Praised for her “theatrical instincts and intriguingly versatile instrument,” Japanese-American soprano Emily Michiko Jensen was most recently an Apprentice Artist with Chautauqua Opera covering the title role of Tosca. She also performed the role of Angel More in The Mother of Us All and covered Susan B Anthony.

During the 2021-2022 season, Ms. Jensen was a Resident Artist at Pensacola Opera, where she sang First Lady while covering Pamina in Die Zauberflöte and covered Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In recital, Emily performed Wagner’s Die Wesendonck lieder in March 2022. Ms. Jensen made her Florentine Opera debut as Jessie in Weill’s Mahagonny: Ein SongSpiel and was slated to perform Maguelonne in Viardot’s Cendrillon while covering the title role and was also supposed to cover Mimi in La bohème (COVID-19).

Originally from San Diego, California, Ms. Jensen received a Graduate Diploma & MM in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music.

First Prize Winner of the 2024 Pasadena Vocal Competition, mezzo-soprano Erin Alford kicked off her 2023-24 season as Berenice in Rossini’s L’occasione fa il ladro with Opera Southwest, followed by performances in LA Opera Connects outreach production of Orpheus, Handel’s Messiah with Pacific Opera Project and First Church Miami, recital Words of Women in American Song with The Ebell of Los Angeles, and in concert with Palm Springs Opera Guild. Last season she joined Florida Grand Opera as a Studio Artist, where she performed Fidalma in El matrimonio secreto, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, and covered Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia. In the 2021-22 season, Erin performed Second Woman and Dido cover in Dido and Aeneas with Opera San José, returned to Pensacola Opera as Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte, and joined Opera Santa Barbara as a Chrisman Studio Artist, covering Hannah After in As One and performing song cycle The Starry Night with American composer Jake Heggie at the piano. Additionally, Erin was named a 2022 Tennessee District Winner in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

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Imara Miles is a mezzo-soprano from the DC/Maryland area. Originally a musical theatre performer, she performed in shows such as Guys and Dolls (Gen. Cartwright), The Pirates of Penzance (Ruth), Cinderella (Stepmother), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Title Character) before making her operatic debut in Gianni Schicchi (Zita). Since then she has performed in Dialogues des Carmélites (Mere Jeanne), Bernstein’s Mass (Street Singer), and Blue (Girlfriend #3 cover) with companies like IU Opera Theatre and The Glimmerglass Festival. A recent graduate of Indiana University, Imara received her bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and has been involved with choirs such as NOTUS and the Grant Park Chorus in Chicago as a fellowship artist. Imara was recently awarded an encouragement award in the district round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and this past summer she was a Tomita Young Artist with Finger Lakes Opera.

Robert Hartfield is an American tenor coming from the farmlands of Kansas and Missouri. He possesses a highly personal singing style, carefully developed under the mentorship of his father, former opera singer Paul Hartfield Sr., and the teachings of legendary baritone, professor Kim Josephson. Robert earned numerous prestigious awards early on in his singing career, including winning six National Association of Teacher of Singing (NATS) competitions. Soon after, he was performing leading roles with opera companies such as Opera in the Ozarks, Cimarron Opera, and the University of Oklahoma Theater. A firm believer in music versatility, Robert’s performances range from Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio to Adamo’s Little Women. In addition, he pursued an undergraduate in organ performance. Robert recently completed his master’s degree in opera performance from the University of Oklahoma. Upcoming engagements include performances with the Central City Opera, Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, and Pensacola Opera.

Alyssa Dessoye, American soprano from Tampa Fl, has recently earned her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Dessoye was most recently seen on the IU Opera Theater stage as Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. She was also featured as a soprano soloist in Honegger’s King David as well as in Handel’s Messiah. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University where she also performed as Zerlina and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica. In the summer of 2018, Dessoye joined the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra as Erste Dame in their fully staged production of Die Zauberflöte and made her role debut with the Aspen Music Festival as Giulietta in Les contes d’Hoffmann. Dessoye then joined Sarasota Opera as an Apprentice Artist in their 2020 winter season.

American conductor Cody Martin was recently named Music Director at Pensacola Opera, where he was previously the Director of Education and Director of the Artists in Residence Program since 2017.  During the 2023-24 season, he leads a production of Lucia di Lammermoor and serves as associate conductor and chorus director for Die Fledermaus, in addition to continuing his work with the company’s nationally respected Jan Miller Studio Artist Program. He also appears as guest conductor for Florida State Opera‘s The Cunning Little Vixen. Recent seasons have seen Cody leading productions of Carousel, Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, As One, Florencia en el Amazonas, Man of La Mancha and María de Buenos Aires in Pensacola, in addition to various concert appearances. He made his debut with Fargo-Moorhead Opera conducting Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers in 2019. Other companies Cody has enjoyed working with include Des Moines Metro Opera, Arizona Opera, Opera Birmingham, Virginia Opera, and the Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center.

Cody holds degrees from Murray State University and Florida State University. He lives in Pensacola with his former shelter dog, Rosina, a corgi/dachshund mix (@rosinathelongdog).

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Dennis Whitehead Darling is an award-winning international stage director of theatre and opera based in Philadelphia.  In 2018, Dennis was selected by Opera Memphis as their Inaugural McCleave Fellow in Directing.  His recent directing credits include: Marian’s Song (Houston Grand Opera), The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Red Mountain Theatre)  Independence Eve (Opera Birmingham),  Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Hattiloo Theatre/Spazio Teatro No’hma – Milan), Jelly’s Last Jam (Hattiloo Theatre),  The Parchman Hour (Hattiloo Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Spazio Teatro No’hma – Milan), Intimate Apparel (University of Memphis), Movin’ Up in the World (Opera Memphis), Sunset Baby (Hattiloo Theatre), James and the Giant Peach (Circuit Playhouse), Blue Viola (Opera Memphis), Mr. Rickey Calls A Meeting (Hattiloo Theatre), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Hattiloo Theatre).  Observerships/Associate/Assistant Directing credits include: English National Opera (Jack The Ripper – Daniel Kramer), world and regional premieres of Lights Out:  Nat “King” Cole (Geffen Playhouse, People’s Light Theatre), Triumph of Honor (Opera Memphis).  Upcoming productions include:  La Bohème (Opera Columbus), Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Carnegie Mellon), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, starring Angie Stone (Hattiloo Theatre @ The Cannon Center), Sanctuary Road (North Carolina Opera), and The Secret River (Opera Orlando).  For more information visit Dennis’ website:   www.denniswhiteheaddarling.com.