Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center announces singers selected for the 2026/27 Ensemble

CHICAGO (9/16/25) — Considered one of the world’s preeminent artist-development programs for emerging artists, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced the singers selected for its 2026/27 Ensemble at the Final Auditions held on September 14 in the Ardis Krainik Theatre.

The new members of the Ensemble include sopranos Kylie Kreucher and Josie Larsen, baritone Adam Partridge, and bass-baritones Matthew Dexter and Lin Fan. They will join five returning Ensemble members: mezzo-sopranos Alexis Peart and Camille Robles, tenor Daniel Luis Espinal, baritone Sihao Hu, and bass-baritone Benjamin R. Sokol.

Starting last winter, some 600 singers applied for consideration with video recordings. After a thorough review, selected singers were invited to live preliminary auditions throughout the spring and summer, resulting in invitations to a small group of finalists to come to Chicago last weekend, hosted by the Ryan Opera Center. The Final Auditions were attended by nearly 2,000 guests, who also participated in voting for the Audience Favorite Award. The award and $500 cash prize went to soprano Kylie Kreucher.

Katie Klein of Chicago’s Second City, who has previously led improv workshops for the Ryan Opera Center, served as emcee for the Final Auditions. The audience was also treated to a performance by contralto Lauren Decker, a Ryan Opera Center alumna who has appeared with Lyric in The Magic Flute, Rigoletto, Die Walküre, I puritani, and other productions, as well as in concert with major orchestras and festivals across the country. She will also return to Lyric this fall to appear as Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria rusticana.

Judges for the day included Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO John Mangum; Music Director Enrique Mazzola; Chief Artistic Officer Matthew Ozawa; Vice President of Artistic Planning Andreas Melinat; Chorus Director and Head of Music Michael Black; and Ryan Opera Center Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.

The Ensemble singers will begin their tenure in May 2026 and will receive advanced instruction in numerous aspects of operatic performance, including voice lessons and language classes, movement and acting training, and master classes with some of opera’s most renowned artists. They will also participate in Lyric’s mainstage season, performing and understudying a variety of roles, in addition to appearing at Ryan Opera Center concerts and recitals throughout the Chicago community.

Concluding their Ryan Opera Center tenures at the end of the 2025/26 Season are sopranos Adia Evans and Emily Richter, tenor Travon D. Walker, baritones Sankara Harouna and Finn Sagal, and bass-baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr.

The 2026/27 Ryan Opera Center positions of Ensemble Pianist, Conductor, Stage Director, and Stage Manager will be announced at a later date.

2026/27 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble Singers Selected at the Final Auditions

Sopranos
Kylie Kreucher (Novi, Michigan)
Josie Larsen (Sammamish, Washington)

Mezzo-sopranos
Alexis Peart (Titusville, New Jersey)
Camille Robles (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Tenors
Daniel Espinal (Sarasota, Florida)

Baritones
Sihao Hu (Shenzhen, China)
Adam Partridge (Jacksonville, Florida)

Bass-baritones
Matthew Dexter (McKinney, Texas)
Lin Fan (Chengdu, China)
Benjamin R. Sokol (Westbury, New York)

Lyric Opera's Season is presented by

About the Ryan Opera Center

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric’s preeminent artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic artists of each generation. The program’s Ensemble members earn their coveted spot by successfully auditioning among more than 500 artists worldwide. Its alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. Donor generosity ensures continued unparalleled training, performance experience, and professional readiness of Ensemble members. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is led by Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.

Learn More about the Ryan Opera Center

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

Join us @LyricOpera on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook. #WhereChicagoSings