Cherisse Williams is a soprano from Brooklyn, New York who has been a frequent performer with Opera Arlington since its inception. A rising presence in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Cherisse is known for her silky, versatile sound and heartfelt interpretations of a wide variety of roles.

Last season, Cherisse sang the role of Manuelita (Pépito) in the Winspear Opera House with The Dallas Opera’s Educational Outreach. Past roles include Micaëla (Carmen) and Adina (L’elisir d’amore) with UNT Opera, Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute) and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) with Once Upon an Opera, Nannetta (Falstaff) with the Midwest Institute of Opera, as well as the Princess (L’enfant et les Sortilèges) and Susanna in (Le nozze di Figaro scene) with The Manhattan School of Music. Cherisse also sang the role of Sally Hemings in the world premiere of Dana Wilson’s The Wolf by the Ears. Her other credits include Beth (cover) in Little Women, and Mademoiselle Silberklang in The Impresario.

Cherisse is a member of the New York Philharmonic Chorus and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Music from Ithaca College, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera from The Manhattan School of Music. She is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts and MBA in Music Business candidate at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Carol Wilson.

Peruvian-American soprano Sophia Formella is pleased to be reprising the role of Marie (Cinderella) with Opera Arlington, a role she also performed with Nightingale Opera Theatre this summer. Sophia was last seen on the Opera Arlington stage as First Wood Sprite in Dvořák’s Rusalka. Last season, Sophia performed the title role of Alice in the world premiere of ALICE: An Operatic Wonderland by Amy Scurria with Red River Lyric Opera and was a semi-finalist in The Dallas Opera Lone Star Competition. Sophia’s other roles include Servilia in La clemenza di Tito, Flora in The Turn of the Screw, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, as well as Ottavia/Fortuna L’incoronazione di Poppea with Miami Music Festival. She has also recently performed in the chorus of The Dallas Opera productions of Tosca and Roméo et Juliette. 

Sophia currently works as a Teaching Artist with The Metropolitan Opera Education Department and Houston Grand Opera. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Opera Performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the Frost School of Music at University of Miami.

Lwazi Hlati is one of the most sought-after lyric tenors born in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the recipient of several honors, including an Artistic Merit award from Meadows School of Art, a Bruce R. Foote Memorial Award, an Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, a SAMRO Award, and an Artist Merit Award from the South African National Arts Council. He was awarded first place at the inaugural New York City Opera & Manhattan School of Music Duncan Williams Voice Competition.

Lwazi has gained recognition for his performances as Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Fenton (Falstaff), Don José (Carmen), and Mitch (Streetcar Named Desire), performing with several opera companies across Africa and Greece. He has been heard in several roles and in concert with Fort Worth Opera, including Gastone (La Traviata), Witch (Hansel and Gretel), King Kaspar (Amahl and the Night Visitor), Porgy and Bess, A Night of Black Excellence, and Noches de Zarzuela. He has also performed Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor) with Opera in the Ozarks. He spent last summer in New Hampshire performing the role of Don José in Bizet’s Carmen in addition to concert performances with Opera North. He will be performing a Three Tenor Concert Series with the Lewisville Lake Symphony and is thrilled to be joining The Dallas Opera Educational Outreach as Miguel in Offenbach’s opera Pépito. Lwazi holds a Bachelor in Vocal Art (TUT) from South Africa and also obtained both a Master’s degree and a Performer’s Diploma from Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of Art. And he is currently pursuing a Graduate Artistic Certificate in Opera Performance at the University of North Texas. 

Francisco Bedoy is a Mexican tenor whose career has taken him to The Dallas Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Opera Grand Rapids, and Munich Opera. His operatic roles include Count Almaviva (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Don Gastone (La traviata), Fenton (Falstaff), and Goro (Madama Butterfly).

Also an avid recitalist, Francisco enjoys performing Mexican and Latin-American music, and has presented recitals across Mexico and the United States in venues such as the Teatro Degollado  in Guadalajara, Detroit Institute of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Francisco earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky. Off the stage, he enjoys teaching voice lessons, helping students to develop their artistry and musicianship.

A specialist in crossover works within the opera canon, Rachel Wresh is a soprano hailing from Melissa, Texas. She is a tenacious and elegant musician dedicated to storytelling through thoughtful preparation and emotional connection to her characters. This season, Rachel makes her professional mainstage debut with Opera Arlington, and will appear with Lauderhill Performing Arts in Roger and Hammerstein's South Pacific. As a recent Master of Music graduate from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Rachel was acclaimed by South Florida Classical Review as “the perfect Rose” in Frost Opera Theater’s production of Street Scene. Additionally, she received an Emerging Talent Award from the Kurt Weill Foundation in the 2024 Lotte Lenya Competition. Her other recent roles include Sally in Stone Soup with Florida Grand Opera, Clara in The Light in the Piazza, and Adele in Die Fledermaus.

Originally from Brookings, South Dakota, Taylor Fenner is a soprano based in the Dallas–Fort Worth Area with experience in a variety of styles and repertoires. On the operatic stage, she has recently performed as Yvette/Georgette (La Rondine), Sherry (That Hell-bound Train), the titular role in Alcina, Micaëla (Carmen), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Ida (Die Fledermaus), Sophia (The Ransom of Sophia), and Celié (Signor Deluso). 

A passionate concert soloist and choral performer, she has had the pleasure of performing with many choral and orchestral ensembles including the Dallas Bach Society, Osanna Chamber Ensemble, Heri et Hodie, Bach Ensemble of Saint Thomas, and the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra in performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Magnificat, Oster-Oratorium, Mass in B Minor, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Messiah, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. Taylor received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Augustana University.

Myles Pinder, tenor, is an Indiana native hailed for his “deep  and warm” voice. Myles is an active performer and appreciates any opportunity to take the  stage. His previous opera roles include Nico (Lysistrata), Jenik (The Bartered Bride),  Jimmy O’Keefe (Later the Same Evening), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Leo Hubbard (Regina), Sam (Susannah), Martin (The Tender Land), and  Alfred (Die Fledermaus). In addition to operatic roles, he is emerging as an in-demand  tenor for concert and oratorio works. His recent concert engagements include a concert  series with Lovers Lane UMC and the soloist for Midwestern State University’s  presentation of Handel’s Messiah. He has appeared as the soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Fort Worth Symphony and Irving Symphony, and has performed Mozart’s Requiem, Puccini’s Messa di  Gloria, Stainer’s The Crucifixion, Haydn’s Theresienmesse, and more.

For the past eight years, Myles has been teaching voice in the DFW Metroplex. He is  currently a doctoral candidate at the University of North Texas and enjoys being an  active educator and singer. Myles holds an MM from Southern Methodist University and  a BA from Butler University. He serves as an adjunct professor of voice at Texas  Woman’s University and Texas Christian University. When not singing or teaching, Myles loves time with his family. He is married to  dramatic soprano, Andrea Pinder, and they have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter named  Nora. 

Tenor Kyle Felkins, originally from Roosevelt, Utah, now hails from Waco, Texas. He has recently performed the roles of Loge (Das Rheingold), Princ (Rusalka), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), Martin (The Tender Land), Don Basillio (Le nozze di Figaro), Bill (A Hand of Bridge), Marco (The Gondoliers), and Ferrando (Così fan tutte).

His latest solo concert performances include Handel’s Messiah and Dixit Dominus with Vox Seraphim, Haydn's Missa in angustiis with the Central Texas Choral Society, and Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Snow College Horne School of Music. Kyle received a Bachelor of Music from Snow College, where he studied with Prof. Brian Stucki, and his Master of Music at Baylor University, studying with Dr. Jamie Van Eyck. When he’s not singing, Kyle enjoys reading, spending time with his dog, Ferguson, and trying new restaurants.

Adeniyi Samuel is a versatile bass-baritone praised for his expressiveness. His  musical interest covers a range of genres, including gospel and jazz. Some of  his most recent roles include Bartolo in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Baron Campo-Tasso in Offenbach’s The Brigands, Arkel in Debussy’s Impression de  Pelléas, Blitch in Floyd’s Susannah (scenes), and Frank (cover) in Strauss’ Die  Fledermaus. Adeniyi was featured as the Psalmist in the 30th anniversary  of Cry Innocent, a theatrical adaptation of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, produced by History Alive. He co-directed and performed as Alabi in The  Journey to Africa by Lydia Adesina with African Broadway in New York. His honors and  awards include first place in the Adult Classical TBB Voice category at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of  Singing (NATS) in October 2021. 

Adeniyi utilizes his expertise in various genres fusing Western and African  music. He authored the Spirit and Truth Worship Series, comprising hymns,  psalms, and his worship compositions. He is the writer, composer, producer,  and performer of a two-man musical, Renewal, and a one-man Christmas musical, We Need  a Savior. Adeniyi obtained his M.M. from Temple University, a B.M. from Gordon  College, and an A.M. from the Musical Society of Nigeria, among  other music certifications. He is pursuing a D.M.A. at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, where he serves as a voice instructor.

Will Derusha, baritone, has performed professionally in the Dallas–Fort Worth area for the last 9 years, having had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such ensembles as American Baroque Opera Company, Orchestra of New Spain, Mansfield Philharmonic and Incarnatus.

His most recent operatic engagements include Colas in Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne, Schlendrian in Bach’s Coffee Cantata, Neptune in Richard Delalande’s Les élémens, and Il Mago in Handel’s Rinaldo. 

Will is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he studied Spanish and Music with a concentration in Voice.

Jae Park is a soprano originally hailing from Houston, Texas. In addition to her Opera Arlington debut this season, Jae will perform the role of Manuelita in Offenbach’s Pépito with The Dallas Opera’s Educational Outreach program. Recently, she has performed as the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and premiered the role of Laura in Diogo Carvalho’s new opera, The Girl from Ipanema, at the Vienna Summer Music Festival. Her other notable roles include the Dew Fairy and Sandman in Humperdinck's Hänsel and Gretel and Papagena in The Magic Flute with Luke Housner’s Summer Opera Workshop. In addition to her onstage performances, Park has also been active in media and film projects throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area. She is currently a graduate student under the tutelage of Dr. Carol Wilson at the University of North Texas.

Katherine Diana Watson is a soprano based in Dallas, Texas. From 2022–2024, Katherine was a Studio Artist with Fort Worth Opera and received her Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University. With the Fort Worth Opera Children’s Opera Theater, she excitedly portrayed Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and at TCU performed the roles of Dido (Dido and Aeneas), First Lady (Die Zauberflöte) and Countess (Le nozze di Figaro).

A graduate of University of North Texas, Katherine portrayed the roles of Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte). Katherine is a McKinster Fellow at Spring Valley United Methodist Church and is a regularly featured soloist in their productions with orchestra, including Jonathan Willcocks’ Magnificat, Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, and Handel’s Messiah.

Kelsey Korman, mezzo-soprano, is a versatile artist who has performed in operas, musicals, and  jazz ensembles throughout her career. Praised by Dallas Theatre Journal for her comedic timing, Kelsey brings her unique and humorous perspective to each and every  character she portrays. Her operatic roles include Turnspit (Rusalka) with Opera Arlington, Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus) and the title role of Amahl and the Night Visitors with Music On Site, Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) and the title role of The Little Prince with Red River Lyric Opera, Papagena (Die Zaberflöte) with Music Ministry Conservatory, and Zita (Gianni Schicchi) and Kate Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) with UNT Opera. On the musical theatre stage, her performances include Milly Pontipee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Agatha (Guys and Dolls), Diana and Maggie Saunders (Lend Me a Tenor), Chris Gorman (Rumors), Daphne Rain (Gods of Comedy), Gabrielle (Cinderella), Harriet Smith (Jane Austen’s Emma), and Fredrika Armfeldt (A Little Night Music). Kelsey also had the pleasure of making her directing debut with Music Ministry Conservatory, staging both an opera scenes program and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. She is also the music director for Love Your City Theater, a local community theater located in Cedar Hill, Texas. Kelsey holds a Master of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas.

Brianna Clancy, mezzo-soprano, is thrilled to return to Opera Arlington after her debut as Dorabella in OA’s inaugural production of Così fan tutte. Known for her magnetic stage presence and powerful mezzo-soprano voice, she is a dynamic force in the DFW area and beyond. As a manager for North Texas Opera on Tap, Brianna actively performs and promotes opera in the region. This year, Clancy taught masterclasses and performed as guest soloist in Vivaldi’s Introit & Gloria at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and was a featured soloist with the Allen Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she portrayed Mercédès with Diversità Opera Arts, where she also covered the title role in a double bill of Carmen and The Marriage of Figaro. Brianna’s versatility extends to musical theater, having performed with The Company of Rowlett Performers and The Firehouse Theater. She is a member of Christ the King Singers and has appeared with the Fort Worth Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of New Spain.

Beyond performing, Brianna has a passion for helping others find their voice. She runs a private teaching studio from her home in Princeton, Texas, where she mentors students in opera, pop, and musical theatre. She holds a Master of Music in Opera from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts in Voice from Luther College. Her dearest ambition is to portray Amneris in Verdi’s Aida.