Hundreds of people come together to make opera come alive on our stages, in our community, and online—from administrative staff to artists and production teams, from the Board of Directors to volunteers. Learn more below about just some of the passionate individuals behind Opera Colorado, and feel free to reach out to our staff for questions or comments. Not sure whom to contact? Email info@operacolorado.org and we’ll connect you to the right person.

Leadership

Greg Carpenter

The Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director

A major foodie and renowned home chef. Enjoys binge watching British crime dramas in his free time, and also owns every James Bond film ever made.

Ari Pelto

Music Director, Conductor

Lived in a reindeer herding community in Finland as a kid. Later, his first job was as a choirboy in Hartford, CT. But whether at sea level or a mile high, his mission remains the same: make the perfect pizza dough.

Sahar Nouri

Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor

Senior Team

Jennifer Colgan

Director of Marketing and Communications jcolgan@operacolorado.org

Jennifer is a violinist who grew up in Virginia. When she isn’t knee-deep in a spreadsheet, she can be found obsessing over her cats and dog, hiking in the mountains, or knitting a pair of socks.

Tom Kirkpatrick

Chief Financial Officer tkirkpatrick@operacolorado.org

Cherity Koepke

Director of Education & Community Engagement, Director of the Artist in Residence Program ckoepke@operacolorado.org

Learned Gaelic to sing in a Celtic band, and is used to fabulous mispronunciations of her name. Also believes—not unlike Cinderella—in the life-changing magic of great shoes.

Jordanna Rose

Director of Artistic Operations jrose@operacolorado.org

A Cali girl at heart.  Just as comfortable in the opera house as on the trail or waiting in line at a Bob’s Burgers panel at Comic Con.

Erin Wenzel

Director of Development ewenzel@operacolorado.org

Erin has moved 17 times and lived in eight different cities, but is happy to now call Denver home. She loves to read, take long walks, and would definitely beat you in The West Wing trivia.

Staff

Sara Buhr

Associate Director of Development sbuhr@operacolorado.org

Outdoorsy in that she enjoys drinking wine on the patio while her boys play in the yard, Sara is also in love with passport stamps and is perpetually planning her next trip.

Samantha Cantu

Patron Services Manager scantu@operacolorado.org

Samantha is another Texas transplant exploring all the facets of Colorado whilst juggling spending time with their kiddo, tending to their many friendships, and giving back to the community. They love singing karaoke, psychoanalyzing fictional characters, and playing a good immersive video game.

Clair Clauson

Human Resources Manager cclauson@operacolorado.org

When not obsessing over payroll and record-keeping systems, Clair keeps busy by baking sourdough, singing with her beloved Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and spending time with her husband and spirited young daughters. Indoorsy Denver native and Wordle enthusiast.

Angelica DiIorio

Marketing Manager, Advertising & Content adiiorio@operacolorado.org

Angelica is a fast-talking, fast-walking native New Yorker who loves music but shatters glass when she sings. She collects postcards everywhere she travels and wants to make it to every continent!

Kendra Green

Resident Stage Manager kgreen@operacolorado.org

Kendra hails from the sea-level city of San Jose, California, and is thrilled to be pedaling her way to new heights in the mile-high city. When she is not on a bike or in rehearsal, Kendra enjoys treasure hunting in thrift shops, playing tabletop games, and going on whatever adventures she can convince others to join her in.

Megan Immerfall

Bookkeeper mimmerfall@operacolorado.org

Megan performed as a chorus member in the inaugural Opera Colorado production of Othello back in 1983 and has now come full circle as a staff member.  She likes to combine her passion for travel and photography and to-date has ridden her bicycle through fifteen different countries.

Ben Karasik

Production Manager bkarasik@operacolorado.org

Having spent time performing, designing, and building for performing arts, Ben found his niche when he realized spreadsheets, planning, and logistics were what he most enjoyed contributing to the creative process. Ben is also a major art education advocate and enjoys swing dancing!

Robin Lander

Patron Services & Office Coordinator rlander@operacolorado.org

Robin is a Colorado native with a huge passion for the performing arts and arts education. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family and will almost never say no to brunch.  She loves singing, cooking, movies/tv shows, and all things chocolate.

Kassandra Mestemaker

Education & Community Engagement Manager kmestemaker@operacolorado.org

Kassandra is a professional painter, avid audio book listener, hot sauce collector, and runner. She will always attend a community or cultural event with you, is usually found alongside her Golden, Rugby, and loves solo travel.

Alison Milan

Costume Director amilan@operacolorado.org

Alison has come a long way from her daily toddler costume of Hawaiian muumuu and heels, and still finds beauty in the most unlikely of places. Whether she’s reading or camping in the wilds of Colorado, she’s always surrounded by her family and friends (and a few low-riding pets that share her love for dry desert heat and unexpected adventure).

Laura Norton

Digital Marketing Manager lnorton@operacolorado.org

Laura strives for innovation in her professional life and embraces creativity in her personal life. As a potter, baker, sewist, and cook, she is always making something and loves trying new hobbies! As a flutist, Laura values highlighting works by living composers of diverse backgrounds.

  • Michael Wingfield, Technical Director
  • Michael Boswell, Head Carpenter*
  • Greg Killpack, Assistant Carpenter*
  • Dave Youngs, Shop/Production Carpenter*
  • Jeff Reidel, Head Flyman*
  • Rita Richardson, Head Electrician*
  • Karen Thurow, Light Board Operator*
  • Amanda Short, Assistant Electrician*
  • Hillary Clark, Head Props*

  • Keven Soll, Assistant Props*
  • Thomas Berning, Head Sound*
  • Ronell Oliveri, Resident Wigs & Make-Up Designer

* Members of IATSE Local No.7

Violin

  • Byron Hitchcock, concertmaster
  • Michelle Davis
  • Angela Dombrowski
  • Margaret Gutierrez
  • Robyn Julyan
  • Regan Kane
  • Christine Menter
  • Leah Mohling
  • Susie Peek
  • Gyongyer Petheo
  • Felix Petit
  • Veronica Sawarynski
  • Robyn Sosa
  • Takanori Sugishita
  • Benjamin Tomkins
  • Tori Woodrow

Viola

  • Matthew Dane, principal
  • Michael Brook
  • Koko Dyulgerski
  • Mary Harrison
  • Sarah Richardson
  • Lora Stevens

Cello

  • Andrew Kolb, principal
  • Charles Lee
  • David Short
  • Jeff Watson
  • Eleanor Wells
  • Carole Whitney

Bass

  • David Crowe, principal
  • Jeremy Nicholas
  • Matthew Pennington
  • Jason Thompson

Flute

  • Susan Townsend, principal
  • Elizabeth Sadilek

Oboe

  • Sarah Bierhaus, principal
  • Max Soto

Clarinet

  • Michelle Orman, principal
  • Heidi Mendenhall

Bassoon

  • Charles Hansen, principal
  • JJ Sechan

Horn

  • Michael Yopp, principal
  • Lauren Varley
  • Devon Park
  • Marian Hesse

Trumpet

  • Leslie Scarpino, principal
  • Colin Oldberg

Trombone

  • Bron Wright, principal
  • Andy Wolfe
  • Jeremy Van Hoy

Tuba

  • Patrick Young, principal

Harp

  • Janet Harriman, principal

Timpani

  • Peter Cooper, principal

Percussion

  • Mark Foster, principal
  • Carl Dixon
  • Nena Lorenza Wright

Orchestra Personnel Manager

  • Angela Dombrowski

Orchestra Librarian

  • Elle Wells

OPERA COLORADO ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Click here to learn about this season’s Artist in Residence cohort.

OPERA COLORADO VOLUNTEERS

Click here for more information on current volunteers, and to learn how to join the team.