Brandon Snook | Tony
Tenor Brandon Snook returns to Glow Lyric Theatre, where he has been seen as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance (2013), and as Alfred in Die Fledermaus (2011). For those roles, the Greenville News acclaimed his “ringing voice, suave musicianship”, and “lovely, rich tenor”. A stalwart of new and contemporary American opera, Brandon has performed the role of Vietnam POW Jim Thompson in Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied, with several performances in New York City, and in Philadelphia, Memphis, and Boise. He has also premiered several operatic roles and productions, including Robert Paterson & David Cote’s Three Way: The Companion, Michael Bergman & Stefania de Kenessey’s Bonfire of the Vanities, Phil Kline & Jim Jarmusch’s Tesla, and Sidney Boquiren & Daniel Neer’s Independence Eve. He has appeared on stage in NYC at Lincoln Center (Geffen, Walter), Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Symphony Space, Baryshnikov Art Center, DiMenna Center, and Galapagos Art Space. He has also appeared Off-Broadway in performances of Terrance McNally’s Master Class. More traditional operatic roles in his repertoire include Count Almaviva (Barber of Seville), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), and Nemorino (Elixir of Love). Previous opera seasons include Brandon onstage at companies such as Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Des Moines Metro Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Ithaca, and Opera Theatre of Connecticut. Additional performances have taken him to Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. A native of Dallas, Texas, Brandon has a Bachelor of Music in Voice from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Music in Voice from the University of Michigan.

Aaron McKenzie | Riff
Aaron James McKenzie is a student in the Musical Theatre Program at Florida State University, and is thrilled to be a part of this summer season at the Glow Lyric Theatre.  He was recently seen in Florida State’s main stage productions of Ragtime, A Chorus Line, and Legally Blonde. He thanks his family and friends for the consistent support and the Glow Lyric Theatre for this wonderful opportunity!

Katherine Sandoval Taylor | Maria
Katherine Sandoval Taylor, described by the Boston Globe as “stunning,” is thrilled to be debuting with GLOW Lyric this season! She holds an MM degree in Vocal Performance from The New England Conservatory, in Boston, MA and a BM degree in Vocal Performance from Furman University. Favorite operatic roles performed include Aurelia Havisham in Dominick Argento’s monodrama, Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night, Nannetta (Falstaff), Sifare (Mitridate), Nellie (Summer and Smoke), Elisetta (Il Matrimonio Segreto), Frasquita (Carmen), and Vénus (Orphée aux enfers). Favorite musical theatre roles performed include Eliza (My Fair Lady), Clara (The Light in the Piazza), Anne (A Little Night Music), Guinevere (Camelot), Tuptim & Anna (The King and I), Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof), Evelyn Nesbit (Ragtime), Katherina Cavaliere (Amadeus), and Philia (A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum.) Katherine has proudly worked with Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Nashville Opera, The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra, The Asheville Symphony Orchestra, The Asheville Lyric Opera, as well as the internationally renowned vocal coaches Pierre Vallet, John Moriarty, and Stan Tucker, Metropolitan Opera soprano, Patricia Craig, and stage director to The Metropolitan Opera, Marc Astafan.

Joslynn Cortes | Anita
Joslynn Cortes is extremely honored and thankful to be working with Glow Lyric Theatre once again. Recent/Favorite credits include Eveline/The Wiz & Katisha/Hot Mikado (Glow Lyric Theatre), Officer Pudney/ Rumors (Bristol Riverside Theatre), Shy Puerto Rican/Modern Dance Explained (Philly Fringe Festival), Rizzo/Grease, Tartuffe/Tartuffe, Tracy/Hairspray & Lady Bracknell/The Importance of Being Earnest (Appel Farms).  Joslynn would like to thank Christian and Jenna for trusting her with such a remarkably inspiring role, family and friends for all the love and support, and Jesus Christ for creating her with the passion to perform and providing the platform to do so. Training: AMDA NY joslynncortes.wix.com/joslynncortes

Arik Vega | Bernardo
Arik Vega is very excited to work with Glow Lyric Theatre! Originally from the desert of West Texas, he recently received his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Belmont University this past May. Although he loves performing onstage, he has a huge heart for teaching and directing as well. He has taught children at theatre arts camps, directed college students in musicals, and even taught adult business professionals how to ballroom dance in many different styles. Some of his favorite credits include: Usnavi, IN THE HEIGHTS (Permian Playhouse, Street Theatre Company), Chino, WEST SIDE STORY (Studio Tenn), Gomez, THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Belmont University), Jud Fry, OKLAHOMA (Belmont University), and Amadas/Simon Fernando u/s, THE LOST COLONY, (The Roanoke Island Historical Association). He is a man loathed for his excessive use of puns, but any redeeming qualities he has can be credited to his wildly supportive family, teachers, and Jesus Christ!

Khary Wilson | Action
Khary Wilson, Tenor, hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received his Bachelors from the University of South Carolina and his Masters from Louisiana State University. As a 2013 young artist with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Mr. Wilson performed Remandado in “Carmen.” He performed the 4 character roles in “Les Contes d’Hoffman” with Harrower Opera Workshop and Simon Zealots with GLOW Lyric Theater. In 2014, He performed Ferrando with the Peach State Opera and was returned to Opera Theater Pittsburgh to sing Brighella in “Ariadne auf Naxos.” Recently, Mr. Wilson was a 2015 Studio Artist with the Opera Studio Melbourne/Gertrude Opera in Melbourne Australia. While in the studio, He performed Guido in Offenbach’s “Guido’s Cat”, Boy Sam in “The Difficulty of Crossing a Field” and the Tenor Soloist in Bach’s “Coffee Cantata.” Other Austalian performances include: Tenor in Tutti Mozart with Canberra Concert Series, Tenor solo in Carl Orf’s Carmina Burana with the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra and Soloist in Handel’s Dixit Dominus with Heidleburg Choral Society. Mr. Wilson performed Baby Bear in “All According to taste: The Three Bears Guide to Porridge Making” with FBN Productions. It was outreached throughout South Carolina’s elementary schools during the Month of March. In May, He then was heard as Nanki-Poo in the Mikado with Capital City Opera.

Britt Santos | Conseula
Brittany Santos is a New Jersey native and a Junior at New Jersey City University pursuing a BA in Music Theatre and Music Education. Her credits include West Side Story (Anita), Children of Eden (Yonah), Hairspray (Little Inez). Brittany has also filmed commercials for Telemundo Communications Group Inc. and has been featured as a guest artist in a number of variety shows filmed in the Dominican Republic and televised internationally. She is a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity Incorporated. This is Brittany’s first production with GLOW Lyric Theatre and she’s thankful for the opportunity.

Gabriela Juliet | Rosalia
Gabriella Juliet is a rising junior in the BFA Music Theatre program at Florida State University. Recent credits include The Mikado (Pitti-Sing), Chicago (Roxie), Legally Blonde, and Ragtime. In addition to performing, Gabriella is a writer and director and she plans to one day fully produce her own shows. Outside of school, she works for The Imagination House, is a production intern for BethMarshallPresents, and loves volunteering for The Orlando Fringe Festival. Gabriella has always had a passion for both opera and musical theatre, and she is beyond thrilled to be joining the GLOW Lyric Theatre company this summer. She thanks Jenna and Christian for this opportunity, and for creating a company that makes her feel right at home. Much love to her parents for their endless support, her professors for their guidance, Captain, Christine, Lo, Graham, Dr.C, and MT’19.

Sofia Justo | Estella
Sofia Justo is greatly honored and excited to be a part of Glow’s production
of West Side Story. Sofia just finished her first year at Greenville High School. Her parents, Anita Pacylowski and Hernan Justo, are former professional dancers and current owner/directors of DanceArts Greenville and artistic leadership of Carolina Ballet Theatre. Sofia has danced with DanceArts Greenville for the past 12 years and is a Senior company member in DanceArts Greenville’s Youth Company. She has performed in many Carolina Ballet Theatre productions. She is also looking forward to her second year in the Fine Arts Center Dance program. She has training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Salsa, and Lyrical. She’s studied with Magaly Suarez (The Art Of Classical Ballet), Dwight Rhoden (Complexions Contemporary Ballet), Tyler Gilstrap, and Brian McGinnis, too name a few. I would love to thank Christian Elser and Jenna Tamisiea for giving me a chance to perform in this incredible production.

Marina Macherone | Francesca
Marina Rose Macherone is beyond ecstatic to be joining GLOW this summer! This is her first summer stock experience and is so grateful to have had this opportunity. Marina is currently entering her sophomore year at Florida State University, where she is working towards her BFA in Musical Theatre. Her freshman year, she was fortunate enough to be cast in two mainstage shows, one being A Chorus Line (Tricia, U/S Bebe, Val) which was done under the wonderful direction of Jenna Elser. She also was seen in the spring production of Legally Blonde (Chutney, Delta Nu, U/S Vivienne, Elle’s Mom). Thank you to Jenna and Christian for this amazing opportunity.

Michael Leyte-Vidal | Pepe
Michael Leyte-Vidal is an incoming senior in the BA Theatre program at Florida State University. Previous productions include: Twelfth Night (Sir Toby), Ragtime (Ensemble), and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II). Michael would like to thank Christian and Jenna for this opportunity, as well as his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Michael Bingham | Baby John
Michael Bingham is very excited to be part of Glow Lyric’s summer season! A native to Hawaii, Michael recently finished his junior year at Elon University’s BFA Musical Theater program where he performed in Oklahoma!, Much Ado About Nothing (Watch, u/s Benedick), In the Heights (Swing, Asst. Choreo), Titanic, Servant of Two Masters (Decrepilino), and Working (Eddie Jaffey). Other summer stock/regional credits include Mary Poppins (Bert), Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Midsummer… (Lysander), Little Mermaid (Ursula, yes you read that correctly), Godspell (Jesus), The 25th… Spelling Bee (Leaf), The Lost Colony, How I Became a Pirate (Max), and Children of Eden (Abel).

Michael Bradley | A-rab
Michael Bradley is going into his Junior year as a BFA Musical Theatre student at Florida State University. He most recently was seen in FSU School of Theatre’s production of Legally Blonde, “whipping himself into shape” and understudying the lead, Emmett. The semester before, he played Don in their production of A Chorus Line, directed by Jenna Tamisiea. He is very excited to work with Jenna again on his summer theatre and opera debut here at GLOW Lyric Theatre. Having flown in right from London this July, after completing the month long FSU London Theatre program, Michael feels so blessed for this opportunity and thanks his family, friends, directors, and cast members for their unending love and support.

Jeff Beruan | Shrank
American Bass Jeffrey Beruan is an important artist who possesses a rich, sonorous, and striking voice that moves with elegance and agility. His singing has been described as “intensely dramatic,” “melodious,” and “powerful.” An excellent actor, the young bass has received acclaim for bringing dramatic life to the smallest roles. Recent highlights for him include Sarastro (The Magic Flute) and Zuniga (Carmen) for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, a role debut as George Benton, the Prison Warden in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking for Madison Opera, a reprise of Ferrando (Il Trovatore), the King (Aida) and a role debut of Don Fernando (Fidelio) for Sarasota Opera, a role and company debut singing Pluton in Charpentier’s La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers for Gotham Chamber Opera, a return to Caramoor International Music Festival for Sparafucile (Rigoletto) and the Bass Soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,  a reprise of Capellio (I Capuleti ed I Montecchi) for  Washington Concert Opera, a reprise of Sarastro for Opera Saratoga (formerly Lake George Opera), a reprise of the Bonze (Madama Butterfly) for Florida Grand Opera, and Il Spettro in the new world premiere of Franco Faccio’s Amleto with Opera Southwest. Mr. Beruan looks forward to reprises of both Sarastro and the Bonze, and a role debut of Gessler (Guillaume Tell) – all for to be announced companies.

Ben Moore | Big Deal
Benjamin Moore, native Atlantan, has been praised for singing “warmly, elegantly [and] with a certain suavity” by Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun. Benjamin’s recent performances include John Roxborough – a role he premiered – in Shadowboxer, Shepherd/Soloist in Black Nativity (Dominion Entertainment), Tin Man in The Wiz (GLOW), and Ensemble in Hot Mikado (GLOW). Other performances include performing in the Americolor Opera Alliance Gala concert as well as the role Edward Chaney Phillips in the opera Carmen J, also with Americolor Opera Alliance. In 2015, Benjamin was selected to record the musical I Dream, a musical about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was performed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Benjamin recently portrayed Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient and Civil Rights Activist C.T. Vivian. As a former Resident Young Artist with Opera Colorado, Benjamin performed Father in Hansel and Gretel, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Dandini in La Cenerentola, and the Customs Sergeant in La Bohème. Mr. Moore has also sung roles with the American Opera Theatre, Maryland Opera Studio, and the Peabody Opera Theatre. Although a classically trained pianist and vocalist, Benjamin is equally comfortable with various genres of music and has extensive performance experience in gospel/Christian, jazz, and R&B. Benjamin has sung and recorded with several gospel artists and continues to perform throughout the United States. Benjamin holds a B.M. in Music Education from Furman University and an M.M in Voice Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. Benjamin gives all glory and honor to his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ediberto Ortega | Chino
Eddie will be a sophomore Music Theatre major in the Fall at Florida State University. He is extremely thrilled to be working in his first professional production with Glow Lyric Theatre. His past credits include Luke (The Disposal) and Male Swing (A Chorus Line). He’d like to thank God, first of all, for his ongoing blessings. He’d also like to thank Jenna for literally helping him get to where he is today and Christian for the opportunity. He’d like to thank his family and friends for eternal love and support, especially Mom and Pop for always supporting my passion and showing me love every day of my life. Finally, thank you Beautiful. You’re my everything. God is good!

Jena Brooks | Graziella
Jena Brooks is extremely honored to be joining the cast of West Side Story.  Jena graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School and will be attending the BFA Acting program at Florida State University this coming fall.  She appeared in several of her high school’s productions with roles such as Emily Arden in State Fair and Essie in You Can’t Take It With You.  Jena receives dance training from DanceArts Greenville in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary.  She has attended summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet School and UNC School of the Arts.  She would like to give special thanks to Christian Elser and Jenna Tamisiea for granting her this incredible opportunity to perform.

Anne Morgan | Velma
Anne Morgan is excited to be making her debut with GLOW Lyric Theatre. She is currently a theatre major at Furman University and hopes to continue her studies of theatre into graduate school. Recent shows include West Side Story, Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Wizard of Oz with the Augusta Players and Hair and Rumors with the Furman Theatre Department. She also choreographed Annie and Grease with the Greater Augusta Youth Theatre in her home town. She wishes to thank her mother for training her in ballet and other forms of dance her entire life, and her father for supporting her in all of her productions.

Neil Shurley | Doc
Neil Shurley most recently appeared as Vinnie in The Odd Couple at Centre Stage, where he’s also appeared as Wilbur in Hairspray and Dennis in Mauritius. He’s also been in SCCT’s Wizard of Oz (alongside his two children, Emma & Shaw) and in the original play Something More Than A Game at Warehouse Theatre. Other favorite roles include Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Birmingham Festival Theatre), Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Birmingham’s Garden Variety Shakespeare and Houston’s GrassRoots Theatre Project) and Austin in True West (GrassRoots Theatre Project). He thanks his wonderful and patient wife, Jennifer.

Steve Compton | Krupke
Tenor Steve Compton has appeared in GLOW Lyric Theatre productions from “Trial by Jury” (2010), “The Mikado” (2011), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (2013), “The Pirates of Penzance” (2013), “Amahl and the Night Visitors” (2013, 2014, 2015), to “La Boheme” (2014). He was seen as “Ivan the Cossack” in the GLOW Lyric Theatre production of “Die Fledermaus” in 2011. Steve is the outgoing president of The Greenville Chorale and helps coordinate music and worship at the Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. From 2002-2007 he sang with the Charleston, SC Symphony Chorus. Steve is a social worker with a private practice in psychotherapy. A long time ago Steve decided to change the world. To that end he became a social worker. He loves to work with GLOW because they have such high standards in musical theatre; but, even more meaningfully, because they have dedicated their work to the idea that music can change the world. Steve dedicates his performance this year to all the young people with potential, to those who are incarcerated, and to those who didn’t make it. These shows tell their story.

Barry Combs | GladHand
Barry Combs is the Director of Choral Activities at North Greenville University, and the Minister of Music at Augusta Road Baptist Church. He was last onstage with GLOW in The Pirates of Penzance. Although his academic year is centered around conducting (the primary work conducted this year was Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living) he looks forward to putting away the baton and participating in the productions with GLOW.

Emily Kramm | Anybodys
Emily Kramm is very excited to be in South Carolina for her debut season with GLOW. Utah Festival Opera and Music Theatre: CAROUSEL (u/s Louise), HOW TO SUCCEED…, LA BOHEME. Florida State University School of Theatre: LEGALLY BLONDE (u/s Serena), A CHORUS LINE (u/s Judy, u/s Kristine), RAGTIME. Other credits: PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Mabel), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Millie), former Senior Company Member of the Eastern Connecticut Ballet. Emily is a rising junior at Florida State University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre. Emily would like to thank all of her friends and teachers. She sends love and gratitude to her mom, dad, and Lily for all their guidance and support.

Laura Mortimer | Jet Ensemble
Laura Mortimer is currently a professional dancer with Carolina Ballet Theatre, and previously danced as a trainee with the company for three seasons. She has been featured in various soloist roles including the Arabian soloist, a Snow Princess and a Bridesmaid in The Nutcracker, Once Upon a Time in Greenville. Laura is also a company dancer with Naina Dewan Dance Company, and has had the opportunity to dance in various projects including the film Do or Dye by Caleb Suttles.

Laura started her ballet training at the age of eleven, studying with Maryland School of Ballet and Modern Dance where she also studied jazz, modern, and choreography. She continued to dance at Baltimore Ballet School where she trained with Artistic Director Cem Catbas, Bat Udval, and various guest teachers. She also attended training intensives at Goucher College, Carolina Ballet Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre.

Laura became an apprentice with Baltimore Ballet Company in the fall of 2011 and was promoted to a full company member status the following spring. She danced various solo roles as a company member such as Spanish and Marzipan in The Nutcracker, as well as her own choreography for their presentation at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Laura has also enjoyed teaching ballet, pointe, jazz and contemporary classes for children ages three to sixteen.

Madeline Harvey | Jet Ensemble
Madeline Jazz Harvey began her training with the North Carolina Dance Theatre School at the age of eight under the direction of Patricia McBride and Jean Pierre Bonnefoux. She attended summer intensive programs on full scholarship at Chautauqua Institution, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and The Juilliard School. She began her professional performance career at age fourteen as an apprentice with NCDT, now Charlotte Ballet. During her apprenticeship, she performed regularly with Charlotte Ballet’s first and second companies in works choreographed by Mark Diamond, Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine, and others. Madeline also performed as a guest artist with companies including American Repertory Ballet, Olney Ballet, and Augusta Ballet. While dancing with Charlotte Ballet, she began choreographing and was invited to return to Chautauqua Institution as a guest choreographer and ballet mistress at age sixteen. One of her original Chautauqua ballets resulted in nomination and reception of the New York Choreographic Institute Fellowship Award in 2007. Since then, Madeline’s choreography has been featured at UNCSA Winter Dance Festivals and numerous Regional Dance America Festivals.

Madeline graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, summa cum laude, with a Professional Training Certificate and Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance in 2010. Upon graduation, she joined Carolina Ballet Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina. During her five years as a principal dancer with CBT, she was featured in leading classical and contemporary roles created for her by artistic director Hernan Justo. Highlights include performing the role of Giselle, Alonzo King’s Map, and Dwight Rhoden’s Beatle Juice. In addition to performing she was also resident choreographer and developed curricula for CBT’s education and community outreach programs. Madeline has been teaching for over ten years in a variety of dance styles including, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Variations, Modern, Pas de Deux, and Contemporary. She has served on the faculties of Charlotte Ballet, Davidson College, DanceArts Greenville, and Repertory Dance Theatre. Recently she choreographed works for Converse College and Furman University’s Theatre Arts Department. Madeline is currently on faculty as Instructor of Ballet at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She continues to perform frequently with Carolina Ballet Theatre and Repertory Dance Theatre in Pennsylvania. She completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreography at Jacksonville University/White Oak in April 2016.

Matthew Harvey | Shark Ensemble
Matthew Harvey, a native of Allentown, PA, began his dance training with Repertory Dance Theatre, under the direction of Jennifer Haltzman Tracy and Trinette Singleton. From 2006 to 2007, Matthew danced as a trainee at North Carolina Dance Theatre, now Charlotte Ballet. He moved to Greenville, SC and joined Carolina Ballet Theatre in August of 2007. Matthew has been featured as a guest artist with Olney Ballet Theatre, Piedmont School of Music and Dance, Universities of North and South Carolina, and in various cities across South America. He is currently a jazz instructor at DanceArts Greenville and an adjunct instructor of dance at the University of South Carolina.

Martin Justo | Shark Ensemble
Martin Gonzalo Justo Bernardez is from Caracas, Venezuela, and began dancing in 1999. He trained with Quinte Ballet School in Canada and School of Carolina Ballet Theatre. He has toured throughout Uruguay with CBT and has recently traveled and performed as a guest in Fujinomia, Japan, dancing pas de deux fromGiselle, La Bayadere, and Swan Lake. Some of his signature roles are the charming young Nutcracker Prince in Hernan Justo’s The Nutcracker, the Mad Scientist in Madeline Jazz’s Super Heroes, and the male soloist in A Tango for Angelina. While dancing with CBT, Martin performed works by renowned contemporary choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden’s Beatle Juice, and Alonzo King’s Map. This is Martin’s first season with