Summer Updates from the 2025-2026 Resident Artists 

Kylie Kreucher, soprano 

I spent this summer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, working at a culinary school as a server as well as performing for the patrons! I spent lots of time outside—hiking, fishing, and swimming. It was great to take a breather this summer for the first time in a while and enjoy time with my family before heading to Minnesota! 

2025-2026 roles: 

Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte 

Summer performances: 

Curtis@Woodmere Recital at Woodmere Art Museum (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 

Kara Morgan, mezzo-soprano 

I spent the summer touching a lot of grass (starting a garden), learning the difference between grout and caulk (DIY backsplash at the cabin), and prepping for the season (can’t wait)! My partner and I found a couple of new hiking trails and we were able to escape to the beautiful Apostle Islands in Wisconsin during that crazy June heat we had. 

I’m particularly excited for Tigrana in Edgar in Concert! I think she’s the most interesting character in the opera, both in terms of what she says in the libretto (when her would-be baritone lover asks in distress: “Who could have ever predicted you would become the cruelest anguish of my life?!” she responds with, “Your mom should have consulted her horoscope”) and the stirring music that accompanies her. 

I’m also really looking forward to visiting Dorabella for the third time (I already know it’ll be the best one yet) and creating the role of Jane in My Name is Florence by reliving my own personal experience as a student at the New England Conservatory. 

Summer performances: 

I’ve had a quiet summer at home but recently joined local company An Opera Theatre for their fourth “Divas & Drag” production—a show that brings local opera and drag artists together to create unique, hilarious, and moving scenes. This year, the first hour of the show was dedicated to the two most well-known adaptations of opera in musical theater: La bohème/Rent and Romeo et Juliette/West Side Story. I put on my soprano shoes and faked my way through “Quando m’en vo'” alongside burlesque dancer Queenie von Curves.

2025-2026 roles: 

Dorabella in Così fan tutte 
Jane in My Name is Florence 
Tigrana in Edgar in Concert 

Ángel Vargas, tenor

This summer has been amazing! I’ve been singing so much, learning from a bunch of different coaches and teachers while also being in gorgeous Santa Fe, where I feel like the mountains and all its nature inspire me on the daily. I’ve gotten to go on some hikes, eat way too many chilis, join a pickleball league and also upgrade my wardrobe to a more southern New Mexican look. 

Looking forward to being Ferrando with all the gang; can’t wait to put this show on and really enjoy the company of my friends while singing and maybe acting a fool!  

Summer performances: 

Young Artist Program at Santa Fe Opera 

• Parpignol in La bohème 
• Luigi from Il Tabaro (Apprentice Scenes Concert) 

Opera Night! at Chesterwood (Chesterwood, Massachusetts) 

2025-2026 roles: 

Ferrando in Così fan tutte 
Professor George Chadwick in My Name is Florence 
Beppe in Pagliacci 

Fumiyasu Kawase, pianist/coach

This summer, I was at Opera Neo in San Diego, serving as principal coach and continuo for L’elisir d’amore. I also enjoyed some great beer and California wine along the way! I’m looking forward to every performance and rehearsal this coming season—especially getting to work alongside such incredible colleagues. 

Summer performances: 

Opera Neo (San Diego, California) 

• A French Salon with Reynaldo Hahn and Friends 
• Aria Gala 
• L’elisir d’amore