Education

Carole Schultz got her start in singing by trying to steal the mic from her mom when they sang at church services. Many years and lots of practice later, she holds a DMA in doing the thing she loves most, singing opera! Now she spends her time performing in her piano/vocal group, The Overdressed Duo, and singing with other choirs and companies around town, including AOT! When she isn’t singing, Carole likes to bake cupcakes and hang out with her cat, Penny.

she/her

Claudia is a multidisciplinary freelance Lighting designer, Scenic designer, and visual artist in the twin cities as well as Pillsbury House + Theatre’s Technical Director. Some of her recent design/creative work includes: They Didn’t Deserve to Die (a documentary/art instillation) produced by Sequoia Hauck, In The Backroom produced by Supermoon, Divas and Drag produced by An Opera Theatre (AOT), Iconoclasm directed by Carlisle Evans Peck and Monkeybear’s New Puppetworks 2024 produced by Monkeybear Harmolodic Workshop. Claudia’s work also includes operating as a arts educator, focused on teaching technical theater skills to ages 15-22 with various different organizations including; PHT, AOT, and Armstrong High School. Claudia is also a painter, sculptor and fiber artist. Claudia’s work is a blend of educational opportunities, unconventional movement performance pieces, and visual artwork that allows her to enjoy and flourish in the most unconventional creative spaces.

Franco Holder (he/him) is a freelance pianist in the Twin Cities. He has performed and led workshops at the Guthrie and Ordway Theaters and is a past winner of the Artistic Ambassador Competition for the state of Minnesota, bringing classical music to rural and underserved communities across the state. In 2020 he was a featured recording artist for the Schubert Club Museum's exhibit on women composers. Franco maintains an active teaching studio and enjoys collaborating with artists across many styles and genres.

A wild and anxious ride” (Star Tribune), Justin Anthony Spenner’s (he/him) appearances run the gamut from recital and oratorio staples to world premieres of experimental music. Recent stage credits include Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia) with An Opera Theatre; Schaunard (La Bohème) with Theater Latte Da; and Father (The Golden Ass/World Premiere) with 113 Collective. Soloist credits include Das Fliegenpapier and Strange Autumn (Steven Takasugi) and Maulwerke (Dietrich Schnebel) with 113 Collective; Coffee Cantata and Apollo e Dafne with Le Grande Bande; and Niccolai Messe/Coronation Mass/The Messiah with St. John's Lutheran Music Series. His self-produced work focuses on destigmatizing mental illness/trauma (I Enter As A Stranger; A Winter’s Journey). He is the host of Is This Music?!?!, a podcast featuring conversations with composers and performers of experimental music. He spends almost too much time snuggling with cats and listening to metal.

Lizz Windnagel (they/them) is a director, performer, and educator based on Indigenous land often referred to as the Twin Cities. Much of their work bounces between music, puppetry, and experimental theater. They have premiered original work at Open Eye Figure Theater, with WeAreMarried theater company, as well as in Canada at the Calgary Animated Objects Festival. Lizz holds an MFA from the University of Calgary as well as a BM in vocal music from the University of Minnesota. Much of their focus as a teaching artist aims to center and uplift people with disabilities. They founded and currently run the theater programming at the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota. They also teach with Upstream Arts and Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts. As a teaching artist with AOT, they act as stage director and hope to empower students to make brave and collaborative decisions as creators.

Conductor and violinist, Marco Real-d’Arbelles, is gaining a reputation for service and community building through music garnering multiple awards including the Conducting Prize for his work with the Chamber Philharmonic of Catalunya (Spain), Special Recognition by the City of Doral (Florida) for contributions to the arts and his work with youth, and is a grant recipient of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Marco is currently Music Director of Opera on the Lake and Bold North Baroque Opera. He is also Associate Artistic Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota. Previous conducting positions include Winter Opera St. Louis, Chicago Summer Opera, Miami Classical Music Festival, Oberlin in Italy, and The Miami Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Miami, Marco began studying violin at the age of 11. He is currently based in Minneapolis.

Abby Vaughan is an interdisciplinary artist and costume designer based in the Twin Cities. Forever interested in collaboration and community building Abby’s work reflects our collective imagination and celebration of our humanity through the radical act of story telling. Working towards a paradigm shift in theater and our daily lives Abby sees opportunity in collaborative creation to elevate each other and open space to people and cultures that have been silenced. She has had the privilege of working with performance artists and theaters in Minnesota and throughout the Pacific Northwest including Portland Center Stage, Portland Opera, Guthrie Theater, & Pangea World Theater. She is thrilled to be joining An Opera Theatre in their inspiring and exciting work.

Katie Edwards is a midwest gal who earns her living as a scenic designer and artist. She consistently designs for Rochester Civic Theatre, Apple Valley High School, and ETC Productions. Katie has been featured as a charge artist for productions at Artistry Theater (The Sound of Music, Newsies, Waitress), a lead scenic artist at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (White Christmas, Grease), and also dabbles in mural painting from time to time. Besides earning a degree in Theater Tech (UMN-TC), she also earned a B.A. in Gender and Women's Studies. When Katie isn't working, you can find her serving on the board for the beloved Art Shanty Projects or walking her two Corgis.

Dante Lawrence is a freelance artist from Kansas City and now based out of Minneapolis. He has been a lighting and projections designer for 12 years. From musical theatre to plays to operas to film festivals he has been around the country to bring space to life through light! He is also a performance artist, painter, amateur sculptor, and recently been getting back into his sewing skills. Overall, Dante loves to tell stories and connect folks with themselves and others through those stories. He is thrilled to get to teach again and help youth find joy and enthusiasm for the arts!