Opera at Your School - Tucson
Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program
Performances are designed to be all-school assemblies and performed in your gym, cafeteria, performing arts center, or other venue at your school.
- To perform Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid, we must have a space at least 20 ft wide, 20 ft deep, and 10 ft tall.
- You may reserve up to two performances per day (exceptions can be made).
- The performance runs about 40-minutes with an optional 5 minute Q&A.
Performances are schedule on a first-come-first-serve-basis
Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid
Music by Antonín Dvořák
Written and adapted by Joshua Borths
Based on the opera Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák
Offered: September 23 - December 13, 2024
Grade Level: K-5
Title 1 School Cost: FREE
Non-Title 1 Cost: $400/$600 for one or two performances
This charming adaptation takes audiences beneath the waves on the journey of a lifetime! Meet Rusalka as she follows her heart's desire to become human. But when her magical pact with the Sea Witch requires her to give up her voice, Rusalka's life and love are jeopardized. While this opera ends happily—unlike the original—don't be fooled. Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid thrills as our heroes risk everything for the chance to become whom they were always meant to be all along.
2024/25 Arlyn M. Brewster Education Teaching Artists
Aysen Idil Milliogullari, soprano
Aysen Idil Milliogullari is a doctoral candidate in Vocal Performance, with a minor in choral conducting, and the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from the Fred Fox School of Music, University of Arizona, in 2023. She received her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Mannes School of Music, The New School, and was admitted to the Bachelor’s degree program at Ankara University State Conservatory with the highest distinction. Milliogullari won first prize in the Amelia Rieman Vocal Competition in 2022 and third prize in the Marguerite Ough Vocal Competition in 2021. After her performance as Mukhtar Mai in the opera Thumbprint with the University of Arizona Opera Theater, Milliogullari received a positive review from the Arizona Daily Star, which stated, "but the other reason you’ll want to see this is to hear the amazing coloratura soprano range from Milliogullari."
Upon graduating from her undergraduate program, Milliogullari was accepted into the State Opera House in Turkey as a permanent opera singer. She sang as a soloist in the project Bach Alla Turca at the Istanbul International Ballet Festival and in the Maria Callas Memorial Concert, which was also a season-opening concert for the Samsun State Opera House. Milliogullari has performed roles with the Turkish State Opera House, New York Lyric Opera Theater, Mannes Opera, and the University of Arizona Opera Theater, as well as with major orchestras such as the Civic Orchestra of Tucson, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and the Turkish State Opera Orchestra. Some of the major roles she has performed include Laurie in The Tender Land, Sister Genovieffa in Suor Angelica, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro," Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Micaëla in Carmen, Lucy in The Telephone, Papagena in The Magic Flute, and Nihal in the Turkish opera Ask-i Memnu.
Clarissa Smith, soprano
Clarissa Christina Smith, a native of Tucson, Arizona, discovered her passion for opera during her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, where her musical talents flourished. A dedicated and disciplined performer, Smith has earned numerous opera roles, including La Contessa in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Emily Webb in Rorem’s Our Town, and the Princess in Louis Aubert’s La forêt bleue.
She holds a Master's degree in Voice Performance from The University of Arizona, where she shone as the principal character in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and again as La Contessa in The Marriage of Figaro. Notably, Smith is the winner of the President’s Concerto, Marguerite Ough, and Amelia Rieman vocal competitions. Most recently, she performed the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte at the Berlin Opera Academy. Smith is currently working with Arizona Opera's Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity youth education troupe while pursuing her doctoral degree under the guidance of Dr. Kristin Dauphinais.
Diana Peralta, mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano from Mexico City, Diana Peralta graduated from the National Conservatory of Music with Degree in Opera and Concert Singing. Peralta obtained her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance in the University of Arizona and currently studying her Doctoral Degree.
In July 2019, Peralta sang the role Cherubino from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart with the Jerusalem Opera Studio in Israel. Peralta made her debut in Carmen in a production with the San Luis Opera Festival in July 2018 with the conduction of Dr. Linus Lerner and sang it again in a new production for “Opera de Mexico” Company. Peralta’s roles also include Donna Elvira, Cherubino, Zita, Zia Principessa, Ma Moss, Mercedes, Mme de la Haltiére, Hansel, Charlotte, Lady Rhondda, 2nd and 3rd lady of The Magic Flute among others. Peralta has been the mezzo-soprano soloist at The Messiah, Symphony No. 9, Requiem of Mozart and Petite Messe Solennelle in New York City. Peralta was awarded 2nd place in the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition and 1st place in “Opera Guild Quest for the Best”, both in the University of Arizona in their 2019 Edition.
Peralta was named winner of the "Gertrude Brownlee Bitner Memorial Award” in Guanajuato and "Opera of Panama" Award in “Linus Lerner Competition” San Luis Potosi in 2018. In December 2019, Peralta won the 1st Place of the Vienna Summer Festival Vocal Competition and she got the role of Carmen for Vienna, Austria for July 2020, but because of the pandemic it was postponed. In the summer of 2022, Peralta sang the leading role of Carmen in Bodrum, Turkey with the VAO Vocal Academy of Opera with a full orchestra production and later, she offered in Jerusalem concerts of French and Mexican music. Future projects include and adaptation of Cinderella and the role of Cherubino.
Micheal Dewayne Jackson, tenor
Micheal Dewayne Jackson is a tenor from Las Vegas, Nevada. Jackson embarked on his musical journey at the age of 15, and went on to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Northern Nevada at the University of Nevada-Reno, and his Master’s at The University of Arizona. Jackson's recent roles include Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, and Don José in La tragédie de Carmen, among others. In addition to his love of opera, Jackson enjoys by singing Jazz, R&B, and contemporary music showcasing his wide-ranging talent and musical sensibilities. Currently, Jackson is pursuing his doctoral degree in Voice at The University of Arizona, and is excited to share his love of music with the Tucson community.
Joshua Borths, Writer (operaclassroom.com)
Joshua Borths is a stage director, writer, educator, and administrator with over a decade of experience in the opera industry.
Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Borths currently works with Des Moines Metro Opera and Virginia opera after having served as the Director of Opera & Musical Theater and Professor of Music History at Capital University in Columbus, OH and as Director of Education at Arizona Opera. His children's opera adaptations have been seen by hundreds of thousands of students across the country, and he is a frequent guest lecturer.
At Capital University, Borths produced and managed all of the opera and musical theatre programming while also serving as the Professor of Music History. Additionally, he created a joint Resident Artist Program with Opera Columbus creating innovative programming for both institutions. With Arizona Opera, Borths more than doubled the reach and scope of the department through innovative programming and cultural engagement.
As an educator, Borths has taught at Shenandoah University, been a Visiting Professor at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), directed Maryland Opera Studio, and been guest panelist at the Opera America Conference. He collaborated with TED Ed on their first opera resources and was featured in Opera News for his innovative approach to opera education.
