Opera for the Young

Lydia Bangura is a soprano hailing from Phoenix, Arizona who enjoys singing art song, chamber works, spirituals, and oratorio. She was recently selected as a semifinalist in the Federation of the Art Song competition (2025) and won third place in the Chicago SongSlam art song competition (2026). Her recent and upcoming operatic roles include the title role in Lehar’s The Merry Widow, Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Mother Gertrude in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel. In 2026, Bangura looks forward to presenting recitals as a featured artist in the Washington International Young Artists Music Series.

📣Opera for the Young is honored to announce the touring cast for our 2026-27 season featuring "Rusalka: A Mermaid's Tale"! 💫🧜‍♀️

Rusalka:
Lydia Bangura
Alexandra Burch
Sachie Ueshima

Jezibaba:
Isabella Daltoso
Leah Rockweit
Hannah Wheeler

Prince:
Erik DeMario
Jared Cohen
Sasha Tomasevich

Sea King:
Alex Cook
Grady Hayden
Joel Rogier

Pianist:
Rachael Brolin
Vincent Fuh
Steve Radtke

Soprano Megan Brunning has toured with Opera for the Young in five productions over the course of a decade. including performances in the role of Miss Addy in TWO different seasons of "Elixir of Love" and as Queen of the Night in TWO seasons of "Magic Flute"!

Most recently, Megan has performed as a member of the chorus in this summer's Bayreuth Festival in Bayreuth, Germany.

Soprano Megan Brunning has toured with Opera for the Young in five productions over the course of a decade. including performances in the role of Miss Addy in TWO different seasons of “Elixir of Love” and as Queen of the Night in TWO seasons of “Magic Flute”! Most recently, Megan has performed as a member of the chorus in this summer’s Bayreuth Festival in Bayreuth, Germany.

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With Christopher Jackson, Tenor – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

We're very happy today to be shining the spotlight on OFTY alum Austin Bare! Outside of performing with Opera for the Young, Austin is a founding member of Aperi, an early music vocal ensemble based in Milwaukee. He also teaches voice, piano, and bass in the Milwaukee area.

Soprano Leah Rockweit has toured with Opera for the Young during five previous seasons. We're delighted to have Leah back this year once again as Jezibaba in our upcoming production of "Rusalka: A Mermaid's Tale"!

Join us today as we celebrate Opera for the Young alum Cat Richmond!

Cat has some exciting things in the works over the next few months, including Four Seasons Theatre's "Leading Ladies of Stage & Screen" (Oct. 16-18 at Overture Center for the Arts Playhouse), Mercury Players Theatre's "Ride the Cyclone" (Jan 22-Feb 26, 2027 at Bartell Community Theatre), and Music Theatre of Madison's Monstersongs (Oct 15 at The Bur Oak).

Today we are shining the spotlight on Hannah Wheeler! Hannah has previously taken part in four OFTY tours, and she is now preparing for her fifth production with us as Jezibaba in this year's "Rusalka: A Mermaid's Tale"!

In addition to her upcoming OFTY touring, Hannah is set to be performing with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra this winter. She also runs a private studio teaching voice and piano in Indianapolis.