Skip to main content
2019-2020 Season

Cast and Crew Bios for The Magic Flute

Cast/Creative Bios 

Joshua Lindsay (Director)

Over the past 20 years, Tenor Joshua Lindsay has performed over 500 performances of opera, operetta, and musical theater throughout the United States of America, Italy, Germany, and Austria. From 2011 to 2017, he sang with the Tiroler Landestheater in Innsbruck and in 2014 he was nominated for the distinguished Goldener Schikaneder music theater prize in Austria. In 2017, Dr. Lindsay joined the music faculty at Brigham Young University and is the opera director there. At BYU he directed Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, The Mikado, and Handel’s Theodora. In fall 2019, he will direct The Magic Flute by Mozart.

Dr. Lindsay has sung over 45 roles, including Hoffman (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Mottel (Fiddler on the Roof), Camille de Rosillon (The Merry Widow), Walther von der Vogelweide (Tannhäuser), Abate de Chazeuil (Adriana Lecouvreur), Knusperhexe (Hänsel und Gretel), Fenton (Falstaff), Matteo (Arabella), Kaspar (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Tamino (Zauberflöte), Parpignol (La Boheme) Trabucco (La forza del destino), Don Basilio (Le nozze di Figaro), Taupe (Capriccio), Jaquino (Fidelio), Harlekin/Soldat (Der Kaiser von Atlantis), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Brabantischer Edle (Lohengrin) , Zweiter Jude (Salome), Edwin (Trial by Jury), Gran Sacerdote (Idomeneo), Ovando (Alzira), Dackel/Schulmeister (Das schlaue Füchslein), Erster Gralsritter (Parsifal), Tobby Higgins/Jack O’Brian (Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny), Nando (Tiefland), Timothy (Help! Help! The Globolinks!), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Victorin (Die tote Stadt), Fiorello (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Sir Archibald Proops (Jekyll and Hyde),Tschekalinski (The Queen of Spades), Stimme (Totentanz), Heger (Rusalka), Pang (Turandot), Valzzacchi (Der Rosenkavalier), Albert (Albert Herring), Don Jose (Carmen), Dr. Blind (Die Fledermaus), Lackey (The Student Prince), and the Bangle Man (Kismet).

His concert repertoire includes: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Mozart’s Orgelsolomesse in C, Carl Orf’s Carmina Burana, Franz Schubert’s Missa Nr. 6 in E flat major, Handel’s Messiah, Caccini’s Jephthah, Mozart’s Missa Solemnis in C major, Haydn’s Nelson Messe, Mozart’s Krönungsmesse, Brahms’; Liebesliederwalzer, and Carl Maria von Weber’s Jubel Messe. He has also sung several solo recitals.

He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Utah State University, a master of music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and a doctor of music degree from Indiana University. He was a young artist with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Utah Festival Opera, and a resident artist with the Nevada Opera. At the collegiate level, Joshua Lindsay taught group voice and private voice at Indiana University and directed the opera program at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Joshua Lindsay is married to Molly Lindsay and they have five children: Luke, Lily, Olivia, Rebekah, and Ruby.

Kory Katseanes (Conductor) 

Professor Katseanes is the Director of Orchestras at the Brigham Young University School of Music, and as such oversees the orchestral program that accommodates nearly 400 students enrolled in the School’s five orchestras. He directs the graduate orchestral conducting program, and conducts the BYU Philharmonic and the BYU Chamber Orchestra in their campus concerts, throughout Utah, and on their regular tours throughout the world. From 2009-2015 he also served as Director of the BYU School of Music.

Kory Katseanes is a native of Blackfoot, Idaho, and moved to Salt Lake City in 1974 to continue his education. He joined the Utah Symphony in 1975 as a violinist, and served as Assistant Conductor from 1987 to 2002. He’s a frequent guest conductor for professional, university and high school All-State orchestras, and often adjudicates orchestra festivals. He is a founding member of the College Orchestra Directors Association, and served as President of CODA in 1917.

Benjamin Peterson (Speaker of the Temple / Armored Guard 2)

Benjamin Peterson is a vocal performance major with a German minor. Ben’s recent roles include Aeneas in BYU’s Dido and Aeneas, Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Dan Jones in the Nauvoo Young Performing Missionary production: The Promise. Ben is a choir addict and sings in BYU Singers. Ben is a weekend radio announcer on Classical 89. Ben enjoys doing sketch comedy, spending time with family, and making noise on the accordion.

Ashley Wright (Second Lady) 

Ashley Wright, soprano, is currently a second year Master’s student at Brigham Young University. Her recent operatic roles include Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. She has appeared as a soprano soloist with the Salt Lake Choral Artists in Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Bob Chilcott’s St. John Passion, and Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Utah.

Logan Reid (Second Priest/Armored Man) 

Logan Reid is a Sophomore in the vocal performance program. Roles performed include Aeneas (dido and Aeneas), Belcore (L’Elisir de amore) and Sam (He Shall Prepare A Way) Dr. Dorn (The Seagull). He hopes to continue to his theatrical skills through plays and opera.

Christina Brandt (Second Lady)

Singing the role of 2nd Lady, Christina Brandt is a second-year graduate student studying vocal performance. Her recent credits are 2nd Lady in the Magic Flute with Manhattan Opera Studio, Young Dramatic Voices program with Utah Vocal Arts Academy, and Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites with La Musica Lirica.

Salmon Gee (Sarastro) 

Salmon Gee, from Bellevue WA, is a Senior in the Philosophy program at BYU and is making his opera debut as Sarastro this fall. He recently performed as Nephi in the concert performance of “He Shall Prepare a Way” and has sung with BYU Singers since 2017.

Karen Dunstan  (2nd Spirit)

Karen Dunstan is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is a Junior in the Bachelor of Arts, emphasizing in Classical Voice. She has performed in several opera choruses, including La Bohème, The Mikado and L’Elisir d’Amore. Recently she played the Spirit in Dido and Aeneas. (She likes playing Spirits). When not playing operatic spirits, she likes to read, bake, and do jigsaw puzzles.

Josie Larsen (The Queen of the Night) 

From Sammamish, Washington, Josie Larsen is a soprano and a senior in Vocal Performance. Her most recent roles at BYU include Berta, in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and the mistress of novices in Suor Angelica. She has been a member of BYU Singers for all four years that she has been a student here. She is honored to recently have won the National Classical Singer competition in Chicago.

Jonah Hoskins  (Tamino)

Hailing from Saratoga Springs, UT, Jonah is a senior in vocal performance at BYU. His past opera roles include Laman from He Shall Prepare a Way, Septimius from Theodora, Romeo from Roméo et Julliete, and Rinuccio from Gianni Schicchi. Last year Jonah received an encouragement award at the Rocky Mountain Regionals Met competition, was a finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition, and placed first in the National Opera Association Competition.

Miriam Hall (First Spirit)

Miriam Hall is from Springville, UT, and is a sophomore majoring in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in opera. Recent credits include serving as a Nauvoo Young Performing Missionary this past summer, Suzanna from “The Marriage of Figaro” in BYU’s Opera Scenes, and Cinderella in Roger’s & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”.

CJ Madsen (Monostatos)

From West Jordan, Utah, CJ is a graduate choral conducting student and a recent graduate of the BYU piano performance undergraduate program. This is CJ’s first opera production as a singer, but he has been rehearsal pianist for 7 BYU opera productions. CJ is also currently composing an opera based on the opening chapters of the Book of Mormon. CJ and his wife, Samm, have two children, Hollis (3) and Charlotte (1).

Isaac Carlin (Papageno)

From Omaha, Nebraska, Isaac Carlin is a senior studying Vocal Performance. Recent credits include Dr. Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore at BYU, Valens in Theodora, also at BYU; as well as Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and Leporello in Don Giovanni, both at Utah Vocal Arts Academy. Like Papageno, Isaac is still searching for his Papagena.

Tatiana Carlos (The Queen of the Night) 

Brazilian soprano Tatiana Carlos is currently a graduate student in the vocal performance program at BYU. She was a Young Artist resident at Bidu Sayão Opera Academy of Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro. This year she had her role debut as Elisabetta in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda at Amazonas Opera Festival and worked with acclaimed international tenor Vittorio Grigolo. Tatiana holds a bachelor degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Adam Bell (First Priest)

From San Clemente, CA, Adam is a freshman studying classical voice. He recently played Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, was featured on The CW Network’s TV talent show The Big Stage, and sang the national anthem at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Adam enjoys singing in Disneyland’s annual Candlelight Processional and his most amazing musical experience to date was singing on stage at the Hollywood Bowl, backing Andrea Bocelli.

Shayna Johnson (Papagena)

From Pleasant View, Utah, Shayna Johnson is a senior in the Vocal Performance program. Recent credits include a nun in Suor Angelica and a Christian in Theodora. In BYU’s Opera Scenes she has sung Titania from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Susanna from Le nozze di Figaro. She and her husband, Connor Johnson, enjoy the outdoors and spending time with family.

Riley Pierce (Tamino)

From Greensboro, North Carolina, tenor Riley Pierce graduates this semester with his degree in Vocal Performance and minor in Communications. Excited to culminate his BYU experience as Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Riley has also performed as Nemorino in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love here at BYU, and as Peter in Rob Gardner’s The Lamb of God with A Voice for Good. Riley and his wife, Audrey, live in south Provo.

Ally Christiansen (The Queen of the Night- Cover) 

From Leamington, Utah, Ally Christiansen is a junior studying Vocal Performance and is in her second year in BYU Singers. This summer she attended the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Music Festival. She and her husband, Zach, love spending time with their two beautiful bikes.

Mary Hoskins (First Lady)

Mary is currently pursuing her masters degree at Brigham Young University where she has performed numerous roles including, Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Theodora in Handel’s Theodora. She has also performed with Utah Vocal Arts Academy as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro and Nella in Gianni Schicchi. Mary also advanced all the way to the semi-finals of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She currently lives in Saratoga Springs with her family.

Fernando Rodrigues (Papageno) 

Brazilian baritone Fernando Lorenzo Rodrigues is a graduate student in the vocal performance program at Brigham Young University. Fernando holds a Bachelor degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He has sung over ten roles including Guglielmo (Cosí fan tutte), Belcore (L’elisir D’amore) and Don Quichotte (Don Quichotte auf Hochzeit des Comacho). Fernando also has worked extensively as a soloist in several concerts and oratorios.

Madelynn Hunter (Third Spirit)

From Derby, Kansas, Madelynn Hunter is a junior studying Music Performance with an emphasis in Voice at Brigham Young University. Recent credits include Dido in Dido and Aeneas at Brigham Young University and Pitti-sing in The Mikado at BYU. She has appeared in numerous scenes programs at BYU singing Musetta, Waltraute, and many more roles.

Ashley Wright (Second Lady)

Ashley Wright, soprano, is currently a second year Master’s student at Brigham Young University. Her recent operatic roles include Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. She has appeared as a soprano soloist with the Salt Lake Choral Artists in Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Bob Chilcott’s St. John Passion, and Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Utah.

Victoria Hardy Khalil (Papagena)

Victoria Hardy Khalil is a senior majoring in Vocal Performance. Recent credits include the title role in Bastien und Bastienne with the Austrian American Mozart Academy, Despina in Cosí fan tutte with Utah Vocal Arts Academy, Peep Bo in The Mikado at BYU, and Miss Barley in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Hale Centre Theatre Sandy. She also sings with the Brigham Young University Singers.

Camilla Mikat (First Lady)

Camilla Mikat is a Senior vocal performance from Milford, Michigan. Recent credits include Katisha in The Mikado, La Badessa in Suor Angelica, and the Sand Fairy in Hansel and Gretel at BYU. She won the regional NATS competition in 2015 and was a finalist in the Junior Concerto Competition. Her biggest dream is to tap dance for the Queen of England.

Sydney Frodsham (Third Lady)

Mezzo-Soprano Sydney Frodsham is a second-year Master’s student in Vocal Performance from Dallas, Texas. Her recent roles include Irene in Theodora and Bradamante in Alcina, both by G. F. Handel. Past non-operatic engagements include two premieres with the Dallas-based ensemble Voices of Change and singing the Knabenalt in Mahler’s Das klagende Lied with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She graduated with her BM in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University.

Rebecca Hesson (Pamina)

From St. George, UT, Rebecca Hesson Hasler is a senior studying Vocal Performance. Rebecca auditioned three times for the vocal program at BYU and is thrilled to now be a principal role. A student of Dr. Brandt, she is especially grateful for the vocal program for finding her husband Parker, a countertenor who graduated last April. The couple plans on attending law school Back East next fall with Rebecca teaching music lessons. www.rebeccahaslersoprano.com

Mitchell Wassom (The Speaker of the Temple)

Mitchell Wassom is from McKinney, Texas. He is currently getting his Master’s in statistics. He has been in a handful of musical and opera productions, including BYU’s productions of The Barber of Seville, Gianni Schicchi, and The Elixir of Love. He likes sports, board games, and his wife.

Courtney Lawson (First Spirit)

From Aubrey, Texas, Courtney Lawson is a sophomore in Vocal Performance. Recent credits include a chorus member and chorus master in BYU’s Spring Production of The Elixir of Love and Belinda in BYU’s production of Dido & Aeneas. She recently competed at the Classical Singer National Convention in Chicago, Illinois and advanced to the Semi-final. She can also be seen performing with the 2019-2020 BYU Singers.

Jacob Stucki (Monostatos) 

Hailing from the Palm Springs of Washington, Jacob is in his second year in BYU’s Vocal Performance program. This is his first major role in an operatic production, but recent credits include the Messenger in Theodora and First Sailor in Dido and Aeneas. He looks forward to an upcoming chorus position at the Utah Opera Company for their production of The Barber of Seville. Jacob just loves to sing and hopes to do so until he dies.

Hannah Marteeny (Second Spirit)

From Albany, Oregon, Hannah Marteeny is a junior studying Vocal Performance with a minor in French. She has sung in several past opera productions and opera scenes at BYU. In August, Hannah returned from a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Visitors’ Center at the Paris, France Temple, and is excited to be back singing again and performing in the Magic Flute.

Abigail Ketch (Third Lady)

From Alpine, Utah, Abigail Yingling Ketch is a Senior in Vocal Performance with a minor in Spanish. Recent credits include chorus in Suor Angelica and Theodora at BYU as well as Frou Frou in The Merry Widow with UVAA. She recently received a scholarship for the CAMMAC summer program at the Classical Singer competition. She and her husband, Logan, love to travel.

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

House of Desires Sneak Peek at the Museum of Art

March 16, 2024 03:06 PM
Friday March 1, 2024. The cast of The House of Desires performed three scenes in celebration of Spanish culture and the opening of our play, partnering with the "Spain and the Hispanic World" exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Guest Visits for House of Desires Creative Team

March 13, 2024 09:57 AM
The House of Desires creative team has made multiple connections across campus and disciplines this semester, and we are excited to share this unique production with so many university community members outside the Theatre and Media Arts department.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Sor Juana in Poetry and Letters

March 07, 2024 05:32 PM
Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz has sometimes been called "The Phoenix of America," as she is by far the most accomplished and globally read author to come out of the early Spanish-colonized Americas. Writing from New Spain (present day Mexico) , Sor Juana composed brilliant and biting poetry, wrote fiery letters in defense of her own creative spirit and the education of women, as well as dramas like the perfectly formed Spanish Golden Age style piece, House of Desires.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=