Rory Wallace (Tamino)

Praised for his natural stage presence, clear diction, and exceptional musicianship, Rory Wallace is garnering recognition for his “clarity and richness of tone” (Trinidad Newsday). Rory ‘s opera credits include Don Basilio and Don Curzio (Le nozze di Figaro), Cochenille and Frantz (Tales of Hoffmann), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Tamino (The Magic Flute) and won first place at our Music Competition in 2016. He is a currently pursuing a Doctor of Arts at Ball State Univ

Natalia Dopwell (Queen of the Night)

Natalia has won many awards over the years including Most Outstanding Performer of the T&T Music Festival 2004 and 2nd Place at the 2012 Concurso Internacional de Canto Lírico in Trujillo, Peru. She holds a bachelors degree in vocal performance from Manhattan School of Music and is currently Creative Director of the CMDFTT. Recent appearances include recitals in London and Poland for the Chopin Society of Gdansk, and singing the title role at the premiere of Dominique LeGendre's 'Jab Molassie'

Raguel Gabriel (Tamino)

Equally passionate about music and drama, Raguel's was chosen from over 800 applicants to join the Stella Adler Studio of Acting NYC in 2015. His recent singing roles include Tamino (Magic Flute), Alfred (Fledermaus), Aeneas (Dido & Aeneas) with the CMDFTT & Marius (Les Miserables) with the Marionettes Chorale

Maegan Pollonais (Third Lady)

Winner of the 2014 CMDFTT Music Competition, Maegan was featured in our 2015 production of Cosi fan tutte (Dorabella). Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Arts Degree in Music, with a Concentration in Educational Psychology at Ball State University, Maegan was featured recently in the role of Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas) with the Ball State Opera Theater, as well as Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus). She was also recently won Ball State’s 10th Annual School of Music Vocal Competition.

Sabrina Marks (Second Lady)

Sabrina Marks achievements include 1st place Ladies Vocal Duet (2016), 2nd place Ladies Vocal Duet (2010) and 2nd place Ladies Trio 16-19 (2004) at the National Music Festival. She sang with the Marionettes Chorale from 2003-08 and as a scholarship student at Necessary Arts she studied Steelpan and Singing. She holds an ABRSM Grade 6 distinction in Singing and a Grade 3 certificate in Piano. Her stage credits include Second Lady (Magic Flute), First Witch (Dido & Aeneas) & Sally (Die Fledermaus)

Shannon Navarro (First Lady)

Shannon holds a BA in Performing Arts from the University of Tampa and an MA in Music Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. In London she was featured in The Greene Card, which debuted at the Camden Fringe Festival before running at The Space Theatre, and participated in the workshop and reading of a new opera VEAL at Cockpit Theatre. Credits include: Candide, Jesus Christ Superstar, Monument, Pappy Show, Planass, L’enfant et les Sortileges, Beggar’s Opera & The Baker's Wife

Shellon Antoine (Sarastro)

Shellon began singing in his church choir, then later as a member of the Southernaires Choir. He made his operatic debut in the role of Sarastro for the CMDFTT production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute", gained critical praise from Anne Hilton "One has seen even professional singers appear to hesitate slightly before hitting the really low notes in the score, Shellon Antoine carried off the role very well". His roles since then have included Sorcerer (Dido & Aeneas) and Frank (Die Fledermaus).

Tamika Diandra Joseph (Pamina)

Krisson Joseph (Papageno)

Krisson holds a Masters in Music Business from New York University and is currently Programme Coordinator at the University of T&T. His rich baritone was heard recently in the premiere of 'River of Freedom' for which the Guardian review noted "his huge voice filling the acoustically challenging hall and inspiring ambitious echoes from male members of the crowd even as the show came to an end". Krisson has also tested the Calypso waters singing "Ting ah ling" by Steve Neaves for Panorama 2016

Richard Taylor (Monostatos)

This will be Richard's first full operatic role, although he has sung as a chorister and featured Christmas soloist at church in his native Jamaica since childhood. He began classical voice training with June Nathaniel and joined the Picoplat Young Artist Collective last year, singing in the ensemble for Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffmann” and the role of "Pooh-Bah" in an excerpt of The Mikado. Richard holds a PhD in Chemistry and is a Lecturer at UWI St. Augustine

June Nathaniel (Musical Director)

Principal of Key Academy of Music, and Musical Director of the CMDFTT, June was a Trinity College of Music exhibition champion at age 17, continuing her studies at Royal College of Music, London where she obtained the A.R.C.M. in Piano Teaching and Singing Performing. She later trained at Hochschule Fur Musik in Munich studying opera, and Professor Frederick Husler's Scuola di Canto in Switzerland. She appeared in Schonberg's "Die Gluckliche Hand" at La Scala, Italy.

Margaret Sheppard (Costumes)

Margaret has over thirty years experience in the design and production of costumes for theatre and carnival, specializing in ballet and period costumes. She has worked with most of Trinidad's most celebrated designers, and nearly every local theatrical production company. She is the winner of multiple Cacique Awards, including the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT)'s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Helmer Hilwig (Director)

A medical doctor by profession Helmer came to T&T in 1983 with the intention to stay for one year, but Trinidad remains home 33years later. At present he Heads the Arima Emergency Department and also serves as Chairman of the Queens Hall Board. As Director and Actor, he's been involved in over 100 theatre productions in Trinidad and his native Holland, even directing a very young Natalia Dopwell when she was a member of the Love Movement choir. He has directed all CMDFTT operas to date.

Byron Burford (Accompanist)

Pianist BYRON SEAN has performed across North America and Europe. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and then continued his studies as a scholarship student at the Royal Academy Music in London. He has been a featured performer at the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Centre d’Arts Orford in Montreal, the International Keyboard Festival in New York City, and the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris as part of the European American musical Alliance.