UK Opera Theatre Rappahannock County

CoryOn Brooks, tenor, is a Paducah, KY, native who is in his second year of undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky, studying Vocal Performance under the tutelage of the esteemed Dr. McCorvey. He is the first-place recipient of the 2025 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. He is also a member of the Inaugural Class of the Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble Academy held at Yale University School of Music. His most recent operatic performance credits are the role of the Official in the World Premiere of A Nation of Others and “Chorus” in Hansel und Gretel, both with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre. This summer, he was in the cast of Grand Night 2026 and the American Spiritual Intensive at the Bayview Music Festival.

Destiny Cardell, soprano, is a Vocal Performance student at the University of Kentucky and a native of Louisville, Kentucky. She is making her principal opera debut in the University of Kentucky’s production of Rappahannock County. Destiny is passionate about opera, musical storytelling, and bringing compelling characters to life through music and drama.

In 2025, Destiny was named a winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Kentucky Chapter Competition and an Alltech Winner. She continues to develop her artistry through her studies at the University of Kentucky, where she is cultivating a career centered on opera and vocal performance.

Destiny is grateful to her professors, directors, coaches, family, and friends for their continued support and encouragement. She is honored to share this milestone with audiences and looks forward to continuing her journey as a young artist.

Mezzo-soprano Ella Clark is an undergraduate sophomore at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Education and studying under Dr. Angelique Clay. She is the First Place recipient of the Alltech Scholarship, one of the university’s top music honors.

Ella recently debuted the role of Hanna in the premiere of Paul Moravec’s A Nation of Others. She has also performed the role of Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.

This past summer, Ella was a member of the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center, where she covered the role of Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and performed Cousin Hebe in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.

Ella placed first in the Undergraduate Division of the Matinee Musicale, Nancy F. Walker Memorial Scholarship Competition. In addition to classical performance, she has a special interest in jazz and musical theater. She also performed a jazz solo on live television as part of the University of Kentucky’s Celebration of Song.

Emory Hampton is a mezzo-soprano from Louisville, Kentucky. She is a second year undergraduate Vocal Performance student and Alltech Vocal Scholar at the University of Kentucky. Emory made her UK Opera Theatre debut last semester as a member of the Immigrant Chorus in the world premiere of A Nation of Others and is excited to be returning for Rappahannock County.

Zackery Morris, tenor, is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, and now resides in Paris, Kentucky. Recent appearances include "Songbird" with Kentucky Opera and "Kaspar" in Amahl and the Night Visitors. He has performed with Opera Saratoga, American Lyric Theatre, Opera Maine, The Ohio Light Opera, and University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, among others. An active concert and oratorio soloist, Zackery specializes in baroque, classical, and contemporary repertoire. He also serves as an Academic Advisor at the University of Kentucky.

Nichelle Noble is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky majoring in voice performance and music education studying with Dr. Angelique Clay. Her most recent operatic performance include “chorus” in the world premiere of A Nation of Others.

Liam Schippers is a classic vocalist, musician, and conductor studying at the University of Kentucky. His musical interests encompass orchestral, choral, and chamber repertoire, with a particular focus on conducting and ensemble leadership. As both a vocalist and conductor, he is committed to developing his musicianship through performance, collaboration, and continued study.

Richard Gammon, an Ilokano + American stage and opera director, has directed for Wolf Trap Opera, Detroit Opera, Hawai’i Opera Theatre, Virginia Opera, Cleveland Play House, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, National Asian Artists Project (NYC), and Opera Lafayette at the Kennedy Center. Acutely interested in contemporary American opera, he directed the world premiere of “The Lake” at ArtSounds (Kansas City); and new productions of “Bound” (Anchorage Opera), “Scalia/Ginsburg” (Princeton Festival), “Buoso’s Ghost” (Detroit Opera), “Silent Night” (University of Kentucky Opera Theatre), and “An American Dream” (Hawai’i Opera Theatre, Virginia Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Manhattan School of Music). Richard, as the director of the Opera Maine Studio Artist Program, programs and directs almost exclusively contemporary operas including “Paul's Case”, “Rappahannock County”, “As One”, “Three Decembers”, and “Rocking Horse Winner”. Creative positions include stage director for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ New Works Collective; co-creator and director of “Art with Arias”- an annual art song recital collaboration between the Portland Museum of Art and OMSAP; leading workshops for NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program; a member of the Opera America Leadership Intensive 2026 cohort; and creative associate for Seán Curran Company’s “Dream’d in a Dream” (BAM Next Wave Festival).

Yuki Izumihara (she/her) is an award winning scenic, projection, and production designer born in Shimonoseki City, Japan and based in Oakland, CA. Ms. Izumihara’s work is influenced by years of martial arts training and is animated by a belief in discipline, ethics and craftsmanship. Recent credit includes scenic and projection design for Machaut Project with Chanticleer, projection design for Glass Menagerie and Jagged Little Pill at Center REP, scenic and projection design for Turn of the Screw and Bulrusher, projection design for Rinaldo, American Apollo, and Dolores (co-pro: Opera Southwest and San Diego Opera) with Westedge Opera, projection design for The Light in the Piazza and Leopoldstadt (co-pro: Shakespeare Theater Company) with Huntington Theater Company, projection design for Areas of Relief and Inkwell at ODC, projection design for Am I Roxie? at Geffen Playhouse, SF Symphony's Lunar New Year and Gala (2022-current). Her work has been featured at Opera Philadelphia, Opera Theater St. Louis, LA Opera, the New World Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Omaha, San Diego Opera, Opera Santa Barbara and various theaters across the country.

Megh is a seasoned stage manager with an extensive background in opera, ballet, and theatrical productions. With over two decades of experience, she has worked with prestigious organizations such as the Cincinnati Ballet, San Diego Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Virginia Opera. She is delighted to be calling just across the street from Lexington Children’s Theatre, where she found her love for stage management.

Megh currently serves as the Production Stage Manager and Program Coordinator for the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Theatre and Dance. A committed arts educator, Megh teaches stage management and mentors young singers and stage managers through the rehearsal and performance process, fostering an environment of support and care while providing the students with realistic expectations of the world outside of academia.

Throughout her career, Megh has worked on numerous high-profile productions, including Jake Hegge and Gene Sheer’s Moby Dick and UK Opera Theatre’s Stars of Tomorrow Opera Gala which was filmed by Kentucky Educational Television and nominated for a Regional Emmy Award. Her expertise extends beyond the stage, serving as the stage manager for large-scale performances such as the Annual Messiah Sing-In with the National Chorale at Lincoln Center in New York City, and Alltech’s Celebration of Song concerts.

Megh holds a Master of Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky and a B.F.A. in Theater Design and Production from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, and she is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and Actor’s Equity Association. Megh is forever grateful to Graham and Ollie for their unwavering love and support.

Sylvie Martin is a second year undergraduate student at UK studying Vocal Performance. This is her first time in the roll of assistant stage manager as well as her first opera. She would like to thank the production team for sharing their leadership and artistry.