Honored to be part of the Closing Session panel at the @operaamerica Conference 2026 in Wilmington tomorrow, alongside Rebecca Hass @rebecca_m_hass and Kirsten C. Kunkle @divavoce !
Looking forward to being in conversation with colleagues and sharing in this meaningful gathering for the opera field 🙌
I am deeply honored that the world premiere of the chamber edition of Loksi' Shaali’ will be performed in two concerts at the @operaamerica Conference, hosted by @wilmingtonconcertopera
This performance also marks the Delaware premiere of the opera, sung entirely in Chickasaw. It means so much to bring this story, this language, and this music to new audiences and to share it within such a meaningful gathering of the opera community.
May 14, 2026 at 8:00pm and May 16, 2026 at 2:00pm
That moment when you get on Instagram, and your Board President has a post from the latest OPERA America Magazine, with a huge photo of your likeness on it. Talk about a great way to go into the weekend, especially since I hadn't seen it yet!
Loksi' Shaali' by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate - A Delaware Premiere! is coming up soon. Make sure you're there early to see Delwin Elk Bear Fiddler performing traditional dance and music before the opera, and (on Thursday) stay for the talkback with the cast and production team, facilitated by Joe Rocchi. It's all coming up SO soon. It's going to be awesome!
Costume Design by Margaret Roach Wheeler, built by Jerica Hucke. Photo courtesy of Canterbury Voices and Oh Joy Photography.
#OperaAmerica #LoksiShaali #WilmingtonConcertOpera
I am excited to announce the performance of LOKSI' SHAALI'(Shell Shaker) at the OPERA America conference, hosted by Wilmington Concert Opera!
May 14, 2026 at 8:00pm and May 16, 2026 at 2:00pm
Tickets and info: /loksi-shaali
Chickasaw American composer Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha' Tate's opera, Loksi' Shaali' (Shell Shaker), is the first opera written by an American Indian composer, sung and entirely in a U.S. tribal language, and features a stellar, primarily American Indian cast. This groundbreaking work, performed in the world premiere chamber version, includes Chickasaw translation by Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson) of Tate's original libretto, costumes by Chickasaw textile artist, Margaret Wheeler, and will feature operatic singers of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Mvskoke, Pueblo of Acoma, Taíno, and Tiwa Nations and heritages.
CAST:
Kate Morton (Cherokee) as Loksi' (Turtle)
Hugo A. Vera (Tiwa) as Hiloha/Loksi' Sipokni' (Hiloha/Old Turtle)
Kirsten C. Kunkle, soprano, (Mvskoke) as Ippo'si'/Loksi' Ippo'si (Grandmother/Grandmother Turtle)
Nicole Van Every as Ishki' (Mother)
Mark Billy (Choctaw) as Inki' (Father) and Okhina (River)
Dylan Aguayo (Taino) as Shawi' (Racoon)
Sage DiPalma (Cherokee) as Issi' (Deer)
Kevin Patrick as Nanni' (Fish)
Bo Shimmin (Pueblo of Acoma) as Fani' (Squirrel)
Suzannah Waddington as Bakbak (Woodpecker)
Christa Schimitsch as Loksi' (Cover)
Nicklaus Porter as Hiloha/Loksi' Sipokni' (Cover)
Anita Lyons as Ippo'si'/Loksi' Ippo'si (Cover)
Kevin Patrick as Inki' and Okhina (Cover)
Suzannah Waddington as Ishki' (Cover)
PRODUCTION:
Ng Tian Hui, Conductor
Reese Revak, Pianist
Joshua D. Hinson (Chickasaw) as Translator and Diction Coach
Margaret Wheeler (Chickasaw) as Costume Designer
Jerica Hucke (Cherokee) as Costume Creator
Kirsten C. Kunkle (Mvskoke) as Artistic Director of Wilmington Concert Opera
Marisa Robinson as Executive Director of Wilmington Concert Opera
Jennifer Grackin Steinberg Steinberg as Board President of Wilmington Concert Opera.
I am thrilled to announce this live stream performance, tonight, with Peabody Conservatory Orchestra & NEXT Ensemble!!
Giorgio Consolati, Solo Flute
Conducted by Beth Willer
Saturday, May 2, 7:30pm ET
https://peabody.jhu.edu/concert-event/peabody-concert-orchestra-next-ensemble/
Program:
Jerod Impichcha̱achaahaꞌ Tate: I̱holba' (The Vision)
Béla Bartók: Cantata profana, BB 100
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
