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Soloists
Claire Griffin, Soprano
Claire Griffin has been characterized as a classical vocalist, soloist, recitalist, and thespian, but her treasured designation is “storyteller.” Striving to become a well-rounded singing actress, Claire is in pursuance of her Professional Artist Certificate as a member of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute of UNCSA, where she also received her Master of Music in 2025. She trains here under the guidance of Dr. Marilyn Taylor. A North Carolina local, the triad-based soprano hails from Brevard in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While at UNCSA, she has sung Adele (Die Fledermaus), Mag/Cissie Cassidy (Richard Wargo’s Ballymore), and Nena (Pergolesi’s Lo frate ‘nnamorato). In 2022, she completed her BM at UNC Greensboro where she studied with Carla LeFevre and coached with Arlene Shrut. During her undergraduate years, she was a winner of the 2022 UNCG Concerto Competition and appeared as a soloist with the UNCG Symphony Orchestra. Roles whilst at UNCG include Marie (The Bartered Bride), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Sister Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Gretel (Hansel und Gretel), Lucy (The Telephone), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), and Jenny Slade (Roman Fever). Claire made her professional debut with Piedmont Opera in March of 2024 singing Barbarina in “Le nozze di Figaro.”
Claire returned to the Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center in 2025 where she sang Adina in “L’elisir d’amore.” In 2024, she sang Polly Peachum (The Threepenny Opera) while covering Tina (Jonathan Dove’s Flight) and Musetta (La bohème) with the JOC. She was featured as Soprano Soloist (Handel’s Messiah) for BMC’s Parker Concert Hall Series in 2024. She spent her 2022 summer at the Aspen Music Festival as a Studio Artist in their Opera Theatre and VocalARTS program and she worked closely with Carol Vaness and Rachelle Flemming singing in operas, scenes (opera and musical theatre), song recitals, donor performances and numerous masterclasses. She was an artist with the Utah Vocal Arts Academy in 2021, where she performed Eurydice in a new translation of Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers under the baton of Michaella Calzaretta.
For two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), Claire was recognized with an Encouragement Award in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition’s NC District. She was named a finalist in the 2021 Opera Grand Rapids VanderLaan Prize competition. In the 2020 National NATS Competition, Claire was awarded first place in the Lower College Women category. She is a 2018 YoungArts winner in voice and won the Silver Award for Voice that same year. Claire had the honor of being a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semifinalist, also in 2018.
Before beginning her exploration into the operatic repertoire, Claire was featured in the world premiere of new musical, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, where she sang the role of classical singer, Deanna Durbin. After debuting this role in 2015, she stayed with the project as it continued to the Goodspeed Opera House where she also covered the role of Judy Garland in 2016. She has participated in numerous NYC readings/stagings of Chasing Rainbows and has worked under directors Tyne Rafaeli, Jeff Whiting, and Dennis Jones.
Claire Griffin has been characterized as a classical vocalist, soloist, recitalist, and thespian, but her treasured designation is “storyteller.” Striving to become a well-rounded singing actress, Claire is in pursuance of her Professional Artist Certificate as a member of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute of UNCSA, where she also received her Master of Music in 2025. She trains here under the guidance of Dr. Marilyn Taylor. A North Carolina local, the triad-based soprano hails from Brevard in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While at UNCSA, she has sung Adele (Die Fledermaus), Mag/Cissie Cassidy (Richard Wargo’s Ballymore), and Nena (Pergolesi’s Lo frate ‘nnamorato). In 2022, she completed her BM at UNC Greensboro where she studied with Carla LeFevre and coached with Arlene Shrut. During her undergraduate years, she was a winner of the 2022 UNCG Concerto Competition and appeared as a soloist with the UNCG Symphony Orchestra. Roles whilst at UNCG include Marie (The Bartered Bride), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Sister Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Gretel (Hansel und Gretel), Lucy (The Telephone), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), and Jenny Slade (Roman Fever). Claire made her professional debut with Piedmont Opera in March of 2024 singing Barbarina in “Le nozze di Figaro.”
Claire returned to the Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center in 2025 where she sang Adina in “L’elisir d’amore.” In 2024, she sang Polly Peachum (The Threepenny Opera) while covering Tina (Jonathan Dove’s Flight) and Musetta (La bohème) with the JOC. She was featured as Soprano Soloist (Handel’s Messiah) for BMC’s Parker Concert Hall Series in 2024. She spent her 2022 summer at the Aspen Music Festival as a Studio Artist in their Opera Theatre and VocalARTS program and she worked closely with Carol Vaness and Rachelle Flemming singing in operas, scenes (opera and musical theatre), song recitals, donor performances and numerous masterclasses. She was an artist with the Utah Vocal Arts Academy in 2021, where she performed Eurydice in a new translation of Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers under the baton of Michaella Calzaretta.
For two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), Claire was recognized with an Encouragement Award in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition’s NC District. She was named a finalist in the 2021 Opera Grand Rapids VanderLaan Prize competition. In the 2020 National NATS Competition, Claire was awarded first place in the Lower College Women category. She is a 2018 YoungArts winner in voice and won the Silver Award for Voice that same year. Claire had the honor of being a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semifinalist, also in 2018.
Before beginning her exploration into the operatic repertoire, Claire was featured in the world premiere of new musical, Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, where she sang the role of classical singer, Deanna Durbin. After debuting this role in 2015, she stayed with the project as it continued to the Goodspeed Opera House where she also covered the role of Judy Garland in 2016. She has participated in numerous NYC readings/stagings of Chasing Rainbows and has worked under directors Tyne Rafaeli, Jeff Whiting, and Dennis Jones.
Callie Iliff, Mezzo-Soprano
Callie Iliff is a mezzo-soprano from Wimberley, Texas with a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She got her start performing in community theater productions and singing in operas with Texas State University. Callie is currently pursuing her Master of Music at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute under the mentorship of Phyllis Pancella.
In her first year with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, Iliff performed the roles of Armando di Gondí in Donizetti’s “Maria di Rohan,” Nina in Pergolesi’s “Lo frate ‘nnamorato,” as well as in the Fletcher scenes program as Elmire from Mechem’s “Tartuffe.” Iliff also became a Young Artist with Piedmont Opera this year while performing in the Fletchers Educational Outreach, “Dr. Siggy’s Fantastic Plan.”
While pursueing her undergraduate degree, Iliff had the privilege of performing in multiple of Oberlin Opera Theatre’s productions. He most notable appearances include, La Voix Humaine," "Candide" and the world premiere of "The Puppy Episode" as Louise/Dot. While at Oberlin she was also afforded the opportunity to work behind the scenes as a stage manager for many other operas.
In addition to Iliff’s work on the opera stage, she is also a lifelong enthusiast of the work of William Shakespeare! She has had the privilege to explore the inner lives of characters such as: Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra), Malcolm (MacBeth) and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet) among others in the theatrical repertoire.
She has a well-rounded love of every aspect of the arts and is thrilled to stretch her wings for another year with the Fletcher Fellows. Go Pickles!
Callie Iliff is a mezzo-soprano from Wimberley, Texas with a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She got her start performing in community theater productions and singing in operas with Texas State University. Callie is currently pursuing her Master of Music at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute under the mentorship of Phyllis Pancella.
In her first year with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, Iliff performed the roles of Armando di Gondí in Donizetti’s “Maria di Rohan,” Nina in Pergolesi’s “Lo frate ‘nnamorato,” as well as in the Fletcher scenes program as Elmire from Mechem’s “Tartuffe.” Iliff also became a Young Artist with Piedmont Opera this year while performing in the Fletchers Educational Outreach, “Dr. Siggy’s Fantastic Plan.”
While pursueing her undergraduate degree, Iliff had the privilege of performing in multiple of Oberlin Opera Theatre’s productions. He most notable appearances include, La Voix Humaine," "Candide" and the world premiere of "The Puppy Episode" as Louise/Dot. While at Oberlin she was also afforded the opportunity to work behind the scenes as a stage manager for many other operas.
In addition to Iliff’s work on the opera stage, she is also a lifelong enthusiast of the work of William Shakespeare! She has had the privilege to explore the inner lives of characters such as: Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra), Malcolm (MacBeth) and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet) among others in the theatrical repertoire.
She has a well-rounded love of every aspect of the arts and is thrilled to stretch her wings for another year with the Fletcher Fellows. Go Pickles!
Ghalip Ekber, Baritone
Ghalip Ekber is a tenor from Ghulja, China. He will continue his vocal training at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute under the guidance of Dr. Marilyn Taylor. He earned his Master of Music degree in 2025 from the Central Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Professor Dilbèr Yunus. During the 2023–2024 academic year, he furthered his studies with Professor Katherine Ciesinski at the Eastman School of Music. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the Central Conservatory of Music.
Ghalip’s operatic roles includes Don Ottavio in “Don Giovanni” (Central Conservatory of Music), Aeneas in “Dido and Aeneas” (Eastman School of Music), and Oronte in “Alcina” (Chautauqua Opera Conservatory). He has also covered roles such as the Officer in “Ariadne auf Naxos” and Le Chevalier in “Dialogues des Carmélites” at the Eastman School of Music.
Ghalip originally trained as a violinist under the influence of his mother, a professional violinist, Ghalip discovered his passion for singing in high school and has pursued vocal performance ever since. He received an Honorable Mention at the 23rd FEO Voice Competition in 2024. In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious Huang Zi Award at the 3rd Chinese Art Song International Singing Competition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The summer of 2024 he joined the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. He was selected as an Apprentice Artist in the Vocal Young Artist Training Program of China during the 4th Shenzhen Vocal Music Season in 2022.
In concerts, Ghalip has appeared with the Niagara Opera Company in A Night at the Opera (2024), and has performed as tenor soloist in Mozart’s “Requiem” and “Vesperae solennes de confessore”, Pergolesi’s “Magnificat”, and Bach’s Cantata BWV 77: “Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben.” He was also featured in the China International Vocal Music Art Week Concert.
Ghalip Ekber is a tenor from Ghulja, China. He will continue his vocal training at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute under the guidance of Dr. Marilyn Taylor. He earned his Master of Music degree in 2025 from the Central Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Professor Dilbèr Yunus. During the 2023–2024 academic year, he furthered his studies with Professor Katherine Ciesinski at the Eastman School of Music. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the Central Conservatory of Music.
Ghalip’s operatic roles includes Don Ottavio in “Don Giovanni” (Central Conservatory of Music), Aeneas in “Dido and Aeneas” (Eastman School of Music), and Oronte in “Alcina” (Chautauqua Opera Conservatory). He has also covered roles such as the Officer in “Ariadne auf Naxos” and Le Chevalier in “Dialogues des Carmélites” at the Eastman School of Music.
Ghalip originally trained as a violinist under the influence of his mother, a professional violinist, Ghalip discovered his passion for singing in high school and has pursued vocal performance ever since. He received an Honorable Mention at the 23rd FEO Voice Competition in 2024. In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious Huang Zi Award at the 3rd Chinese Art Song International Singing Competition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The summer of 2024 he joined the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. He was selected as an Apprentice Artist in the Vocal Young Artist Training Program of China during the 4th Shenzhen Vocal Music Season in 2022.
In concerts, Ghalip has appeared with the Niagara Opera Company in A Night at the Opera (2024), and has performed as tenor soloist in Mozart’s “Requiem” and “Vesperae solennes de confessore”, Pergolesi’s “Magnificat”, and Bach’s Cantata BWV 77: “Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben.” He was also featured in the China International Vocal Music Art Week Concert.
