Next up is soprano Madison Page, portraying Constance, Major Blake's widow. I've written for Madison's voice before, and it was a treat to have another chance to write for her clear, gorgeous voice! An agile singer and passionate musician, Madison brings much to this role. When asked about the importance of new music, she spoke eloquently on the subject: "As stated in the Texas Arts and Culture Magazine, 'New Music is a way to keep in touch with the world and time in which we live, a way to witness the changing, progressing culture and society of today as it happens, and, ultimately, glimpse the exciting possibilities of the future.' I truly believe new music expands one mind and opens up new possibilities in the world of music, as well as connects with your community and brings people together. All musicians should value all music, new, as well as traditional, and take every opportunity to emerge themselves in the world of new music." Read more about Madison Page below!

​​Madison Page, soprano, is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri and is an upcoming senior at the University of Missouri. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance, and studies voice with the prestigious Steven Tharp Tenor. Her freshman year she had the pleasure of playing The Sandman in the University of Missouri Show-Me Opera Scenes Hansel and Gretel, along with being in the chorus in the University of Missouri spring opera, Le Nozze di Figaro. In the 2016 Show-Me Opera scenes, she played the role of Oscar from Giuseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, along with the role of Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. In the Spring of 2017, Madison was given the opportunity to play the lead role of Emily Webb in Ned Rorem’s Our Town. Last fall she played the role of Susannah from Susannah and Charlotte from A Little Night Music in the 2017 Show-Me Opera Scenes. This spring Madison was able to portray Morgana in Handel’s Alcina. Madison has also had the pleasure of being a featured soloist in Mizzou’s “University Singers” 2018 album. She has been a scholarship singer for the First Baptist Church of Columbia since the spring of 2016. Madison has received numerous awards including, but not limited to, first place in the 2016 Missouri Music Teacher’s Association Competition, 3rd place in the 2017 National Association of Teachers for Singing Competition, and the University of Missouri Mary-Ann Teter Award. Madison is very anxious to complete her degree, and once graduated in May 2019, hopes to attend graduate school to further her studies.

Next up in the spotlight is mezzo-soprano Martha Allen, playing the role of Ada, the daughter of Major Blake! Martha and I have performed together many times before, most notably in a production of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, where we played the nefarious duo Bartolo and Marcellina! In regard to the opportunity to set a precedent for a new role, Martha said, "I love performing new music because it gives me the freedom to interpret the music in my own way. In addition, I love being able to supporting my composer friends in order to give their music a voice". Read more about Martha below!

​Martha Allen, mezzo-soprano, is a senior at the University of Missouri. She is a double major in Secondary English Education with a BA in Vocal Music. She studies voice with Professor Tharp and is a fourth year member of the University Singers and Bach Chorale. This is her seventh semester in the Mizzou Show-Me-Opera. In past semesters she performed as The Mistress of the Novices in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro, Mrs. Soames in Ned Rorem’s Our Town, and Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina. She has covered the Alto solo on master works such as Mendelssohn’s Elijah with Columbia, Missouri’s community choir. At the annual NATS competition, she has received third place in Upper College Women Musical Theater and Honorable Mention in Upper College Women Classical. She is originally from Springfield, Missouri, and plans on heading to New York after graduation to “give her regards to Broadway”.