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Erin Carr (Rosalinde) is an up-and-coming dramatic soprano that has received acclaim for her large, warm voice that also has the ability to perform in an intimate setting. Ms. Carr has performed throughout the United States and Germany. Upcoming roles include Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at Brooklyn Repertory Opera and Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites at Resonanz Summer Festival. Also at Brooklyn Repertory Opera, she premiered the role of Deborah, in The Veil of Forgetfulness. Other roles include Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, Ms. Grose in Turn of the Screw, The Monitor in Suor Angelica with regular chorus appearances with Tulsa Opera. She also performs frequently as a soloist and recitalist; most recently at Resonanz Summer Festival in Albany, Westside Opera, Interchurch Concert Series and Christ and St Stephens Church. Ms. Carr continues to study voice with the fabulous Heidi Skok.

Erin Carr grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, splitting her time between horse back riding and playing the piano. She attended the University of Tulsa, and received a Bachelors of Music in vocal performance. Currently she resides in New York City with her two rat terriers. For more info about Erin check out her website www.erin.carr.net.

Charmaine Chester (Stage Director) began her career as an actress in numerous stage, film and radio productions in Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. before moving to NYC with the off Broadway cast of "Bernie's Bar Mitzvah" in 1992. She made the transition to directing in 2001 with the Opera Nova production of "Lucy, Vampire of Lammermoor", a send-up of Donizetti's classic at the Producer's Club. She directed original works by Susan Stoderl in 2002 at the Pulse Ensemble Theater in a program entitled "Under Construction", and again teamed with Ms. Stoderl in 2005 to direct the world premier of "A.F.R.A.I.D." for the New York International Fringe Festival at the Soho Playhouse. Earlier this year Charmaine helmed Ms. Stoderl's latest composition,The "Veil of Forgetfulness", which was produced under a grant from the New York Arts Counsel by BRO. Charmaine is very happy to be back at BRO tackeling this delightful classic.

Jay Gould (Frank) has a career in opera, oratorio and musical theater. He has appeared as a soloist in Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City and other major concert venues, in performances of Handel's MESSIAH and the St. John's and St. Matthew's Passions of Bach, the Requiems of Faure, Mozart and Brahms, and Orff's CARMINA BURANA. He has performed as soloist with the Masterwork Chorus, Long Island Choral Society and the Taghkanic Chorale. He has also appeared as bass soloist in Beethoven's 9TH SYMPHONY in Carnegie Hall. He sang the title role in FALSTAFF with the Martina Arroyo Foundation. He played the title role in GIANNI SCHICCHI with Empire Opera. His first appearance with BRO was as Rocco in FIDELIO, followed by Alfio in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Bartolo in MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and Renato in A MASKED BALL. Most recent were appearances as Sarastro in MAGIC FLUTE, Dick Deadeye in HMS PINAFORE and Baron Zeta in THE MERRY WIDOW with Amore Opera.

David Hicks (Dr. Blind)has performed in many Opera's and Musicals both Off-Broadway and regionally. Some credit's include Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola at the Kennedy Center, King Kaspar in Amahl...the Night Visitors with the Brown Bag Opera, Prince Karl Franz in The Student Prince at Media Theatre, Tonio in The Daughter of the Regiment with the San Francisco Opera Guild's Opera a La Carte, Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Mr Snow in Carousel, as well as the westcoast premier of Strawberry Fields as the Student in Stockton CA, and many others. Including last falls production of Ariadne Auf Naxos where he played Brighella, David's first production with the Brooklyn Reperatory Opera. David delighted to be back with the BRO and would like to thank friends and family for there generosity, love, and support.

Monica Akemi Hershenson (Prince Orlofsky) is a Santa Monica, CA native and has been a musician since childhood. Her musical career began with the flute in elementary school, violin in middle school and trombone and tuba in high school. In Los Angeles she performed the roles of Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), Alisa (Lucia di Lammermoor), The Voice of Antonia's Mother (Les contes d'Hoffmann), Mother (Hansel and Gretel), Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte) and Madame Bancelin (Manon Lescaut - Auber). Since moving to New York in November of 2007, she has performed the roles of Carmen (Carmen), Waltraute (Die Walküre) and revisited Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte). Throughout her singing career she has been the alto soloist in Mozarts Requiem and Solemn Vespers and Vivaldis Gloria and has presented four song recitals. She enjoys performing Wagnerian repertoire in concert and hopes to continue on to full productions in the near future. One of her most memorable singing moments was performing at the funeral service for Merv Griffin in Beverly Hills, CA. She currently studies with Judith Natalucci in New York City and lives in the New York area with tenor Shawn Thuris. This is her debut performance with Brooklyn Repertory Opera.

Scott Andrew Hutchins (Ivan) earned his Master's Degree in Cinema Studies from the College of Staten Island in 2005. Previously, he appeared as the Lackey in Ariadne auf Naxos, Silvano in Un Ballo in Maschera, Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, the Second Prisoner in Fidelio, in the choruses of Cavalleria Rusticana and Orpheus and Eurydice, and crewed Hansel & Gretel, all with the BRO. He was chorus and cover for Dr. Grenvil in the Bronx Opera's La Traviata in 2004. He has also sung the Brahms Requiem with Collegium Westchester, is involved in his church choir, Voices in Unity, and has been heard singing at the Algonquin Hotel. He has written three stage plays, five screenplays, and a novel, as well as reviews for Film Score Monthly, and has begun work on an opera of his own. He has also produced documentary material for PBS and taught English composition at Boricua College in Williamsburg. In theatre, he has directed such plays as Alice Gerstenberg's Overtones and David Williamson's Emerald City. Watch for upcoming readings of his

Tanya Kamens (Prince Orlovsky) is a featured role in Ms. Kamens's career, having performed the role numerous times with Bel Canto Lyric Opera, Kennett Square Symphony and the New Jersey Pops Orchestra at Ocean City. In her association with the Wagner Festival Orchestra she has had the opportunity to sing extensively under the baton of David Gilbert, with whom she has performed Grimgerde in Die Walküre and Wellgunde from both Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung. Other performances in New York include Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra. She sings the roles of Komponist (Ariadne auf Naxos), Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier), Dorabella (Così fan Tutte), Hänsel (Hänsel and Gretel), Second Lady (The Magic Flute), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Charlotte (Werther), Nicklausse (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Fenena (Nabucco) and Emilia (Otello). Ms. Kamens originated the role of "Pie 'oh' pah" in the world-premiere of Brian Kern's new opera Imajica. She sang the role of Octavian in "The Rosebearer," a piece for singers and an actor which was co-produced by the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theater in New York. Her current project in development is entitled, "Meditations On War."

Charles Karel (Falke) has had a career spanning every facet of the industry-opera, legitimate stage, screen, television, radio, cabaret. He has mastered 21 leading operatic baritone roles and has performed at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera and major operatic venues throughout Europe and the US. On Broadway, he was featured in the original Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and Ginger Rogers, Milk and Honey with Robert Weede, Golden Rainbow with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Dear World with Angela Lansbury and Zorba, in which he understudied Anthony Quinn. He starred in the title role of Frank Loesser's, The Most Happy Fella at Sacramento Music Circus. This production, combined with others, totaled more than 150 performances of that role for Mr. Karel. Vincent and American Ma(u)l were his latest efforts Off-Broadway. On television, he has appeared with Ed Sullivan, Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett, as well as in numerous soaps, radio and television commercials and voice-overs. THE KARELS, the cabaret act he does with his wife, Christine Kelley Karel, has been performed several times in New York City. He was featured in the film version of The Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

Kathleen Keske (Rosalinda) A native of Chicago, Ms. Keske has sung with opera companies and symphony orchestras over wide areas of the United States and abroad. Her operatic appearances include such leading roles as Bruennhhilde (Siegfried and Goetterdaemerung), Sieglinde (Die Walkuere), Elsa (Lohengrin), Freia (Rheingold), Ariadne, Leonore (Fidelio), Desdemona (Otello), Reizia (Oberon), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte) and Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus). In the realm of oratorio, Ms. Keske has been the soprano soloist in Handel's "Messiah", Bach's "B Minor Mass" and "Magnificat in D", Faure's "Requiem", Hayden's "Creation" and "Lord Nelson Mass", Mendelssohn's "Elijah", Mozart's "Mass in C Minor and "Requiem", and Vivaldi's "Gloria". Kathleen's previous appearances with BRO include Senza Bliss (A.F.R.A.I.D.), Leonore (Fidelio), Santuzza (Cavalleria), Gertrude (Hansel & Gretel), The Countess (Figaro), Amelia (Ballo) and Ariadne. Ms. Keske resides in New York City, was a semi-finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a finalist in the Liederkranz Foundation Competition. Kathleen thanks this wonderful cast and orchestra for their many talents and dedication; and sends thanks to her mother, who was an incredible source of inspiration and support.

Ilberto Lagana (Frank) is very happy to return to Brooklyn Repertory Opera as Frank. He recently could be seen as Elviro in Serse with Pocket Opera , Enrico in Il Campanello with Garden State Opera and Le Compte des Grieux in Manon with dellArte Opera Ensemble. Other credits include: Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro and Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte with Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Mephistopheles in Faust with dellArte Opera Ensemble and Ramfis in Aïda with One World Symphony, the title role in Don Giovanni with Opera Company of Astoria, Kecal in The Bartered Bride with Liederkranz Opera Theatre, Crespel in Les Côntes dHoffmann, and Zuniga in Carmen with Hudson Opera Theatre, Tristram in Martha (Liederkranz) and Basilio in Barber of Seville (Hudson Opera), DiCapo Young Artist, and Apprentice Artist at Sarasota Opera. Originally from the DC area, Ilberto holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

Francesco Lecce-Chong, (Conductor) Based in Philadelphia and New York, is a young conductor actively involved with both the symphonic and operatic repertory. Mr. Lecce-Chong began his conducting work at age 16 in Colorado, where he served as assistant conductor of the Boulder Youth Symphony for three years. He is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree with honors in both piano and orchestral conducting. He currently studies with renowned pedagogue Otto-Werner Mueller at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he holds the Martin and Sarah Taylor Fellowship. Mr. Lecce-Chong returns to Brooklyn Repertory Opera after making his principal conducting debut with the company last fall with Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. In past seasons, he has worked with the Mannes Opera, Gotham Chamber Opera, and Curtis Opera Theater, as well as the Curtis Symphony Orhcestra, Danbury Symphony Orchestra, and the Sophia Festival Orchestra. Mr. Lecce-Chong also remains active as a pianist and this spring made his Lincoln Center debut as soloist with the Mannes Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall.

Francis Liska, (Eisenstein/Frosch) Tenor Started in theater at 15 years old as Artful Dodger in OLIVER! Graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC on Scholarship, he performed in musical theater while studying for opera. Moving to California, he performed plays & Gilbert & Sullivan operettas in comedy lead roles. He studied with La Scala Mezzo-Soprano, Gloria Lane in Los Angeles. In New York, with noted voice teacher, Sam Sakarian. Among roles performed are; Siegmund, Lohengrin, both Siegfrieds, Calaf, Roland in ESCLARMONDE, Radames, and with BRO: Floristan, Turiddu, the Witch in HANSEL & GRETEL, Riccardo in BALLO IN MASCHERA, where OPERA TODAY reviewed,

"Francis Liska sang with graceful, lyric line & the right air of narcissistic indifference to the deep emotional waters he treads." Recently the role of Tenor/Bacchus in BRO's ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, as well as the Major Domo.

He has been tenor soloist in THE MESSIAH, ELIJAH, and ST PAULUS. He has sung with Fullerton Civic Opera, Glendale Opera in California. Trinity Church Concert Series, West Side Opera, Magic Circle Opera, La Serenata, Music Friends of Westchester, St Cecelia Chamber Consort as well as tenor soloist for several churches in New York.

Monica Niemi (Sally) is excited to be making her debut with the Brooklyn Repertory Opera as Sally in this production of Die Fledermaus. A native of South Bend, Indiana, Monica received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. She has performed the roles of the Wife in Pasatieris The Women, Jenny in Rorems Three Sisters (who are not Sisters), and the title character in Samuel Barabs Little Red Riding Hood with IUSB Opera. As a tour actor/director with the Missoula Childrens Theatre, Monica has toured with the productions of The Pied Piper (Mayor of Hamelin) and Sleeping Beauty (Court Jester). She has appeared as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Ragged Edge Theatre) and as Philia in A Funny Thing...Forum (Woodford County Theatrical Arts Association). Most recently, Monica covered the role of Inez in the New York City premiere of Von Weber/Mahlers Die drei Pintos with the Bronx Opera.

Francisco Perez-Abreui (Dr. Falke): A native of Havana, Cuba, Mr. Perez-Abreu made his Brooklyn Repertory Opera debut last December as the Music Master in Ariadne auf Naxos. Elsewhere he has performed most of the major baritone roles in the standard French and Italian operatic repertory, with companies including the Amato Opera and the Long Island Opera. Off the beaten path, he sang the baritone lead in the United States premiere of Antonio Carlos Gomes' Fosca, with the Amato Opera, and the Captain of the Guards in the Bronx Opera production of Carl Nielsen's Maskarade. Most recently, he appeared at the Rutgers Presbyterian Church last May as Count Di Luna in Verdi's Il trovatore.

Lauren Phillips (Adele) is pleased to return to BRO following her acclaimed performance of Zerbinetta in Ariande auf Naxos. She spent the 2008-2009 season living in Israel, where she toured the country in productions of Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), 1776 (Martha), and The Yeomen of the Guard (Kate). The Jerusalem Post lauded her performance in Oklahoma! as being "entertaingly funny", noting that "the real strength of the production is in the lead actors, who are one and all superb." Other favorite credits include a solo recital at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y, Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music, Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief, and the title role in Princess Ida. An avid interpreter of Jewish music, Ms. Phillips completed her second year of cantorial studies at Hebrew Union College's School of Sacred Music. Beginning this fall, she can be heard every weekend at Union Temple, Brooklyn's very first Jewish congregation.

Prior to beginning cantorial school, Ms. Phillips earned her MM in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory and a BA in Music with a minor in Communications and Media Studies from Tufts University. For more information, please visit www.laurenphillipssoprano.com.

Don Slovin (Frosch) comes to this role honestly because he is a drunk and a scoundrel, Don traces his beginnings in improv to Philly in the 70's when the director of his theatre troupe said "We are broke the props,costumes, and sets are killing us let's put 2 chairs and 6 actors on stage and let the audience fill in the blanks " enter SECOND SIGHT THEATRE LAB Philly, ..IMPROVAKATZIA Israel, FROGMEN OF GOWANUS...DON SLOVIN'S JAMPROV ..IMPROV CENTRIC UNIT , BOYCHICK AFFAIR, etc. HE performs 4 2hr one man shows a day..he's a tour guide...He thanks the B.R.O. for the opportunity.

Peter Schmitz (Dr. Blind) is pleased to be in his fourth production with Brooklyn Opera. In addition to singing opera, Peter also writes songs, composes and plays the guitar. He is currently in the band Polly-O, which performs regularly in Long Beach. Peter also appears on the CTV show "The Global Look", where he performs and writes songs for the show and plays Dr. Pickup, a dating coach with a knack for charming the ladies. Hear samples of Peter's music at myspace.com/barkingband.

Shawn Thuris (Eisenstein) he has portrayed Siegmund in Die Walküre, Radamès in Aïda, Mario in Tosca, Luigi in Il tabarro, and Hoffmann in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. He has sung at Orange County Performing Arts Center, Redlands Bowl Festival, UNLV, and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. Mr. Thuris has given many art song recitals with concert pianists Kirill Gliadkovsky, Robert Thies, and Steven Vanhauwaert. He has been a soloist in oratorios of Bach, Handel, Lloyd Webber, and Mozart and has presented masterclasses at East Central University of Oklahoma. Mr. Thuris first trained as a baritone with Marvin Hayes at Pomona College, then switched to tenor while studying with Gail Gordon at Santa Monica College, where he performed a recital with orchestra in tribute to heldentenor Lauritz Melchior. He has continued to work under the guidance of Dennis Parnell. Highlights of 2009-10 include the world premiere of the song cycle "Bridges of Love" by Sharon Farber with Pacific Serenades; a recital at Pasadena City College; Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Brooklyn Repertory Opera; and Don José in Carmen with New York Opera Forum. Mr. Thuris lives in New York with mezzo-soprano Monica Akemi Hershenson.

Alexander Weaver (Alfred) is very happy to be again be performing with Brooklyn Repertory Opera. He last appeared with the company in "Ariadne auf Naxos".

Judith Wernsing (Sally) studied voice at University of Oregon, where she became the go-to soprano for student composers, performing numerous new songs and originating roles in three operas. She was a soloist in Bernstein's MASS in Eugene, OR, and was a member of the Eugene Opera chorus for several years. Musical and theater experience include the roles of Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music and Lily Agnes in Artichoke. She was delighted to sing Najade in BRO's production of Ariadne auf Naxos, and is happy to be back as Sally in Die Fledermaus.

Jason Wirth (Assistant Conductor) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and began training as a pianist at the age of four. He made his debut at six, and went on to solo with numerous orchestras, including the Moscow Philharmonic and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He received his Bachelor's from Mannes the New School for Music in New York City, and also attended the Yale School of Music. His piano teachers include Alexander Braginsky, Pavlina Dokovska, and Boris Berman. He has extensive experience in chamber music and vocal accompaniment, having performed in festivals and at venues around the world.