2026 August Musicales

Mara Barrett is a proud graduate of the Theatre Program at The College of William and Mary. Some of her performance credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Richmond Triangle Players), The Addams Family (Dogwood Dell), The Great Gatsby (Quill Theatre), Times Square Angel (Richmond Triangle Players), A Chorus Line (Richmond Triangle Players), Free Man of Color (The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company), Something’s Afoot (Swift Creek Mill), and Virginia Rep on Tour. She has also appeared as Musetta in in CCO's production of La bohème.

Born and raised in Farmville, Virginia, Daniel Bradshaw began singing as a child in a small country church, where he enthusiastically belted out old hymns that first shaped his love for vocal performance. This early passion grew into years of leading worship and serving others through song.

Daniel has worked diligently to refine the vocal talent God entrusted to him, training under two remarkable opera coaches— Norma Williams and, more recently, James Taylor. His musical interests are rooted in opera, Broadway, and the classic American songbook, genres which speak to his belief in music’s unique ability to stir the heart and elevate the spirit.

For Daniel, music is fundamentally an act of service. His desire is not to draw attention to himself, but to bring joy, comfort, and reflection to those who listen.

Elise Cumbia is a graduate from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of her roles in Richmond have included Chava in Fiddler on the Roof  (Weinstein JCC), Svetlana in Chess (Amaryllis Studios) and Emily in From Up Here (HATTheatre). Some of her favorite past roles have included Beth in Little Women, Matt in Matt & Ben, and Julia in The Wedding Singer at Hardin-Simmons."  Elise currently studies with James Taylor.

Ashley Nicole Dawson, a Richmond native, is a professional soprano and the founder of Dawson Voice Studio. She graduated from Liberty University with a B.M. in Vocal Performance and earned her M.M. in Vocal Performance from Ball State University, where she received a graduate scholarship and won first place in the Graduate Vocal Competition. As a performer, Ashley has appeared in roles such as Norina (Don Pasquale), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Queen of the

Night (Die Zauberflöte), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), and Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring). Additional credits include scenes as Fiordiligi, Pamina, and Lucia.

She has served as a Young Artist with the Bar Harbor Music Festival, covering Adele in Die Fledermaus, and trained internationally at the Internationale Sommerakademie Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, where she was selected to compete as a finalist in the Michèle Crider masterclass.

She made her debut with Commonwealth Concert Opera as Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) in September 2025 and performed Nedda (Pagliacci) in May 2026.

Alongside her performance career, Ashley is devoted to teaching. Through Dawson Voice Studio, she trains singers of all ages in classical and contemporary styles, focusing on sustainable technique and expressive artistry. Her students have gone on to advanced studies, performance opportunities, and professional work across genres. Ashley is passionate about sharing her love of music both onstage and in the studio, bringing artistry, discipline, and joy to every performance and lesson.

Fredrick Newhouse is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He has studied vocal performance at VCU and is currently a student of James Taylor. After a long hiatus, he is making his return to opera to debut his first lead role as Rodolfo. Fredrick has performed in the chorus with VCU Opera in Lehár’s The Merry Widow and Mozart’s The Magic Flute. He has also performed the joyous role of Lippo Fiorentino in the “Ice Cream Sextet” from Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. In May, Fredrick participated in a workshop for Damien Geter's Loving vs. Virginia with Virginia Opera and performed with Commonwealth Concert Opera as Rodolfo in La Boheme and as Beppe in Pagliacci. He is extremely excited to be performing opera again and eagerly anticipates the future.

Darien Roby is a JMU graduate with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. While at university, Darien sang in the top vocal ensemble, “The Madison Singers”, and made his Carnegie Hall Debut as part of the JMU Carnegie Hall Collective in March 2025. Favorite roles performed include Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), The Pilot (The Little Prince), and Father Trulove (The Rake’s Progress).

In 2024, Darien was selected to travel overseas to Graz, Austria to participate in the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) opera institute where he received instruction from world-class opera singers and professors for six weeks.

Darien premiered with Commonwealth Concert Opera as Masetto in its 2025 production of Don Giovanni.

Jessica Voutsinas is a coluratura sporano from Richmond, Virginia. She's performed with companies along the East Coast, including Opera Ithaca, Classical RVA, and Commonwealth Concert Opera in beloved roles Susanna in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, Dorothée in Massenet's Cendrillon, and Musetta in Puccini's La bohème, and will appear as Violetta in next season's La traviata in September 2026. Jessica has also sung in the chorus for I Pagliacci and performed in the choral works Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Messiah by George Frideric Handel, and Prayers of Kierkegaard by Samuel Barber. She graduated from Ithaca Conservatory in 2018, and has studied with renowned singers Dawn Pierce and James Taylor. 

Justin Lee enjoys an active career as both a solo and collaborative pianist. He is an in-demand accompanist across the Richmond area and is currently an adjunct music faculty member at both University of Richmond and Brightpoint Community College's Midlothian Campus.

A Richmond area native, Justin holds two degrees in piano performance: a BM from Virginia Commonwealth University (2015), and an MM from University of North Carolina School of the Arts (2018). Past teachers include Buckner Gamby, Yin Zheng, and Dmitri Shteinberg.