Artists Offstage

Join us as we sit down with artists to talk about their paths, interests, and lives off stage.

In the first episode of our 2021-2022 Artists Offstage series, Creative Development Director Pablo Siqueiros sits down with our newest member of the Resident Artist Program, Symone Harcum, to talk about her unique path to opera, her connection to a famous Carmen, and finding the rewards within the challenges of work and life.

For our last installment of our 2020-2021 web series Artists Offstage, we sit down to chat with Resident Artist Stage Director Emily Bishai about her unique role in the Resident Artist Program, the arts scene in Cardiff, Wales, and exploring new ventures in filmed performances.

In the latest episode of Artists Off Stage, we sit down with Resident Artist baritone Aaron Keeney to talk about the similarities between math and music, playing Dungeons and Dragons over zoom, and art’s ability to ask the big questions.

In this installment of Artists Off Stage, we sit down with Resident Artist Pianist/Coach Celeste Marie Johnson to talk about her musical journey coming full-circle with Minnesota Opera, her picks for Women Composers more people should know about, and finding her way back to her “why.”

In this installment of Artists Off Stage, we spent some time talking with Resident Artist soprano Leah Brzyski about finding joy in the little things, blogging with her twin sister, and Garret’s popcorn!

In the Fourth episode of our 2020-2021 Artists Offstage series, Minnesota Opera’s Public Programs Associate Director Pablo Siqueiros sits down with Resident Artist Bass Allen Michael Jones to talk about jazz trombone, supportive grandparents, finding joy in the process, and the role of art in response to world events.

In the Third episode of our 2020-2021 Artists Offstage series, Minnesota Opera Teaching Artist Pablo Siqueiros sits down with Resident Artist Tenor Joey Leppek to talk about striking a balance between art and craft with singing, finding belonging in choir and theater, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race!

In the Second installment of our 2020-2021 Artists Offstage series, Minnesota Opera Teaching Artist Pablo Siqueiros sat down with Resident Artist Frankie Charles to talk about his role as Assistant Technical Director in the Resident Artist Program, the importance of representation and diversity in theater, and his appreciation for the Twin Cities community.

In the first installment of our 2020-2021 Artists Offstage series, Minnesota Opera Teaching Artist Pablo Siqueiros sat down with Resident Artist Mia Athey to talk about what led her to pursue opera, her recent projects, and her life off stage.