2011-2012 Young Artists


 Amy M. Maples

Amy M. Maples, soprano

In a nutshell: strong but feminine free spirit

Playing: Gretel (Hansel & Gretel, touring), Micäela (Carmen, touring), Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro, student matinee), Barbarina (The Marriage of Figaro, mainstage), Inez (Il Trovatore, mainstage)

“If I were a dessert, I’d be something with dark chocolate. I love it so much, I'm probably already about 20% chocolate as it is!”


Danielle Greiner

Danielle Greiner, mezzo-soprano

In a nutshell: dark and serious on the outside, whimsical and fun-loving on the inside

Playing: Cherubino (The Marriage of Figaro, student matinee), Carmen (Carmen, touring), Hansel (Hansel & Gretel, touring)

 “If I could have dinner with any three people, it would be Beethoven, Eugène Delacroix, and Steven Spielberg.”


Dustin Peterson

Dustin Peterson, tenor

In a nutshell: thoughtful and observant with a quirky sense of humor

Playing: Don Jose (Carmen, touring), the Witch (Hansel and Gretel, touring), Basilio (The Marriage of Figaro, mainstage), Ruiz (Il Trovatore, mainstage)

“I think people don’t expect opera singers to be sports fans, but I love golf and I follow the University of Kansas basketball team every season.”


John Allen Nelson

John Allen Nelson, baritone

 In a nutshell: larger-than-life, exuberant former hockey player

Playing: Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro, student matinee), Father (Hansel and Gretel, touring), Zuniga (Carmen, touring), Old Gypsy in (Il Trovatore, mainstage)

“I’d describe myself in five words as funny, adventurous, outdoorsman, handy-man, and fireworks. Really. I love fireworks.”


Christopher Besch

Christopher Besch, bass-baritone

In a nutshell: started as a "serious" musician playing guitar but has since followed his voice

Playing: Escamillo (Carmen, touring), Sandman (Hansel and Gretel, touring), Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro, student matinee), Antonio (The Marriage of Figaro, mainstage)

“If I were a superhero, I would love to be Batman. He is who he is, he doesn't need extra powers to make him super.”