International superstar soprano Angela Meade has been setting the bar for operatic excellence for 20 years. Now she will bring her unmatched prowess to Vashon Center for the Arts in one of her signature roles. Hailing from Centralia, Washington and an alumna of Pacific Lutheran University, Ms. Meade will dazzle as Amelia in this homecoming performance. The constantly sought-after John Matthew Myers brings his warm, shimmering tenor to the role of Riccardo. The rest of the principal cast features local powerhouses Andrew Krikawa, Rachelle Moss, and Allison Pohl. Verdi’s sweeping score, full of drama and intrigue, will be on full display in this concert version of Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball).
Meet the artists
James Brown
General Director, Conductor
James Brown enjoys an eclectic career of conducting, concertizing as a singer, stage directing, and voice teaching. James joined Vashon Opera through stage directing and conducting The Barber of Seville in Vashon Opera's second season. Ever since he has become the musical and theatrical engine behind the company bringing his multiple talents to bear in many productions. In June of 2024, the board invited James to step into the role of General Director to lead the company through its 15th season and beyond. He is the Chair of Vocal Studies at Pacific Lutheran University where he directs the opera and oversees a large voice program. His voice students have gone on to study at graduate programs such as Indiana University, The Juilliard School, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and Yale University. As a tenor, James sang in many professional opera productions under the batons of such conductors as James Conlon, John DeMain, Richard Hickox, Julius Rudel, and Robert Spano. As the regular conductor and stage director for Vashon Opera, James has led productions such as Albert Herring, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Carmen, Così fan tutte, Les Dialogues des Carmélites, Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni, Eugene Onegin, Madama Butterfly, Pagliacci, Tosca, La traviata and Werther.
Michael Drumheller
Tom
Michael Drumheller is originally from Richland, Washington. A favorite bass-baritone in the Pacific Northwest opera and classical scene, he has been a soloist with Seattle Symphony, Harmonia Seattle, Vashon Opera, Tacoma Opera, Pacific Northwest Opera, Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Boston Lyric Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, and many other organizations. As a recitalist, he specializes in Russian art song, and has been an invited performer at Icicle Creek Music Festival and at Wellesley College. Mr. Drumheller holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University, as well as BS and MS degrees from MIT. A Tanglewood Music Center alumnus, his diverse musical background includes playing tympani and percussion in symphony orchestras and drumming and singing for his own rock bands. He is a regular soloist with Northwest Chorale, which raises funds for Northwest Harvest to help fight hunger throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Andrew Krikawa
Renato
Andrew Krikawa (baritone) was most recently seen by Vashon Opera audiences singing the Father in Hansel and Gretel. Hailed by Opera News as an "accomplished performer possessing an attractive, cultivated baritone, with well-honed acting", Mr. Krikawa has sung for numerous companies including New York City Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Virginia Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera, Opera Festival of New Jersey, Nashville Opera, Annapolis Opera, Central City Opera, Pensacola Opera, Eugene Opera, and DiCapo Opera Theatre. Andrew’s most performed roles include Marcello (La bohème), Sharpless (Madame Butterfly), Germont (La traviata), Albert (Werther), Silvio (I Pagliacci), and Guglielmo (Così fan tutte). Career highlights have also included appearances with Pittsburgh Opera as Albert in Werther and performances of Così fan tutte with the world-renowned Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Mr. Krikawa is a Sullivan Foundation award winner and a recipient of the Richard F. Gold Career Grant. He holds a both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He was seen in the Vashon Opera productions of Cavalleria Rusticana as Alfio, La bohème as Marcello, The Magic Flute as Papageno, Pagliacci Palooza as Silvio, The Tender Land as Top, The Barber of Seville as Figaro, Così fan tutte as Guglielmo, Albert Herring as Sid, The Elixir of Love as Sargeant Belcore, and the title roles in Rigoletto, Gianni Schicchi and Eugene Onegin. Relocating to the Pacific Northwest from the Northeast over 20 years ago, Mr. Krikawa helped get Vashon Opera started with his wife Jennifer Krikawa.
Zachary Lenox
Silvano
Viewed as “a broad, resonant baritone that is exquisitely controlled throughout his entire range,” Zachary Lenox has performed leading roles throughout the Pacific Northwest. Notable roles include “Silvio” in Pagliacci, “Marcello” in La bohème, “Papageno” in Die Zauberflöte, “Count Almaviva” in Le nozze di Figaro, “El Dancaïro” in Carmen, “Marullo” in Rigoletto, “Guglielmo” and “Don Alfonso” in Così fan tutte, “Father” in Hansel and Gretel, “Gianni Schicchi” in Gianni Schicchi, and “Dick Deadeye” in H.M.S. Pinafore. Concert appearances include “Bass Soloist” in Orff's Carmina Burana, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and B-minor Mass, Handel's Messiah, Samson, and Judas Maccabeus, as well as Mozart’s and Faure's Requiems. Mr. Lenox has appeared with Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, Eugene Opera, Orpheus PDX, Tacoma Opera, Opera Parallèle, Vashon Opera, OperaBend, Harmonia Seattle, Central Oregon Symphony, Cascadia Chamber Opera, Portland Opera in the Park, Portland Chamber Orchestra and Eugene Concert Choir. Upcoming engagements include “Baritone Soloist” in Songs of the Fleet with Harmonia Seattle, "John Proctor" in The Crucible with Vashon Opera, and “Scarpia” in Tosca with OperaBend. Zachary is a past winner of the Pacific Northwest Sings competition as well as the MONC Idaho/Montana District Auditions. He received his B.M. and M.M. from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
John Marzano
Un giudice
Praised for his “light lyric tenor voice” and “fine musicality” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), Pacific Northwest based tenor John Marzano frequents operatic, recital and concert stages alike. This season includes multiple role debuts such as The Witch in Humperdink's Hansel und Gretel at Vashon Opera, Third Jew in Strauss' Salome and Hadgi in Delibes' Lakme both with Seattle Opera. Highlighted by Broadway World as a fun night of "quick witted story telling, comedy and song", this season also marks the return of his one woman holiday special Gay Apparel as his drag persona Anita Spritzer with Seattle Opera for the second year. In his 2024-2025 season, Mr. Marzano was seen as Beppe in Pagliacci and Spoletta in Tosca, and also appeared in his debut recital Divo to Diva at Seattle Opera. Mr. Marzano’s 2023-2024 season marked his return to Seattle Opera in a role debut of Oronte in Handel’s Alcina, he also sang the Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Symphony Tacoma. Prior season’s highlights include Gastone in Verdi’s La traviata and Philistine’s Messenger in Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Delilah. He also sang the cover role of Tariq in the World Premiere of Sheila Bristow’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. Mr. Marzano was named a National Semifinalist in the 2021 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. His 2019/2020 season would have marked his role and house debut at Portland Opera as Andronico in Vivaldi’s rare masterpiece Bajazet. This North American Premiere was sadly canceled due to the global pandemic. Another season highlight was Mr. Marzano’s role debut as Alfredo Germont in a formidable performance of Verdi’s La traviata with Vashon Opera. Highlights from his 2018/2019 season included a performance of Handel’s Messiah as the Tenor Soloist with Symphony Tacoma. Tacoma Weekly was quoted stating “Tenor John Marzano’s rich tones exhibited what an amazing musical instrument the human voice can be.” In addition to his Semifinalist showing, Mr. Marzano has also received numerous awards from the Metropolitan Opera National Council including Northwest Regional Winner in 2021, District Winner in 2021, 2015 and 2013 as well as District and Regional Encouragement Awards.
Angela Meade
Amelia
Angela Meade is one of the leading dramatic sopranos of her generation, celebrated for her commanding vocal power, technical brilliance, and mastery of the demanding bel canto and Verdi repertoire. A native of Washington State, she studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and first gained international attention after winning numerous prestigious vocal competitions, including the Richard Tucker Music Foundation Award (2011) and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2008) as well as the Metropolitan Opera Beverly Sills Award (2012). She has won more than 50 vocal competitions throughout her career. Meade made her professional operatic debut in 2008 at the Metropolitan Opera, stepping in at short notice as Elvira in Ernani. Her remarkable success launched an international career that has taken her to many of the world's foremost opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Washington National Opera, and Opéra National de Paris. Renowned for roles such as Norma, Anna Bolena, Semiramide, Leonora in Il trovatore, Turandot, and Aida, Meade combines vocal agility with dramatic intensity. She is also an accomplished concert artist, appearing with leading orchestras under distinguished conductors in works by Verdi, Mahler, Beethoven, and others. Critics have praised her soaring high notes, expressive phrasing, and exceptional control, establishing her as one of today's foremost interpreters of nineteenth-century opera. This season sees Meade as the title role in Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia at Bayerische Staatsoper, Elisabetta in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda at the Metropolitan Opera, Maddalena in Andrea Chenier with Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Abigaille in Verdi’s Nabucco with Los Angeles Opera, Imogene in Bellini’s Il Pirata with Washington Concert Opera and the title role in Puccini’s Turandot with Santa Fe Opera.
John Matthew Myers
Riccardo
Praised by The New York Times for his "astonishing resourcefulness and tonal beauty" and by Opera News for his "lovely, warm tenor of considerable promise," American tenor John Matthew Myers has established himself as one of the most compelling lyric-dramatic tenors of his generation. Equally at home in the operatic, symphonic, and recital repertoire, he has appeared with many of the world's leading opera companies and orchestras. Recent and upcoming engagements include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, Teatro La Fenice, Opernhaus Zürich, Teatro Carlo Felice Genova, Seattle Opera, San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Washington National Opera, Semperoper Dresden, and the Tiroler Festspiele. Concert appearances have brought him to Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival, National Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, and the Verbier Festival. His wide-ranging repertoire includes Emperor in Die Frau ohne Schatten, Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Pollione in Norma, Don José in Carmen, Mao in Nixon in China, Énée in Les Troyens, Guntram, Florestan in Fidelio, Waldemar in Gurrelieder, and leading roles in works by Wagner, Strauss, Verdi, Puccini, and Britten. Myers's acclaimed debut solo recording, Desiderium, released by AVIE Records with pianist Myra Huang, showcases music by Barber, Griffes, Previn, Kander, and Weill. A native of Southern California, he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and is an alumnus of the Academy of Vocal Arts, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the Verbier Festival Academy, and the Music Academy of the West. He was awarded Third Prize and the Richard Tauber Prize at the 2022 Wigmore Hall International Song Competition.
Rachelle Moss
Ulrica
Rachelle Moss leaves a lasting impression with her luscious and “powerful voice, and is at home in the dramatic repertoire. Definitely a contralto to watch”! (Contralto Corner). A career grantee from the Seattle Opera Guild, she is known for her detailed interpretation spanning a diverse repertoire. Her recent role portrayals include: Erda (Das Rheingold), Marquise de Birkenfeld (La Fille du Régiment), and Amneris (Aida). In 2026, Ms. Moss will make her debut with Pacific Northwest Opera as Dryad (Ariadne auf Naxos) and return to Puget Sound Concert Opera as The Mother (The Consul), Vashon Opera as Ulrica (Un ballo in maschera) and to Tacoma Opera as Fricka and Schwertleite (Die Walküre). Rachelle has performed with companies throughout the United States including Seattle Opera, Sarasota Opera, St. Pete Opera, Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, and many more. She is also an active concert soloist and recitalist, who has performed as the Alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Federal Way Symphony, and presented curated recitals with Saltwater Music Series and Puget Sound Concert Opera. She holds a Bachelor's in Music History and Master's in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas. Rachelle was a 2019 emerging artist with St. Pete Opera and a 2016-2017 apprentice artist at Sarasota Opera. She has received numerous awards including: an Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Mary Cook Memorial Award for Outstanding Apprentice Artist from Sarasota Opera Guild, and the Stuart R. Silver Scholarship from Sarasota Opera.
Allison Pohl
Oscar
Soprano Allison Pohl's vivacious stage presence and spirited singing have inspired enthusiastic responses across three continents. Her work has received positive reviews for her “sparkling voice” (outerstage.com) and “exuberant” performances (Opera News). Of her performance in L'elisir d'amore at Virginia Opera, The Washington Post wrote: “Allison Pohl stood out with a ripe, flavorful soprano and ample character.” Her recent engagements include Violetta in La traviata at Opera Bend, Social Worker/Reporter in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X at Seattle Opera, Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at Tacoma Opera, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at Vashon Opera; multiple solo recitals, Handel’s Messiah with Symphony Tacoma, chamber concerts curated by Maestro Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops, performances with Seattle Chamber Music Society and Brevard Music Center Orchestra; return appearances at Bremerton Symphony, Second City Chamber Series and Listen Live at Lunch concert series; and her debut with Wenatchee Valley Symphony. In the 2025-2026 season, Allison performed in the United States, Spain, and Portugal, debuted as a stage director in Vashon Opera's production of Hänsel und Gretel. She will perform in Greece and Turkey this year and stage direct Amahl and the Night Visitors at Vashon Opera. As a member of Soprello, Allison has performed chamber music across North America with cellist Alistair MacRae. She is Artistic Director of Vashon Opera, a Seattle Opera Career Grant recipient, winner of the Seattle Philharmonic Concerto Competition, Artist Faculty at Brevard Music Center, and a graduate of SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and Boston University.
Charles Robert Stephens
Samuel
Charles has enjoyed a long career spanning a wide variety of roles and styles in opera and concert music. In his 20 years in New York City, he sang leading roles with the New York City Opera and was reported by the New York Times to be " a baritone of smooth distinction." He also appeared frequently in Carnegie Hall with the Opera Orchestra of New York in a variety of roles and was active in regional opera throughout the US. On the international stage, he sang opera roles in Montevideo Uruguay, Taiwan, Santo Domingo, and Mexico City. Now based in Seattle, Charles has sung with the Seattle Symphony, Northwest Sinfonietta, Tacoma and Spokane Symphony, Spokane Opera, Portland Chamber Orchestra and many other orchestras and opera companies in the Pacific Northwest. Career highlights include the role of Tiresias in the Boston Early Music Festival's lavish production of Steffani's Niobe, Queen of Thebes. With the New York City National Company, he sang the role of Germont in La traviata in forty-three performances across the US. Among his ten appearances with the Seattle Symphony include Beethoven’s 9th, Messiah and "Opera Festival." He premiered and recorded the role of Rudyard Kipling in John Muehleisen's world premiere cantata entitled But Who Shall Return to Us Our Children? A Kipling Passion. Recent performances include the Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony and Messiah (Spokane Symphony), Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd (Helena Symphony), Bach B minor Mass (St. Paul Music Guild, Salem, OR), Mozart Requiem, Bellingham Symphony, Mozart C minor Mass, Seattle Pro Musica, Verdi Requiem (Symphony Tacoma and Missoula Symphony), Paris debut in Bach’s St. John Passion (with Les Fetes Galantes), Haydn The Seasons with Harmonia Seattle, Bach Cantata Ich habe genug and Die Winterreise with Seatle Chamber Orchestra and world premiere performances of Steven Lucsan’s chamber opera Valparaiso. Charles has taught voice at Portland State, PLU and UPS and now maintains a voice studio in Seattle.