OperaFest 2026
La Bohème
June 6, 2026 @ 7:30PM
June 7, 2026 @ 2:00PM

Skyview Auditorium
1775 High Sierra Boulevard
Billings, Montana

Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door

Cast and Crew

Andy Meyers - Director
Amy Schendel - Assistant Director
Jacoby Holte - Chorus Master
Debra Gloor - Property Manager
Mary Ann Conners - Costumes
Michael Yenny - Accompanist
Emma King - Supertitle Creator & Operator
Lucinda & Steven Butler - Production Team Leaders
Aaron Schendel - Sets and Technical Director
Christopher Holmes - Marcello
Jacoby Holte - Schaunard
Anne Kania - Benoit, Alcindoro
Anthony Ruiz - Rodolfo
Amy Schendel - Mimi
Daren Small - Colline
Bethany Smith - Musetta

Andy Meyers, Director
Posts include Artistic Director of Fort Peck Summer Theatre; Season Director for House of Spirits Seattle/NYC; Managing Director for Performing Arts at Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island, NY; Interim Producing Artistic Director at Post Playhouse, NE. He is a frequent guest director for companies such as Arizona Broadway Theatre, Public Theatre of San Antonio, Lewiston Civic Theatre Missoula Children’s Theatre, Shawnee Playhouse and Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
In Billings specifically, Andy has helmed Billing Studio Theatre’s The Spitfire Grill and Honky Tonk Laundry, and Backyard Theatre’s Rent at The Babcock. Andy is Co-Producer for the hit UK production of Alice in Wonderland, originated at Marylebone Theatre, London. As an actor he recently performed in Tannhauser at The Met Opera, NYC; National Tours of Annie, Bus Stop and A Christmas Carol; and he has appeared Off-Broadway in Cricle of Friends and as Dick in the 35th Anniversary of Dames at Sea. Andy’s passion for arts education led him to establish AM Theatrical, Inc, with the mission to encourage engagement in the arts by producing performances that reflect the served community; presenting events that benefit groups in need; supporting artistic educational opportunities; and creating theatre focused on inspiring young audiences. A native of Missoula, MT, Andy is a graduate of Walnut Hill School of the Arts in Boston, Wagner College in New York, and holds graduate degrees in Musical Theatre and Nonprofit Management from University of Montana.






Michael Yenny, Accompanist

Known for his unique musical versatility, Wyoming native Michael Yenny holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2009), where he studied piano performance with Mark Clinton. In addition, Dr. Yenny studied collaborative piano with internationally acclaimed Professor of Collaborative Piano, Anne Epperson. Dr. Yenny served as faculty accompanist at Angelo State University and is currently the staff accompanist at Northwest College. He is also in high demand as a church musician, recital soloist, orchestral pianist, musical theatre and opera pianist, choral accompanist, independent piano teacher, and composer and arranger.











Anne Kania, Benoit and Alcindoro

Meet Anne Kania, who will sing the roles of Benoit and Alcindoro in Rimrock Opera's production of La Bohème.
Anne Kania, contralto, has been involved in Early Music from a young age, playing recorder to a semi-professional level. Then, in her early thirties, she began to take singing lessons. A fine contralto voice (eventually) emerged, which has been widely praised for its richness and flexibility.
Anne moved to Montana in 2007 from New Zealand, where she had maintained a busy concert schedule under her other alias, Anne Lamont-Low. There, she performed with all the major choirs and orchestras in repertoire ranging from the Evangelist in Scarlatti’s St John Passion (NZ premiere) to Verdi’s Requiem, the title role in Handel’s Solomon, Messiah, the Bach Passions, Mass in B Minor and Christmas Oratorio, Beethoven’s Choral Symphony and Mass in C, Anthony Richie’s Ahua, Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater, and countless other works. She has performed in Europe, appearing in the 2000 Mitte Europas Festival with the Wiener Akademie under Martin Haselboeck, and in Neumünster, Germany, under the direction of Hans-Jürgen Schnoor. She toured Germany in 2000 as soloist with Bach Musica and in Russia and Europe with the Christchurch-based CBS Choir.
Her concert appearances include Elgar’s Sea Pictures, with the Christchurch Symphony, and Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’Ete with both the Christchurch Symphony and the Wellington Sinfonia. Her highly successful one-woman show, Remembering Kathleen Ferrier, performed throughout NZ and in the UK, has been released as a CD.
Operatic roles include Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Madame Larina in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Marilyn Klinghoffer in John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer, the Principessa in Suor Angelica, Flora in La Traviata, Martha in Gounod’s Faust and Calliope in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Since moving to Montana, she has appeared in concerts with the Billings Symphony and Chorale, performed with Early Music ensemble, 'The I90 Collective', and since 2013 has been a much-loved and frequent soloist with Helena ensemble, Musikanten Montana, under the direction of Kerry Krebill, performing a wide range of early music and 20th century American masterpieces.
Anne lives in Shepherd, MT with husband Bruce and their two dogs, and spends her time between running a business (Floating Island International), singing, playing viola da gamba and, whenever possible, hunting.

Daren Small, Colline
Daren Small is a distinguished bass-baritone soloist in the American Northwest. He enjoys sharing his passion for singing, both on stage as well as in the classroom and voice studio. Small earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Based in his hometown of Billings, Montana, Dr. Small is currently the Assistant Professor of Voice at Montana State University Billings. Throughout his entire career, he has enjoyed opportunities to share his “clear and rich-timbred voice” with all audiences.
Dr. Small made his soloist debut at Montana State University during their 2006 performance of Mozart’s Requiem. Since then, he has performed as a soloist in many venues. His most recent operatic appearances include: L’incoronazione di Poppea, Awakenings, Die Zauberflöte, Turandot, Aïda, The Crucible, Rigoletto, Tosca, and La Bohème. He is continually hailed as one of the finest bass soloists to sing Handel’s Messiah. His recent concert appearances include performances of Fauré’s Requiem, Bach’s Mass in B Minor and St. John Passion, Stravinsky's Les Noces, and Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610. Small was also a winner of the District Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONC) Auditions for Montana and Idaho in 2015. He went on to win the 3rd place Encouragement Award at the Northwest MONC Finals in 2016.
While earning his Bachelor of Music Education and his Master of Education degrees from Montana State University, Dr. Small developed his passion for performance and teaching. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors’ Association, NAfME, and the VoiceCare Network. He has also served as the Chorus Master for the Rimrock Opera in Billings, Montana. Many reputable soloists and educators have and continue to influence his career including Tom Baresel, Dennis Rupp, Lowell Hickman, Dr. Jon Harney, Dr. Kirk Aamot, and Dr. Steven Hart. Additional information about Daren Small can be found at darensmall.com.

Christopher Holmes, Marchello
Christopher Holmes - Marchello With over 40 operatic roles to his credit, baritone Christopher Holmes has been featured by companies such as Austin Opera, Central City Opera, Eugene Opera, Opera Idaho, Phoenix Opera, Juneau Lyric Opera, and San Antonio Opera. Previous Rimrock Opera credits include SONORA (Fanciulla), COUNT ALMAVIVA (Figaro), ESCAMILLO (Carmen), and PIRATE KING (Pirates).
A "powerful, melodious baritone" with "soul and passion" is a small sample of enthusiastic reviews being received by Holmes. As a full-lyric baritone, Holmes is beginning to make his mark in the Verdi repertoire. As IAGO with Winter Opera St. Louis critics commented, Holmes sings Iago "with clarity and power, and with a skilled actor's ability to convey mood and character" and with "control and subtlety." As RIGOLETTO at St. Petersburg Opera a critic indicates that Holmes "had me crying at points-- an incredibly beautiful lyric baritone with a very clear understanding of who this humiliated and terribly wronged man is." His GERMONT was praised as "with crystal clear enunciation, truly polished, controlled, professional and superb." But his versatility continues to make him adept at the bass-baritone roles of Mozart and Rossini such as DON ALFONSO in Così fan tutte (St. Petersburg Opera), FIGARO in Le nozze di Figaro (Cleveland Opera Theater) and BARTOLO in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Western Plains Opera).
Recent projects have included RENATO (Un ballo in maschera) at Opera Project Columbus, DON GIOVANNI at Painted Sky Opera, ESCAMILLO (Carmen) at Western Plains Opera, BASS SOLOIST and PILATE in Bach's St. John Passion and Vaughan Wiliams' Hodie with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, GERMONT (Traviata) and SHARPLESS (Butterfly) with Bellevue Opera, concerts and FIORELLO (Barbiere) in Park City Opera's inaugural season, and JUDGE TURPIN (Sweeney) with Opera Idaho. He also joined the BYU Women's Chorus to sing GABRIEL in the premier of Mary and Elizabeth and the Chorale and Orchestra at Temple Square as JESUS in R. Cundick's The Redeemer.


Anthony Ruiz, Rodolfo

Anthony Ruiz, tenor, recently graduated from Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah with a bachelor of art in music. This will be his second time performing the role of Rodolfo in La Bohème and he couldn’t be more excited. His most notable roles are Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini, Romeo in Romeo et Juliette by Gounod, and Werther in Werther by Jules Massanet.

Anthony has also had many opportunities to perform in choirs like Spoleto Chorus USA and American Festival Chorus as a fellow and recording sessions with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints new Hymbook Project as a recording artists for the hymns in Spanish.

Jacoby Holte, Schaunard
Originally from Poplar, Montana, Jacoby Holte is the Choral Director at Billings Senior High School where, for the last eight years, he has cultivated a culture of musical excellence and human connection. Jacoby sang the role of Escamillo in Rimrock Opera's production of Carmen's Tragedy. Jacoby also sings for High Plains Chamber Singers and is the baritone section leader for the Billings Symphony and Chorale. A recognized leader in the Montana music community, Jacoby was honored by the Montana Choral Directors Association as the “Outstanding Emerging Choral Music Educator” in 2025. Jacoby is frequently sought after as an adjudicator and clinician across the state. Beyond the podium, Jacoby finds balance in the Montana and Minnesota outdoors. He enjoys fly fishing, camping and spending quality time outside with his wife, Sydney, and daughter, Magnolia.

Bethany Smith-Jacobs, Musetta
Bethany is the artistic director and co-creator of Opera on Tap-Wyoming. As a classically trained soprano, Bethany holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is an avid performer in Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana and has worked with companies such as the Boulder Philharmonic, Rimrock Opera, Loveland Opera Theatre and the Denver Opera Collective. Recently, Bethany played the title role of Cinderella, as well as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, both with Rimrock Opera. As a music director, Bethany has worked with Theatre West in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players. Bethany is a music instructor at Laramie County Community College where she directs the choral program along with teaching voice and other music courses. She also adjudicates music festivals throughout the region and serves as music director/lead vocalist at the First Christian Church of Cheyenne.

Amy Schendel, Mimi

Amy is the Music and Art Education Coordinator for the Billings Public Schools after directing choirs at Skvyiew High School for 16 years. Amy is co-founder of Yellowstone Valley Voices, a music summer institute for students entering the 2nd-9th grades. She holds bachelors degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education, as well as a Master of Music Education from the University of Montana. She is also a certified member of the VoiceCare Network. Amy is heavily involved in the music community state-wide. In addition to her teaching, she enjoys playing clarinet and singing for the Billings Symphony, singing onstage for Rimrock Opera, Glacier Symphony and local community theaters, music directing and playing in pit orchestra, guest conducting, adjudicating and teaching at camps around Montana and Wyoming. Among many other roles for Rimrock Opera, Amy sang the role of Mimi in Rimrock Opera's production of La Bohème in 2010.

Debra Gloor, Stage Manager and Props
Debra Gloor, stage manager and props master for La Bohème. Debra has been a member of Rimrock Opera’s chorus for 15 years. She has sung in Tosca, La Traviata, The Crucible, Aida, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Turandot, The Magic Flute, Blodwen, Salome, and Pirates of Penzance, Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel. Mrs. Gloor assisted the director of Don Pasquale and The Red Scarf and was stage manager for the One Act Operas, Quilters, A Christmas Carol, and An Evening with Sherlock Holmes. Debra has appeared in several musical theater productions in Billings over the years.

Mary Ann Connors, Costumes
Mary Ann Connors has been involved with hundreds of theatre productions as a costumer, actress, and director for more than half a century. At MSU-Billings she managed the theatre’s costume shop, designed and constructed costumes, and acted in a variety of roles, while earning a BS in Education with endorsements in English, Speech, Drama, and History. After graduation she spent the next forty years teaching high school English and Drama and directing school plays. An MS in Curriculum Education, marriage, and four children followed.
In her spare time Mary continued costuming, acting, and directing at summer theatres, various community theatres in the Billings area, and most often at BST.
In the last decade she has had the opportunity to costume several one-act operas culminating in directing “The Impressario.” Her elaborate costumes for the Rimrock Opera’s “Cinderella” in 2024 and “Hansel and Gretel” in 2025 enhanced the productions.



“La Boheme” promises to be as enjoyable as its predecessors. Wishing Rimrock Opera a long and glorious future!

Michael Mleko, Orchestra
An experienced conductor, educator, and orchestral violinist, Michael Mleko brings a dynamic blend of artistic leadership, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement to every musical endeavor. With extensive experience preparing and conducting professional, youth, and community ensembles, he is committed to fostering meaningful orchestral experiences that connect artists and audiences alike.
For five seasons, Michael served as Assistant Conductor of the Helena Symphony Orchestra, one of the leading symphonic organizations in the Rocky Mountain region. While in this role, he prepared scores across a broad range of symphonic repertoire, maintained readiness to step in for the music director, and collaborated with artistic leadership on programming and production planning. His conducting studies with Music Director Allan R. Scott have emphasized advanced baton technique, stylistic fluency, and professional-level repertoire preparation.
Equally dedicated to education and community engagement, Mr. Mleko conducts the Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra and leads auditioned honor orchestras serving students in grades 6–12. As Director of Orchestras at Skyview High School and Castle Rock Middle School, he oversees comprehensive string programs spanning grades 6–12, cultivating technical excellence while building inclusive and innovative ensembles. Through his work in the school district, he has also conducted fully staged musical productions, including The Wizard of Oz, Seussical: The Musical, and Shrek: The Musical.
Internationally, he was selected as one of three Conducting Fellows at the International Musician’s Academy in Vidin, Bulgaria, reflecting international recognition of his artistic promise. His work consistently bridges professional and educational settings, preparing young musicians for side-by-side collaborations, facilitating rehearsals with advanced student ensembles, and designing programs that deepen audience engagement.
As a violinist, Mr. Mleko has performed extensively with major regional orchestras, including long-standing service with the Helena Symphony as Associate Concertmaster and Principal Second Violin, as well as performances with the Billings and Bozeman Symphonies. His experience as a principal player informs his collaborative podium presence and nuanced understanding of orchestral culture, rehearsal efficiency, and score study.
Holding both a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with highest honors from Montana State University, Mr. Mleko combines academic excellence with practical artistry. He is an articulate advocate for symphonic music, experienced in hosting concerts, engaging audiences from the stage, and representing organizations within the broader community.
Through meticulous preparation, responsive leadership, and a deep commitment to access and education, Mr. Mleko seeks to elevate orchestral performance while strengthening meaningful connections between the orchestra and the communities it serves.





poster credit Melanie Fabrizius