Khristy is a classically trained Soprano with a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Saint Martin’s University and a Master's degree in Opera Performance from Wichita State University. Her journey as a singer has been enriched by invaluable mentorship, having coached with the legendary Samuel Ramey and studied under the esteemed Alan Held. Currently honing her craft under the guidance of Erich Parce, Khristy's passion for opera extends beyond her personal pursuits. As the General Director of Olympia Opera Theatre, she spearheads a mission close to her heart, collaborating with Pacific Northwest Theater to champion classical music and theater in her hometown of Olympia, Washington. Khristy’s favorite roles include the Countess in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Rosalinde in Strauss's "Die Fledermaus," and Leonora in Verdi's "Il Trovatore." By day, Khristy also works as a Financial Analyst with an extensive background in Public Sector Budgeting and Environmental Cleanup Grants for a large municipality in Seattle. In her spare time Khristy enjoys singing with local chamber choir, Vox Olympia, performing with her band, Leo Leo, and going on adventures with her dog, Daisy. 

American soprano Hallie Schmidt has performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, Pacific Northwest Opera, Vashon Opera, Landlocked Opera, and Painted Sky Opera. Recent performances include Frasquita in Tacoma Opera’s Carmen, Sophie in Pacific Northwest Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, Mariana in Seattle Opera’s Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Niña in el Mundo, and The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute (filmed production) with Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Hallie has received awards from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Lotte Lenya Competition, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and this year, was the First Place recipient of the Seattle Opera Guild Singer Development Awards. Hallie is a Resident Artist with Opera Colorado for the 2024-2025 season. Hallieschmidtsoprano.com

Nickolas Carlson is a conductor, organist, and collaborative pianist from Lindsborg, KS. Nickolas is the music director and conductor of the Olympia Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he is currently the Director of Music Ministries at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olympia, Music Director for Olympia Opera Theatre, and works with Pacific Northwest Theater.   

Nickolas received his Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Wichita State University under Dr. Mark Laycock in the spring of 2016. He received his Bachelors of Music in Organ Performance from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS under Dr. Melody Steed. 

In addition to his studies at Wichita State, Nickolas has also studied or participated in masterclasses with Dianne Wittry, Anna Edwards, and Roupen Shakarian.

He was the music director for WSU's production of J.P. Rameau's Les Indes Galantes, a collaboration between the Opera and Dance departments, in the spring of 2016. In the summer of 2018, he conducted Handel’s Rinaldo with Chicago Summer Opera.