Ashleigh Janda
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Mezzo-soprano, Ashleigh Janda is a senior who is attending Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music on the performance track, as well as a minor in Leadership in the Arts and Administration. Ms. Janda has made the Dean’s list all 7 semesters that she has been enrolled at CSU so far, plans to continue to do so throughout her educational career, and will graduate with honors in May 2016.
Ashleigh’s passion for singing and music started at a very early age- in fact, many of her family members say that she started singing before she could talk! She was born into and raised by a family of musicians. Her grandmother is a voice teacher and started her off singing simple Disney songs. At age 10, when she performed “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile” from Annie at a family reunion talent show, she fell in love with singing and hasn’t stopped wanting to perform since then.
As Ms. Janda grew up, her love for music was wonderfully fostered and nurtured by her loving and supportive family- they took her to the symphony, the ballet, the opera, she saw plays on Broadway, and attended concerts and performances- anything musical. Then in 2007, she saw her first opera- Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and it forever changed her. The combination of acting, costumes, set design, lighting, and beautiful music was everything she wanted and from that day forward, her life would always include opera.
Ashleigh’s opera roles to date include La Badessa (Suor Angelica), Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica), Cercatricci Primo (Suor Angelica), the Third Spirit (Cendrillion), and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). She has also performed the role of Frasquita (Carmen) in CSU’s Spring opera scenes. In addition to that, Ashleigh also performs regularly in Voice Area Recitals at CSU and competes in competitions such as Classical Singer and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) whenever possible. Ms. Janda also was a selected participant in Orvieto Musica- The Art of Song’s 2015 season in Orvieto, Italy as well as Operafestival di Roma's Summer 2015 season in Rome, Italy.
Currently, Ms. Janda is an active member who is involved in the Colorado State University Ralph Opera Center’s opera theatre, CSU’s Concert Choir, and serves as the Treasurer for her local SNATS (Students of National Association of Teachers of Singing) chapter. She is also involved in CSU’s unique LEAP program as a part of her minor (Leadership in the Arts and Administration), which focuses on marketing, funding, advocacy, and administration for the arts which has helped Ashleigh immensely in building her budding classical singing career.
Recently, she has been cast as the understudy for Hansel in CSU’s Ralph Opera Center’s 2015 production of Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel, Perichole in Offenbach’s Perichole as a part of CSU’s Fall Opera Scenes, and invited to perform in Colorado State University’s Fall Aria Workshop.
In addition to singing, performing, and sharing her music, Ashleigh enjoys shopping, spending time with her dog Sophie, making Pinterest crafts, and loves the color pink. Her dream is to one day move to Italy to perform so that she can enjoy as much Italian food as much as possible, and to someday sing her dream opera role of Carmen in Carmen by Bizet, although her favorite composer is Puccini.
Ashleigh’s passion for singing and music started at a very early age- in fact, many of her family members say that she started singing before she could talk! She was born into and raised by a family of musicians. Her grandmother is a voice teacher and started her off singing simple Disney songs. At age 10, when she performed “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile” from Annie at a family reunion talent show, she fell in love with singing and hasn’t stopped wanting to perform since then.
As Ms. Janda grew up, her love for music was wonderfully fostered and nurtured by her loving and supportive family- they took her to the symphony, the ballet, the opera, she saw plays on Broadway, and attended concerts and performances- anything musical. Then in 2007, she saw her first opera- Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and it forever changed her. The combination of acting, costumes, set design, lighting, and beautiful music was everything she wanted and from that day forward, her life would always include opera.
Ashleigh’s opera roles to date include La Badessa (Suor Angelica), Suor Dolcina (Suor Angelica), Cercatricci Primo (Suor Angelica), the Third Spirit (Cendrillion), and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). She has also performed the role of Frasquita (Carmen) in CSU’s Spring opera scenes. In addition to that, Ashleigh also performs regularly in Voice Area Recitals at CSU and competes in competitions such as Classical Singer and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) whenever possible. Ms. Janda also was a selected participant in Orvieto Musica- The Art of Song’s 2015 season in Orvieto, Italy as well as Operafestival di Roma's Summer 2015 season in Rome, Italy.
Currently, Ms. Janda is an active member who is involved in the Colorado State University Ralph Opera Center’s opera theatre, CSU’s Concert Choir, and serves as the Treasurer for her local SNATS (Students of National Association of Teachers of Singing) chapter. She is also involved in CSU’s unique LEAP program as a part of her minor (Leadership in the Arts and Administration), which focuses on marketing, funding, advocacy, and administration for the arts which has helped Ashleigh immensely in building her budding classical singing career.
Recently, she has been cast as the understudy for Hansel in CSU’s Ralph Opera Center’s 2015 production of Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel, Perichole in Offenbach’s Perichole as a part of CSU’s Fall Opera Scenes, and invited to perform in Colorado State University’s Fall Aria Workshop.
In addition to singing, performing, and sharing her music, Ashleigh enjoys shopping, spending time with her dog Sophie, making Pinterest crafts, and loves the color pink. Her dream is to one day move to Italy to perform so that she can enjoy as much Italian food as much as possible, and to someday sing her dream opera role of Carmen in Carmen by Bizet, although her favorite composer is Puccini.
Eric McConnell
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Eric J. McConnell, bass-baritone, is currently working towards his Master's Degree in Vocal Performance at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, studying under the esteemed pedagogue W. Stephen Smith. He received his bachelor's degree at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where he studied with bass-baritone Kevin Short. He has been commended for his “finely pointed vocalism” and “deep and firm” low notes (South Florida Classical Review), as well as for his "well-toned voice" (El Nuevo Herald). Most recently, Mr. McConnell has performed the roles of Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Simone (Gianni Schicchi), Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte) and Bartolo (Le nozze di Figaro). Recent professional credits include the role of Antonio in Central City Opera's Family Performance of Le Nozze di Figaro. Other operatic credits include the title character in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sondheim) and Pish-Tush in The Mikado (Gilbert and Sullivan).
Mr. McConnell enjoys balancing his work with traditional repertoire with that of contemporary composers. Most recently, he created the role of Science Officer Curium Black in the world premiere of Carson Kievman's Intelligent Systems at SoBe Arts Institute. Other contemporary roles include Aristotle Onassis (Michael Daugherty's Jackie O), Elisha Fitzgibbon (Evan Mack's Roscoe), Military Officer/Paul Amadeus Pisk (Michael Dellaira's The Death of Webern), and Akala’s Father in the world premiere of Charles Norman Mason’s aleatoric opera Entanglements.
Mr. McConnell finds himself equally at home on the musical theater stage. Recent performances include Prouvaire in Les Misèrables, Rod in Avenue Q, Ahab in Moby Dick! The Musical, and Molokov in Chess. Mr. McConnell has also competed all over the United States, establishing a spot as a national finalist in several competitions, including those of the New York Lyric Opera and Classical Singer Magazine. He spent Summer 2014 studying as a Studio Artist at Central City Opera.
Currently, Mr. McConnell is preparing to perform as Bartolo in Northwestern Opera Theater's production of Le Nozze di Figaro, this February. He works as a bass section leader/soloist with NU's Alice Millar Chapel Choir, and also teaches private lessons in Evanston.
Mr. McConnell enjoys balancing his work with traditional repertoire with that of contemporary composers. Most recently, he created the role of Science Officer Curium Black in the world premiere of Carson Kievman's Intelligent Systems at SoBe Arts Institute. Other contemporary roles include Aristotle Onassis (Michael Daugherty's Jackie O), Elisha Fitzgibbon (Evan Mack's Roscoe), Military Officer/Paul Amadeus Pisk (Michael Dellaira's The Death of Webern), and Akala’s Father in the world premiere of Charles Norman Mason’s aleatoric opera Entanglements.
Mr. McConnell finds himself equally at home on the musical theater stage. Recent performances include Prouvaire in Les Misèrables, Rod in Avenue Q, Ahab in Moby Dick! The Musical, and Molokov in Chess. Mr. McConnell has also competed all over the United States, establishing a spot as a national finalist in several competitions, including those of the New York Lyric Opera and Classical Singer Magazine. He spent Summer 2014 studying as a Studio Artist at Central City Opera.
Currently, Mr. McConnell is preparing to perform as Bartolo in Northwestern Opera Theater's production of Le Nozze di Figaro, this February. He works as a bass section leader/soloist with NU's Alice Millar Chapel Choir, and also teaches private lessons in Evanston.
