President

Artistic Director, Founding member 

Stefanie Margaret Tranchida is a lyric soprano originally from metro Detroit, now based in Southeastern Minnesota. After completing her Master’s Degree in Music Education with a focus in voice and choral conducting at the Conservatorio di Musica G. Tartini in Trieste, Italy, Stefanie returned to the U.S. to pursue a multifaceted career in performance and opera production.
As a singer and director, Stefanie is passionate about making opera artistically vibrant and widely accessible. She enjoys her work as Artistic Director, where she has led a range of immersive and site-specific productions, including the upcoming Gianni Schicchi at the Plummer House.
Her recent performance credits include the soprano solos in Handel’s Messiah, John Rutter's Requiem, as well as the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. Stefanie also enjoys performing musical theatre with Calliope Theatre Company. She has recently served as the vocal director at the Rochester Civic Theatre for Newsies, Anastasia, and the upcoming production Frozen.

Nancy Chiou

Operations Director, Board Member

Nancy brings a unique blend of organizational, artistic, and entrepreneurial experience to Hometown Opera. Trained as both a classical pianist and a telecommunications engineer, she combines organizational and strategic skills with a deep passion for the arts. Nancy studied piano performance under Alfred Mouledoux of Southern Methodist University and the Dallas Symphony. For decades, she has collaborated extensively with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles in settings ranging from choirs and theaters to recitals and competitions.

Having lived in six countries across three continents, Nancy draws from rich cultural and artistic exposures that inform her work and outlook. Beyond music, her background as a small business owner and nonprofit fundraiser has provided her with broad life experiences and practical skills in management, communication, and community engagement. In Rochester, she has enjoyed working with the Civic Theater and Hometown Opera, as well as collaborating with members of the local music community. Nancy is passionate about fostering creativity and expanding the reach of opera in the community.

Kate Rogers

Board Member and Founding Member

Kate is a Rochester native and first started singing as a youngster in school and church. Kate's main interest was always music, so she went on to earn her BA in Vocal Music Education from University of Minnesota, Morris where she studied voice with Hope Koehler and Ken Hodgson. After several years in education, she explored a few other career paths and has had some exciting experiences like teaching English abroad in South Korea, working as a medical coordinator for Limb Lab, a prosthetics and orththotics clinic here in Rochester, and most recently joining the team at Conerstone Insurance where she can put into practice her passion for service and working with people.  For many years, Kate considered attending graduate school to earn an MA in vocal music, but ultimately decided to carve her own path as a singer. She has studied singing with some notable teachers and coaches in the metro area, and Alexander Technique through the Mind Body Music School out of St. Paul.    In her spare time, she also sings as a jazz vocalist with the Notochords Big Band, and has performed onstage in plays and musicals at Rochester Repertory Theatre, Rochester Civic Theatre, Absolute Theatre, and Z Theatre in Zumbrota. She has enjoyed being a part of what started as a passion project and has become an established piece of Rochester's cultural landscape. 

Secretary​

Megan Dotzler, mezzo soprano, was most recently seen singing in a local production with the Rochester Chamber Music Society, Here in this Garden in 2023. Another recent performance includes Sièbel in Faust with Opera Reading Project in 2021.  She performed La Suora Infermiera and La Suora Zelatrice in Suor Angelica with Music On Site, Inc. in 2019. She also attended Chicago Summer Opera in 2019 where she performed Nireno in Giulio Cesare and performed scenes as Carmen (Carmen), The Witch (Hänsel und Gretel), and Noémie (Cendrillon). Past roles include Mercédès in La tragedie de Carmen/Carmen, Oktavian in scenes from Der Rosenkavalier and Nancy in Albert Herring with University Opera Theater at the University of Minnesota. She received her master of music degree from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Adriana Zabala and her bachelor of music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead. An avid choral performer, she is also a member, soloist, and section leader with the Choral Arts Ensemble in Rochester, MN since 2016. Megan is currently studying to become a board certified music therapist through Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN.

Treasurer​

Originally from Des Moines, IA, Jordan Brown is a local Rochester Singer and Educator. Jordan studied Vocal Performance at The University of Northwestern-St. Paul where he gained extensive experience in Opera and Musical Theater performance. During his time in university Jordan performed dozens of roles and sang consistently with the Northwestern Choir. In 2018 Jordan made his debut with Minnesota Opera in the production of Silent Night by Kevin Puts. During his time in the Twin Cities, Jordan sang with different choirs including the Cathedral of St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir and the Two Rivers Chorale. He currently teaches privately and sings with the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester. His most recent performance was in collaboration with the Rochester Chamber Music Society and the premiere of Robert S.P Gardner’s chamber opera Here In This Garden.






 

Librarian

Erin Haefner, mezzo-soprano, hails from Byron, Minnesota. She received her bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance from Luther College in Decorah, IA and recently received her master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. Erin’s 2022 opera credits include Margaret “Meg” March (Little Women), Daughter (Daughter), Ada Blake (A Certain Madness), and Rachel (If I Were You). Erin recently received the Frank and Sally Hansen Singer/Actor Award of Excellence. Erin has performed around the world, including London, Paris, and in the famous Vienna Musikverein. Erin currently resides in Byron, Minnesota, singing with the Rochester Symphony Chorale, Choral Arts Ensemble, and working for the Rochester Symphony Orchestra as the Director of Operations and Education and Music Librarian.

Website & Graphic Design

​Blanka is a Lyric Coloratura Soprano with Graphic Design background. Recent credits include "The Sorcerer" and "Utopia, Ltd." with Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera, as well as "Die Csárdásfürstin" with Opera on the Lake. 

Volunteer Coordinator 

Theresa is new to Hometown Opera (both as volunteer coordinator and patron) but is so amazed by the talent of the performers and the commitment of the leadership team to bring a variety of music and theater experiences to Rochester. If you are interested in getting involved or helping out feel free to ask her about it!

Costumes & Props

Erin Beth Hauser is a Rochester Native, RN, and mama to four. She has been volunteering her time as costume designer for Hometown Opera Company this season, and has enjoyed using her time, talents, and vast costume collection to bring their performances to the next level. She hopes you enjoy the show! 

Community Outreach

Grant is a classically trained Bass from Stillman Valley, IL. IT was there that he grew the love for theater and performance that led him to Luther College in 2013 to pursue and graduate in 2017 with a degree in vocal performance. While there he studied with Baritone, Dr.Gary Moss, and was coached by Dr. Jessica Paul and Dr. Nicholas Shaneyfelt. Often described as Rich and Full, His voice is well suited to Basso Profundo and Basso Buffo roles. Roles performed include Bogdanovitch in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow and Don Alhambra De Bolero in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. While not having performed in a Full opera for several years, He is super excited to Join Hometown Opera Company to help bring some opera to SE Minnesota!