Resident Artists

Through an audition process, regionally-based professional opera singers are chosen to be members of the WGO Resident Artist Program. Designed by WGO Foudner and Artistic Director Margaret Ann Pent, the purpose of the WGO Resident Artists Program is to offer significant professional opportunities to regionally-based professional artists, close to where they work and live. These artists may be contracted throughout the season to perform leading and secondary roles, to understudy or cover roles, to serve as assistant stage directors or music coaches, or to assist with choral preparation. They may also be given the opportunity to participate in professional development classes offered by WGO. This program provides its chosen singers with advanced professional experience and gives them opportunities to perform and/or work with seasoned international opera singers, directors, coaches, conductors and composers. The program is named after Mrs. Ann Ross in recognition of her extensive contributions toward the success of this program since its establishment.

Mrs. Ann Ross

2011-12 Season Resident Artists
Click picture or name for biography

Diane Gans
Choreographer
This Season:
  Choreographs Die Fledermaus
Previously:
  Choreographed Faust,
    The Merry Widow

Patrick Greene
Tenor
This Season:
  Performs Ruiz, Blind
Previously:
  Performed Almaviva, Goro,
    Ralph Rackstraw

Edward Lada
Associate Conductor
This Season:
  Asst. Conducts Fledermaus,
    Pasquale
Previously:
  Asst. Conducted Carmen
  Chorusmaster: Aida, Pearl Fishers

Shayna Leahy
Stage Director
This Season:
  Directs Trovatore
Previously:
  Directed Aida, Butterfly

Whitney Reader
Conductor; Coach
This Season:
  Conducts Fledermaus, Pasquale
  Coaches Trovatore
Previously:
  Conducted Butterfly
  Coached Merry Widow,
    Daughter of the Regiment

Rebecca Robbearts
Mezzo-Soprano
Previously:
  Performed Berta, Stephano,
    Mercedes, Giovanna

David Settle
Baritone
This Season:
  Performs Falke
Previously:
  Performed Kromov,
    Imperial Commissioner

Paul Smith
Tenor; Chorusmaster
This Season:
  Performs Alfredo
  Covers Manrico
Previously:
  Performed Messenger (Aida)
  Covered Pinkerton, Don Jose

John Stephens
Bass; Stage Director
This Season:
  Performs Don Pasquale
  Directs Don Pasquale
Previously:
  Directed HMS Pinafore, The Mikado,
    Pirates of Penzance

Mary Ellen Swords
Soprano
This Season:
  Performs Ines
Previously:
  Performed Mimi, Yum-Yum, Micaela

Charles Turley
Baritone
This Season:
  Performs Frank
Previously:
  Performed The Bonze, Bogdanovitch

St. Petersburg String Quartet
 
This Season:
  Concertmaster; Principal Strings