2026 IPAI BAVARIA
Young Artists
Alton Coleman, Tenor
River Ridge, LA
Alton Coleman is a New Orleans- based tenor currently pursuing a classical voice degree at Loyola University. After receiving a full scholarship to Loyola, Alton sang abroad in France with the NOVA Chorale. In his first year studying at Loyola he competed and placed 2nd in N.A.T.S, performed as “Elder Hayes” in Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah”, and sang as a soloist for Mozart’s Requiem. Full of ambition, Alton’s passionate connection with classical music will only grow as he does as he works toward a career as a professional performing artist.
Amanda Mcilravy, Soprano
Memphis, TN.
From the rolling plains of South Dakota, soprano Mandie McIlravy brings nuance and delicate humor to her roles, most recently the Countess Susanna in the University of Memphis’ 2025 production of Il segreto di Susanna. At UM, studying under the attentive Mary Wilson, she continues her studies in the Doctor of Musical Arts program while also maintaining her passion for muso-rhetorical analysis as well as a small studio of budding singers. When not diligently studying or practicing, she enjoys the live music scene in Memphis, writing and publishing poetry, and frequent trips back to the Great Plains to visit her close-knit family. For upcoming performances, follow @soprandie on Facebook and Instagram.
Anlan Deng, Pianist
Gautier, MS.
Anlan Deng is a collaborative pianist from China and a recent graduate of the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Collaborative Piano at the University of Southern Mississippi. As a graduate assistant, she collaborated extensively with instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, opera productions, and large ensembles. Prior to her doctoral studies, she taught piano and piano improvisation at Huanggang Normal University in China. Anlan is passionate about collaborative music-making and enjoys working with musicians from diverse backgrounds.
Arden Dubret, Soprano
Loranger,LA.
Arden Dubret, from Hammond, Louisiana, is an upcoming senior at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she studies vocal performance under Dr. Jennifer Mouledous. She enjoys performing both opera and musical theater, and some of her favorite roles she has done are Johanna in "Sweeney Todd", Papagena in Mozart's "The Magic Flute", Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", Jan in "Grease", and the Narrator in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". When Arden is not onstage, she deeply enjoys teaching private voice and musical theater summer camps at her local community theater. She is so excited to be working with the IPAI Bavaria team for her second year!
BarretT Bailey, Bass-Baritone
Winston-Salem, NC.
Barrett Bailey was born and raised in North Carolina. Growing up, he studied piano, played the violin in school and community orchestras, and performed in musicals as a singer. He then joined the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ high school program as a composition major, and there he was quickly introduced to the opera stage. He returned to UNCSA as an undergraduate student, where he has continued his compositional studies while taking part in many vocal and opera performances as both a chorister and soloist.
Casey Morris, Soprano
Salt Lake City, UT.
Casey Morris is a vocal artist from Hockessin, Delaware, who has been praised for her intentional performances. Recently, she has been featured as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Musetta in La Bohème (University of Utah Opera Theatre). Previously, she premiered the role of Calypso in the first staged production of Penelope and the Geese, later traveling to Greece to perform the role. Casey holds an M.M. in vocal performance from the University of Delaware, and currently studies under acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Kirstin Chávez.
Celeste Waters, Mezzo
Vicksburg, MS.
Celeste Waters is a current undergraduate student at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She began her musical journey in 2021, attending Mississippi School of the Arts until 2023 before studying at Delta State University for the year and then continuing her studies at Carey. She has been multiple operas, such as Pirates of Penzance and The Merry Widow, and is about to begin working on The Addams Family as Morticia Addams. She has a special interest in oratorio and lieder but is eager to learn more and grow.
Claire Shirley, Soprano
Greenville, SC.
Claire Shirley is a junior at the University of South Carolina studying with Rachel Calloway. A graduate of The Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC and recipient of the esteemed Stamps Scholarship, she is passionate about the intersection of music and neuroscience. Claire has performed with Opera at USC in the choruses of Ruddigore and Le Mamelles de Tirésias and as Gherardino in Gianni Schicchi. In 2022 and 2024, she was a national finalist and second place winner of the NATS Classical competition. She also enjoys serving as a student intern for SPARK Music Leadership at Carolina, assisting with enrichment and wellness events to supplement student life. Claire looks forward to studying in Germany this summer as a young artist in the IPAI Bavaria program.
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Clarice Beeput, Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Winston-Salem, NC.
Clarice Beeput is a 23-year-old soprano from Trinidad and Tobago. Clarice believes her calling is to use her voice to bring joy to her audiences and the world. She is about to enter her fourth year at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Opera. Clarice recently performed the role of the Trojan Princess, Créuse, in the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute's production of Darius Milhaud's one-act tragic opera, "Médée".
Dawn Marie Wells, Soprano
North Salt Lake, UT.
Dawn Marie Wells is a soprano studying vocal performance and music theory at the University of Utah with Professor Julie Wright-Costa. She most recently played the Mother in the University of Utah’s Opera production of Hansel and Gretel, and she is very excited for her upcoming role in the university’s April 2027 production of The Medium as Madame Flora. She is the proud mother of six children.
Emily Demerchant, Soprano
Memphis,TN.
Soprano Emily DeMerchant is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Voice Performance who a specializes in Romantic-era French art music. As a Lyric Soprano, her performance and research interests focus on the pedagogical uses of the French mélodie tradition. She recently performed Les Nuits d’été by Hector Berlioz, bringing attention to the work’s emotional depth and expressive nuance through thoughtful interpretation. Emily’s work as both a performer and scholar reflects her passion for French vocal repertoire and its lasting artistic significance.
Helen Steffan, Pianist
Fayetteville. NC.
Pianist Helen Steffan from North Carolina, USA, is ecstatic to be returning to IPAI for a second year. She has attended several other summer programs, including Orvieto Musica Chamber Music Festival (Orvieto, Italy), University of North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Piano Institute (Winston-Salem, NC), Oberlin Piano Festival (Oberlin, OH), and East Carolina Piano Festival (Greenville, NC). Her performance credits include accompanying the 2025 Harmony Program’s junior choir at The Juilliard School (New York, NY), Carnival of the Animals with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (Fayetteville, NC), and several solo and collaborative recitals across North Carolina. Helen studies with Dr. Dmitri Shteinberg at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
James Armfield, Pianist
Milwaukee, WI.
James Armfield is a collaborative pianist and vocal coach specializing in the art song and opera repertoire. He holds a Master of Music degree in collaborative piano from Louisiana State University, a Performer’s Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in collaborative piano, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in piano performance and economics from Mercer University. Recent appearances include the AIMS Lieder studio in Graz, Austria, performances with the UW-Milwaukee Concert Chorale and Kameraden choirs, and joint accompanying UW-Milwaukee Opera's production of "Later the Same Evening" by John Musto.
James King, Baritone
Hatfield, PA.
James King is a baritone studying Telecommunications and Vocal Performance at Penn State. They will be entering their fourth year of undergrad this upcoming Fall. James is originally from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, and apart from singing, they enjoy drawing, thrifting, and watching NBA basketball.
Jessica Beitel, PIANIsT
Winston-Salem, NC.
Jessica Beitel is recent performer on the Master Artists Chamber Series of Varna International’s Muzika! festival and is an alumna of the Performers Program of the TCU/Cliburn Institute. She is a member of North Carolina-based chamber ensemble Cardinal Sound Collective, and is co-founder of the non-profit organization Winyah Bay Musical Arts, a choral-orchestral and chamber music series based in Georgetown, SC. Ms. Beitel has also served on staff at the Lister-Sink Institute and Salem College School of Music, where she was primary pianist for the vocal and wind studios. She holds a master’s degree in collaborative piano from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and is currently pursuing a professional artist certificate at UNCSA in the collaborative piano studio of Dr. Allison Gagnon and the organ studio of Dr. Timothy Olsen.
John Paul Fox-Seidel, Bari-Tenor
Olympia, WA.
John Paul Fox-Seidel, bari-tenor, recently completed his first year as a vocal performance major at Lawrence University. He grew up in Olympia, Washington where he performed as a vocalist, actor, and violinist. At Lawrence, he was involved in the premiere production of A Nearer Mother and fell in love with opera and performing. John Paul is excited for the opportunity to focus on growing as a performer and artist at IPAI Bavaria this summer.
Lilly Vita, Mezzo
Mandeville, LA.
Lilly Vita is a rising senior at Loyola University New Orleans where she studies Musical Theatre and History. She has been seen on stages all over the greater New Orleans area and London. She is ecstatic to spread her stage presence to Germany where she hopefully plans to move after she graduates from Loyola.
Madeline Hui, Alto/Mezzo
Hillsboro, OR.
Madeline is from from Portland, Oregon and looking forward to starting her IPAI journey! They graduated this year with a Bachelor's in Musical Theatre from Loyola University New Orleans. Their recent projects include THE INTERN (Katherine), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Audrey) and CRITTERS (Feral Pig).
Marvel Beasley, Tenor
Hammond, LA.
Hello I am a first year master student in vocal performance at Southeastern Louisiana University. I enjoy hanging with friends, reading, and exploring new things. I’m so excited to explore Germany and get a great experience at IPAI!!!!
Melodie Dubose, Soprano
Biloxi, MS.
Hailing from Biloxi, Mississippi, Melodie Day DuBose is a doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi. DuBose also holds the position of Adjunct Vocal Professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as directing her own private studio Voixlavoice (Voixlavoice.com). Past notable roles include Newsies (Medda Larkin), Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde), Little Women (Marmie), La Clemenza di Tito (Servillia), and The Old Maid and the Thief (Miss Pinkerton). DuBose has also recently had the opportunity perform internationally, performing in London and Paris with Southern Chorale’s premier of Richard Burchard’s “Mass for the Forgotten”.
Mia Chase, Mezzo
New Orleans, MS.
Mia Chase is a second-year Musical Theatre and Theatre Arts major at Loyola University New Orleans. She has been a part of all Loyola's major productions this past year, starring as Ronnette in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and writing her own play, LOVE IN A LIBRARY, as well as participating in QHOST QUARTET and CRITTERS as a member of the crew. She has performed in numerous productions since high school which include PRIDE & PREJUDICE (Lady Catherine de Bourgh), 12 ANGRY JURORS (Juror 5), and SOMETHING ROTTEN (The Bard).
Rebecca Fox, Soprano
Deer Park, NY.
Rebecca Fox completed her Master's in Vocal Performance at Southeastern Louisiana University in May of 2026. Rebecca also holds a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam as of May of 2023. Her recent roles include Dot (The Enchanted Pig), First Lady (The Magic Flute), and Crystal (Little Shop of Horrors). She has also been the soprano soloist in Magnificat by Vivaldi and A Ceremony of Carols by Britten, and outside of classical music and theatre, she's been performing as a drag queen named Aria Argento for two years.
Dr. Renato Estacio, Bass Baritone
Albuquerque, NM.
Dr. Renato Estacio, Stage Directing Fellow, is a bass-baritone, educator, director, and arts leader whose career spans opera performance, musical theater education, and arts administration. Recent engagements have included Dutch Schultz in Bumpy Johnson with Trilogy: An Opera Company and Zúniga in Carmen with Opéra Bastide in France (2025). Currently directing a comprehensive drama program, Dr. Estacio oversees theater, stagecraft, and musical productions while mentoring young performers. As a stage director, music director, conductor, and vocal coach, he has led numerous productions and guided students to national recognition, most recently with Broadway Bound Live! Season 2 where his students placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd out of 291 competitors.
Ryan P. Gregory, Tenor
Salt Lake City, UT.
Ryan is so thankful to the University of Utah for presenting him this opportunity to learn and grow overseas with IPAI Bavaria.Ryan is a junior in the University of Utah’s BFA Musical Theatre program who grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ryan is forever grateful to his late mentor and first voice teacher Scott McKenzie for making him take risks and believe in himself. “Don’t forget, but forgive.” @theryanpgregory
Samone Hicks, Soprano
Daytona Beach, Fl.
Samone Hicks, soprano is a versatile performer and educator whose work bridges the worlds of classical, jazz, gospel, and contemporary music. A native of Sarasota Florida, she began formal voice study at the State College of Florida. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Stetson University and her Masters from the University of Florida.Samone has performed as a featured artist with The Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches, Gloria Musicae, Strings Con Brio, Soul Sensations, and at the Timucua Arts Foundation. She has performed in productions with Opera Orlando, Asolo Repertory Theatre and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe In addition to performing, Samone is a professor of voice at Bethune-Cookman University. She continues teaching, composing, arranging, and recording, inspiring audiences and students alike with her expressive voice and passion for music.
Sherry Graveson, Pianist
Alexandria, VA.
Sherry Graveson’s deep passion for music started at a young age. She began studying piano at the age of five. She became a church organist starting at age fourteen. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Organ Performance and Music Education from West Virginia University. She further studied organ at Peabody Conservatory and is a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists.
Sherry is a professional accompanist and organist and teaches both piano and organ students. She is a collaborative pianist at the National Cathedral School and St. Alban’s in Washington, DC and The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia as well as many other schools across Virgina, Maryland and Washington, D.C. She plays for instrumentalists at the Kennedy Center and The Levine School of Music. She has performed with the Dramatic Voices Program in Berlin, the Washington Civic Symphony and with United States Military Band musicians. She is also a church musician currently playing organ and piano in three parish churches in Northern Virginia. She particularly enjoys collaborating with other professionals entailing a large diversity of styles and genres of music. Sherry lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
She is excited to join everyone in Bavaria this summer for the IPAI Program!
Sierra Penning, Soprano
Stillwater, MN.
Sierra Penning is a rising soprano from Stillwater, Minnesota, USA. While she is still young and hasn't had the opportunity to be in a full opera, her scene performances include Alisa (Lucia di Lammermoor), Dorinda (Orlando), and Gianetta (The Gondoliers), and the full role of Jill in Victor Herbert's belove operetta "Babes in Toyland." She graduated with her degree in music with a voice emphasis from St. Olaf College in May of 2026, and is currently preparing for auditions into graduate programs in the United States. She is excited for this summer of learning!
Sonja Bloeser, Mezzo
North Liberty, IA.
Sonja is thrilled to be apart of the IPAI Bavaria 2026 program! She recently graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA with her bachelor’s in music, and will be attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall to begin her master’s in voice performance. She has been in several operas over the past four years, including playing Mistress Bentson in Lakmè with Chicago Summer Opera in 2025, and playing Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief in May. She is very grateful for and excited about this opportunity!
Talia Howey, Soprano
Lewiston, ID.
Talia Howey, soprano, is originally from Sitka, Alaska. She has studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is currently a student at the University of Utah. Passionate about vocal performance and music education, she is grateful for opportunities to grow as an artist and collaborate with fellow musicians. Talia is delighted to participate in IPAI Bavaria this summer.
Talya Aulia, Soprano
Perth,WA.
Talya Jacinta Aulia is an Indonesian soprano based in Western Australia and a recent graduate of the University of Western Australia Conservatorium of Music, where she completed her Bachelor of Music in 2026. She has received vocal training from distinguished teachers in both Singapore and Perth, shaping her development across operatic, art song, and choral repertoire. Talya has appeared as a soloist with UWA Voices and UWA Symphonic Chorus and has performed in concerts and competitions throughout Australia and Singapore.
Taylor James, Mezzo
Chandler, AZ.
Taylor James is a recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a major in Musical Theatre. Some of her recent credits include FOR SILVER (Judas Escariot), THE ROCKY HORROR SHADOW-CAST (Columbia), CRITTERS (Fawn), WATCHMANS WOODS (Vicky), ALICE BY HEART (Featured Ensemble), SPELLING BEE (Leaf Coneybear), and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Actor 1/Egeon). She loves to travel, and is so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best and perform in Bavaria!