Arc Benders Circus Opera

Kartik Ayysola, Tenor:

Kartik Ayysola is an active classical tenor based in the Greater Boston Area. Most recently, he sang the role of Tamino in Opera51's concert production of Die Zauberflöte. In addition, he has also been seen as Alfred in Die Fledermaus, the title role of Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos, Borsa in Rigoletto, Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, and has covered the roles of Oronte in Alcina, and the title role of Le Comte Ory. You can find more about Kartik here:

Eliana Perlmutter, Cyr Wheel, Partner Acro:

Eliana is a dynamic circus performer who wows audiences with her Cyr wheel, partner acrobatics, and tumbling skills.

 Whether basing other acrobats, being carried as a 'flyer' or spinning in the Cyr wheel, Eliana loves to take the audience on emotional and joyous journeys.

Ivan Tan, Ph.D, Pianist:

Ivan Tan is Lecturer in Music at Brown University, where he teaches courses in music theory, applied musicianship, and songwriting. His research interests include textural roles and interactions in small ensemble music, analysis of rhythm and meter in popular music, and creativity in cover songs and rearrangements. His research has been published in Music Perception and Psychology of Music, and presented at conferences including the annual meetings of the Society for Music Theory and American Musicological Society. He completed his Ph.D. in music theory at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), and also holds degrees from Brown and SUNY Purchase. When not teaching, he maintains an active performing career as a pianist and keyboardist.

Andrew Welch, DMA, Pianist:

Andrew teaches music theory and chamber music as part of the music faculty at Brown University and the New England Conservatory. He also maintains a private studio in his home in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he teaches piano and coaches singers.

Matt LaRocca, PhD. Conductor:

Matt LaRocca is a cross-genre composer, performer, and educator who likes making beautiful sounds - you're just as likely to see him playing with a rock band as conducting an orchestra. He is the Artistic Advisor and Special Project Conductor for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra where he works with all things non-traditional, a  professor of composition/theory at the University of Vermont, and the Music Director and Conductor of the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra​.

Eric Thomas, Conductor:

Eric Thomas began his conducting career as Principal Conductor of the Opera New England Chamber Orchestra, the touring arm of Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston.

Eric has held posts as Principal Conductor of the University of Maine at Farmington, Assistant Conductor of the Phillips Exeter Orchestra, Interim Conductor of the Phillips Academy Andover Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Longy School of Music Youth String Orchestra. Eric has been guest conductor for the Bangor Symphony, the Colby College Symphony Orchestra, Pineland Suzuki Orchestra, Moab Chamber Orchestra, Moab Community Chorus, and the University of Maine’s faculty’s Cadenzato Chamber Ensemble.