Maine region. Her time studying both Theater and Psychology at the University of Southern Maine have paired together to inform her design choices, utilizing human perception of color to influence her work to create unforgettable, surreal, and complex works that accompany the plot of any show she works on. She has over 100 credits to her name and has been working in theater since she was four years old. She is thrilled to be working with Opera in the Pines to continue her endeavor of creating unique art and bringing it to the local community.