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The Company

We Value Artistic Integrity, Musical Excellence, Collaboration, Community Engagement & Inclusion

Our Mission

Chicago Fringe Opera is dedicated to presenting innovative vocal works with an emphasis on new and contemporary styles, engaging with the Chicago community through intimate and immersive performance experiences, and fostering and empowering local artists.

Our Vision: Chicago Fringe Opera is at the forefront of producing dynamic contemporary vocal works in the city of Chicago.

Catherine O'Shaughnessy

Executive Director

Catherine O'Shaughnessy

Executive Director, Creative Director & Conductor

Catherine O’Shaughnessy is a rising orchestral and opera conductor in the United States and abroad. Her performances have earned rave reviews from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Classical Review (“great skill, alertness and sensitivity”), and Vocal Arts Chicago (“resourcefulness…scrappiness and…fierce concentration”). Avidly committed to Chicago’s dynamic musical scene, she is currently the music director of Chicago Fringe Opera, and Principal Conductor of the 5th Wave Collective. In 2020, she proudly helped produce Fringe’s contribution to the Decameron Opera Coalition’s Tales From a Safe Distance—winner of the “Best Collaboration” award from 360° of Opera—which makes innovative use of technology to reimagine this art for challenging new circumstances.

A semi-finalist in the 2016 Spazio Musica International Conducting Competition, Catherine made her New York debut conducting Antonio Salieri’s La Cifra with the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble. She has also music directed Pyramus and Thisbe in Freiberg (Mittelsächsisches Theater) and conducted Don Giovanni and La Traviata in Orvieto (Teatro Mancinelli). In 2013 she conducted the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra at a sold-out performance in Tchaikovsky Hall, and in 2017 she guest-conducted the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra (Manchester, UK). Catherine holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral and opera conducting from Arizona State University, where she was a student of William Reber and Timothy Russell.

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

Two Remain Music Director 2022
Woyzeck Music Director 2019
Love Wounds Music Director 2019
The Long Christmas Dinner Music Director 2019
The Great God Pan Music Director 2018
Lucrezia Music Director 2017
Song from the Uproar Conductor 2016
In the Penal Colony Conductor 2016

George Cederquist

Producing Artistic Director

George Cederquist

Producing Artistic Director

George is the Producing Artistic Director of Chicago Fringe Opera, called “the city’s alt-opera company” by the Chicago Tribune. Recent directing credits for the company include LA JETEÉ and CORSAIR, as well as the company’s long-running hit show THE ROSINA PROJECT, a Hip-Hop adaptation of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.
In addition, George has directed new productions and workshops of operas, musicals, and plays with Opera Festival of Chicago, Chicago Dramatists, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Pittsburgh Opera, the Bay View Music Festival and Chicago Folks Operetta.
An inspiring mentor, George is the Producing Artistic Director of Opera and Theatre at North Park University.

Now in its ninth season, George hosts OPERA BOX SCORE [America’s Talk Radio Show About Opera] on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and WNUR 89.3 FM Chicago.

To learn more about George, visit gjcederquist.com. He proudly uses zero social media platforms.

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

The Heroes Project – The Widow’s Will Director 2021
A City of Works Artistic Director 2021
Corsair Creative Director 2020
The Rosina Project Fall 2021 (NOITP) Concept & Stage Direction 2021
Arts in the Dark Director 2019
Woyzeck Director 2019
The Rosina Project Director 2019
The Long Christmas Dinner Director 2019
The Rossini Project Director 2018
The Great God Pan Director 2018
Lucrezia Director 2017
In the Penal Colony Director 2016
The Turn of the Screw Director 2015
Voices in the Dark, Jazz & Trouble in Tahiti Director 2015
The Rape of Lucretia Director 2014

Daina Fischer

Social Media Manager

Daina Fischer

Social Media Manager, Dramatic Soprano

Daina Fischer is a Lithuanian/American dramatic soprano based in Chicago. Alongside her passion for singing, Daina also has a private voice teaching studio and has years of experience as a social media manager. She has worked as a content creator and social media guru for Chicago Symphony Orchestra and enjoys creating beautiful content for theaters and arts programs. Daina has sung all over the Midwest and also internationally, working with renowned conductors, coaches, and teachers. She is a founding member of the vintage vocal trio “The Peppermint Patties” who is becoming a household name in the Chicago cabaret scene. Daina is active in the Lithuanian music community in the United States and has also given performances in Lithuania.

She holds an MFA in Vocal Performance from DePaul University.

Giovanna Jacques

PR & Audience Relations Director

Giovanna Jacques

PR & Audience Relations Director, Mezzo Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Giovanna Manilla Jacques is a founding member of Chicago Fringe Opera, serves as Secretary on the CFO Board and is also the PR Director. Though she was born and spent her childhood in San Francisco, she spent her formative years in the South of France where she studied at the Conservatoire National de Toulon. She moved to Chicago in 2009 to complete her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the DePaul School of Music. She graduated with her Master in Education with a focus in Higher Ed Leadership in 2021, also from DePaul. She served as Assistant Director of Admissions for the DePaul School of Music from 2017-2022, and is currently the Assistant Director of Admissions for the Evening & Weekend MBA at the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern). Though she is no longer an active performer, she is a committed audience member and is thrilled to still be a part of Chicago Fringe Opera!

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

Fringe’s Holiday House Party Soloist 2015
The Turn of the Screw Mrs. Grose 2015
Chicago Fringe Opera’s Lakeside Soiree Soloist 2015
The Rape of Lucretia Bianca 2014

Khary Laurent

Artistic Producer

Khary Laurent

Artistic Producer

Khary “K. F. Jacques” Laurent is a classical singer and hip hop producer. He has been featured on the Rosie Show (Oprah Winfrey Network), various Polish Television and radio networks, and has toured the US, Poland, and several other countries!

Currently Mr. Laurent is the head composer and playing the role of FIGARO in The Rosina Project which is the “hip hopera version of The Barber of Seville” with a cast of talented rappers, dancers, a beatboxer, dj, and singers. The Rosina Project was included in The Pivot Arts Festival two years in a row, featured on ABC 7 News, Chicago SunTimes, and The Chicago Tribune, and also received a grant for a citywide summer tour of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks. It’s most recent theater performance sold out The Newport Theater in Lakeview, and will return to the stage in the Summer of 2021. His latest composition, “Corsair”, was a hip hop opera film commissioned by Chicago Fringe Opera for The Decameron Opera Coalition’s “Tales From A Safe Distance”. It debuted to rave reviews in October 2020 and was awarded Best New Local Opera Production of 2020 in The Chicago Reader.

Mr. Laurent was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. He holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Jenny Schuler

Marketing, Brand & Web Director

Jenny Schuler

Marketing, Brand & Web Director, Soprano

Soprano Jenny Schuler has earned praise in recent seasons for her powerful vocalism and compelling stage artistry. She has been hailed as a “sumptuous soprano,” with a voice “rich in nuance” and “a vivid presence on the stage.” Her 2020/2021 season highlights include a debut with Chicago Opera Theater as Isabela in La Hija de Rappaccini (originally Matilde in Catan’s Il Postino), a debut with Opera Festival of Chicago in the role of Giorgetta in Il Tabarro, in addition to her role as a featured artist in the Dante 700 recital series also with Opera Festival of Chicago..

In the 2019/2020 season Ms Schuler made her Oregon Symphony debut as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and returned as Mother in their production of Hänsel und Gretel, in addition to debuting the title role of Tosca with New Jersey Festival Orchestra. Productions canceled due to Covid-19 include Louder, Longer, Wagner! (Valerie/Brünhilde) with Lyric Unlimited, Lyric Opera of Chicago & Second City, and Songs from Letters recital with Chicago Fringe Opera.

Recent season highlights include the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos as a guest artist with Indiana University, Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Sugar Creek Opera, Ariadne auf Naxos and Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas, both with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, and Leonore* in the Princeton Festival’s production of Fidelio.

Ms. Schuler was nominated as finalist for the 2019 Richard Tucker Career Grant, she was the second place winner in the 2019 Classical Singer Competition, first place winner of the 2018 Lyra New York International Vocal Competition, a semi-finalist in the 2017 Premier Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition, a semi-finalist in Shreveport Opera’s 2017 Mary Jacobs Smith Competition, a finalist in the 2017 Marcello Giordani International Voice Competition, and first place winner in the 2016 Heafner–Williams Vocal Competition. Ms. Schuler earned her Artist Diploma from the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute and her Master of Music from Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

Ear Taxi Festival – Spotlight Series Concert: Songs From Letters Soloist 2020
Dynamic Donuts: A Fundraiser for Love Wounds Soloist 2019
2016 Holiday House Party Soloist 2016
Chicago Fringe Opera’s Lakeside Soiree Soloist 2015
Voices in the Dark, Jazz & Trouble in Tahiti Girl, Jazz Trio 2015
2014 Christmas Celebration Soloist 2014
The Rape of Lucretia Female Chorus 2014

Bridget Skaggs

Vocal Arts Associate

Bridget Skaggs

Vocal Arts Associate, Mezzo Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Bridget Skaggs has swiftly gained the attention of Chicago audiences as “a compelling force” with an “agile, expressive voice” (Chicago Classical Review) equally at home in opera, art song, and oratorio.  Critics have noted the way she “lights up the scene” (Chicago Reader) in performances with Chicago Fringe Opera, where she debuted the role of Austin in the world-premiere production of Rossa Crean’s The Great God Pan in 2018, and sang Christopher Cerrone’s Naomi Songs with “warm and plaintive mezzo” (Chicago Classical Review) as part of Love Wounds, a multi-disciplinary exploration of the composer’s works, in 2019.

Bridget is increasingly recognized for her excellence in the musical and movement styles of Baroque repertoire, having performed Giunone in Cavalli’s La Didone with Haymarket Summer Opera Program in 2018, Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina with Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium in 2019, and performed numerous Bach cantatas as a Festival Artist at the Baroque on Beaver Island Festival (MI) in summers 2014 and 2015.

Nationally, Bridget has appeared as the Fox in Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen with Opera Steamboat, and Charlotte in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, where she served as Young Artist.  Internationally, she has toured Bruckner’s Te Deum as alto soloist with Blue Lake International Symphony.  Her vast concert and oratorio repertoire includes the Ravel Shéhérezade, Duruflé Requiem, Vivaldi Gloria, Handel Messiah, and Bach Magnificat.

A passionate advocate for art song, Skaggs is a founding member of vocal chamber quartet Fourth Coast Ensemble, and was recently named Vocal Arts Associate for Chicago Fringe Opera. She has twice been awarded the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago’s vocal chamber fellowship.  This season she records music by composer Lori Laitman, and has recorded the American premiere of Paul Abraham’s 1932 jazz operetta Ball at the Savoy for future release.  A native of Southlake, Texas, Bridget received her education at Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music, and resides in Chicago.

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

Two Remain Zosia 2022
Ear Taxi Festival – Spotlight Series Concert: Songs From Letters Soloist 2020
Love Wounds Soloist (Naomi Songs) 2019
The Great God Pan Austin 2018

Jonathan Zeng

Community Engagement Coordinator

Jonathan Zeng

Community Engagement Coordinator, Tenor

Lauded for his versatility as a performer, critically acclaimed tenor, Jonathan Zeng, has performed as a soloist with opera companies, theaters, and symphony orchestras throughout the United States. With a voice described by Chicago publications as “valiant”, “stunning”, “vibrant”, and “rich”, Jonathan is based in Chicago and has soloed with choral ensembles The William Ferris Chorale and Vox Venti. You may also have seen him serving as cantor at the historic St. Michael Church in Old Town, singing with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus, as Richard Dauntless in Ruddigore with The Gilbert  & Sullivan Opera Company or in multiple productions with Chicago Folks Operetta & Chicago Fringe Opera. Roles elsewhere range from Goro in Madama Butterfly & Beppe in I Pagliacci to Prince Charming in Cinderella, Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Frederic in Pirates of Penzance.

Jonathan’s cabaret, SONGS THAT SPEAK!, has had success throughout the Midwest. Its next iteration will be on Saturday, Aug 3, 2024 at the Venus Cabaret Theater in Chicago.

An avid proponent for arts education and vocal instruction, Jonathan has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Preparatory Department at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has maintained a private voice studio for more than a decade. He teaches voice at Loyola Academy on the north side of Chicago. Jonathan received a BA in Music Education from the School of Music at Western IL University and an MM in vocal performance from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). For more info, visit www.JonathanZeng.com or follow him on Instagram: @jonathan.zeng

Productions with Chicago Fringe Opera

Sounds of Pride 2020 Soloist 2020
Sounds of Pride Soloist 2019
Love Wounds Narcissus 2019
Dynamic Donuts: A Fundraiser for Love Wounds Soloist 2019
The Long Christmas Dinner Charles 2018
Fringe at the Taproom Soloist 2018
The Great God Pan Clarke and Meyrick Cover 2018
Song from the Uproar Ensemble 2016
The Turn of the Screw Miles 2015
Chicago Fringe Opera’s Lakeside Soiree Soloist 2015
Voices in the Dark, Jazz & Trouble in Tahiti Tenor, Jazz Trio 2015

Board Members

Matthew Godfrey
President
Sarah Geocaris
Board Member
Joshua Taylor
Board Member
Lara Yang
Board Member

Artistic Ally

Laura Smalley
Soprano
Matthan Ring Black
Baritone
Cody Michael Bradley
Pianist
Katherine Bruton
Soprano
John Cockerill
Pianist
Gabriel Di Gennaro
Bass-Baritone
Julia Elise Hardin
Mezzo-Soprano
Jacquelyn Kress
Mezzo-Soprano
Brad Caleb Lee
Production Designer
Melanie Lunardi
Marketing & Development
Jessie Lyons
Soprano
Ted Nazarowski
Clarissa Parrish Short
Soprano

Alumni

Aaron Wardell
Baritone
Achilles Leonidas Bezanis
Tenor
Alexandra Enyart
Conductor
Alex Salas
Soprano
Alyssa Arrigo
Pianist
Amber Treadway
Production Design Intern
Amy Hutchison
Director
Anatoliy Torchinskiy
Pianist
Andrew Groble
Baritone
Andy Hall
Saxophone
Andy Hudson
Clarinet
Angela De Venuto
Soprano
Ashley Armstrong
Mezzo-Soprano
Audrey Q Snyder
Cellist
Becca Jeffords
Lighting Designer
Bridget Skaggs
Mezzo Soprano
Caitlin McLeod
Costume Designer
Casey Baker
Collaborative Pianist
Chris Cvikota
Sound Designer
Christina Pecce
Soprano
Chris Sies
Percussion
Claire DiVizio
Soprano
Codrut Birsan
Conductor
Danielle Taylor
Violinist / Violist
David Govertsen
Bass-Baritone
Diana Stoic
Soprano
Elyse Kakacek
Soprano
Emelinda Escobar
Violinist
Emma Sorenson
Mezzo-Soprano
Enid Smith
Dancer
Eric Staves
Actor
Erik Barry
Lighting Designer
Gabriel Di Gennaro
Bass-Baritone
Gillian Hollis
Soprano
Hannah Christiansen
Violinist
Isabelle Rund
Jani Parsons
Pianist
Jared Esguerra
Tenor
Jay Koch
Lighting Designer
Jeffrey Levin
Composer
Jenni Stark
Flutist
Jessica Hiltabidle
Soprano
Josephine Yang
Pianist
Jonathan Wilson
Baritone
Kaileen Miller
Soprano
Karla Wong
Visual Artist
Katy Compton
Soprano
Latitude 49
Ensemble Group
Laura Kaminsky
Composer
Leigh Folta
Soprano
Mark Haddad
Bass
Marysa Abbas
Mezzo Soprano
Maureen Smith
Soprano
Maxwell Seifert
Baritone
Megan Fletcher
Soprano
Melissa Arning
Mezzo Soprano
Michael McElvain
Pianist
Molly Plunk
Clown
Naomi Brigell
Mezzo Soprano
Nathan Ward
Tenor
Nicole Hager
Soprano
Patrick Rizzotti
Scenic Designer
Quinn Middleman
Mezzo Soprano
Rachael Long
Soprano
Rachel Mast
Mezzo Soprano
Robin Bradley
Mezzo-Soprano
Samantha Attaguile
Mezzo-Soprano
Sarah Ponder
Mezzo-Soprano
Scott Brunscheen
Tenor
Shanna Philipson
Costume Designer
Stephanie Cluggish
Costume Designer
Stephen Hobe
Baritone
Susan Payne O’Brien
Director
Thomas Bailey
Tenor
Timothy Steeves
Violin
Tierra Whetstone
Mezzo-Soprano
Tobias Wright
Tenor
Trevor Vanderzee
Baritone
Vince Wallace
Bass-Baritone
Zachary Angus
Baritone
Zachary Vanderburg
Tenor
Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, & the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Chicago Fringe Opera is an Opera America Partner.

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