Carmen Cast Spotlight

Carmen: Meet the Cast

Tanya Ruth Langlois, Carmen
Praised for her “wonderfully rich and expressive voice” (DC Theater Scene), lyric mezzo-soprano Tanya Ruth Langlois enjoys an active performing career across the D.C. region. Recent projects include solo recital "Fairy Tales and Children’s Songs" on Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church’s concert series, cabaret recital "A Little Night Music" with soprano Teresa Ferrara, alto soloist in Bach’s "Christmas Oratorio" with Loudoun Chorale, and singing the role of Dorabella in Loudoun Lyric Opera’s 2020 production of "Così fan tutte." When she is not on stage, Tanya serves as organist and choir director at Chevy Chase United Methodist Church. Click here to visit Tanya's website.

Carl Rosenthal, Don José
Praised as “compelling and splendid”, tenor Carl Rosenthal has sung a variety of opera, musical theater, and oratorio roles to great acclaim. Recently, he appeared as Alfredo in La Traviata both on stage (MassOpera) and in a motion picture (MIOpera), Prince Charming in Viardot’s Cendrillon (Franklin Light Opera), and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi (Random Opera Company’s Virtual Opera in Lockdown series). Other projects since the start of the pandemic include Rodolfo in a radio broadcast performance of La Bohème (produced by MIOpera) and Count Vaudémont in Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta (Russian Opera Workshop). In 2020, Rosenthal earned a Master of Music from Indiana University, where he performed a wide range of roles, from the Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein’s MASS to the Third Esquire in Wagner’s Parsifal (singing opposite Met stars Mark Delavan and Kristin Sigmundsonn). Other favorite roles include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Le Chevalier de la Force in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Gonzalve in Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole. Originally from Northern Virginia, Rosenthal earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and worked as a mathematics teacher in New York City before pursuing a career in classical music. Click here to visit Carl's website.

Santiago Alfonzo Meza, Escamillo
Santiago Alfonzo Meza, a lyric baritone from Caracas, Venezuela. This singer earned a Bachelor's degree in Music and Environmental Studies while receiving private instruction from Bass-Baritone Joseph Kerry Wilkerson. Past work includes playing the role of Bartolo in (Le Nozzi di Figaro, George Mason Opera), Seneca (L’incoronazione di Poppea, George Mason Opera) Dr. Dulcamara (L'Elisir d'Amore, Little Patuxent Opera Institute), Giuseppe (The Gondoliers, Mason Players), Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet and Berlioz Symphonie Dramatique, Shakespeare Opera Theatre), Mr. Gobineau (The Medium, Mason Opera), and Le Commissaire (Mesdames de La Halle, Mason Opera). In addition to playing roles from the traditional opera canon, Santiago is equally enthusiastic about performing new works, such as being an ensemble member for the world premiere of La Paloma at the Wall (In Series Opera) or portraying the role of Mel Ferrer in a musical adaptation of Audrey Hepburn's life (Creative Cauldron) Other accolades include being a selected finalist for George Mason University’s 2020 Concerto Competition, placing first and third in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) district and regional competitions respectively, an being selected to perform for Mason School of Theater’s annual Cabaret Concert series. Santiago is excited to debut with Loudon Lyric Opera as Escamillo this season and looks forward to future work with them!

Öznur Tülüoğlu, Micaela
Öznur Tülüoğlu is a first generation Turkish-American soprano. She is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, Maryland Opera Studio with her Master’s in opera performance where she studied under the tutelage of tenor, Gran Wilson. During her time at MOS, she performed the roles of Mrs. Coyle in Britten’s Owen Wingrave with the National Orchestral Institute, and Arminda in Mozart’s "La Finta Giardiniera." Öznur also premiered the role of Woman 1 in the new work "Four Freedoms" by Joseph C. Phillips during her time at MOS. For her undergraduate studies, Öznur earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory where she studied with soprano, Lisa Saffer. At NEC, she performed the role of Damigella in "L’incoronazione di Poppea." During this period, she also worked with published musicologist, Deborah Stein, in completing a minor in music theory with a focus on Schubert Lieder. Öznur has recently won 3rd place in the AIMS in Graz competition, granting her a $5,000 scholarship to attend the opera program in 2022.

Ketti Jane Muschler, Frasquita
Soprano Ketti Jane Muschler is the founder of the Mixtape Recital Series, a bespoke production company for art song recitals in Philadelphia, Boston and Washington DC. Her unique program encourages classical musicians to “premiere without fear!”, developing rich concert experiences out of unusual repertoire. As a performer, Ketti's concert appearances have included soprano solos for Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Orff Carmina Burana, Fauré Requiem, and Poulenc Stabat Mater, as well as opera roles in Così fan tutte (Fiordiligi), Gluck Alceste (Alceste), Die Zauberflöte (Zweiter Dame) and Jonathan Dove’s concert opera Tobias and the Angel (Sara). Visit Ketti's website by clicking here!

Reyna Sawtell, Mercedes
Praised for her ‘rich blend of contralto-like darkness and dramatic soprano edge’, Ms. Sawtell has appeared extensively throughout the United States. She is currently a member of the Inspiro choir ensemble in Virginia, works full-time as a senior communications manager at a tech company, and is a mom to a rambunctious six-year-old, Elias.

Lance Fisher, El Remendado
Lance Fisher, Tenor, hailing from Princess Anne, MD, Lance is a recent graduate of Salisbury University earning a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance. During his time at Salisbury, he performed the roles of Eisenstein(Die Fledermaus) and Jesus(Jesus Christ Superstar) as well as various other solo and scene work. Lance has several awards from his time in the NATS competition circuit. He earned a 1st place at the 2020 Mid Atlantic Regional competition. Lance recently completed a chorus role in Annapolis Opera's production of La Cenerentola.

Gregory Scott Stuart, Morales/Dancaïro
Gregory Scott Stuart has had an ongoing relationship with LLO, stage directing five productions: "Amahl & the Night Visitors," "Il Barbieri di Siviglia, "La serva padrona," "The Tragedy of Madame Butterfly," and Così fan tutte". Stuart has also sung in three LLO productions: "The Impresario," the world premiere of "Norton" and as Count Danilo in "The Merry Widow." He has performed leading roles in numerous operas with several local and regional companies including DC's Bel Cantanti Opera, where he directed Rimsky-Korsakov’s "Sadko" and sang in the world première of "Briscula, the Magician. " A soloist in world premieres of Paul Leavitt's "Cantata Emmanuel," his "Magnificat" and in premieres of his "Requiem" in Washington, Paris, and at Lincoln Center NYC. Stuart has concertized with the Symphony of Arlington and the Society of the Cincinnati. As an actor he has tread the boards at Cumberland Theatre, Roxy Regional Theatre (TN), Okaboji Summer Theatre (IA), Spooky Action Theatre, Studio Theatre, three Shakespeare Festivals, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Bay Theatre, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and performed in many musicals including a national tour of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." He teaches on the music faculty at Frostburg State University and teaches virtual French classes through Arlington Community Learning.

Artistic Staff

Erica Marie Ferguson, Stage Director and Choreographer
Erica Marie Ferguson makes her Loudoun Lyric Opera directing debut with this production of Carmen. Her recent stage directing work includes “A Gilbert & Sullivan Drawing Room” with Victorian Lyric Opera Company, “Signor Deluso” and “Down in the Valley” with OperaTerps. A graduate of the Maryland Opera Studio, Erica returned to assistant direct for Amanda Consol’s staging of “Sunder”, a world premiere opera at the University of Maryland and Annapolis Opera. She looks forward to assisting Courtney Kalbacker this spring on her production of Michael Ching’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Towson University. With her background deeply rooted in dance, Erica has choreographed for many opera and musical theatre productions over the years. Her highlights include “Iolanthe” and “Trial by Jury” for Young Victorian Theatre Company, “Le nozze di Figaro”, “Gallantry”, and “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at Towson University, and children’s opera productions of “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” with Annapolis Opera.

Wei-Han Wu, Music Director
Described as "brilliant" by the Pittsburgh Tribune, Wei-Han Wu has performed in such venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. He has been a featured performer at the Tanglewood, Aspen, Lake George, and Walla Walla Chamber Music Festivals. Dedicated to the performance and promotion of new music, Mr. Wu is currently pianist for the [Switch~ Ensemble]. He previously served as pianist for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and the president of OSSIA New Music. A member of Pi Kappa Lambda, he is the recipient of a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Juilliard School, the Felicia Montealegre Fellowship from the Tanglewood Music Center, and the Collaborative Piano Fellowship from Bard College. Currently Mr. Wu is the professor of vocal coaching at Shenandoah University, and the pianist for The Washington Chorus. He holds degrees from Northwestern and University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music.

Hannah K. Herold, Assistant Costume Designer
Hannah Herold is a 2016 graduate of UVA, with a double major in Art History and Drama, focusing on costume design. Since graduating from UVA, Hannah has worked as a Stitcher, Assistant Stage Manager, Costume Designer and assistant, and Head of Wardrobe at various community and local DC Metro theaters including Rainbow, Constellation and Signature. Her most recent work includes Head of Wardrobe at Roundhouse Theater and Assistant Costume Designer at Gala Theater with Tessa Grippaudo. Although she stayed busy sewing and embroidering during the COVID shutdown, she’s thrilled to be back working with fellow theater professionals. She’d like to give Tessa a big thank you for including her in this production.

Atoka Strings: Meet our Players

Drew Robertson, Violin 1
Drew Robertson began his musical studies at age four on the piano, and began studying viola at age seven. He studied viola performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), music therapy at Nazareth College, and Dalcroze Eurythmics at the Eastman School of Music. Drew has performed with the CIM orchestras and Baroque Ensemble, Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Genesee Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other ensembles. He has performed in masterclasses with acclaimed teachers such as Peter Slowik, Yizhak Schotten, Pamela Goldsmith, and Jeffery Irvine. Drew has participated in festivals including the Pilsen Music Festival in the Czech Republic and the renowned Tanglewood Institute. Owning his own teaching studio in Manassas, Drew frequently plays solo recitals, outreach concerts, and chamber concerts.
Taz Hassan, Violin 2

Theresa Stanley, Viola

Joan Burdette, Cello
Joan Wolfe Burdette earned her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Ball State University and her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the Conservatory of Shenandoah University. Joan has attended various summer music festivals including the Idyllwild Summer Music Festival and the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival where she furthered her love of performing and attended professional masterclasses and performances on a near daily basis. She performs around the region as much as possible and in recent years has played with the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra, and Manassas Ballet Theatre. Joan teaches private and group music lessons is certified in the Orff method as well as Suzuki

T.J. Maistros, Percussion
T.J. Maistros is an award-winning percussionist, having received his Master’s in Percussion Performance from Steinhardt School of Music at New York University (NYU), and his Bachelor’s in Music from George Mason University. He studied with world-renowned performers and recording artists Jonathan Haas, James Saporito, Tony Moreno and Simon Boyar, and at Mason with Grammy-winning Afro-Cuban specialist Joe McCarthy, John Kilkenny, and John Spirtas. T.J.’s honors include the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the Ultimate Drum Camp. He currently serves as an instructor at the Catoctin School of Music, as well as a consulting instructor to Stone Bridge High School and Park View High School band programs.