About the Cast

Anthony D. Anderson

Anthony D. Anderson is a baritone soloist who is a native of Washington D.C. Anderson currently studies voice under Timothy LeFebvre. In his time at the Oberlin, he has sung various roles with the Oberlin Opera Theater including in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and most recently as title role in Henry Mollicone’s Emperor Norton. Mr. Anderson made his young artist debut in recital with Cantate Chamber Singers group as its inaugural Young Artist of Color this past summer. 

Elizabeth Hanje

Elizabeth Hanje is a Tanzanian-American soprano from Birmingham, Alabama. She is a second year at Oberlin Conservatory studying under Salvatore Champagne. Hanje is the 2021 recipient of the Richard Miller Award for Fine Singing and a 2021 YoungArts Winner. Elizabeth made her Oberlin debut in Handel’s Acis and Galatea and is now excited to take part and share the story of the Comedian in The Puppy Episode.

Jaclyn Hopping

Jaclyn Hopping is a soprano hailing from Coweta, Oklahoma. She is currently in her fourth and final year at Oberlin under the tutelage of Kendra Colton. Her first leading role at Oberlin was in Poulenc’s La voix humaine where she played Elle #3. Hopping has performed as a soloist with Oberlin’s orchestras several times, including a new work for soprano and orchestra by composer Natsumi Osborn in 2020. Hopping first attended the Chautauqua Voice Program in her second year at Oberlin where she studied under Marlena Malas and Rhoslyn Jones. 

Callie Iliff

Callie Iliff is a mezzo soprano from Wimberley, Texas. She is in her third year at Oberlin Conservatory studying under Katherine Jolly. She is very grateful to participate in her second opera here at Oberlin, the first being La voix humaine (Elle #2). Callie was named a 2019 National YoungArts Finalist as well as first-place winner of the Schmidt and Hal Leonard vocal competitions. She looks forward to sharing all the puppy love!

Chris Leimgruber

Christopher Leimgruber is a tenor in his first year of study with Salvatore Champagne at Oberlin Conservatory. Chris made his Oberlin debut with the 2021 production of Handel’s Acis and Galatea. In the same year, Chris was a National YoungArts finalist. This will mark his first leading role at Oberlin, and his first professional debut at Opera Columbus this May. Chris is excited to bring the story of Gil to life in The Puppy Episode.

Jon Motes

Jonathan Motes is a baritone from Plymouth, Minnesota. He is in his third year studying voice with Timothy LeFebvre at Oberlin Conservatory. Jon made his Oberlin debut in Fall of 2021 in their production of Acis & Galatea. A lover of new opera, Jon also performed in the music & libretto workshop of the opera Alice Tierney by Melissa Dunphy and Jacqueline Goldfinger that will premiere at Oberlin in 2023. Jon is thrilled to make his professional debut with Opera Columbus, as well as his Oberlin debut in a leading role in The Puppy Episode.