The Puccini Society of Dallas
Invites you to attend our February Program
“Flying from the Nest”
A program of songs and arias with:
Lauren Manon, soprano
Cherisse Williams, soprano
Sarah Foshee, mezzo-soprano
Eleanor Williams, mezzo-soprano
Stephen Dubberly, piano
Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Members $30 Guests $40
Valet Parking provided
Please RSVP no later than Feb. 14 to
[email protected]
Mail checks to:
Puccini Society of Dallas
P.O. Box 1782
Colleyville, TX 76034-1782
Call Jana at (817) 999 – 5509 for credit card payments.
Photo Gallery
Eleanor Williams, Mezzo-Soprano
Sara Fochee, Mezzo-Soprano
Lauren Manon, Soprano
Clarissa Williams, Soprano
Party Pictures
Puccini Friends; I am still excited about our beautiful event yesterday! Stephen put together a wonderful program with those very talented young singers from the Opera in Italy program. We were all very impressed with their talent and potential. Stephen’s commentary put each aria into context and helped us relate to the character being portrayed. We are so fortunate to have Stephen in our society and that he is willing to put together these outstanding program for us!
Linda and Tom are such gracious hosts and are so kind to invite us time and again. Their home is truly beautiful and interesting, as many of you observed yesterday. Thank you for your welcoming hospitality.
Mac presented another of his fabulous receptions! We are so grateful that he does this for us and for his culinary talents. Everything was beautiful and delicious. His featured cocktail of the day was particularly enjoyed by everyone. Jana always makes things run smoothy with her many responsibilities. You two are our Puccini Valentines, along with Patsy and Bob who always assist Mac, set up and serve drinks, and even bring chairs. Lots of logistics are involved in our meetings, and thanks to all who helped out with that yesterday.
Our next event is planned for March 30 and will feature soprano Jocelyn Hansen. Jocelyn has performed in three main stage productions for the Dallas Opera the season, and is equally outstanding in musical theater performances. I know she’ll bring us a program that will be enjoyed by everyone. Please save this date.
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support of the Puccini Society.
Marilyn
Introducing Cherisse Williams
Brooklyn, New York, native soprano Cherisse Williams is a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Business Administration in Music Business student at the University of North Texas, under the tutelage of Dr. Carol Wilson.
In performance with The Dallas Opera’s Educational Outreach, she will perform the role of Manuelita (Pépito).
Last season, Ms. Williams sang the role of Micaëla (Carmen). She has played the role of Adina in L’elisir d’amore with UNT Opera, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) with Once Upon an Opera, and Nannetta in the Midwest Institute of Opera’s production of Falstaff.
Her Manhattan School of Music credits include the Princess in their mainstage production of L’enfant et les Sortilèges, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro for their opera scenes titled “A World Made Real: Five Stories of Women in Pursuit of Dreams.” Other credits include the role of Sally Hemings in the world premiere of Dana Wilson’s The Wolf by the Ears, Beth (cover) in Little Women, Mademoiselle Silberklang in The Impresario with the Ithaca Hidden Gems Project, The Princeton Festival’s production of Porgy and Bess (ensemble), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom) at Westminster Choir College Opera Theatre.
Ms. Williams was a winner of the Willam Gammon Henry Concerto Competition at the University of North Texas and a first-prize winner at the NATS-CNYFL competition. She is a member of the New York Philharmonic Chorus and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Music from Ithaca College, and a Professional Studies Certificate in opera from The Manhattan School of Music. She is a volunteer artist for Sing for Hope, a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota and one of the owners of the Sparkle Twins.
In addition to singing, Ms. Williams is a professional commercial and print model, and a former preschool teacher. She has starred in the national Verizon Holiday commercial along with her identical twin sister, which received over 2 million views worldwide.