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.

Dr. Dennis & Mrs. Ann Ross Restident Artist Program

2012-13 Season Resident Artists

Kenneth Clymer
Tenor
This Season:
  Performs: Don Curzio
  Understudies: Otello

Terry McManis
Baritone
This Season:
  Performs: Herald (Otello)
  Covers: Lodovico

  Tenor Kenneth Clymer has performed with Fort Worth Opera in Rossini’s Cenerentola, Bizet’s Carmen, as Solo Inmate in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Puccini’s Turandot, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and several other productions. He also starred as the title role in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito with the Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute. At the San Francisco Conservatory he sang the roles of Scaramuccio in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos and the Notary in Gianni Schicchi.

  Wichita native Terry McManis is in his seventh season with the WGO. He has previously performed the role of Samuel in Pirates of Penzance as a Resident Artist and as a member of the chorus in many other productions. He is a graduate of WSU, and has taught vocal music at Kensler Elementary in Wichita for more than twenty years. He also performs with the Wichita Chamber Chorale, the Master Arts Chorale, and is baritone soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita.

Michael Morrow
Tenor
This Season:
  Performs: Roderigo

Dustin Peterson
Tenor
This Season:
  Performs: Cassio, Ernesto

  Michael Morrow makes his WGO debut as Roderigo. He has previously performed Riccardo in Un Ballo in maschera with Metropolitan Lyric Theater (New Jersey) and covered the role of Zamoro in Alzira and appeared in scenes from Werther with Sarasota Opera. As a student at the Academy of Vocal Arts under famed teacher Bill Schuman he performed the Duca di Mantua in Rigoletto, Mayor Upfold in Albert Herring, and Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus.

  Last season Dustin Peterson made his Opera Colorado debut in the roles of Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro and Ruiz in Il Trovatore. An alumnus of WGO’s Young Artist Program, he previously appeared in major roles with the WGO as Camille de Rosillon in The Merry Widow and El Remendado in Carmen. Mr. Peterson has also performed with the Eutiner Festspiele in Germany and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Rebecca Robbearts
Mezzo-Soprano
This Season:
  Chorus

David Settle
Baritone
This Season:
  Covers: Montano

  Rebecca Robbearts is in her eighth season as a Resident Artist with Wichita Grand Opera. She has previously appeared as Berta in The Barber of Seville, Giovanna in Rigoletto, Mercedes in Carmen, Third Spirit in The Magic Flute, and Stephano in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. She is currently completing her doctoral studies.

  Last season with the WGO, David Settle sang the role of Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus. He previously sang the roles of Kromov in The Merry Widow and the Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly. His career has taken him to many operatic stages in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. Dr. Settle has been on the music faculty of Sterling College since 2007 and frequently sings concerts and recitals throughout the area.

Mary Ellen Swords
Soprano
This Season:
  Covers: Norina

Charles Turley
Baritone
This Season:
  Performs Montano, Bartolo

  A longtime participant with the WGO, Mary Ellen Swords has performed the roles of the Shepherd in Tosca, First Lady in The Magic Flute, and Frasquita in Carmen. As a WGO Young Artist she performed the roles of Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Mimì in La Bohème, and Micaëla in Carmen. She was featured as a Soprano Soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Wichita Choral Society. Originally from Garden City, she holds degrees from Bethany College and WSU.

  Charles Turley, baritone, has performed with WGO in the roles of Bonze in Madama Butterfly, Bogdanovitch in The Merry Widow, and Frank in Die Fledermaus. He has taught voice and directed operatic productions at The University of Oregon, Mercer University, Ouachita Baptist University, Opera in the Ozarks, and Dodge City Community College. Dr. Turley’s repertoire includes more than 35 operatic roles.