In this episode, Bryce speaks with mezzo-soprano and performance artist Heather Jones (they/them). The two discuss how Heather has embraced theater-making as a way to explore and deepen their identity, Heather’s recent experiences playing a transgender character in opera for the first time in Laura Kaminsky’s As One (Kentucky Opera, Holy City Lyric Opera, Opera Maine), and their work exploring notions of bodily autonomy and growing up queer and trans in the church. To learn more about Heather, visit their website: heatherjonesmezzo.com.

Release Date: July 24, 2024

Recording Date: June 17, 2024

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Heather Jones, Season 2, Episode 1

Topic #1: Experimenting with identity through theater [4:00]

Topic #2: As One and navigating transness in opera and classical music spaces [11:00]

Topic #3: Being trans in church spaces and Expostulation(s) of Mary [19:30]

Topic #4: The ideal Heather project, and One Body [26:50]

Read Episode Transcript here.

Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory Submission

Follow Heather on Instagram @hbeejay

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Follow Beyond Travesti @beyondtravesti

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with opera singer and interdisciplinary theater creator, Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them). The two discuss Teiya’s work as an interdisciplinary theater creator, in particular their projects The Queen in Me and The Butterfly Project which transform and reframe two iconic characters from opera (The Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute by Mozart and Cio Cio San from Madama Butterfly by Puccini, respectively) through a personal lens. Teiya also speaks about their queer, trans reframing of Schumann’s Dichterliebe and their upcoming personal documentary project, Project T. Learn more about Teiya’s work at their website: Teiya’s website

Release Date: May 11, 2024

Recording Date: April 12, 2024

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野, Season 2, Episode 1

Topic #1: Reimagining repertoire for yourself, and The Queen in Me [8:30]

Topic #2: Disruption in the opera space [13:05]

Topic #3: Personal inquiry, Puccini, Japan, and The Butterfly Project [20:45]

Topic #4: Teiya’s upcoming projects - Project T [28:05]

Read Episode Transcript here.

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Teiya’s websiteTeiya’s Instagram - @teiyakashara

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with male soprano, Elijah McCormack. They discuss his experience as a transgender singer working in oratorio and concert spaces, Eli’s 2023 performance and tour with ChamberQueer, and his interest in the repertoire and legacy of the castrati.

Release Date: January 1, 2024

Recording Date: December 19, 2023

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Elijah McCormack, Season 1, Episode 5

Topic #1: Elijah’s introduction to classical singing [4:30]

Topic #2: Singing concert & oratorio while trans [7:30]

Topic #3: ChamberQueer’s 2023 Tour & Workshop at Early Music America [14:30]

Topic #4: The legacy of the castrati [20:00]

Read Episode Transcript here.

Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory Submission

Elijah’s website

Follow Elijah on Instagram

ChamberQueer

What the heck are the castrati?

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with multi-disciplinary performing artist and writer, Jay St. Flono. They discuss Jay’s experience of growing up and into their gifts in many different creative arts, Jay’s transition from tenor to soprano, and Jay’s upcoming performance of their solo vocal cantata, Praise Song for the Flying Africans, with Sugar Hill Salon in Harlem.

Release Date: December 4, 2023

Recording Date: November 18, 2023

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Jay St. Flono, Season 1, Episode 4

Topic #1: Jay’s intro to classical singing and identity as a multi-disciplinary artist [3:30]

Topic #2: Jay’s shift from tenor to soprano [7:00]

Topic #3: Magic, Folklore, and Praise Song for the Flying Africans [23:50]

Read Episode Transcript here.

Buy Jay’s Book, Black American Magic: A Feast of Food and Folklore

Sugar Hill Salon

The Flying Africans of Igbo Landing

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with Creative Arts Leader and Strategic Marketer, Dorian Block. They discuss Dorian’s experience as a young opera lover at the Santa Fe Opera, traveling on the job as a transgender person, and their investment in Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Access, and Belonging work.

Release Date: November 1, 2023

Recording Date: October 6, 2023

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Dorian Block, Season 1, Episode 3

Updates: [2:25]

Topic #1: Dorian’s Intro to Opera [6:25]

Topic #2: Traveling for work as a transgender person [13:10]

Topic #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging [22:51]

Topic #4: Community Engagement [28:13]

Read Episode Transcript here.

Dorian Block's website

Santa Fe Opera Documentary, The Pueblo Opera Project

Opera MODO

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with librettist, dramaturg, tenor, and Jupiter Opera Development Foundation General Director, Jude O’Dell (he/they). They discuss Jude’s investment in community theater, the pre-season and future plans of JODF, and Jude’s extensive industry experience working in wardrobe, hair, and makeup. Also in this episode, you’ll hear an excerpt from Dream Home, an original strophic aria produced by JDOF with text by Mirror Schwartz-Meadows and music by Elle Meerovich, performed by Jude himself.

Release Date: October 1, 2023

Recording Date: September 3, 2023

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Jude O’Dell: Season 1, Episode 2

Talking Points

News: ACLU of TX complaint against Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts [1:40]

Topic #1: Jude’s intro to opera [4:50]

Topic #2: The genesis of Jupiter Opera Development Foundation [8:45]

Topic #3: Pink-collar jobs [18:00]

Topic #4: Donald Tr*mp’s toupee tape [25:10]

Read the episode transcript here.

Relevant Links

Jupiter Opera Development Foundation website

Dream Home, new aria/song commissioned by JODF

ACLU of Texas Files Federal Complaints Against DFW-Area Schools for Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies

ACLU Calls for Federal Probe of Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions in Texas Schools

ACLU Complaint Full Text

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In this episode, Bryce speaks with classical singer and performing / creative artist, Katherine Goforth (she/her). They discuss the opera industry landscape for transfeminine singers whose voices have changed, decentering practices of domination in the rehearsal room and the voice studio, and the Barbie movie which Katherine finds "excruciating."

Release Date: September 1, 2023

Recording Date: August 14, 2023

Name of Podcast: Beyond Travesti

Episode Title & Number: Katherine Goforth: Season 1, Episode 1

Talking Points

Topic #1: Katherine's intro to opera [6:25]

Topic #2: True Voice Award and wanting to self-actualize and self-determine [9:18]

Topic #3: Revolutionary Thinking and F*****s and their Friends... [16:40]

Topic #4: Katherine's goals for her singing and creative work [20:40]

Read the episode transcript here.

Relevant Links

Katherine Goforth's Website

Goforth Awarded the First "True Voice Award"

F*****s and their Friends... in the New York Times

Nu Nah-Hup: Sacajawea's Story at Opera Theater Oregon

Katherine Goforth and Wenwen Du, Nacht und Träume by Franz Schubert

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Read the full episode transcript here.