Tetractys Presents - Here Be Monsters
Join us May 25-26, 2024 for HERE BE MONSTERS!
HERE BE MONSTERS IS:
A two-day festival of Austin's indie-classical music scene
Designed to reveal and celebrate the unique culture and identity of Austin's music creators
Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 2024
Doors at 5pm, music from 6 - 11pm at Radio East
OFFICIAL LINEUP:
SATURDAY, MAY 25
Beerthoven, Highway Lights, Invoke, Kenken Gorder and Friends, One Ounce Opera, Panoramic Voices, Studio A, Tetractys New Music, Unwound Sound, VAMP
SUNDAY, MAY 26
Austin Unconducted, Density512, Golden Hornet, Goliath Was Bigfoot, Inversion Ensemble, Kraken Quartet, Less Than Ten Music, Line Upon Line Percussion, LOLA, Man Woman Friend Computer
KMFA Classical 89.5 is a proud media sponsor of Tetractys New Music's presentation of Here Be Monsters.
Peter Stopschinski
Composer, Music Director, Electric Piano, Wildman
Peter has composed music for Madeleine George's play The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence which was a finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, composed music/lyrics for New York Musicals Festival's 2015 Winner Best in Show: The Calico Buffalo, string arrangements for Grupo Fantasma's Grammy Award-winning album El Existential, and the film score for two-time Academy Award-winning director Al Reinert's film Rara Avis: The Life of John Audubon. His operas and musicals have been performed across the country from Arena Stage (DC) to Playwrights Horizons (NYC) to Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theater (LA) to Gertrude Opera in Melbourne, AUS. Peter is recently premiered a new opera Lardo Weeping based on Terry Galloway’s one woman show that was commissioned by LOLA. Peter has just finished a new experimental rock version of Verdi’s MacBeth for Gertrude Opera in Melbourne Australia which premiered in Ngambie Lakes Fall. He is producing several new tracks for the revolutionary artist CHRISTEENE and is working on the score for a 6 part documentary series Chasing The Tide which will air on PBS in Fall 2024.
Liz Cass
Executive Producer, Socialite
Liz is a producer, educator, arts leader, and active operatic performer based in Austin, Texas. She is the founder and executive producer of the award-winning opera company LOLA (Local Opera Local Artists), and executive director of the Armstrong Community Music School. A passionate advocate for the arts, Liz is president of the Seagle Festival Alumni Association, secretary of Austin Classical Guitar, and a member of the community advisory board of KMFA 89.5, Austin’s classical music radio station.
Equally at home in opera and beyond, Liz has appeared in the roles of Mrs. Lowe and Dora, the Bartender in Kevin Puts’ The Manchurian Candidate with Austin Opera, and as soloist in Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody with Chorus Austin. She has presented a program of French art songs for Songs in the Skyspace, the monthly music series of Landmarks at the University of Texas, and was featured in Austin Chamber Music Center’s Blue Bash annual fundraising gala. In Guatemala, she appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah at Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias in Guatemala City and at Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua.
Having appeared in several notable world premiere performances, Liz continually champions new vocal works. In 2019, she premiered the mezzo role in Graham Reynolds’ English and Spanish cross-border opera Pancho Villa From a Safe Distance, for which she garnered the Best Singer award from the Austin Critics Table. She also performed Pancho Villa at the PuSh Festival in Vancouver and the PROTOTYPE Festival in New York City. Collaborating with composer Peter Stopschinski and playwright Terry Galloway, LOLA commissioned the opera Lardo Weeping in 2018, based on Galloway’s one-woman play. Fully staged in August 2022, Liz’s tour de force performance as Dinah LeFarge was nominated for the 2021-22 B. Iden Payne Outstanding Lead Performance award, while Lardo Weeping was nominated for an additional twelve awards. Also in 2022, Liz premiered Donald Grantham’s song cycle Love Songs Sweet and Sour, with pianist Carla McElhaney.
Liz began her vocal studies with Dr. Rebecca Folsom. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where she received her degree in Vocal Performance with renowned professor Inci Bashar.
Rebecca Herman
Artistic Producer
Rebecca, Artistic Producer of Local Opera Local Artists (LOLA) in Austin, TX & opera stage director, is a storyteller who thrives on surprising, exciting, & moving audiences large & small. She is the Associate Director for Tomer Zvulun’s production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, recently seen at Calgary Opera and Utah Opera. In the 23-24 season, she is excited to be joining Colorado Opera as assistant director for Don Giovani, Opera Omaha as assistant director for La Traviata, and returning to Austin Opera to direct Carmen.
Notable LOLA productions include: La Femme Bohème (La Bohème cast with all treble voices); La Clemenza di Tito: a Retelling (told through the eyes of Berenice of Cilicia, Tito’s lover through added monologues spoken between musical numbers instead of the traditional recit); We Might Be Struck By Lightning (a devised work using classical Art song to tell two interwoven stories performed by 2 singers and 4 dancers); and Lardo Weeping (a chamber opera featuring Dinah LeFarge “a rather large, sexual, woman of independent means,” who invites the audience into her living room for an evening of stories, musings, ranting, and ultimately physical transformation).
Rebecca loves to collaborate with living composers and librettists. In the last several years, she has been able to facilitate the development of 4 new works: Lardo Weeping (Stopschinski, Galloway); Good Country (Allegretti, Raker); Undine Speaks (Allegretti, Herman) and Un Cuento des Luces y Sombras (Cordero, Barboza). She finds working with living composer/librettist teams exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding.
Jessica Burton
Production Manager
As a military brat, Jessica likes to say she is from everywhere and nowhere. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Opera Direction from the University of Texas. She has worked in almost every aspect of theatre: director, performer, designer, administrator, and voice teacher. Past directing credits include Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, Gallantry, Veteran Journeys (IO), Little Women, At the Statue of Venus, Speed Dating Tonight, Das Lied von der Erde (UT Austin), Cendrillon, Pomme d’api (FAVA France), Angels in America, The Laramie Project, Bent (Avenue 10) and numerous scenes programs. Upcoming: Stage Director, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (Indianapolis Opera).
Scott Clark
Magnate
American Baritone, Scott Clark, feels right at home as an interpreter of new work. He created the role of F. Scott Fitzgerald in the new opera The Ghosts of Gatsby by Evan Mack and Joshua McGuire. He also starred as Homecoming Soldier in Seagle Music Festival’s production The Falling and the Rising by Zach Redler and Jerre Dye. Scott was a Resident Artist with the Opera Columbus and Capital University joint program, where he performed the role of Marco in Gianni Schicchi. Clark was an emerging artist at Seagle Music Festival for two summers; there, he performed the roles of Belcore in L’elisir d’amore and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte. He has been a young artist with Houston Grand Opera’s “Opera to Go” program singing the role of Belcore in The Elixir of Love.
Other Notable credits include Uscire in Opera in the Heights’ Rigoletto, Sparky in A.D. Players’ Forever Plaid, Jesus in Unity Theatre’s Godspell, Husband in LOLA’s Good Country, Don Giovanni in Spotlight on Opera’s Virtual Don Giovanni, Eugene Onegin in Russian Opera Workshop’s production of Eugene Onegin, Didier in Lone Star Lyric’s Madeleine. Mr. Clark has also engaged in concert work as the Bass Soloist in Händel’s Messiah, and Beethoven’s Mass in C with Houston Masterworks Chorus, and soloist for Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with First United Methodist Church Houston.
The Texas native holds his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Baylor University.
Micah Perry
Unknown Prince
American tenor Micah Perry has been praised for his “sit-up-and-take-notice vocalism.” This year, Perry debuted with Austin Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, American Baroque Opera, and Landlocked Opera. He recently graduated from Baylor University with his M.M. in Vocal Performance. Mr. Perry will be a Jan Miller Studio Artist with Pensacola Opera for the 2024-25 season performing the roles of Basilio and Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Beppe in Pagliacci, and Mato in a brand new children’s opera, The Bear Who Couldn’t Fish, by Matthew Fossa.
Mikaela Pace
Maid
Mikaela Pace is a rising soprano from Carrollton, TX. Since her move to Austin during summer of 2023, she has performed in Da Capo, Inversion Ensemble, LOLA, One Ounce Opera, Central Texas College, Georgetown Palace Theatre, and soon Gilbert & Sullivan Austin and Entr’acte. Other companies include Baylor Opera Theatre, Red River Lyric Opera, Matador Opera Workshop, Music in the Marche, Texas Tech Opera Theatre, and more. Her favorite roles include Tonina (Prima la musica e poi le parole), Maria (West Side Story), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), and Rose Maurant (Street Scene). Mikaela earned her Master's in Vocal Performance degree from Baylor University (2023) and her Bachelor's in Vocal Performance degree from Texas Tech University (2021).
Full bio: www.mikaelapace.com
Julián Gámez-Arizola
Coro
Julián Gámez-Arizola is an Austin-based actor, composer, educator, and musician originally from the border city of Laredo, Texas based in Austin, Texas. He will be performing as Coach Dunbar in Footloose at Magnolia Musical Theater. Most recently, he performed as Victor and sang in the chorus in Cruzar la Cara de la Luna and in Carmen Chorus at Austin Opera. Gámez-Arizola's acting credits include work with various companies, including Una Noche Buena (2023) at ZACH Theater, Jungle Book (2023) at Austin Scottish Rite Theater, and Los Tequileros with Teatro Vivo (2015). Composing credits include Paquito y Abuelito (2023) at Austin Scottish Rite Theater and Tomas and the Library Lady (2016) at ZACH Theater. He also works as a musical director, debuting in this capacity for Mariachi Girl at Dallas Children’s Theater in 2014. Gámez-Arizola regularly accompanies artists on stage — including Alicia Villarreal, Majo Aguilar, Aida Cuevas and Los Tigres Del Norte — and is an active mariachi clinician throughout the State of Texas. As Lesly Reynaga’s y su Mariachi Music Director, he has performed at SXSW, Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. Julián would like to thank his Jefita, familia y amigos for their support throughout his career.
Melody Chang
Coro
Melody is a Taiwanese American mezzo-soprano and vocal coach. She has captivated audiences with her warm and rich voice. She’s performed with Zach Theatre, Austin Opera, Inversion Ensemble, Density512, and more. She wants to share her gift of music with everyone to make them feel happiness and joy. You can follow her journey @melmusica
Anitra Coulter Blunt
Coro
Anitra is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, with a Master’s degree in Music/Voice Performance and Pedagogy, with an Emphasis on Therapy. Anitra has performed a variety of character roles, including Madame Goldnertrille in Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor, Lucy in Menotti's The Telephone, Die Konigen der Nacht in Mozart’s Magic Flute, and Cinderella's Mother/Rapunzel in Sondheim's Into the Woods.
Before earning her degree from The University of Texas, Anitra graduated from Arts Magnet High School in Dallas, Texas, where she studied visual art and began her training as a soprano vocalist. She has taught for over 20 years and serves on the voice faculty at Orpheus Academy of Music. Certified as a Kindermusik© Educator and trained in ABA, she spent many years focusing on whole-child development and families with exceptional needs.
Anitra is the Owner/Director at Heartsong Family Enrichment, blending vocal coaching/pedagogy, music theory and enrichment, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Anitra has performed in the award-winning “Living Paper Song Project”, with the Texas Bach Festival, and in the Black Divas Concerts of 2023 and 2024. Anitra also aspires to establish wellness-focused programming, media, and literature for families.
Gregory Hilliard
Coro
A multifaceted conductor and vocal artist, Gregory Hilliard is making his LOLA debut. Frequently contracted to premiere works by local composers, he keeps an active schedule of performances as a soloist and chorister throughout Central and South Texas He is currently in his fourth season as a section leader with Panoramic Voices, serves as a bass section leader with Conspirare Symphonic Choir, and appears on the performance roster of Inversion Ensemble, San Antonio Chamber Choir, Conspirare Artist Citizens Choral Collective, Purgatory Creek Chorale, and Sound By Southwest. He holds a Master of Music degree from Texas State University.
Mark Istratie
Coro
Romanian American Tenor, Mark Istratie attended Madonna University where he
studied Vocal Performance. Opera credits include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), and Count Barigoule (Cendrillon) with Madonna Lyric Theater and Peter Quint (Turn of the Screw) with Opera MODO. Mark has performed in the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus in the productions of Faust, Macbeth, Carmen, The Passenger, Cyrano, Don Giovanni, Girl of the Golden West, and Silent Night. As a concert performer, Mark has been heard with Detroit-based Audivi and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Recently, Mark holds credits with the Michigan Opera Theatre Outreach program and Opera San Antonio. Until relocating to Austin, Texas Mark served as a staff singer at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Currently, Mark sings with Austin-based Conspirare, who earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2024 for their most recent album, “House of Belonging”.
Haley Malin
Coro
Haley Malin is a native Texan mezzo-soprano who's thrilled to be making her debut with LOLA! A graduate of the University of North Texas's opera program, Haley has performed with nationally recognized choirs and opera theaters throughout her career. She sang with UNT's A Cappella Choir and Collegium Singers under the direction of Dr. Richard Sparks, performed The Plaint in the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival's production of The Fairy Queen, and covered multiple roles as a Studio Artist with Opera in the Ozarks. She currently studies under Dr. Benjamin Cox.
Nicole Taylor
Coro
Nicole, a native Texan hailed for her “full, rich soprano voice” by the American Recording Guide, enjoys a multifaceted singing career spanning opera, classical music, gospel, and jazz. Based in Austin, Texas, she champions music by African American composers and performs for diverse audiences. Her notable operatic roles include Lady Billows in Albert Herring and the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Nicole holds advanced degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston. She is the soprano section leader at University Presbyterian Church, a board member of LOLA, and a dedicated voice teacher and performer.
Sam Arnold
Electric Bass
Sam Arnold is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Originally from Michigan, he studied jazz composition at Kalamazoo College and has performed, recorded, and composed a wide variety of music ever since, sometimes while touring the US and Europe as a side musician. Since moving to Austin in 2001, he has played guitar and sings lead in his primary band Opposite Day, a high-energy experimental-pop prog-rock trio. A new father, he is living the dream of gigging in bands as both a bassist (Stop Motion Orchestra) and guitarist (Dream Eater, Sam Arnold’s Jazz Perturbers) and maintaining an ongoing Patreon-structured release schedule of recording projects in styles centering on jazz-influenced experimental progressive pop, rock, and electronic music.
Nikki Birdsong
Electric Piano
Collaborative pianist Nikki Birdsong has served as musical director for Once Ounce Opera (Thyrsis and Amaranth, A Miller's Tale), Austin Summer Musical for Children (The Big Bad Musical), and Dede Clark's KidsActing (Elf The Musical, Wicked). She performs regularly with hip-hop ensemble Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra, including a showcase at SXSW in 2022.
Currently, Ms. Birdsong is the pianist for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and the assistant accompanist for the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus. She holds degrees in music and piano pedagogy from Louisiana State University and The University of Texas at Austin.
Finn Dickens
Electric Piano
Finn, a 23-year-old pianist and composer from Austin, TX, started his musical journey at Armstrong Community Music School, taking piano lessons with Erin Ferguson Young and composition with Dr. Rachel McInturff, and later in high school, becoming a finalist in the 2019 Sarah and Ernest Butler Young Composer’s Competition and earning first chair piano in the 2020 Texas All-State Jazz Band. At UT, Finn has studied with esteemed mentors like Donald Grantham, Russel Podgorsek, Omar Thomas, and Yevgeniy Sharlat, and he interned for Austin-based composer Graham Reynolds in 2022.
Finn is currently the pianist in the University of Texas Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Diego Rivera while accompanying fellow Austinite and country singer Coleman Jennings in a blossoming career that balances classical, jazz, country, pop, and everything in between.
Carolyn Trowbridge
Percussion
Austin Music Award-nominated and multi-instrumental musician, performer, and composer, Carolyn Trowbridge is an energetic, multifaceted artist. Her innovative fluency with her craft creates sonic experiences, fueled by a zealous passion for all things “sound”. She has recorded, collaborated, and performed with several well-known artists including Grammy Award nominees Black Pumas, Jaime Wyatt, Adrian Quesada, Curtis Harding, Billy Sheehan, Tracii Guns, and many more.
You can find her performing with many local Austin bands such as Star Parks, Hardproof, Stop Motion Orchestra, rrunnerrss, Simon Says, The Alex Coke/Carl Michel Sextet, Guma, as well as her own cinematic jazz project, Found Memories.
