Coming Soon: Our Susanna’s Secret at the Winery Cast Members!

Introducing our New Year’s Eve Soirée Cast members, featuring Act 2 of Bizet’s Carmen!

Carmen - Natacha Cóndor

Accomplished Ecuadorian mezzo-soprano Natacha Cóndor has vast experience in Latin American popular music, a growing presence in the operatic world, and is currently completing the last year of her bachelor's degree at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music.

Don José - Nathan Snyder

Praised for his “rich and nuanced" sound and “riveting” acting, tenor Nathan Snyder has built a reputation of excellence in all genres. His energy and impressive versatility make him an outstanding presence on any stage. Nathan recently made his debut as B.F. Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with the New Jersey Verismo Opera and Light Opera New Jersey, as well as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Teatro Lyrico D’Europa. Soon after Rigoletto Nathan traveled to Kansas to reprise the role of Dewey Noyes in Staggerwing with Opera Kansas, a role Nathan premiered, before heading to Quisisana Resort in Maine for the summer were sung the title roles in both Roméo et Juliette by Gounod and Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach.

After premiering the role of Dewey Noyes in Staggerwing with Opera Kansas in 2021, Nathan experienced great success in contemporary repertoire, including Clarence Elkins in Blind Injustice with Opera Theater of the Rockies, Miles in Proving Up with Opera Steamboat, as well as Young Jim Thompson in Glory Denied and the United States Airforce Academy. Between contemporary works, Nathan has also performed standard roles including Manrico in Verdi’s Il Trovatore, Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème, Don José in Carmen and Sam Polk in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah.

Nathan is equally at home on the concert stage, singing the tenor solos in Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Bruckner’s Te Deum, and Stravinsky’s In Memoriam Dylan Thomas, just to name a few. He recently sang the part of the archangel Uriel in Haydn's Creation with the Laramie Choral and Mozart’s Requiem with the University of Wyoming.

Nathan is looking forward to a busy season singing Don José in Carmen with Palmetto Opera and reprising the role the Duke in Rigoletto with New Jersey Verismo Opera and Light Opera New Jersey in February 2026. Nathan will Also be making his Carnegie Hall Debut singing the Tenor Solo in the World Premier of Mark Hayes’ Psalmos in April 2026.

Escamillo - James Robinson

James (JJ) Robinson is a Baritone from Salibury, North Carolina. James received his master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2024, where he was also involved with several Knoxville Opera productions. His credits include Zuniga in Knoxville Opera’s Carmen, Escamillo in Charlottesville Opera's production of Carmen, Samuel in Charlottesville’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, Pistola in Knoxville Opera’s Falstaff, and Pritschitch in KO’s production of The Merry Widow. James was also a part of Varna International’s production of Don Giovanni in Asiago, Italy where he sang the titular role in their production. Upcoming performances include the North Carolina District of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Marco in Knoxville Opera’s Gianni Schicchi, and he will attend Central City Opera as an Apprentice Artist in the summer of 2026.

Frasquita - Mackenzie Laun

Mackenzie Laun (soprano) is from Denver, CO and is a frequent performer along the Front Range: she frequently sings with Central City Opera, Boulder Opera Company, Colorado Bach Ensemble, and St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, and has performed with Loveland Opera Theater and Opera Fort Collins as well. She is finishing her master’s degree in vocal performance at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music this spring. Mackenzie is a two-time top-ten award winner at the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition and the second place winner for the 2025 Art Song Colorado Competition. Some of her favorite past engagements include Semele in Händel’s *Semele*, Lola in Moore’s *Gallantry*, soprano soloist for Mozart's *Requiem* with St. Martin's Chamber Choir, and chorus in Puccini’s *La bohème* under the baton of The Metropolitan Opera’s Yannick Nézet-Séguin. In the upcoming season, Mackenzie will sing Vivaldi’s Laudate Pueri for the inaugural Masterworks Series with First Baptist Church of Clemson, the soprano solos in Mozart’s *Requiem* with Colorado Repertory Singers, and Adele in *Die Fledermaus* at the University of Denver. She will also give her graduate recital at DU, and will sing a full season of concerts with both St. Martin’s Chamber Choir and Colorado Bach Ensemble as a chorister and soloist.

Mercedes - Katiann Nelson

Originally from Waterford, WI, mezzo-soprano Katiann Nelson, recently graduated from CU-Boulder with her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance, studying under Abigail Nims and Julie Simson. In 2023, she graduated from Carthage College (Kenosha, WI) with undergraduate degrees in Vocal Music Education, and Piano and Clarinet Performance. Katiann has enjoyed recently singing “Hänsel” in Hänsel und Gretel, and her other opera credits include “Meg” in Falstaff, “Taller Daughter” in Proving Up, and “Chorus” in La Boheme (Opera Colorado, Aspen Music Festival). Over the summer, she enjoyed performing “Dritte Dame” in Die Zauberflöte with Prague Summer Nights. She has participated as a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition (Denver, CO), the Patricia Crump Vocal Competition (Milwaukee, WI), and the CU-Boulder Concerto Competition. Katiann looks forward to continued work with Opera Colorado as a chorister in Madama Butterfly, and looks forward to singing the role of “Mother” in Loveland Opera Theater’s Production of Little Red’s Most Unusual Day. Having recently finished her degree, Katiann maintains a studio of voice and piano students in Boulder and works as a pianist/coach for voice students at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Remendado - Davian Raggio

American tenor Davian Raggio has been praised for his light, agile voice and powerful command of the stage. Davian was last seen debuting the role of Frederic in Gilbert and Sullivan’s *Pirates of Penzance* with Eklund Opera in Boulder, CO. This Summer, Davian is singing Juan Carlos Lopez in a workshop with Mark Adamo on his new opera: *Sarah in the Theatre* in the CU New Opera Workshop. After, Davian will be joining the Middlebury German for Singers program to sing the role of Il Contino Belfiore in W.A. Mozart’s *Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe*. Davian has been seen with Central City Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Eklund Opera, Music On Site Incorporated, and more. In the 2025-2026 Season, Davian is set to sing roles with Central City Opera, Boulder Opera Company, Operativo Houston, and Eklund Opera. Davian is currently pursuing his M.M. in Voice Performance at the University of Colorado - Boulder.

Dancaïro - Seth Walley

Seth Walley is a singer and ballet dancer based in Fort Collins, Colorado. He is currently a company dancer with Canyon Concert Ballet, and is a frequent guest artist with ballet companies and schools across the country. He is also active in musical theatre and opera, and was recently a featured dancer in *La belle de Cadix* at Opera des Landes in France, where he also covered the role of Count Almaviva in *Le nozze di Figaro*. Upcoming productions include *The Ballad of Baby Doe* and *Le nozze di Figaro* with Central City Opera, where he will be a resident artist.

Zuniga - Oliver Poveda Zavala

**Oliver Poveda Zavala** is an Ecuadorian-Argentine bass-baritone and a graduate of the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. He is currently an Artist in Residence with Opera Colorado, where he performed Bartolo in *The Barber of Seville*, the Father in *Hansel and Gretel*, and Benoit in *La bohème*. He returns for the 2025–2026 season to sing Samuel and the Sergeant of Police in *The Pirates of Penzance*, Friar Lawrence in *Romeo and Juliet*, and Dr. Grenvil in *La Traviata*.
Oliver made his professional debut with Central City Opera in 2024 as José Castro in *La fanciulla del West*, also covering Ashby and Mr. Olsen (*Street Scene*). Other recent performances include Masetto in *Don Giovanni* (Opera Colorado), Dr. Falke in *Die Fledermaus* (Opera in Williamsburg), and Frère Laurent (*Romeo and Juliet*) in Central City Opera’s Emerging Artist Matinee.
In Colorado, he has appeared with Opera Steamboat, Boulder Opera, and Denver Immersive Opera in roles such as Colline (*La bohème*), Duke Bluebeard (*Bluebeard’s Castle*), and the Frog King (*The Three Feathers*). Internationally, he has sung Leporello (*Don Giovanni*) with Vincerò Academy in Mexico and performed Bartolo and Antonio (*The Marriage of Figaro*) with ISOFOM in Morelia.
His additional roles include Sarastro (*The Magic Flute*), Simone (*Gianni Schicchi*), Talpa (*Il tabarro*), and Monsieur Presto (*Les mamelles de Tirésias*). He is a two-time winner of the Ann Logan Craft Vocal Competition, a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition, and recipient of the Sherry Shepherd Sargent Memorial Award

Morales/Bass Ensemble - Deklin Herman

Deklin Herman is a Baritone based in Fort Collins Colorado. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance from Colorado State University, where he studied under John Lindsey. His favorite past roles include Guglielmo in *Così fan tutte*, Strephon in *Iolanthe*, and Top in *The Tenderland.* Deklin is looking forward to playing the role of Gianni Schicchi in CSU’s upcoming Spring production of *Gianni Schicchi*, and auditioning to various schools for his master’s degree.

Tenor Ensemble - Joan Marquez

Joan Sebastian Márquez (b. 1994) is an Ecuadorian tenor, composer, and musician. He holds a singing degree from the National Conservatory of Music of Ecuador and a degree in Musical Pedagogy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. He has performed the roles of Rinuccio (*Gianni Schicchi*. Lamont Opera Theatre, 2025); Gherardo (*Gianni Schicchi,* Boulder Opera Company, 2025); Un venditore di canzonette (*Gianni Schicchi*, Boulder Opera Company, 2025); Monsieur Vogelsang (Cover) (*Der Schauspieldirektor,* Lamont Opera Theatre, 2024); Lysander (*A Midsummer Night's Dream*, Lamont Opera Theatre, 2024); Eduardo Jr, Mr. Xoloti (*Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World*, Central City Opera, 2023-25); Papá (*Xochitl and the Flowers*, Boulder Opera Company, 2023-25); The Vain man, The Snake (*The Little Prince*, Lamont Opera theatre, 2023); Oronte (*Alcina*, Lamont Opera theatre, 2022); Parpignol (*La Bohème,* Opera Steamboat, 2022); Lacouf (*Les Mamelles de Tirésias,* Lamont Opera theatre, 2022); La Théièr’e, Le petit Vieillard, La Rainette (*L'Enfant et les Sortilèges*, Lamont Opera theater, 2022); Rodolfo, act 2 & cover act 4 (*La Bohème*, Lamont Opera theater, 2021). He also sang at the world premiere of *La Azucena de Quito* by Joaquín Rodrigo with the Guayaquil Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dante Anziolinni in 2019. He has trained with Catherine Kasch, Sahar Nouri, Stefano de Peppo, and Beth Nielsen. He received masterclasses from Cynthia Lawrence, Stephen Powell, Bradley Moore, Richard Gordon, Rafael Davila, and René Barbera. He won the 'Ann Logan Craft Competition' in 2022 and received the 'Denver Lyric Opera Guild Award' in 2023. Márquez is currently a touring artist for the Central City Opera-Education Program. As a professional chorister, he performed with the Opera Colorado Chorus (*La fille du regiment*, 2024) and Central City Opera (*La fanciulla del West*, 2024) and was a member of the Province of Pichincha Choir in Ecuador. He also sang in different vocal ensembles, choirs, and opera choirs. As a professor, Joan taught solfeggio and basic harmony at the National Conservatory of Music of Ecuador. He has also worked as an electric bassist, accompanist (piano-guitar), and musical arranger. He resides in Denver, pursuing his dual concentration Master's in Vocal Performance and Composition at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music.

Mercedes Cover/Mezzo Ensemble - Rebecca Seifert

Rebecca Seifert is a mezzo soprano from Phoenix Arizona. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oregon, where she graduated Cum Laude and with an Achievement Award in recognition of “Outstanding Vocal Performer” in her graduating class, and a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from CU Boulder, where she attended with a full ride scholarship. Some of her favorite roles include Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri, Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, and Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel. Outside of performing, Rebecca enjoys hiking, cooking, and teaching singing.