Meet the 2025 Studio Artists

TIMOTHY ANDERSON, TENOR

Plano, TX

ROLE(S): First Commissioner (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Basilio (The Marriage of Figaro); Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites, The Marriage of Figaro)

French American tenor Timothy (Tim) Anderson graduated from the University of North Texas (UNT) Honors College and College of Music. He had the privilege to study voice under Dr. Stephen Austin and Dr. Stephen Morscheck. Mr. Anderson’s notable roles include The Ringmaster (The Bartered Bride), The Young Collector (A Streetcar Named Desire), and Pa (That Hell-Bound Train) with UNT opera. Elsewhere, he has sung Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) with Luke Housner’s LAHSOW program and King Kaspar (Amahl and the Night Visitors) at Music on Site, Inc. Mr. Anderson is also a professional choral singer, having sung in many of the professional ensembles across Dallas.

NATHANIEL BEAR, TENOR

Melville, NY

ROLE(S): L’ Aumonier (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites, The Marriage of Figaro)

COVER(S): Don José (Carmen)

Nathaniel Bear, a tenor from Melville, NY, joins Wolf Trap Opera as a Studio Artist covering Don José in Carmen and singing The Chaplain in Dialogues of the Carmelites. His recent credits include Don José in La tragédie de Carmen, Rodolfo in La bohème, Giovanni in La Hija de Rappaccini, and David in the Midwest premier of Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. Mr. Bear comes off his second summer as a vocal fellow with the Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) where he performed operatic, concert, and art song repertoire, including performances of scenes from Die Zauberflöte with the TMC Orchestra, as well as numerous chamber music projects from the works of Benjamin Britten to Amy Beach. He pursued a master’s of music degree at Northwestern University and holds bachelor’s degrees in voice performance and history from the Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester. Mr. Bear enjoys singing Jewish cantorial music and has served as a cantorial soloist in synagogue communities all over the country.

CHANDLER BENN, BARITONE

Amherst, WI

ROLE(S): Le Géolier, Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro)

COVER(S): Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro); Le Dancaïre, Moralès (Carmen)

Chandler Benn joins Wolf Trap this summer as The Jailor and Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites) and in the chorus of (The Marriage of Figaro), as well as covering Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro) and Morales and Dancaïre (Carmen). Benn trained at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

ADAM CATANGUI, TENOR

Sioux Falls, SD

ROLE(S): Don Curzio (The Marriage of Figaro); Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Chevalier de la Force (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Remendado (Carmen)

Filipino American tenor Adam Catangui earned his master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. His 2024-2025 season included the tenor solo in the premiere of Patrick Hawes’ The Son of Man as well as Count Almaviva in Rice University’s production of The Ghosts of Versailles. Last summer, Mr. Catangui made his international debut at the esteemed Verbier Festival as Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro where he revealed “a tenor with a rich core sound” (Olyrix). Past roles include Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Acardio (Florencia en el Amazonas), Miles (Proving Up), and Oronte (Alcina). In the fall, he begins his artist diploma at The Juilliard School.

CATHERINE CREED, SOPRANO

Highlands, NJ

ROLE(S): Barbarina (The Marriage of Figaro); Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites, The Marriage of Figaro)

COVER(S): Constance (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

Soprano Catherine Creed is pursuing a master’s degree in music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying under Nova Thomas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music from the Eastman School of Music in Nicole Cabell’s studio. Recently, Ms. Creed was the winner of The Eastman Opera Voice Competition, the Shirley Rabb Winston Scholarship, and has been successful in many other competitions and received many scholarships. Recent engagements include Florestine (The Ghosts of Versailles), Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), Destino (La Calisto), Pemphredo (We’ve Got Our Eye On You), and Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) at the National Theatre in Prague.

ROBERT FRAZIER, BASS-BARITONE

Star Lake, NY

ROLE(S): Antonio, Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro); Chorus (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Escamillo (Carmen)

Robert Frazier is a recent graduate with a master’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied under renowned bass-baritone Mark Schnaible. A versatile performer, Mr. Frazier’s operatic repertoire includes the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Colline in La bohème, and Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin. His artistry extends beyond the classical canon, as he has brought to life new works, including Rory in Troubleshooting, a micro-opera by John Carroll, and Iorwerth in Rhiannon’s Condemnation by Leigha Amick. In concert, Mr. Frazier has graced the stage with a broad and varied repertoire, performing masterworks such as Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and numerous Bach cantatas. His summer engagements included performances with Des Moines Metro Opera in Salome, Pélleas et Mélisande, and the world premiere of American Apollo. He also had the privilege of participating in the prestigious Ravinia Festival in Chicago. This past spring, Mr. Frazier revisited the title role of Le nozze di Figaro, under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, in a highly anticipated production for the Curtis Institute’s centennial celebration.

COLE HARVEY, TENOR

Milford, MI

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Basilio, Don Curzio (The Marriage of Figaro)

Cole Harvey is a tenor from Milford, Michigan. Mr. Harvey will attend Wolf Trap as a Studio Artist this summer, covering the roles of Basilio and Curzio in The Marriage of Figaro and performing in the chorus of Dialogues of the Carmelites. Mr. Harvey has achieved an undergraduate and a master’s degree in vocal performance from Michigan State University (MSU) while studying with Professor Richard Fracker. He has been featured in multiple roles with MSU Opera Theater, such as Albert Herring in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring, Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Prince Ramiro in Gioachino Rossini’s La Cenerentola. Recent engagements include last summer’s Seagle Festival, where he played Pirelli in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeny Todd as well as Junior/Charlie in Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain. Mr. Harvey has been featured alongside MSU Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as The Evangelist, and he has sung the complete Handel’s Messiah with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.

FRANCESCA HERRERA, SOPRANO

Atlanta, GA

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro); Frasquita (Carmen)

Francesca Herrera, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is praised for her sparkling voice and captivating stage presence. She was a 2023 and 2024 emerging artist with Seagle Festival where she had her role debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Johanna in Sweeney Todd. She also choreographed Seagle Festival’s 2024 production of Brigadoon. Recent engagements include Flora in The Turn of the Screw and Cathy, Shamana 1, and Lucy (cover) in Derek Bermel’s The House on Mango Street, both at the University of Michigan. Ms. Herrera is pursuing a master’s degree in music at the University of Michigan and holds a BA from Duke University.

MADISON KAVANAUGH, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Bossier City, LA

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Madame de Croissy (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

Madison Kavanaugh is a mezzo-soprano and recent graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU)’s School of Music, where she performed with The Turner-Fisher Center for Opera in roles such as Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon, Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Mrs. Nolan in The Medium, and Magdalena in La Casa de Bernarda Alba. She also performed as La Zia Principessa in the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing production of Suor Angelica. Beyond LSU, Ms. Kavanaugh has participated in programs such as the Sewanee Summer Music Festival’s Operafest!, Music on Site Inc., The Collaborative Piano Institute Vocal Academy, and The Dolora Zajick Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, furthering her development as an artist.

AYANNA LEWIS, SOPRANO

Lynwood, CA

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Micaëla (Carmen); Barbarina (The Marriage of Figaro)

Soprano Ayanna Delk-Lewis recently arrived in Houston to pursue a master’s of music degree in vocal performance and pedagogy at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. During the past summer she performed Ortlinde in Die Walküre with the Miami Music Festival. She is also an Encouragement Award recipient from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She can be heard at the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston and with the Houston Saengerbund. A native of California and a music educator, Ms. Delk-Lewis holds a BA in music education and teacher certification from California State Fullerton. From 2022-2024, she taught musical theater and led choral activities (elementary and middle school) in the Irvine Unified School District in California.

ARIA MINASIAN, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Bainbridge Island, WA

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Carmen)

COVER(S): Blanche de la Force (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Carmen (Carmen)

Armenian American mezzo-soprano Aria Minasian is a George Shirley Award Winner (2024), Grand Prize winner of the Patricia Crump Competition (2023), The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition District winner (2019), and second prize winner of the Seattle Opera Guild Singers’ Development Awards Grant (2020). Highlights include the title role of Kevin Puts’ Elizabeth Cree, title role in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and more. Ms. Minasian is grateful for her training at University of Michigan and Lawrence University, as a Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist with Virginia Opera during 2024-2025, and as a Studio Artist with Wolf Trap Opera in 2024.

SØREN PEDERSEN, BARITONE

San Diego, CA

ROLE(S): Second Commissioner (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Moralès (Carmen); Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Marquis de la Force (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

Søren Pedersen, baritone, is finishing his master’s degree in voice at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he has performed as Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia), Dr. Rappaccini (La Hija de Rappaccini), and Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Additionally, he has performed with San Diego Opera as Schaunard (La bohème) and Prince Yamadori (Madama Butterfly). A graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, Mr. Pedersen’s concert appearances include solos in Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Mr. Pedersen recently won the district level of The Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition.

CLARA REEVES, SOPRANO

Greenville, NC

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Countess Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro); Madame Liodoine (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

Clara Reeves, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, is pursuing her master’s degree at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. A two-time Corbett Competition winner, she received the Seybold Russel Award in 2024 and the Richard I. Lauf Award in 2023. Recent roles at CCM include Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Fox Gold-Stripe (The Cunning Little Vixen), and Fiordiligi in scenes from Così fan tutte. Ms. Reeves has also collaborated with CCM Opera Fusion and Cincinnati Opera. This summer, Ms. Reeves is excited to return to Wolf Trap to cover Countess (The Marriage of Figaro) and Madame Lidoine (Dialogues of the Carmelites). In 2024, she covered Mimi (La bohème) at Wolf Trap Opera.

JULIANNA SMITH, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Towson, MD

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Cherubino (The Marriage of Figaro); Mercédès (Carmen)

Praised for her “opulent, richly-colored mezzo,” Julianna Smith is a current resident artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts where she recently performed Siebel (Faust). Other performance highlights include Siegrune (Die Walküre) with Christine Goerke and Greer Grimsley at the Aspen Music Festival, Dorabella (Così fan tutte), and Ruggiero (Alcina) as a master’s candidate at Northwestern University. Ms. Smith has received awards from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, the Mildred Miller International Vocal Competition, and the Camille Coloratura Awards, among others. Ms. Smith is from Towson, Maryland and holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Maryland.

NAOMI STEELE, MEZZO-SOPRANO

Bronx, NY

ROLE(S): Mère Jeanne (Dialogues of the Carmelites); Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro)

COVER(S): Marcellina (The Marriage of Figaro); Mère Marie (Dialogues of the Carmelites)

Naomi Steele, mezzo-soprano, is a native of the Bronx, New York City, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in vocal arts at The Juilliard School, where she studies with Kevin Short. Ms. Steele has performed a wide range of leading roles, including Madame Flora in Menotti’s The Medium, Isabella in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri, Anaide in Leoncavallo’s Zazá, and the Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. This season, Ms. Steele was featured in Juilliard’s Wednesday at One series in Alice Tully Hall and participated in the school’s Songfest curated by Brian Zeger. In the spring, she will return to Alice Tully Hall for Juilliard’s production of L’enfant et les sortilèges, performing the roles of Maman, La Tasse, and La Libellule. Last summer, Ms. Steele was an apprentice singer at The Santa Fe Opera, and this summer, she will join Wolf Trap Opera as a Studio Artist. She likes to read fantasy, watch anime, and play video games!

ATTICUS REGO, BASS

Princeton, NJ

ROLE(S): Chorus (The Marriage of Figaro, Dialogues of the Carmelites)

COVER(S): Bartolo, Antonio (The Marriage of Figaro); Zuniga (Carmen)

Atticus Rego, bass, is an artist who seemingly emerged from nowhere but is determined to go places. While earning a bachelor’s of science degree in economics and theater at Skidmore College, he decided to pursue opera singing. During his pursuit of a master’s degree at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he performed his first role: Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro, followed by Claudio in Agrippina. He attended the Manetti-Shrem music festival and the Chautauqua Opera Company’s young artist program where he covered Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd and Zuniga in The Tragedy of Carmen. Mr. Rego was awarded an encouragement award in the Opera Index Vocal Competition and multiple encouragement awards in The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. Starting next fall, he will be a young artist at the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz program.