Every year, Opera Colorado auditions over 400 emerging artists from the nation’s top graduate schools for its Artist in Residence Program. During their eight-month residency, the selected artists bring opera to schools across the Rocky Mountain region, giving Colorado students a chance to meet opera’s future stars! The 2022-23 Season’s talented troupe will perform The Pirates of Penzance and Romeo & Juliet and will be featured in the student matinee of Rigoletto at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

For more information, please contact Cherity Koepke, Director of the Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program, at ckoepke@operacolorado.org or 303.778.0371.

Discover resources about applying for the 2023-24 Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program here>>

The Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program is sponsored by Ken & Donna Barrow, with additional support from Patrick Spieles, and Dr. Stephen L. Dilts.

THE 2022-23 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Francesca Mehrotra

soprano | Bio

Joanne Evans

mezzo-soprano | Bio

David Soto Zambrana

tenor | Bio

Dante Mireles

baritone | Bio

Michael Leyte-Vidal

bass-baritone | Bio

Turner Staton

bass-baritone | Bio

Oleg Bellini

Coach Accompanist | Bio

2021-22 Artists in Residence

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2020-21 Artists in Residence

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2019-20 Artists in Residence

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2018-19 Artists in Residence

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2017-18

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2016-17

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2015-16

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2014-15

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2014

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2012-13

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2011-12

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2010-11

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2009-10

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2008-2009

*Joint recipients of the Norblom Award

2007-2008

*Joint recipients of the Norblom Award

2007

  • Lianne Coble, Soprano
  • Sangeetha Appavoo, Soprano
  • Christina Rosas, Mezzo-Soprano
  • Chester Pidduck, Tenor
  • Gregory Bruce, Baritone
  • Christopher Job, Bass
  • Christopher Thompson, Pianist

2006

  • Mary Ellen Assue, Soprano
  • Heather Hill, Soprano
  • Leslie Remmert Soich, Mezzo-Soprano
  • Andy Truex, Tenor
  • Adam Sattley, Tenor
  • Jonathan Morales, Baritone
  • Michael Tilley, Pianist

2005

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

2004

2003

  • Stacey Canterbury, Soprano
  • Emily Sinclair, Soprano
  • Jennifer Herzig*, Mezzo-Soprano
  • John Tiranno, Tenor
  • Bradley Thompson, Baritone
  • Glen Denis, Pianist

*Recipient of the Norblom Award

*Prior to the 2018-19 season, the Artist in Residence Program was known as the Young Artist Program.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

CHERITY KOEPKE

Director of the Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Lead Acting Coach
Stage Director

NATHAN SALAZAR

Principal Repertoire Coach

DANIEL BELCHER

Voice Teacher

GREG CARPENTER

The Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director

ARI PELTO

Opera Colorado Music Director