Shelly Ann has been singing and playing piano for as long as she can remember. She has studied voice with the very best teachers, and performed with Huntingdon Opera, UAB Opera and Opera Birmingham, as well as in local musical theatre productions. She was not exposed to opera until she got to college, but immediately fell in love with the art form. She is thrilled to be working with The Opera Insider! Let's check again Shelly Ann has provided countless number of hours of help to The Opera Insider, and we like to consider her something of a “right-hand-woman.” From entering data into our calendar to helping us put together our list of festivals around the world, Shelly Ann has always been upbeat and supportive of our goals and mission. Let's check again to see what happens now. I will just keep typing and typing and typing to see if any of this schmarn saves. Schmarn is such a lovely and useful word.

Anne is an up-and-coming mezzo-soprano and has performed the leading roles of Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia with Hartt Opera Theater, and Dorabella in Così fan tutte, and Jo March in Little Women with Intermezzo Development programs. Other roles include Zita in Gianni Schicchi and La Zelatrice in Suor Angelica under the direction of Peter Kazaras. Anne was a young artist with Chicago Opera Theater for their 2006 and 2007 seasons, and in 2008 sang in the North American premier of John Adams’ Flowering Tree conducted by the composer. Anne was also a Young Artist with Opera Santa Barbara during their 2008 season. In November 2007, Anne won first prize in The Real Thing Competition in Chicago and was a prize winner in the 2009 Connecticut Opera Guild Competition. She has sung recitals in Connecticut, Chicago, California and New York, and recently made her Opera Theater of Connecticut debut in the roles of Nursing Sister and The Abbess in Suor Angelica during the summer of 2009.

Jeff Carr is a young baritone living in Wilmington, DE. He has sung with Opera Delaware and many local companies throughout the Tri-State and Northeastern regions. He has sung numerous roles throughout the years and also enjoys a wide array of chamber music. Off the stage, he greatly enjoys the outdoors (especially camping, hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing) and cooking for friends and family.

Mariannell hails from Kenai, Alaska, where she, too, was a Miss Alaska runner-up (AND the winner of talent).  Having studied vocal performance and other humanities at Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Italy in Florence, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Roosevelt University, she finally figured out that her skill set was better suited to directing and writing.  She has been ad/sm at Opera San Jose, Opera Idaho, Rogue Valley Opera, and other symphony venues.  After bursting the bubble of baby lockdown mode, she has re-emerged into the world of classical music in Chicago, ready to share a body of knowledge and enthusiasm with any- and everyone, in person and on the worldwide web.

Julia, originally from Lawrence, KS, is a mezzo-soprano based in Chicago. Since graduating from KU with a bachelors in Theater/Voice in 2004, and with a Masters Degree from Northwestern in 2007, she has performed with many companies including Chicago Opera Theater, Central City Opera, and Lorin Maazel’s Chateauville Foundation, and will be a 2009-2010 Resident Studio Artist with Florentine Opera. Should she not be able to perform ever again, Julia would most likely become a food writer, or eater, professionally speaking.  Julia has provided unwavering support for The Opera Insider since its inception, and has kindly been working on an article about the Chateauville Foundation in Virginia, which we hope to publish very soon.

Raisa was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, and moved to the United States ten years ago. She went to her first opera at the age of five, loved it, and has been an opera lover ever since. A linguist by trade (she speaks five languages), she taught ESL and Spanish for years. Teaching has always been her passion. She is currently teaching an Opera Appreciation class at a local senior center and spends a lot of time introducing her son to the wonderful world of music. They listen, play the piano and sing together any time they can. Besides music, Raisa loves arts, books, poetry, dancing, fitness and gemology. She lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and son. She writies a music blog called Mandolin Vision (www.mandolinvision.blogspot.com).

A native of Peculiar, Missouri, Justin recently relocated to Boston, Massachusetts.  He holds a Master's Degree in Opera from the University of Kansas.  His interests include reading, art, music, vocal pedagogy, speaking French and Italian, and European culture and history.

Marco began his professional opera career with Seattle Opera in 1997, recorded his first CD entitled "Trilogia" one year ago, and performs on a regular basis. He graduated with a degree in International Business, and is interested in green technologies. He loves to travel, swim, explore new ideas, and is very entrepreneurial. Always a glass half-full kind of guy, Mr. Varela is working on his next CD, preparing additional performances, and considering green business projects.

Betsy Ann is a singer, songwriter, cantor and choir director who has recorded two CDs and performed in the United States, Europe and Israel.  Performances include several lead opera/musical theater roles and numerous concerts.  She is currently preparing for the roles of Aida, Tosca, Micaela (Carmen) and Musetta (La boheme.)

Grant is a graduate of Westminster Choir College with degrees in Music Education and Voice Pedagogy and Performance.  He has appeared with Opera New Jersey, Boheme Opera, dell'Arte Opera Ensemble, and New Rochelle Opera, among others.  He is the choral and play director at Pond Middle School in Robbinsville, NJ and is the director of music at Christ Episcopal Church in Somers Point, NJ.  A resident of Princeton, NJ, he is active in studying and presenting French, German, and American art song.