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’ second production with Franklin Light Opera, after playing the role of Ralph Rackstraw in Fall 2023.

Julia is thrilled to be returning to Franklin Light Opera as Adele. Originally from Gastonia, NC, she recently graduated from Belmont University with her Master’s in Vocal Performance, and received her undergraduate degree from Elon University. She has performed internationally with the Heidelberg Opera House, the Austrian American Mozart Academy, and at Accademia Europea di Firenze. Previous roles include La Fee from Viardot’s Cendrillon, The Poet in Ronald Beckett’s Ruth, and Bastienne in Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne. Julia is so grateful for this opportunity and wants to thank her family for their continued support.

This is Emilee Upleger’s second performance with Franklin Light Opera. Last September, she played the role of Cousin Hebe in HMS Pinafore. She fell in love with Franklin Light Opera, and is honored to play Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. A devoted homeschooling mom and classical singing enthusiast, Emilee lives with her husband and children in Franklin.

Stephen Calgaro is a tenor classical singer from Nashville in the United States. He has over a decade of stage performance experience, having performed the opera roles of Alfredo in La Traviata, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi. He has performed with opera companies in the US, Italy, and Scotland. This is his first production since moving to Nashville this summer, and he hopes you all enjoy the show!

Vincent Davis an American tenor, hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. Most recent performances include: La’Boheme, Pagliacci, Pirates of Penzance and Florencia En El Amazonas ~ Nashville Opera ensemble. Featured on the nationally televised CMA Awards with recording artist Jelly Row and Winona Judd. The Grand Ole Opry Stage, Leslie Jordan Tribute, with recording artist Eddie Vedder. The W. Crimm Singers. The Nashville Symphony Chorus. Featured performer with Nashville Opera’s, Opera on Wheels Program.

Tyler Saunders is excited to be rejoining Franklin Light Opera for the third year! Tyler is a singer/pianist based in Laval, QC Canada; as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach, he works together with singers to bring out their most expressive and authentic voices. He has also worked with theatres and organizations around the Franklin/Nashville area as both a music director and on-stage performer. Tyler is grateful to be able to continue performing with FLO and looks forward to continuing in the future!

Will Lasley is proud to present his third main stage performance with FLO in the role of prison governor Frank. He began doing theatre in his early teens with Act Too Players, where he would eventually play the title roles in both Sweeney Todd and Shrek the Musical. More recently, he has been performing regularly with New Star Nashville Productions, with whom he played the Beast in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast and Dr. Van Helsing in Stoker’s Dracula. In April, he will be reprising the role of Van Helsing, as well as taking a turn in the director’s chair, so be on the lookout for that! Special thanks to the cast and crew, his parents Tom and Michelle, his sister Anna, the doctor who helped him overcome his déjà vu, his sister Anna, the doctor who helped him overcome his déjà vu, his parents Tom and Michelle, and the doctor who helped him overcome his déjà vu.

Shelley Schneider is excited to sing the role of Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with Franklin Light Opera. A native Texan and Baylor graduate of vocal performance, she recently moved to Nashville to live closer to her parents. While in Texas, she taught voice on the faculty of several colleges in Ft Worth, Houston and Austin. In addition to teaching private lessons, 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. Some favorite performances include Amy in Company by Sondheim and Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti by Bernstein. Ms. Schneider teaches on the voice faculty at Lipscomb University and has a thriving voice studio in Franklin. www.themusicalvoice.com

Nicole McColley (Ida) is a sophomore Music Education student at Belmont University and is excited to be performing in her first production with Franklin Light Opera! Some past credits include featured performer in Belmont's Classical Singers Recital, Campbell in Bring It On!, Dragonfly in Vices and Virtues, and Anna in Frozen. Nicole wants to thank the cast and crew for their support and positivity throughout the process and for welcoming her into the Franklin Light Opera community.

Jay has performed numerous roles in college and community theaters. He is a retired member of the United States Navy Band, Washington, DC, where he played saxophone for concert, ceremonial, and jazz bands. As part of the Navy Band, he also performed roles in stage productions for audiences visiting our nation’s capital from around the world. However, he considers his greatest role to be grandpa to five precious grandchildren!

Audrey Butler is a recent high school graduate with an extensive background in choral work, dance and theater. Since graduating, she has continued to invest in the arts, and hopes to go into trauma psychology in future.

Mark is an IT professional with choral and folk guitar experience. He has performed as a Spanish language folk guitarist, and has appeared in Charles Heimermann’s choir here in Nashville.

Megan Calgaro, soprano, is a graduate Vocal Pedagogy student in her first year of study at Belmont University with Dr. Angela Yoon. Originally from Wisconsin, she has obtained Bachelor of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Music Education from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, as well as graduate certification in Vocology from Lamar University. Megan is no stranger to performing on the operatic stage; she has sung as a member of the chorus in several productions and has performed roles such as the Queen of the Night and Papagena (The Magic Flute), Sally (Die Fledermaus), and Sorella Cercatrice II (Suor Angelica). Her upcoming performances include Belmont University’s production of The Merry Widow as one of the six Grisettes, Fifi.

Elena Degl’innocenti is an Italian-born singer/songwriter/guitarist. Born and raised in Florence, Elena moved to the U.S to follow her music dream, and graduated from Musician's Institute and UCLA. Blessed with a three-octave soprano voice, she sings in Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Her vast repertoire mixes her Italian roots with her Jazz and Latin influences. Elena is an award-winning songwriter gaining recognition at several International songwriting competitions including the Great American Song Contest and the UK Songwriting Contest. Her song "Waiting For" has been featured on CBS prime show "All Rise". Her album “Question Marks” earned a nomination for “Record of the Year” from the LA Music Awards. Elena currently has four full length albums, two of them produced by Giulio Carmassi, who is a multi-instrumentalist and formerly with Pat Metheny. Elena performs locally, throughout the west coast, and in Italy. She is also a passionate educator, teaching voice and guitar to many private students.

Chad Dumont is excited to be performing with Franklin Light Opera again in this wonderful show. He’s enjoyed being cast in Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, Patience, Trial by Jury, The Sorcerer and Ruddigore.

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 sang with the Elgin Master Chorale and Chamber Singers and was featured with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Williamson County Community Chorus. Susan is delighted to make her debut with Franklin Light Opera and expresses her gratitude for the continual support of her husband and two daughters.

Kylie Painter, a native of Chicago, IL, completed her undergraduate degree in Classical Voice from Southeast Missouri State University in 2018 and joined the U.S. Army. She served as the vocalist for the 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus for four years in Fort Liberty, NC, where she met her husband. They moved to Spring Hill in the summer of 2023 with their English Bulldog, Boba. Kylie will begin her Master of Music degree in the fall 2024 semester.

American tenor Demarcus has performed in numerous operas and musical theater productions, including  Peter- “Porgy and Bess” Michigan Opera Theater. The Paige- “Amal and the night visitors”  and El Remendado- “Carmen” with the University of Southern Mississippi. Mr. Weathersby was the Tenor soloist for Rene Clausen’s “A New creation” Mississippi symphony chamber chorus. Tenor Soloist Mozart “Requiem” Maestro, Singer’s. He has also also toured Spain in 2003 and 2005, performing as a soloist and member of the Triumph Ministries Chorus.

Jodi Marcum is a multi-talented musician with a particular passion for directing theater productions and music education. Her insight and creativity pulls out the best in her actors as they create unforgettable characters. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Jodi has established herself as a versatile and skilled pianist, vocalist, director, and mentor.

Mark Ring volunteers as Music Director and Conductor for Franklin Light Opera. He 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.