Colette Barkley is a sophomore at St Cecilia Academy. She loves theater and has been part of many musicals and plays. This is her first opera and she is thrilled to play the part of Amahl. In addition to theater, she also enjoys visual arts and swimming. She would like to thank her parents and brother for being very supportive, as well as those who made this show possible. She would like to thank Mrs. Schneider especially, for reaching out to her about trying out for the role. Without her influence, she would not be here. She hopes to work with Franklin Light Opera in the future.

Asher Ward was born in 2015 in Boulder, Colorado. He has been playing the violin since 2021 and piano since 2023. Asher enjoys playing baseball, soccer, chess, and the Nintendo Switch with his younger brother and sister. He recently discovered a love for singing and is thrilled to be making his opera debut with Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Shelley Schneider, a native Texan and Baylor graduate of vocal performance, recently moved to Nashville in 2021. While in Texas, she taught private voice lessons in several colleges in Ft Worth, Houston and Austin. In addition to teaching, Ms. Schneider has also music directed and conducted several musicals. In 2010, Ms. Schneider studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Her performing career is diverse and includes Shakespeare plays, musicals, operas and cabaret shows. She has performed across Texas with Houston Grand Opera’s educational outreach program. While in the Houston Grand Opera chorus, she performed with opera giants Jaime Barton, Renee Fleming, and Joyce DiDonato. Some favorite performances include Amy in Company by Sondheim and Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti by Bernstein. Recently she performed with a chorus accompanying Andrea Bocelli at Bridgestone Arena. She is on the board and performs with Franklin Light Opera. Ms. Schneider is a professor in the voice department at Lipscomb University. Shelley also serves on FLO’s Board of Directors.

Nicholas is a classically trained tenor; he studied at Lee University in Cleveland, TN and did graduate work at Belmont University School of Music. He performed for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama as well as in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Le nozzle di Figaro in Prague, Czech Republic and Salzburg, Austria. This is Nicholas’ fourth production with Franklin Light Opera, after playing the role of Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore, Frederic in the Pirates of Penzance and Alfred in Die Fledermaus. Nick also serves on FLO’s Board of Directors.

Ryan Bede returned to Nashville Opera in September 2024 as Moralés/Le Dancaïre in Bizet's Carmen after previously appearing as Mr. Gobineau in Menotti’s The Medium and as a featured Opera On The Mountain soloist. Engagements in the 2023-24 season included Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia On Christmas Carols with the Federal Way Symphony, Fauré’s Requiem with Lipscomb University, and both Don Giovanni and Eugene Onegin with SkyOpera in Seattle. He made his Nashville Symphony solo debut with “Voices Of Spring” in April 2024, and sang his first Beethoven 9th Symphony with the Nashville Philharmonic this past May. Prior to relocating to Tennessee in the summer of 2021, he maintained a longtime relationship with Seattle Opera, where he sang Moralés, Fiorello in The Barber Of Seville, the Second Priest in The Magic Flute and Yamadori in Madama Butterfly. A native of Tacoma, WA, he also appeared frequently with Tacoma Opera, in numerous roles such as Belcore in The Elixir Of Love, Moralés/Le Dancaïre in Carmen, Tiger Brown in The Threepenny Opera, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, Schaunard in La Boheme and the Pirate King in The Pirates Of Penzance. His concert engagements have included numerous performances of Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem as well as those by Brahms, Duruflé, and Fauré, Bach's Christmas Oratorio and St. Matthew Passion, and Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs, among others. He currently teaches voice on the faculties of Belmont University and Lipscomb University, serves as a soloist and section leader at First Presbyterian Church Nashville, and performs as a core member of Vocal Arts Nashville. He holds degrees from the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. Further information on future engagements can be found at www.ryanbede.com.

Josiah Smith is a Senior at Lipscomb University pursuing his undergraduate degree as a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Hailing from Wisconsin, he has had the opportunity to perform alongside names such as Andrea Bocelli and Amy Grant. Along with involvement in many ensembles on campus (including vocal jazz, concert choir, and Lipscomb's a capella group Sanctuary), Josiah is making his operatic debut in this production!

Nathan Abelt (bass) is honored to be joining the FLO crew and performing in his first opera! Having grown up with a mother and two uncles with backgrounds in musical theatre, singing has been a hobby of his for years. Originally from Minnesota, Nathan has been blessed to call Franklin home for 20 years. He graduated from MTSU in 2016 and from the Nashville School of Law in 2021. Nathan is currently a member of the Tennessee Bar and a practicing attorney in Brentwood. He would love to express his gratitude to his good friend Karina Saunderson (one of the Stanley Daughters in The Pirates of Penzance) for referring him to FLO, to this wonderful cast and crew for extending him this opportunity to perform alongside them, and to his amazing parents, family, and friends for their support.

Julia is 16 years old and a sophomore at St. Cecilia Academy. She loves classical voice, choral singing, and playing the piano. Julia has performed with the Nashville Symphony, the Vanderbilt University Symphony, and at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican with the Vanderbilt Youth Choir. She previously performed with Franklin Light Opera in The Pirates of Penzance. Her favorite piece to perform is “Let the Bright Seraphim” by George Handel.

Christopher Cooper is a theatre artist and recent graduate of the Middle Tennessee State University Theatre & Dance Department.  He is so thrilled to direct The Pirates of Penzance with Franklin Light Opera; it has truly been an honor to collaborate with these wonderful artists.  Previous directing credits include: The Second Steve and Cabaret (assistant director) at MTSU. This fall, Chris will make his Nashville Repertory Theatre acting debut in Our Town and will music direct Alice in Wonderland Jr. with Starbright this winter.  All the thanks to his family for their endless love and support.  He hopes you have a swashbuckling time!  www.christophercoopertheatre.com

Susan has performed with the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, singing with the Dayton Opera Chorus. She performed the roles of Rosina in “The Barber of Seville “and Carmen in “Carmen” with the Dayton Children’s Traveling Opera. Susan toured around the world as a vocalist and dancer with the United States Air Force’s premier entertainment group Tops In Blue. She also sang with the Elgin Master Chorale and Chamber Singers and was featured with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Susan is delighted to perform again with Franklin Light Opera and expresses her gratitude for the continual support of her husband and two daughters.

A classically trained soprano, Catherine studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and did graduate work at Austin Peay State University, receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance. She has performed ensemble and comprimario roles with the Nashville Opera. Passionate about choral music, she has had the privilege of singing with multiple choral groups in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Catherine lives in Franklin with her husband Gray and son Heath. She is delighted to be performing again with the Franklin Light Opera.

Claiomh Hogan is so excited for her second show with FLO and her second Opera! She’s been in many plays and musicals but is still new to opera. She would like to thank everyone involved, her friends, family, and her wonderful singing teacher Deidra Hughes!

Cecilia is ten years old and in the 5th grade. She enjoys singing and playing the piano and guitar. She sings in the Nashville Children’s Touring Choir. Cecilia has also been very involved in the Nashville Theater school for the past couple of years and played the role of Jafar in Aladdin in 2022 and the role of Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2023 and has been in the ensemble of productions of Junie B. Jones, Finding Nemo, and the Lion King.

Patrick Seward is very excited to be making his opera debut in Amahl. Patrick is originally from New Hampshire, where he was featured in several shows including The Music Man (Harold Hill), The Addams Family (Gomez Addams), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), and Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks).

Jubilee Lynn Skinner is an 8th grade student at Saint Edward Catholic School in Nashville, TN. She sings with the St. Edward Church and School choirs as well as the Nashville Children's Choir. She has previously appeared in numerous school and amateur productions. She lives in Nashville with her parents, six siblings and grandfather.

Jaidyn Smart is a current junior Musical Theatre major with a dance minor at Lipscomb University and is thrilled to get to work with Franklin Light Opera on this show! She has studied dance for 17+ years with an emphasis is ballet and has trained at Nashville Ballet and Centennial Youth Ballet. Jaidyn is now a member of Foundations Dance Theatre at Lipscomb University and recently performed in Lipscomb Theatre’s production of Cats (Victoria). She is excited to add choreographer to her resume!

Haley is so excited to be performing in the cast of Amahl! She graduated from Belmont University in 2018 with dual degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy. After four years of teaching music in MNPS, she now works as a music therapist at an acute behavioral health hospital in Murfreesboro. While she loves getting to use music daily in her work, it has been an immense joy to have a new personal musical outlet through Franklin Light Opera. She first joined the company in the Pirates of Penzance this past fall. She is grateful to everyone at FLO for welcoming her into their fun and encouraging community.

Lee Spitzer is an Oracle IT consultant specializing in healthcare and supply chain applications.   He graduated with a music degree from Rhodes College and sang with the Rhodes College singers, many years ago, before his IT career.  He also plays guitar,  sings in the choir at the Church of the Resurrection, and enjoys spending time with family.  This is his second performance with FLO.

Sara Butler is a homeschooled sophomore from Spring Hill, TN. Her studies are concentrated in music, theater, and dance. She has performed with Franklin Light Opera’s Topsy Turvy teen workshop, Act Too’s summer workshops, Concordia Arts Academy musical theater and dance programs, and enjoys singing in her church choir.

Grace Pickavance is a dedicated dancer with Concordia Arts Academy, specializing in Jazz and Ballet, and bringing her passion to the Thompsons Station Middle School dance team. With a diverse background that includes Hip Hop and a memorable performance as a soldier in The Nutcracker, Grace showcases her versatility and commitment to the art of dance. Her talent and work ethic make her a standout performer both on stage and in her community.

John Schultz is a professional educator, having served as Principal for 32 years.  His theatrical experience includes acting in, directing or conducting over 160 shows at every level - school, community and professional theater.  He made his Franklin Light Opera debut last season as the Captain of the HMS Pinafore. He was thrilled to return as a pirate and Policeman in the Pirates of Penzance; and is now happy to be directing Amahl and the Night Visitors. John is also a member of the FLO Board of Directors. 

Mark Ring, Music Director and Conductor for Franklin Light Opera, holds the DMA in Conducting from the Yale School of Music, was Director of Choral Activities at the University of Notre Dame, and has conducted choral, orchestral, and operatic performances throughout Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean. He holds nine Grammy Signature Awards and has conducted in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Mont St-Michel, and in audience with John Paul II at the Vatican. He serves as Director of Music Ministries at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, owns a business in multifamily real estate, and has two young adult children in college.

Kate Ward is originally from Lewes, Delaware and received her BA in Psychology from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee and her MM in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Kate has been playing classical piano since the age of 8, and began playing the piano and organ for local churches at the age of 12. She has performed as a soloist and collaborated with choirs, instrumentalists and vocalists in and out of the university setting, and now teaches private piano lessons in addition to her career in HR and Compliance. She is on the board of Wilco Iris, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and enjoys hiking and sports activities with her husband and three children.