THE TEAM

JULIE WYMA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Julie Wyma has been described as a Renaissance Woman of opera, having worked in both Europe and the United States as a singer, director, stage manager, wig/makeup artist, costume designer, producer, and educator.

Julie has produced and directed operas including Wagner’s Lohengrin, Das Rheingold and Die Walküre (Berlin Wagner Gruppe), Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle (Opera By Request, semi-staged) Massenet’s Werther (Irrational Entertainment), Händel’s Semele (Midwest Early Opera Works), Jonathan Stinson’s The Three Bears and Ryan Oldham’s The Emperor’s Madness (University of Missouri-Kansas City), as well as Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years (Voci Inglesi) and numerous opera scenes programs. She has assistant directed Albert Herring and Giulio Cesare at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, La Traviata at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Carmen at Opera North, and she assistant stage managed La Rondine at Indiana University. She has directed opera scenes at Opera North and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 2019 she produced a staged performance of The AIDS Quilt Songbook: Berlin Edition in Berlin, Germany, which included two new song commissions. In January 2022 she will direct a production of Strauss's Elektra in Berlin (Berlin Elektra Projekt).

As a costume designer Julie worked for Dicapo Opera Theatre in New York for the 2011-2012 Season, which included Tosca, The Consul, Iolanta, The Most Happy Fella, La Cenerentola, Beauty and the Beast, and La Traviata. She also designed costumes for Opera On Tap Berlin’s production of Les contes d’Hoffmann in 2016 and for Literally Alive’s production of A Christmas Carol in New York in 2012. As a student she worked as a costume assistant/stitcher for the University of Arizona on Le nozze di Figaro and The Merry Wives of Windsor, and for Indiana University on Die Zauberflöte, The Nutcracker, and La Rondine. She has worked as a Wig and Makeup Assistant for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, in operas including Giulio Cesare, La Bohème, and John Brown, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in productions including La Bohème, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, and The Man of La Mancha, and for a national tour of Hairspray. As a young artist, she was a set construction assistant at Opera in the Ozarks in 2004.

As an educator, Julie’s passion lies in helping singers make the transition from student to professional, and in guiding talented people to the places where they are needed. She has served as a vocal coach, preparing singers for auditions and talent competitions, as well as an audition panelist and advisor. With organizations such as Opera Programs Berlin, Dramatic Voices Program Berlin, Irrational Entertainment, Midwest Early Opera Works, Voci Inglesi, Berlin Wagner Gruppe and Berliner Opernverein, she has facilitated performance opportunities for singers seeking additional stage experience and the chance to hone their craft in a supportive, professional environment.

As a professional operatic soprano she has performed more than 25 roles, including die Königin der Nacht and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Rosina in I barbiere di Siviglia, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Gilda in Rigoletto, Marie in Die verkaufte Braut, Musetta in La Bohème, Sophie in Werther, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, the Waldvogel in Siegfried, and Norina in Don Pasquale. Of her Norina, the Kansas City Metropolis said: “soprano Julie Wyma sparkled with a self-confident air and a strong, beautiful voice.”

An active concert performer and recitalist, her recent appearances include concerts at the US Consul General in Düsseldorf and the Residence of the US Ambassador to Germany in Berlin; a song recital at the University of Pittsburg at Greensburg; Lovers’ Quarrels, a concert of operatic duets and arias in Concord, New Hampshire and Niemegk, Germany; Three Tenors and a Soprano concerts in Cornish and New London, New Hampshire; and Viva Divas!, a concert of operatic arias, duets, and trios in Cornish, New Hampshire, Phoenix, Arizona and Berlin, Germany.

ANASTASIA NIKOLOV, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Soprano Anastasia Nikolov started her musical training at the age of 5, studying piano. She was a member of the Bulgarian National Theater Youth Ensemble, where she was cast in numerous main stage and touring productions. Her training at the National Theatre included acting, improvisation, Latin and folk dance. Other musical studies also included percussion and classical guitar.

Ms. Nikolov commenced her vocal training in Bulgaria and continued it at the Longy School of Music (Cambridge, Massachusetts) as a recipient of the Janet Irving Scholarship for Vocal Studies. She was a member of the Central Florida Lyric Opera Young Artists Program and was later invited to return as a main stage Resident Artist with the company.

Opera roles include: Woglinde in Das Rheingold (Berlin Wagner Gruppe); Elsa in Lohengrin (Berlin Wagner Gruppe); Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Violetta in La Traviata (Central Florida Lyric Opera; New London Opera Players, Fine Arts Chorale & Orchestra) Governess in Turn of the Screw (Opera Seria), Donna Anna in Don Giovanni (Opera Seria, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Nedda in Pagliacci (Central Florida Lyric Opera), Micaëla and Frasquita in Carmen, under the directorship of late legendary soprano Licia Albanese (Central Florida Lyric Opera); Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro (Central Florida Lyric Opera), Serpina in La serva padrona (Berliner Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal, concertante).

Upcoming performances include role debut with Green Opera at the Waterloo Vault Theatre as Judith in Bartók's Bluebeard Castle, Barber's Knoxville Summer of 1915, Op. 24 with pianist Boram Ahn and Woglinde in Wagner's Götterdämmerung with Berlin Wagner Gruppe.

Ms. Nikolov is a champion of new music. She has premiered works by prominent American and British composers such as Vartan Aghababian, Michael Djupstrom, Victoria Ellis, Heather Gilligan and Eric Sawyer; some of these works were written and dedicated to her. In addition to numerous song cycles and solo concert works with orchestra, she also created the role of Anna von Mildenburg in the new piece Geboren Alma Schindler (Berliner Opern Verein); the role of Member of the Chamber in the premiere performance of Eric Sawyer's Our American Cousin (Composers in Red Sneakers); and the title role in the world premiere of Victoria Ellis' opera Darling (One of Us Foundation).

Solo concert engagements include J.S. Bach Jauchzet Gott in alles Landen (Berliner Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal), Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut (Old North Concert Series), Magnificat in D (Fine Arts Chorale), Missa brevis in A (Fine Arts Chorale); Mozart's Requiem (Fine Arts Chorale), Missa Brevis in F (Sommerville Choir), Exultate Jubilate (Berliner Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal), Vesperae solennes de confessore (Somerville Choir); Händel's Messiah (College Park Players), L'Allego, il Pensieroso, ed il Moderato (Berliner Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal); Pergolesi Stabat mater (Berliner Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal); Schubert Mass in G (Highnam Choir and Orchestra); Dubois Seven Last Words of Christ (College Park Players); Vivaldi Gloria (Old North Concert Series); Vaughan Williams Dona nobis pacem (Tufts University Orchestra, cover); Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream (Longy Chamber Orchestra); Berg Sieben frühe Lieder (Kirchberg Chamber Music Festival); Mahler Rückert-Lieder (Berlin Song Festival); Strauss Vier letzte Lieder (Berlin Song Festival, Kirchberg Chamber Music Festival, Walbrook Music Trust, Galerieforum am Meer); Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasilieras No.5 (Kirchberg Chamber Music Festival) among others.

As a concert artist, Ms. Nikolov has also given numerous concert recitals in the United States and in Europe.

Ms. Nikolov is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Opera Programs Berlin (https://www.operaprogramsberlin.com/) and Dramatic Voices Program Berlin (https://www.dramaticvoicesprogramberlin.com/). Previously, she was an artistic consultant for The Opera Stage (now folded into Classical Singer Magazine), and has worked as an educator and in leadership positions in the arts for the last 15 years, both in the United States and Europe.

ANDREA NWOKE, CONSULTANT

FULL VOICE COACHING & CONSULTING
FOUNDER & CEO

Nigerian-American Executive & Leadership Coach, Andrea Nwoke, leverages her diverse experience in demanding roles from corporate boardrooms to professional opera stages to support executives and rising leaders in developing their authentic leadership style, building confidence, and achieving powerful results by leading from their Full Voice.

Andrea offers a dynamic and personable coaching style highly effective at enhancing self- awareness, increasing emotional intelligence, and developing admirable leadership styles. Her work includes training individuals to communicate and lead within various corporate cultures and geographies inclusive of Fortune 500 executives. Her experience in career management consulting brings a knowledgeable approach to working with professionals in career and role transition. She has experience working within a broad range of industries and across multiple levels and functions within an organization. An accomplished classical singer, Andrea's devotion to language, nuance, and precision translated beautifully to her 12+ years in the corporate world where she was an indispensable presence in the C-suites of multiple global companies. She empowers clients to find their Full Voice with intention, to grow with definitive action, and to celebrate every accomplishment. Using competency-based best practices, she supports teams and individuals to overcome momentum blockers, take charge of their professional development, and skillfully manage difficult situations. Honoring her artistic passions, Andrea serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Seagle Festival. She is a frequent guest speaker, moderator, facilitator, and panelist for various arts organizations and DEI initiatives. Our services include one-on-one coaching, group and team coaching and off-sites, workshops, retreats, and speaking engagements.
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CPCC (Certified Co-Active Coach) | Quantum Endeavors Licensed Coach | Positive Intelligence Coach InPowered Leadership Licensed Coach | Member: International Coaching Federation Bachelor of Music, University of The Arts | Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University
https://www.fullvoiceconsulting.com/

KRISTIN ROBLE,
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST & MANAGER

Hailed as a "mellifluous mezzo," American Mezzo Soprano Kirstin Roble maintains a busy performing career in recital, opera, and mass works. She has recently been seen in productions with Madison Opera, Opera on Tap-Wisconsin, Madison Savoyards, LAHSOW (Luke Housner, AVA,) Spooky Goose Opera, and Belle Ensemble (Racine, Wisconsin.) Some of her favorite roles include Flosshilde (Das Rheingold,) Dritte Dame (Die Zaüberflöte,) Third Wood Sprite (Rusalka,)Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro,) and Mary Todd Lincoln (American Spring.)

Outside of stage work, Ms. Roble enjoys a busy schedule as a concert soloist. She has performed the Alto solos on a number of works, including Vivaldi's Gloria, Mozart's Missa Brevis in F and Coronation Mass, and Britten's A Ceremony of Carols.

In addition to her work as a performer, Kirstin has found equal satisfaction as an online content creator and social media manager. Her work has involved contracts with clients in several industries in the United States and Canada with businesses from music schools to restaurants to photography studios to summer camps.

In addition to content creation, her articles have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers, including Modern Singer, Town News Today, Inspired Magazine, and The Wisconsin Gazette. She is excited to join the Opera Programs of Berlin in this double capacity as a singer and social media manager for the 2022 season.