APOLLO13ModernOpera

Eric Jensen (Astronaut Commander Jim Lovell)began  his musical career at the University of San Diego with roles in Brigadoon, Gianni Schicchi, The Bartered Bride, Die Fledermaus and The Merry Wives of Windsor.  He also sang with the Pacific Lyric Theatre, San Diego Community Chorale and various choral groups.  His business pursuits led him to the east coast where he sang with the Richmond Symphony Chorus as Tenor Section leader.

Samantha Riling-Lopez (Marilyn Lovell) is a working classically trained vocalist, born and raised in Miami, Florida. Samantha holds an Associates degree from Valencia College and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Central Florida. She has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts and opera productions, performing frequently with Opera Orlando and Opera Tampa. Recent performances include the roles of Ida in Die Fledermaus and Greta in Anton Coppola’s world premiere of Lady Swanwhite with Opera Tampa, as well as opera chorus roles in The Pearl Fishers with Opera Tampa and Opera Orlando’s production of The Tales of Hoffman.

Michael Pruitt (Astronaut Fred Hayes) lives in St Petersburg. He has performed with Opera Tampa, The Spanish Lyric Theatre, and The Florida Lyric and New Century Opera companies. He is excited to work with this group and collaborate on this new project.

Jonathan “Jon” Rodriguez (Astronaut Jack Swigert) is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Music Performance where he studied under Dr. Jeremy Hunt. After graduating high school, he attend Valencia College, earning his Associates with a concentration in music. Jon has also held several church soloist section leader positions: St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, Park Lake Presbytarian, Kress Seventh Day Adventist church, St. Richards Episcopal church and currently at Trinity Episcopal Church. A music student of nearly 12 years, Jonatan is no stranger to the stage. Recent performances also included “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” with the Orlando Philharmonic, Tosca with Florida Opera Theatre, Grimmly Ever After (Prince, King Teufel) Central Florida Vocal Arts, The Merry Widow (Nejgus) with Space Coast Symphony, several shows with Opera Orlando, and Opera Tampas last four seasons including their show where he played Koko from the Mikado.

Mario Almonte III (Tenor) is a classically trained singer and Opera Tampa Young Artist. After acquiring his Masters Degree, from the University of Miami, Mario moved to Lakeland where he is actively teaching voice and piano lessons while performing locally and abroad. He has recently performed in The Pearl Fishers, Lady Swan White, Die Fledermaus, Lady Macbeth, and The Barber of Seville with Opera Tampa, and is traveling to Germany after Opera Tampa's production of La Boheme. 

Bradley Swope (Baritone) has 30 years experience as a Music Director/Organist in United Methodist Churches in Ohio and Florida.  He earned a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has also studied and performed in Germany, Croatia and England.  Bradley remembers being allowed to stay up late at age 6 to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. 

Paul Buzine (Guitar) is a Berklee College of Music and University of South Florida Music Department Alumni.  He has toured and performed with a list of national acts too numerous to mention here but including Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Doc Severnson, Bobby Vinton and Ferrante and Teicher. An accomplished sight reader, Paul plays Electric, Acoustic and Synth Guitars, Ukulele, Mandolin, and Banjo.  In addition to his entensive musical theater experience, Paul is a top flight jazz guitarist and has played with such artists as Randy Brecker, Chuck Owens, Warren Hill and Neil Larson.

Eric Mullins (Bass) started piano lessons at a young age and took up the saxophone at age 12. After high school, he toured for almost two years with legendary Blues singer Bobby "Blue" Bland.Eric earned his Bachelor's degree from The New School in New York City and catapulted his career forward. As a versatile artist, Eric composes in multiple genres including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Country, Reggae, Rock, Urban, and more. Eric has performed professionally on four different continents, and enjoys teaching music and performing.

James Paradies Trumpet) has performed live on television and radio as a classical soloist and has played with organizations such as the Tampa Bay Symphony, Suncoast Symphony Orchestra,  Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, Hudson Valley Opera, and the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra. In addition, James has performed musicals with Yorktown Stage, Tri-Arts, Rhinebeck Theater, and Up in One Productions.  James was a student of Grant Cooper (Artistic Director & Conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra), Ron Anderson (Principal of the New York Ballet Orchestra), and Bob McCoy (with Doc Severinsen on Johnny Carson's Tonight show)  James was a member of the Tudor Brass Players of New York; one of New York's premier brass quintets. James and his wife Julie (on violin) join with many musical friends to comprise the Paradies Ensemble and have performed at hundreds of events in the New York tri-state area and St. Petersburg/Tampa Florida. (www.paradiesensemble.com)

Judy Davis (Flute) Founded and performs with FluteAmici, a flute ensemble. She is also currently performing with the Suncoast Symphony Orchestra, The Clearwater Community Band as well as performing in smaller ensembles in and around the Bay area. She performed at the 2018 National Flute Convention with Festive Flutes and the Gulf Coast Flute Choir, and the 2017 Florida Flute convention with the Teachers Flute Orchestra. One of many highlights in her musical career includes being able to march in the 2008 Macy’ Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Tom Kurt (Keyboard) graduated from Oberlin Conservatory in 1989 earning a BMUS in organ performance and later received his graduate degree from St Joseph's college Rensselaer, Indiana.  Tom has participated in diverse aspects of the music scene in Tampa Bay for many years, leading sacred music, participating in jazz and rock ensembles, musical theater, and other popular genres. 

Matthew Burke (Writer/Conductor) is an organist and choir director by trade and learned the rudiments of music from Seminole Community College in his hometown of Sanford, FL  and studied organ at Rollins College in Winter Park.  Growing up in central Florida, he watched almost every space shuttle launch and was a fan of the Apollo era.  A composer and singer/ songwriter, Matthew likes to create epic musical voyages, church music and choir arrangements, and catchy pop/rock songs.