Get to know our 2026-27 Resident Artists
We’re pleased to announce Opera Colorado’s 2026-27 Resident Artists: four singers, a collaborative pianist, and a stage director who you’ll see throughout the season, both on The Ellie Caulkins mainstage and in touring productions across the region.
Each year, we audition hundreds of artists from around the world for this specialized, eight-month program designed to nurture the careers of emerging artists.
Get to know the 2026–27 Resident Artists and come see their first public performance on September 26 at the Artist in Residence Showcase. Tickets on sale now.
Showcase Tickets
The Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, Susan Rae Jensen, MD & Tom A. Trainer, Robin & Eric Yaeger, and the Denver Lyric Opera Guild.
Bridget Ravenscraft, soprano
Emily Thompson, soprano
Xiao Xiao, mezzo-soprano
Mason O’Brien, baritone
Connor Buckley, collaborative pianist
Diane Machin, stage director
Meet the Artist: Bridget Ravenscraft, soprano
Bridget is sponsored by Joy & Christopher Dinsdale.
Where are you from and what do you enjoy most about Colorado? While I’ve moved around a lot, I’m originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Colorado is amazing and I enjoyed taking advantage of the various art scenes and performances, be it Wiz Khalifa at the Red Rocks to DU’s production of Die Fledermaus. There’s always something to do!
What role are you most looking forward to performing with us this season? I’m most looking forward to study-covering Despina in The School for Lovers (Così fan tutte) and learning brand new music for Earth to Kenzie and The Snowy Day.
Tell us about a highlight from your summer. This summer, my little sister got married! Congratulations, Rory. I also spent 3 months in Maine working and performing at Quisisana Resort. The lake was stunning, and I made some amazing friends.
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? I was drawn to the company and program for its exciting ideas and new opportunities. My first year as an Artist in Residence taught me so much about myself; it was exciting to see my musicianship skills and my confidence as an actor continue to settle. I cannot wait for what year 2 will bring and look forward to making new connections and growing even more as an artist.
What is your dream role? I still have the same dream roles as last year, which are Lucia from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lamermoor and Christine Daaé from The Phantom of the Opera.
What was your first opera experience? My first exposure to opera was Risë Stevens’ portrayal of Carmen in the film Going My Way starring Bing Crosby.
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? I’m currently obsessing over House of the Dragon season 3.
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? My favorite non-opera related hobby is lifting weights in the gym! I also love reading, especially fantasy, though I go through phases with it. Sleep.
Meet the Artist: Emily Thompson, soprano
Emily is sponsored by Gayle Landis.
Where are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m originally from Lantana, which is in South Florida, but have been living in Chicago since 2021. I’m excited for all the outdoor adventures I’m hoping to fill my free time with, making new friends in Colorado, and finding small businesses and independent artists to support while I’m here.
What role are you most looking forward to performing with us this season? I’m really excited for Edwin in our touring production, Earth to Kenzie. I feel that so often, I’m singing very serious characters with heavy themes, but Edwin is going to be a great opportunity to explore how a character can still convey emotional themes but through adventure and silliness as Kenzie’s video game avatar.
Tell us about a highlight from your summer. My summer was pretty relaxing, filled with experiencing some quintessential Chicago things before relocating. My favorite days are always picnicking in one of the parks or at the beach along Lake Michigan, which I tried to do a lot of this summer.
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? I had heard wonderful things about the people involved in the current Artist in Residence program, which was a huge draw, as well as the staff’s goal of always striving to support and create fruitful opportunities for the Resident Artists. I’m also a firm believer in keeping the arts accessible to as many people as possible, which is a value shared by Opera Colorado and I’m excited to see how that manifests in the company through things like education and community programming.
What is your dream role? I’m really thankful that I was able to sing my dream role, Suor Angelica (from Puccini’s Suor Angelica), in grad school. I’d happily sing that role over and over again. Puccini’s writing is so beautiful, and I think a lot of women could probably see themselves in Angelica, whether in the status as an outsider in her community, in her longing to be a mother, or in vulnerability throughout the opera. She will forever be a dream role of mine.
What was your first opera experience? My first opera experience and what helped me decide I want to pursue it for the rest of my life was a program for high schoolers at Palm Beach Opera called PBO Studio. They gave the students voice lessons, assigned opera scenes to sing, gave us access to sit in at rehearsals, and provided tickets to the performances. It was from the help and mentoring of the staff that I realized I have a voice and skillset that would suit opera and classical singing. I’m so grateful for how much opera I was exposed to in high school through their program.
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? I recently discovered a songwriter named Annabelle Dinda who released an album this year called Some Things Never Leave. I immediately fell in love with her music and attended a show on her first ever tour this summer. I’m also always obsessing over Studio Ghibli films like Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke. They’re full of nostalgia for me and the animation is so beautiful.
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? I love art and art history, so I’m frequently watching video essays, reading books, and doing research on art and fashion. One of my favorite places in Chicago is the Art Institute, and I’ve spent many an afternoon there looking at art until my eyes get tired.
Meet the Artist: Xiao Xiao, mezzo-soprano
Xiao is sponsored by Larry & Cynthia Chan and Marcia Ragonetti Bel Canto Fund.
Where are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m originally from Changsha in the Hunan province of China, and I’ve heard Colorado has about 300 days of sunshine each year. As someone who loves bright, sunny days, I feel so excited!
What role are you most looking forward to performing with us this season? Lady in Waiting in Macbeth. It’ll be my first Verdi role and my Opera Colorado debut, so it feels like a really special milestone. I’ve always loved Verdi’s music, and I’m excited to finally perform it.
Tell us about a highlight from your summer. A highlight of my summer has been returning to the Glimmerglass Festival for my second season. It’s been so rewarding to reunite with familiar colleagues while also meeting so many new friends. A particularly exciting experience has been covering Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. It’s my first time working on the role, and I’ve learned so much from being part of the rehearsal process and collaborating with the creative team. Overall, it’s been a summer full of learning, friendship, and wonderful music.
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? I was drawn to Opera Colorado because of its outstanding reputation, the exciting repertoire, and the Artist in Residence Program’s commitment to developing well-rounded artists. I also love that the company is part of such a vibrant city. Being able to grow as an artist while living in beautiful Colorado made the opportunity even more exciting.
What is your dream role? I’d say Charlotte in Massenet’s Werther. I love how emotionally layered she is—she’s strong, compassionate, and constantly balancing duty with her own feelings. Massenet’s music is so beautiful, and I think it’s a role that allows both vocal warmth and deep storytelling, which is something I really value as a performer.
What was your first opera experience? My first opera experience was watching Mozart’s The Magic Flute when I was a college student in Beijing. The music was in German, while the spoken dialogue was in Chinese, so it was a wonderful introduction to opera. I was immediately drawn to Mozart’s beautiful music and recognized so many of the famous melodies. I remember leaving the theater thinking, “I want to do this someday.” Looking back, it’s amazing to realize that opera has now become my career.
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? I love TV series and movies, recently I just finished 911 season 9 and Matlock, still on Grey’s Anatomy season 10!
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? Traveling and photography.
Meet the Artist: Mason O’Brien, baritone
Mason is sponsored by Arline Echandia, Lynn Harrington, and Kenneth & Barbara Laff.
Where are you from and what do you enjoy most about Colorado? This will be my fourth year living in the front range! I am from Memphis Tennessee, and I moved to Denver for Graduate school. My favorite things about Colorado are the weather, the mountains, and going to Rockies games!
What role are you most looking forward to performing with us this season? I am absolutely stoked to perform as Daddy/Tim in The Snowy Day. It’s just a treat to put on a mainstage opera for families or individuals of all ages.
Tell us about a highlight from your summer. Finally getting to spend some quality time and play a few rounds of golf with my parents back home in Memphis.
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? I am so excited to be back for my second year. Opera Colorado has really given me an excellent outlet to be myself on and off the stage. The Colorado community is truly a home to me. I have never once felt out of place or unwelcome. I feel grounded and always ready to give my all.
What is your dream role? My dream role is absolutely Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème. I want to perform the role 500 times. I would also love to one day sing Rigoletto in Verdi’s Rigoletto.
What was your first opera experience? My first opera experience was in 2017 when I was chosen to be a chorister in Opera Memphis’s La traviata while in high school. I had been studying classical voice, but I was a big musical theater buff and was so “green” to the concept of being in an opera. It changed my life!
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? My girlfriend and I have been watching Hacks on HBO Max, we really like it! I’ve also been shamelessly rewatching all of the Pokémon anime as well…
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? Attending sporting events! I am a huge fan of the NBA, old and new. While I will always be partial to my Memphis Grizzlies, I really enjoy going to Nuggets games whenever I have the time. I’ve also become a huge Rockies fan in my time here!
Meet the Artist: Connor Buckley, collaborative pianist
Connor is sponsored by Denver Book Society, Prem & Stephanie Subramanian, and Jill & Tim Wayne.
Where are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m from Hagerstown, MD. I’m excited to explore the mountains and live music scene.
What are you most looking forward to working on with us this season? I’m really looking to working on Macbeth and The Snowy Day.
Tell us about a highlight of your summer. Spending time with friends in the beautiful Minnesota lakes area and the Wisconsin Dells.
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? I was drawn to Opera Colorado by its variety of repertoire and plentiful performance opportunities for me.
What is your dream piece to perform? Picking one is impossible: Richard Strauss’ Elektra, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Verdi’s Otello would be dream pieces to conduct for their dramatic intensity, scale, and orchestration.
What was your first opera experience? In high school, I ran the supertitles for a local company’s production of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? I’ve been listening to Jackie Evans’ EP Most of the Time, Jean by YEBBA, and LOVED by Parcels.
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? Hiking, reading, and eating sushi. That’s a hobby, right?
Meet the Artist: Diane Machin, stage director
Diane is sponsored by Donald K. Braden and Ayliffe & Fred Ris.
Where are you from and what excites you about Colorado? I’m a California girl making Chicago my home. I’m very excited that my soon-to-be sister-in-law and her family are moving to Colorado at the same time I am! We have plans for many a National Park outing with her family.
What are you most looking forward to working on with us this season? Working on Macbeth! It will be my first Verdi opera and I am SOOO psyched. As a big fan of Halloween, I expect this year to feel extra spooky and witchy.
Tell us about a highlight of your summer. This summer feels especially wonderful because my partner Holly and I got engaged! She proposed to me at the Garfield Park Conservatory next to the koi pond. After telling our families her nephew asked, “so they are going to be a no boy family?” to which we said yes. (See Diane’s engagement picture in the gallery below!)
What drew you to Opera Colorado and our Artist in Residence Program? It’s all thanks to Kendra Green, Opera Colorado’s Production Stage Manager! She couldn’t have had better things to say about the company, and I was eager to work alongside her again.
What is your dream piece to direct? I’m dying to direct Verdi’s Falstaff set in a frat house, complete with a beer pong ballet. No further explanation needed.
What was your first opera experience? My father fondly remembers taking me to see Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance as a little girl. Apparently, I loved the first act and promptly fell asleep during the second.
What movie, TV show, book, or album are you currently obsessing over? I am a huge reader, especially of romantasy. So obviously I’m chomping at the bit for Sarah J. Maas’ new novels to come out.
What is your favorite non-opera related hobby? My fiancée and I love board games, and we’ve really gotten into this solo player game called Final Girl, that we like to play collaboratively. The game has different locales and killers and a variety of unique ways for the killer to knock off civilians.
See them in action!
Artist in Residence Showcase
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m.
The Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Showcase Tickets