I will join my colleagues on the National Opera Association’s Young People’s Opera committee once again for this year’s conference panel session. Looking to foster empathy and creativity in the children in your community? Opera for young people will do just that! Learn about successful partnership structures, hear testimonials, and gather information on great operas that incorporate interactive elements. Hear about the joy and agency that youth discover when they are involved in opera firsthand. See an example of this magic as youth perform in an opera scene designed for their participation. This session is a must for opera companies, universities, and anyone who interacts with kids! 

University of Delaware Lyric Theatre's fall MainStage production features three notable works that bend genres, including two 21st century micro-operas by composer Lisa DeSpain and librettist Rachel Peters and "Songs for a New World," the first, and most produced show, by musical theatre icon Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years). "No Ladies in the Lady's Book" was commissioned by Utah Opera to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Promontory Point's Golden Spike and "Men I'm Not Married To" is based on a hilarious Dorothy Parker story filled with 1920s-era jazz and set in a most intimate location: a bathroom. The stirring stories of "Songs for A New World" span centuries, weaving history and characters together in a meditation on human resilience and self-discovery.

In "Public Lies, Private Truths," Mercer University Opera looks closely at relationships and how they grow and change over time. The evening begins with Leonard Bernstein’s uncompromising, semiautobiographical look at an idealized marriage in his discomfiting and amusing Trouble in Tahiti. Three bridesmaids bemoan their dresses and the groomsmen with whom they are paired in Lisa DeSpain’s charming Men I’m Not Married To. Finally, the behavior of a young, up-and-coming bachelor politician is called into question in Dan Shore’s enchanting An Embarrassing Position.

In "Public Lies, Private Truths," Mercer University Opera looks closely at relationships and how they grow and change over time. The evening begins with Leonard Bernstein’s uncompromising, semiautobiographical look at an idealized marriage in his discomfiting and amusing Trouble in Tahiti. Three bridesmaids bemoan their dresses and the groomsmen with whom they are paired in Lisa DeSpain’s charming Men I’m Not Married To. Finally, the behavior of a young, up-and-coming bachelor politician is called into question in Dan Shore’s enchanting An Embarrassing Position.

In "Public Lies, Private Truths," Mercer University Opera looks closely at relationships and how they grow and change over time. The evening begins with Leonard Bernstein’s uncompromising, semiautobiographical look at an idealized marriage in his discomfiting and amusing Trouble in Tahiti. Three bridesmaids bemoan their dresses and the groomsmen with whom they are paired in Lisa DeSpain’s charming Men I’m Not Married To. Finally, the behavior of a young, up-and-coming bachelor politician is called into question in Dan Shore’s enchanting An Embarrassing Position.

Mezzo-soprano Kate Tombaugh and pianist Alan Johnson, two of the foremost interpreters of my work, share an informal, intimate performance of selected older favorites and several brand new ones we’re trying out. Admission is Pay What You Wish at the door. Seating is limited, RSVP required.

Mezzo-soprano Kate Tombaugh and pianist Alan Johnson, two of the foremost interpreters of my work, share an informal, intimate performance of selected older favorites and several brand new ones we’re trying out. Admission is Pay What You Wish at the door. Seating is limited, RSVP required.

Join us on June 25th at Wild Horse Cinema + Art for the film debut of this boundary-pushing, roving indoor/outdoor production, originally staged at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp.

This cinematic journey captures the full scope and spirit of the original performance, blending stunning visuals with powerful storytelling and music. After the screening, stay for an exclusive conversation with composer Leanna Kirchoff and filmmaker Austin Asher as they share insights into the creative process of bringing this unique opera to life on screen.

Staggerwing returns home to Opera Kansas, where the piece originated as winner of the 2020 Zepick Modern Opera Competition. Venue and ticket information to come.

Staggerwing returns home to Opera Kansas, where the piece originated as winner of the 2020 Zepick Modern Opera Competition. Venue and ticket information to come.

Staggerwing returns home to Opera Kansas, where the piece originated as winner of the 2020 Zepick Modern Opera Competition. Ticket information to come.

Join us for an exclusive musical gathering introducing our new Artistic Director, Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Royce Vavrek. 

A stellar ensemble of internationally acclaimed artists perform selections from Royce’s catalogue – plus a sneak peek at his newest opera-in-the-making! Meet the creative voices that shaped Royce’s journey, and glimpse the future of Against the Grain. 

Featuring Canadian icon Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Tony-nominated Broadway star Lauren Worsham, and "the Divine" (NY Times) Amelia Watkins.....plus a cast of musical guests! 

Join the Opera Buffs for an evening of cocktails, mocktails and 5 contemporary mini-operas including STEVE. Tickets are $15 General Admisson and $10 for students.

Lisa DeSpain and I will chat with Katelyn Mattson about the upcoming Opera Kansas production of Staggerwing. Tune in at 12:15 Central Time.

This performance by Manhattan School of Music students features excerpts from Men I’m Not Married To and Staggerwing.

Montclair State University Opera Workshop presents a night of love and literature, directed by Karen Driscoll and accompanied by LeAnn Overton and Virginia Stephens. On the program is the opening trio from Men I’m Not Married To.

Sopranos Brittney Redler and Esther Rhoades will be accompanied by pianist Mary Towse-Beck. The beautiful and diverse program will include works by DeFalla and Faure, along American composers Barber, Duke, Cipullo, Guettel and Peters.

Doors open at 2:30. Tickets are $25, with limited availability. Please purchase tickets online in advance.

I’m hatching a new project with an old writing partner at the Princeton University Lewis Center for the Arts Atelier: The Year That Never Was: a Trash Day Special, a new musical in progress, showcasing a world where Trash Day supplants Christmas as Ur-Holiday, following the presentational format of 1970s/1980s TV variety holiday specials and encompassing three additional obscure American holidays dreamed up and written by the students. When everything and everyone is disposable/replaceable, co-hosts Chevy, Legs, Moonbeam, and Patrick figure out what and how to celebrate. This presentation is open to the university community only.

For directions to the hotel, visit https://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/

An elevator to the Ballroom is available right next to the front desk of the hotel lobby. 

Accommodations are available by request through the OCA Box Office by emailing boxoffice@sou.edu.

For directions to the hotel, visit https://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/

An elevator to the Ballroom is available right next to the front desk of the hotel lobby. 

Accommodations are available by request through the OCA Box Office by emailing boxoffice@sou.edu.

SOU Lyric Theatre is pleased to announce next season’s production of Staggerwing by Lisa DeSpain & Rachel J. Peters.

SAVE-THE-DATES: April 4-6 with both afternoon and evening performances - TBD times & location, all subject to change.

Staggerwing celebrates the historic flight of Louise Thaden and Blanche Noyes as they compete in—and win—the 1936 Bendix Trophy Air Race, the first year female piloting teams are allowed to compete. Their plane: a Beechcraft Staggerwing Model C-17.

Accommodations are available by request through the OCA Box Office by emailing boxoffice@sou.edu.

For directions to the hotel, visit https://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/

An elevator to the Ballroom is available right next to the front desk of the hotel lobby. Accommodations for seating are available by request through the OCA Box Office by emailing boxoffice@sou.edu.

California State University San Bernardino revives its evening of selections from this anthology including “Tearing St. Vincent’s Down” and “Piccolo Mondo”.

BYU Opera presents a triple feature of American Ghost Stories!

Enjoy tales of the Old West, the transcontinental railroad, and surprise encounters with the unknown! This opera triple feature will be performed by students from the classical voice division and the BYU Philharmonic.

BYU Opera presents a triple feature of American Ghost Stories!

Enjoy tales of the Old West, the transcontinental railroad, and surprise encounters with the unknown! This opera triple feature will be performed by students from the classical voice division and the BYU Philharmonic.

BYU Opera presents a triple feature of American Ghost Stories!

Enjoy tales of the Old West, the transcontinental railroad, and surprise encounters with the unknown! This opera triple feature will be performed by students from the classical voice division and the BYU Philharmonic.

BYU Opera presents a triple feature of American Ghost Stories!

Enjoy tales of the Old West, the transcontinental railroad, and surprise encounters with the unknown! This opera triple feature will be performed by students from the classical voice division and the BYU Philharmonic.

BYU Opera presents a triple feature of American Ghost Stories!

Enjoy tales of the Old West, the transcontinental railroad, and surprise encounters with the unknown! This opera triple feature will be performed by students from the classical voice division and the BYU Philharmonic.

I had blast talking to fellow composer Jason K. Nitsch on his Composer Chats podcast, which goes live today! Topics include jellyfish, SantaCon, that time I was *not* hired to write a Broadway musical about the former/future PO(TU)S, and much more. Listen for free at the link below or wherever else you get your podcasts.

This presentation was part of the annual 2025 National Opera Association/National Association of Teachers of Singing conference, recently concluded.

Are you an opera educator, performer, or producer interested in the concrete, tangible benefits of producing opera for young people? This session is for you. The YPO committee will share strategies that have yielded proven positive results for their organizations, including educational, artistic, and financial benefits for university programs, opera companies, and other institutional partners like public schools and local library systems. The session will also include brief excerpts from several new operas for young audiences, highlighting their compelling nature across multiple age groups.