Sunder: A New Work Reading Program

August 28th, 2021
Maryland Hall

Welcome to the world premiere of Sunder, a first
ever New Work Reading for Annapolis Opera, cocommissioned
with the University of Maryland’s
School of Music Maryland Opera Studio (MOS).
Commitment to new work has always been an
integral part of Maryland Opera Studio's identity in
creating opportunities to foster new work that connects composers and
librettists to our singers throughout the creative process while allowing
our audience to witness and take part in its creation. This past year, the
Annapolis Opera committed to commissioning a work by a diverse
creative team as part of our newly launched Lift Every Voice Initiative.
Little did we know that this work’s premiere, originally planned for
February 2021, would need to be delayed until August 2021 due to safety
protocols related to COVID-19.
This opera features both current students and alumni of the Maryland
Opera Studio and was composed with these specific singers in mind.
Composer, Nailah Nombeko and librettist, Alicia Haymer, have worked
tirelessly to create this powerful work, Sunder. They met with these singers
over the last year as we studied the libretto, discussed character
development, and explored the musical language of the work.
This co-commission is our own response to the growing need to create
opportunities for diverse composers and librettists to explore and share
their creative voices, for our singers to create roles, and for our audiences
to experience works for the first time. We’re honored to bring this work to
life, sharing new compositional voices with our community and
introducing new work to the greater opera world!
Craig Kier
Artistic and Music Director, Annapolis Opera
Director of Maryland Opera Studio, UMD School of Music

our ongoing Opera Insight Series. In addition,
we bring two unique concerts to the stage featuring exciting young
artists, with one as part of the Annual Vocal Competition weekend to cap
off our season!
We are delighted to present our very first co-commissioned work and
world premiere of Sunder: A New Work Reading created by composer
Nailah Nombeko and librettist Alicia Haymer. These two incredible
creators collaborated remotely, from locations almost 1000 miles apart
throughout the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, to create this amazing,
thought-provoking, and impactful opera. This project and performance
are in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Music’s
Maryland Opera Studio and is being performed tonight by current
students and alumni.
Please be sure to visit annapolisopera.org for updates and news about
performances and events, and to learn more about different ways that
you can support the Opera.
On behalf of the Annapolis Opera Board of Trustees and staff I would
like to express appreciation to our audience, patrons, and sponsors for
your generous and continued support to ensure that world-class opera
is available and accessible to everyone in our community.
Cary Melnyk
President, Annapolis Opera
FROM THE PRESIDENT
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to the launch of Annapolis Opera’s exciting
49th season! This year we are presenting three fully
staged operas – two new productions and a
perennial favorite – the annual Gala Celebration, a
Children’s Opera with a jazzy twist, and don’t miss

Cary Melnyk, President
Patrick M. Lee, Jr., Vice President
Andrew Noel, Treasurer
Paula Abernethy, Secretary
Thomas DeKornfeld, Past President
Betty Austin
Melvin Bender
Barbara Bohl-Watkins
Mark Brown
Joy Chambers
Georgianna Crosby
Kathryn Dahl
Richard Hack
Michael Lehr
Joyce Olin
Melissa Osmond
Kimberly Ross Page
Leah Solat
William Tham
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TRUSTEES
HONORARY
Hon. Lawrence Hogan
Governor of Maryland
Hon. Stuart Pittman
Anne Arundel County Executive
TRUSTEES
ADVISORY
Anna E. Greenberg
Catherine Hollerbach
David Stern
Hon. Gavin Buckley
Mayor, City of Annapolis
Dr. Panos Kanelos
President, St John’s College
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
President, Anne Arundel
Community College
STAFF
Craig Kier, Artistic and Music Director
Kathy Swekel, General Director
Victoria Mangum, Artistic Programs Manager
Courtney Wersick, Operations Associate

The "Lift Every Voice" initiative is in honor of Advisory Trustee extraordinaire,
the late Professor William Ray, and supports our commitment to cultivating
increasingly diverse creative voices on and off the stage. Through this
program we celebrate his groundbreaking career in a lasting and impactful
way.
After a celebrated twenty-five-year career singing in Europe, Professor Ray
returned to the United States and joined the faculty of the Peabody
Conservatory of Music. Ten years later he became head of the voice
department at Howard University until his retirement in 2002. In 2007, he
received the National Opera Association’s “Lift Every Voice” Legacy Award.
Begun in 1995 in observance of the 50th anniversary of Todd Duncan’s
ground-breaking contract with New York City Opera, this prestigious award
celebrates and honors the contributions of African American artists to opera.
This season, the Annapolis Opera is collaborating with the University of
Maryland's Maryland Opera Studio (MOS) to commission a work by creators
of color for MOS’s annual New Work Reading. This annual program seeks to
create opportunities for composers and librettists to explore their creative
voices, for singers to create roles, and for audiences to experience works for
the first time while witnessing their creation. The commission will bring the
composer, librettist and MOS singers together in the creative process and
develop a semi-staged reading of the work to be presented at both the
University of Maryland and Annapolis Opera.
We are excited about this first of many projects to be underwritten by “Lift
Every Voice.” We hope that you will join us in honoring Professor William Ray
and by helping us to carry on his life’s work of social activism, mentorship,
and bringing diversity to the opera stage and beyond.

The Annapolis Opera is proud to recognize the members of The Ruby
Society who, through their generosity, have committed to keeping
world-class opera in Annapolis. They are passionate about the power of
great music to enrich the cultural life of our community. They
appreciate the importance of opportunities for people of all ages to
experience the magic of live opera performances, and have given
generously to ensure it's future.
THE RUBY SOCIETY
THE RUBY SOCIETY
"We support the opera because the programs presented have enriched
our lives in many ways. In addition, we love supporting the annual Vocal
Competition, which encourages young singers to achieve their best." -
Sylvia and Jim Earl, The Helena Foundation
"We believe that supporting the opera and it's mission to help the next
generation of performers reach their potential enriches all of
Annapolis." - David and Carol Stern
The Ruby Society honors those donors who support the opera with a
gift of $30,000 or more over a three-year period. Ruby Society members
enjoy special benefits and access to special events throughout the
season.
Contact Kathy Swekel at the Annapolis Opera office, 410.267.8135, for
more information about The Ruby Society and how you can join.

THE ENCORE SOCIETY
THE ENCORE SOCIETY
The Encore Society acknowledges the generosity of those who have
made an important commitment to leave a lasting legacy of live opera in
Annapolis through their estate. Planned gifts are a powerful way to
make an ongoing impact on the cultural life of Annapolis and Anne
Arundel County, and the Annapolis Opera is grateful for the many
donors who have chosen to include us in their estate plans.
Not only do members enjoy access to exclusive events, but these gifts
have the potential to provide valuable tax and income benefits now and
in the future.*
Contact Kathy Swekel,
410.267.8135 kswekel@annapolisopera.org
*Please consult with your financial or legal advisor to determine which
type of gift is best for you.
THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!
THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!
Paula Abernethy
Christine Crosby
Georgianna Crosby
Stella Crosby
Gladys Datch
Diana Elson
Rick Sullivan

There are two things going on in Sunder. The first thing that it
explores are the internal dynamics between protesters, the
different types of personalities involved and how they work
together and conflict with each other. The other subject matter
explored is the perspective of a black police officer and how he
balances doing his job while agreeing with the perspective of
the protesters and what they are doing. Generally in the subject
of policing and protests you don’t get to get hear the point of
view of a black law enforcement officer, I thought this would be
an interesting angle to explore.
Nailah Nombecko
Composer
FROM THE COMPOSER
FROM THE COMPOSER
The inspiration for this new work was the killing
of George Floyd and the protests that followed.
I wanted the subject matter to be relevant to
the time!

and exciting challenge for me. The creation of Sunder gave me
the opportunity to stretch myself as a writer, and create an
authentic story that would resonate for the students that
would be involved. This story was birthed out of real life
events- real people that wanted change. Sometimes when we
are fighting for something, we can be confused, we can be
selfish, we can be scared. All feelings that are represented
from the protestors in Sunder. In the end, these characters,
like many Americans, learned what can happen when you fight
against a stubborn system that wants to keep things as is, no
matter how evident it is that it’s time to take a step forward.
Maybe you’ll see yourself, or someone you know in these
characters. Maybe you’ll learn something about yourself as
well. Either way, my hope is that Sunder makes you think, and
offers a different perspective to consider, as all art should.
Alicia Haymer
Librettist
FROM THE WRITER
FROM THE WRITER
Whenever I’ve created anything, the
characters/cast always sort of came to me as
I wrote. Writing a commissioned piece for a
specific group of people presented a new,

SYNOPSIS
Sunder: A Behind-The-Scenes Film
Co-produced with Annapolis Opera, the University of
Maryland School of Music’s Maryland Opera Studio shares a
behind-the-scenes film in advance of the premiere of this
season's rescheduled New Work Reading: Sunder. This
preview film gives a backstage look into last semester's opera
rehearsal process in preparation for the live performance of
this work in August 2021.
About the Opera Sunder:
Heartfelt chants ring out in a southern small town that’s had
enough of the police criminalizing the poor. White protestors
have occupied space downtown in the People’s Plaza, fighting
for the freedom of homeless Black people who have been
arrested for petty crimes, and given astronomical bail.
Turmoil threatens to come between two close friends at the
helm of the movement, as the protestors decide if they
should remain peaceful, or amp up their efforts with force. In
the midst is a Black police officer, who struggles to find his
authenticity in a hotbed of justice, race and morality. What
will become of a movement, once mighty, that loses its way
because of a need for power?

PROGRAM
Introduction
Craig Kier, Artistic and Music Director of Annapolis Opera
Sunder: A New Work Reading
Composer: Nailah Nombeko
Librettist: Alicia Haymer
Stage Director: Amanda Consol
Musical Director: Jonathan King
Performed in English
Insight Series Discussion Panel
Moderator
Chris Haley
Panelists
Alderman DaJuan Gay
Nailah Nombecko
Alicia Haymer
Zyda Culpepper
Jazmine Olwalia

CREATIVE TEAM
CREATIVE TEAM
ALICIA HAYMER, Librettist
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Alicia is a Fisk alum, and has been a part of the Nashville arts
scene for 20+ years. She last performed in Nashville Rep's
2019 season, in their production of Pipeline. She was in the
middle of directing Colored Museum when Covid forced the
arts shutdown. Haymer developed her first full length play, “Heavy” in the
Nashville Rep's Writing Room. Her short play, “Power to the People”, made its
debut in New York, New York in the fall of 2017, as part of the “My America”
plays workshop. Her latest full-length play "Free and Public Citizen" was written
in 2019, as part of the Tennessee Playwright's Studio. She's also written
commissioned work for the Nashville Children's Theatre. Whether it be acting,
directing, or writing, Haymer is always grateful for any opportunity to express
herself with creative authenticity.
NAILAH NOMBECKO, Composer
Hometown: New York, NY
Nailah comes from a musical family. She attended the
Preparatory Division of Manhattan School of Music,
LaGuardia High School (Music and Art) and she received her
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Mannes
College of Music with additional studies in orchestration at The Juilliard School.
Her compositions were performed by many top performers such as: Blair
McMillan, Curtis Macomber, Tiffany DuMouchelle, and the Orfeo Duo among
others. Her most recent projects were with international opera star Karen
Slack for Sparks and Wiry Cries where she was commissioned to write a piece.
Another large-scale project was a commission from the Ethel Quartet. They
premiered her string quartet entitled “Multifarious Aggressions” in December
2019 at National Sawdust.

ABOUT THE CAST
MICHAEL BUTLER, tenor | Terrance
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Michael is a first-year student in the Maryland Opera Studio.
He earned his BFA in Vocal Performance from the University
of Maryland School of Music. Recent engagements include
featured soloist in New York City Opera’s Starry Night
Concert of Arias (2020), Prince Sou-Chong in Lehár’s Das Land des Lächelns
(2019) with Washington Opera Society as well as Messenger in Verdi’s Aïda
(2019) and Dancaire in Bizet’s Carmen (2018) with WOS, Ivan Lykov in Rimsky-
Korsakov’s The Czar’s Bride (2018), Mario in Briscula the Magician, and Borsa in
Verdi’s Rigoletto (2019) with Belcantanti Opera Company. In March 2022, he
will perform the title role of Gounod’s Faust with WOS. He has sung the title
role of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Chicago Summer Opera, and has just
completed an Apprentice Artist Residency with Des Moines Metro Opera.
Butler is a student of Kevin Short.
HENRIQUE CARVALHO, baritone | Jake
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Henrique is a first-year student in the Maryland Opera
Studio. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Vocal
Performance from the University of Maryland School of
Music. Carvalho's most recent roles include the title role
in Thomas Pasatieri's Signor Deluso with the University of Maryland's studentrun
opera company OperaTerps (2020) and Officer Harry Murphy in Kurt
Weill's Streetscene with the Maryland Opera Studio (2019). Carvalho is a student
of Kevin Short.

ABOUT THE CAST
ZYDA CULPEPPER, soprano | Nomi Jones
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Zyda looks forward to returning to MOS and making her
Annapolis Opera debut as Nomi in the world premiere of
Sunder. As a featured artist with Indictus Project, she made the
first known recording of George Bridgetower’s only George
extant vocal work, “Henry, A Ballad”. As a recent alumna of the Maryland Opera
Studio (MM 2019), she was in mainstage performances as Greta Fiorentino in
Kurt Weill's Street Scene, Jessie in Mahagonny Songspiel, and Susanna in Le nozze
di Figaro where she was praised for “demonstrating both the charm and
hardness required for the contrivances at court.” She also originated the role of
Sarah Palmer in the world premiere of E.M. Lewis and Theo Popov’s Town Hall. In
January 2022, Zyda will be going on a recital tour, featuring all BIPOC women
composers, with Classical Uncorked and Pacific MusicWorks. Please visit
www.zydaculpepper.com for more information.
CASEY GERMAIN, bass-baritone | Officer Smith
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
Casey is a second-year student in the Maryland Opera Studio.
Germain graduated in 2020 from the New England
Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal
Performance. Roles at NEC included Colline in La bohème,
Raphael in Die Schöpfung, King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and
Littore in L'incoronazione di Poppea. Additionally, prepared partial roles include
Alidoro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, and Guglielmo in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte.
Germain studies with Kevin Short.

ABOUT THE CAST
CLAIRE LILLIG, soprano | Stacey
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Claire is a second-year student in the Maryland Opera
Studio. She is a graduate of Anderson University, where she
earned dual degrees in voice performance and dance. Her
roles there. included Monica, in Menotti’s The Medium,
Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Miss Pinkerton in Menotti’s The Old
Maid and the Thief. She performed the role of Juliska in Kalman’s The Csardas
Princess with Chicago Folks Operetta and was a chorus member with
Indianapolis Opera in their Chorus in Concert performance. Lillig had the
opportunity to study and perform scenes for the roles of Marzelline from
Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Hannah in Lehar’s Die Lustige Witwe at the young artist
program Musiktheater Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany. In the upcoming
2021/22 season, Lillig will be performing Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte
and Ruth Baldwin in Musto’s Later the Same Evening. Lillig is a student of
Jennifer Casey-Cabot.
CONNOR LOCKE, mezzo-soprano | Michelle
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Michelle is a second-year student in the Maryland Opera
Studio. She is a graduate of DePauw University, where she
earned Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and German,
magna cum laude. During her time at DePauw University, she
performed Hänsel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel (2020), the title role in
Massenet’s Cendrillon (2019), Cherubino in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (2018),
and Jenny in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene (2017). Locke was also involved with
DePauw University’s musical theater productions where she performed
Sibella in Robert L. Freedman’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (2019)
and Inga in Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein (2017). This past summer, she
performed as the title role in Rossini’s La cenerentola with La musica lirica.
Locke is a student of Delores Ziegler.

ABOUT THE CAST
V. SAVOY MCILWAIN, baritone|Officer Jones
Hometown: Washington DC
Vashawn is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts,
holds a BM from the University of Northern Iowa, MM from the
University of Maryland, College Park and is currently a McNair
Fellow in the University of Maryland, College Park’s
DMA Vocal Performance Program. His national credits include Marcello in
Puccini’s La Bohème, Morales in Bizet's Carmen, and Leporello in Mozart's
Don Giovanni. International credits include Jake and Jim in Gershwin's Porgy
and Bess, and Guglielmo in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte. His concert works include
Ysaye Barnwell’s Fortune’s Bones, Handel's Messiah, Rossini's Stabat Mater,
Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to
Music. His theatrical credits include Thomas Rutling in Tazewell Thompson’s
Jubilee, the titular role in Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim and Joe in Kern
& Hamerstein’s Show Boat. www.vsavoymcilwain.com
FRANCESCA NAPOLITANO, soprano | Lynn
Hometown: Danvers, MA
Francesca is a second-year student in the Maryland Opera
Studio. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Voice
Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music,
Theatre, and Dance. Napolitano’s most recent roles include
Morgana in Handel’s Alcina (2019), Barbarina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro
(2018) with the University of Michigan Opera Theatre, Berginella in Offenbach’s
La Périchole, and Kate in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with
College Light Opera Company (2018). Recent musical theatre roles include
Fraulein Kost in Cabaret and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man with
College Light Opera Company (2018). Napolitano is a student of Carmen
Balthrop.

ABOUT THE CAST
JAZMINE OLWALIA, mezzo-soprano | Bev Jones
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Jazmine has been described as a “powerhouse”, bringing
“humor and spunk” to her roles. This past summer, she
returned to Wolf Trap for her second year as a studio artist,
performing in their productions of a double bill of
Cendrillion/Savitri and concert version of Sweeney Todd, in which she covered the
role of Mrs. Lovett. In the spring of 2021, she was named a semi-finalist for the
2021 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In her 2021 season,
Olwalia will be joining the ensemble of Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan
Opera House and will be making her Portland Opera debut as Sharonne
Salaam in the new production of The Central Park Five by Anthony Davis. She
recently graduated with her Master’s from the Maryland Opera Studio at the
University of Maryland and received her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from
the University of Houston. Olwalia studies with Delores Ziegler.
MORGAN PAIGE, soprano | Joy
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Morgan is a first-year student in the Maryland Opera Studio.
She is a graduate from the University of Oregon, where she
earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance, cum
laude, and is a recipient of the undergraduate voice
achievement award. Paige’s most recent roles include Olympia in Offenbach’s
Les Contes d’Hoffmann (2019) as well as Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro
(2018) with the University of Oregon Opera Ensemble. She recently attended
the young artist program Musiktheater Bavaria, where she performed various
opera scenes for the roles of Marzelline in Beethoven’s Fidelio and the
Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel in Oberaudorf, Germany (2019).
In the upcoming 2021/22 season, Paige looks forward to playing the role of The
Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Valentina Scarcella/Rose
Segal in Mustos Later the Same Evening. Paige is a student of Kevin Short.

ABOUT THE CAST
MATTHEW PAYNE, baritone | Aaron
Hometown: Skaneateles, NY
Matthew is a second year student in the Maryland Opera
Studio. He is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and College,
where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance &
in Biology. Payne most recently was a young artist at Central
City Opera (2021), where he sang Marullo and covered Monterone in Verdi’s
Rigoletto. During his 2021/22 season, Payne will be performing Papageno in
Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Joe Harland in John Musto’s Later the Same Evening.
Payne has previously been a fellow at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center,
an artist at the Chautauqua Institute and Opera, and a young artist with Opera
Neo. As a soloist, Payne has performed in concerts with the Chautauqua
Symphony Orchestra, Mikael Eliasen, the New Fromm Players, the Oberlin
Conservatory Orchestra, and the Oberlin Baroque Ensemble. Payne is a student
of Kevin Short.
RHIANNON VAUGHN, soprano | Samantha
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Rhiannon recently finished her first year of studies in the
Maryland Opera Studio. She is a graduate of New England
Conservatory, where she earned a Master’s degree in Vocal
Performance, and the University of Rochester, where she
earned Bachelor’s degrees in both History and Music. Vaughn’s most recent roles
include Mrs. Julian in Owen Wingrave with MOS (2021), Bride 1 in the world
premiere of Brides and Mothers with the Forgotten Opera Company (2019),
covering Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, and Queen Europa in Die Liebe der Danae with
Pittsburgh Festival Opera (2019). In competition she was awarded second place in
Advanced College Women at the national level for NATS (2019) and second place
in the Eurasia Festival Competition (2019). Vaughn is a student of Jennifer Casey
Cabot.

ARTISTIC STAFF
ARTISTIC STAFF
AMANDA CONSOL, Stage Director
Productions include Cendrillon (Viardot) and Savitri at Wolf Trap
Opera, The Songs and Proverbs of William Blake at the Bushwick
Starr in Brooklyn, and Dialogues of the Carmelites and The Rape of
Lucretia at The Maryland Opera Studio (MOS) where she serves on
faculty as the Director of Acting. Consol works frequently on new
American opera, directing the American Opera Initiative 20-minute
operas with Washington National Opera, and the yearly New Work
Reading with MOS. Additional work with young artists includes frequent work with the
Cafritz Young Artists at Washington National Opera and coaching and scenes programs
with companies including CoOPERAtive, Central City Opera, and the Castleton Festival.
As an assistant director, she has collaborated often with directors including Francesca
Zambello, James Darrah, and Anne Bogart. Credits in this capacity include Norma at
LAOpera, Götterdämmerung at Washington National Opera, and the world premiere of
Breaking the Waves at Opera Philadelphia.
JONATHAN KING, Music Director
Jonathan currently serves as Associate Music Director at Church of
the Resurrection in Lutherville, MD, and Choral Activities Graduate
Assistant at the UMD School of Music, where he has directed the
University Chorale and has served as Assistant Conductor, Chorus
Master, and Junior Lecturer with Maryland Opera Studio. He has
prepared choirs for eminent conductors including Leonard
Slatkin, Marin Alsop, and Gianandrea Noseda, and has assisted conductor John Nelson
in several performances with the Chicago Bach Project, Orchestre de chambre de
Paris, and the MasterWorks Festival in Winona Lake, IN. As a pianist, King has served as
répétiteur at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Oregon Bach Festival, and has
collaborated with celebrated singers including Nicole Cabell, J’nai Bridges, and Will
Liverman. As a duo, King and Liverman have recorded with Odradek Records and
Deutsche Grammophon. King is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree
in Choral Conducting at UMD, and his musical mentors include Edward Maclary, Craig
Kier, Justina Lee, Jerry Blackstone, Martin Katz, and Julius Drake.

GUEST SPEAKERS
CHRIS HALEY, Discussion Panel Moderator
As Director of both the Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland at
the Maryland State Archives Research Department and the Utopia Film
Festival in Greenbelt, Maryland, Mr. Haley has served on many
prestigious boards in the world of African American genealogy as well
as in the Arts. They include the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation,
Historic London Town Foundation, Jake Savage Foundation, Annapolis Arts Alliance
Foundation and the Annapolis Film Festival among others.
Chris is well respected as a speaker at numerous venues throughout the United
States where he has spoken on themes such as African American history, selfempowerment
and genealogy.
He earned his B.A in English, and Drama minor at The University of Maryland - College
Park, and resides in Landover, Maryland.
DAJUAN GAY, Alderman, Annapolis City Council
Alderman DaJuan Gay and his family moved to Annapolis when he was
in sixth grade. His early years were chaotic, but at the Annapolis Boys
& Girls Club, he was introduced to a male mentor who helped him find
and grow into leadership roles. The experiences he had as a member
and as a junior staff counselor, instilled in him the need to contribute
to his community. He focused on residents who had a need, especially those whose
lives were as similarly challenged as his had been. Alderman Gay is a graduate of
Annapolis High School. During his time as a Panther, he lettered in track and learned
the importance of hard work. He served as a two-term Class President (junior and
senior years). As president, he worked toward the goals of inclusion, community
awareness and academic excellence.
Alderman Gay studies Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
After an unsuccessful run at the Ward Six seat in 2017, at age 19, Alderman Gay
returned to the campaign trail when then-Alderwoman Shaneka Henson was
appointed to the House of Delegates seat of the late Speaker Mike Busch. Alderman
Gay has been a member of several campaign teams, and was a volunteer on Mayor
Gavin Buckley’s transition team. He was also a Maryland General Assembly intern and
he served as president of the Anne Arundel County Youth NAACP. In 2019, Alderman
Gay won a write-in campaign at age 22 to become the youngest City Council member
in the history of the City of Annapolis.

ASHLEY POLLARD, Production and Stage Manager
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Previous: Il Trittico, Porgy and Bess, The Pirates of Penzance, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, West
Side Story at Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre. Romeo and Juliette, A
Midsummer Night's Dream, Don Giovanni with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Aida,
Samson et Dalila, Manon Lescault at Florida Grand Opera. Cenerentola, Aida, Die
Zauberflöte, Orfeo ed Euridice, Madama Butterfly with Atlanta Opera. Our Town, Miss
Lonleyhearts, Die Zauberflöte, A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Juilliard School and
Tosca at Annapolis Opera.
VIDEOGRAPHER, Sunder: Behind the Scenes, Antonino d’Urzo, Opusrite
VIDEO and AUDIO ENGINEER, Christopher Andrew Studios
SUPERTITLES, Amanda Densmoor
STAGE CREW, Antonio Adams
Norman & Doris
Fisher Foundation
David &
Carol Stern
Jim & Sylvia Earl
The Helena Foundation
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
In Memoriam:
Nancie Kennedy
Thomas DeKornfeld
& Nina Fisher
Leah &
Norman Solat
Lorraine & Robert
vom Saal

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Annapolis Opera acknowledges the loss of many of our patrons,
community members and supporters during this difficult time. These
are but a few that have had an impact on our community, our families,
and our organization, and we remember them here.
Judy Bender - Beloved by all, an educator and children's advocate. Wife
of Melvin Bender, Annapolis Opera Trustee.
Patricia Edwards - Community builder and ambassador for all the arts in
Annapolis. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
Nancie Kennedy - Advisory Trustee, maven of the arts, and a leader in
arts education. Her opera lectures were always a sell out!
Thea & Howard Pinsky - Community investors, benefactors to many
Annapolis organizations, and business owners that gave back.

ANNAPOLIS OPERA DONORS
The Annapolis Opera gratefully acknowledges our members
and supporters.
January 1, 2021 – Present
THE RUBY SOCIETY ($30,000 PLUS OVER 3 YEARS)
James & Sylvia Earl, The Helena Foundation
Norman & Doris Fisher Foundation
In Memoriam: Nancie Kennedy
David & Carol Stern
IMPRESARIO CIRCLE ($10,000 PLUS) DIVA CIRCLE ($5,000–$9,999)
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Maryland State Arts Council
Robert & Lorraine vom Saal
ConvingtonAlsina
Susan Goldberg
Leah & Norman Solat
COMPOSER CIRCLE ($2,500–$4,999)
Melvin Bender
Mark & Mary Doran Brown
Collot Guerard
George & Madeline Hughes
Cary Melnyk & Tim McDonough
CONCERTMASTER CIRCLE ($1,000–$2,499)
Paula Abernethy
Barbara Bohl-Watkins & Margaret Bohl
Joy Chambers & Peter Bungay
Brad Clark
Georgianne Clark
Georgianna Crosby
Kathryn Dahl
Thomas DeKornfeld & Nina Fisher
Jib & Katherine Edwards
Anna E. Greenberg
Ronald J. Gretz & Braxton Peters
Richard & Cheryl Hack
Richard Krimm
Patrick Lee & Theresa Connelly
Michael & Katherine Lehr
Joyce A. Olin & Chris Nelson
Andy & Stephanie Noel
Stephen & Melissa Osmond
Jan Paul Richter & Ellen von Seggern Richter
Kathy & Chris Swekel
Michael & Melanie Teems
William Tham & Susan Zimmerman
Nino R. Vaghi
West Annapolis Family Dentistry
Carl & Katherine Wick
Margaret H. Wilson

ARIA CIRCLE ($500-$999) ORCHESTRA CIRCLE ($250-499)
Calvin & Betty Austin
Katherine Clatanoff
Robert & Lois DeMoyer
Robert Duckworth
Todd Duncan
Richard & Carole Falk
Rick & Kathy Gibb
Robert & Susan Hecht
David & Eleanor Huggins
Rocco & Karen Pangallo
Marguerite Pelissier
Nicholas Petrelli
Lester & Colleen Prosser
Edward & Shannon Sausville
Julie B. Shuelke
Stephan & Tamara Tymkiw
Martin & Barbara Wasserman
Phillip & Susan Allen
Ivan L. Caplan
Beverly S. Creighton
Thomas DeKornfeld, Sr.
Pamela T. Duncan
Sarah Griffith
Mark & Nancy Lindley
Nadja Maril
Nadine Sielecki
Dolores Ziegler
Nancy O. Zimmerman
Leslie Adams
Bonita Adeeb
Rev. Dr. Carletta Allen
Patricia McKewen Amato
Robert & Kathleen Arias
Bryan & Elizabeth Barrett
Lawrence & Gisela Berns
May Beth Blessing
Linnell Bowen
Joan Brannigan
Howard & Patricia Brooks
Celestine W. Brown
Thomas & Margaret Brown
Ardath Cade
Warren Camarano
Gordon & Jane Cash
Patricia Caudell
Alice G. Chambers
Kathleen Clawson
Averill Conn
John Cochran
Pat & Ted Connell
Dominic & Janet Cossa
Stanley & Eileen Cornett
Edward & Marlyn Crump
Gladys & Michael Datch
Donald & Atoussa Davis
Donald W. Diebert
CHORUS CIRCLE (Up to $249)
Norman & Rosemary Dawley
Jim DeKornfeld
Lauren DeSisto
Mark & Laure Donze
Chris Doveala
Terry & Colleen Eberhardt
Diana L. Elson
Janice Evans
Norma Farrell
John Feather
Robert & Mary Felter
Betty J. Freiberg
Bob & Kay Fuller
Ann Glass
Edmee Geis & Greg Griffin
Gale Gillespie
Clara Goforth
Stephany Gordon
Theresa Gray
Carl & Nicole Halbreiner
William Hall
Jody Harrington
Brigid Haragan
Carol Ann & Tylar Hecht
Elizabeth J. Hepler
Ellie Herbold
Kena Herod
Richard & Lisa Hillman
Barbara Hoffstein
Joan Hopke
Elbert R. Humphrey
Jeremiah Johnson
Kay Lynn Johnston
Grace Jones
Margaret Keegan
John & Maria Kersh
Martha Davis Kipcak
Rebecca Kitelinger
Ann Kline
Ruth A. Knox
John & Elizabeth Knupp
Kathleen Kryza
Pat Lee
Brian Lees
Monia Leone
Patricia Luchansky
Jessica Lynn
Melissa Mackey
Mary McKay
Deborah McNabb
Christina Mank-Allen
Lynn Martin
Barbara Massury
David & Judy Mauriello
William & Priscilla Mitchell
Dennis Monk

CHORUS CIRCLE (Continued)
Betty B. Murchison
Paul & Ruby Naas
Sean & Karma O’Neil
Elizabeth Ozuna
Theodore & Evangeline Pedas
Carmen Procida
Kathryn Riedinger
Samuel & Ruth Rondberg
Kathryn & Ralph Rosenberg
Paige Rosenfeld
Joan Ruhl
Wendi Sanchez
John & Martha Schwieters
Bethany Self
Robert W. Sherer
Irwin & Maxine Silber
Eugene & Mary Smith
Shari Smith
Michael Solomon
William Stebbins & Louise Chrissos
Linda Stein-Patterson
Tasha Taylor-Igbanol
Marci Taylor-Thoma
Judith Templeton
Jason Thomas
Ellen Turner
Ann Tran & Mark Davis
Anthony & Kathleen van Hover
Loretta M. Walz
Carolyn Watson
Cynthia Wells
Charles Wheeler
Matthew P. Woorman
Francis & Maureen Wright
Carolyn Zimmerman
David Zinnamon