Meet the Filene Young Artists of the Wolf Trap Opera, Part I

Shortly after Memorial Day, the Wolf Trap Opera Company will welcome the arrival of the 2012 Filene Young Artists who will be in residence throughout the summer season. Out of approximately 800 applicants, 12 singers have been chosen to perform the principal roles in the WTOC productions. Filene Young Artists have completed advanced degrees from the top music schools in the country and have often participated in year-long young artist companies or apprenticeships. Many of them have already won prestigious awards and are on their way to significant careers. We're pleased to introduce the 2012 Filene Young Artists (Part One!).....

Eric Barry, tenor
Hometown: Sundown, TX
Training: Yale University, SUNY Purchase, Opera North, Amarillo Opera
Roles for WTOC 2012: Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress

“I'm an avid collector of shot glasses – over 1,500 in my collection so far. I used to be a nationally ranked horseshoe pitcher by the NHSPA. I love fine writing instruments, classy watches, and fun socks. I played the trumpet for 15 years, almost twice as long as I've been singing. My ping pong paddle was custom made in Vietnam and I have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Spain. My dream car is a Maybach 62s. My parents have been happily married for 36 years and they're still going strong, Pawpaw and Granny over 60 years.”


Andrea Carroll, soprano
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Training: Manhattan School of Music, Glimmerglass Festival, Seagle Music Colony, Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Roles for WTOC 2012: Zerlina in Don Giovanni, From Bel Canto to Can Belto Recital

“I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and I am 1/2 Hispanic, 1/4 Austrian, and 1/4 Hungarian. Because I lived overseas with my family until I was 8, I have always been extremely interested and at home with other cultures. My favorite cuisines are Indian, Mediterranean (Lebanese), Thai, and Korean. I started taking dance lessons at the same time that I started singing (around 3 or 4) and didn't stop until I was 18. My first dream was to be a Radio City Rockette until I found out I would never be taller than 5' 2"."


Craig Colclough, bass-baritone
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Training: Florida Grand Opera Studio, University of the Redlands
Roles for WTOC 2012: Nick Shadow in The Rake’s Progress, Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Vocal Colors Recital

“My first love in life was theology. I am an aspiring theological writer and am a practicing Philosophical Taoist. My favorite foods are Japanese, Thai, and Korean. I have never had a drink of alcohol. I like biking and water sports. I married my high school sweetheart and we have a two-year-old son. I used to collect drinking straws but when my collection expanded into the thousands my wife “persuaded” me to throw them out… now I collect movies.”


Margaret Gawrysiak, mezzo-soprano
Hometown: Geneseo, IL
Training: San Francisco Opera Merola Program, Seattle Opera, Aspen Opera Theater, Glimmerglass Opera
Roles for WTOC 2012: Baba the Turk/Mother Goose in The Rake’s Progress, Vocal Colors Recital, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the NSO

“My undergraduate degree and training is in Music Therapy, and I spent several years working with kids with special needs. My favorite experiences include two seasons as a summer camp counselor. I can lead a rowdy and fun campfire sing-a-long with tunes like "Puff the Magic Dragon," "If I had a Hammer," and "This Land is your Land." I love competitive cooking television shows; Chopped, Iron Chef, Top Chef, etc… but I can't really cook.”

Tickets for the 2012 Wolf Trap Opera Company season are on sale now! Join us next week to meet more of the 2012 Filene Young Artists.