​The Resident Artist program focuses on developing young artists through a complete training experience. IO Resident Artists present operatic performances and education experiences throughout Indiana and in neighboring states.

FALL 2026 RESIDENT ARTISTS

ELIZABETH FISHER   soprano​
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Chicago based lyric coloratura Elizabeth Fisher has been praised for her "unique timbre and depth." She is thrilled to be making her Indianapolis Opera debut as Annina in La Traviata, while also covering the role of Violetta. Earlier this year, Ms. Fisher was a Mary Ragland Emerging Artist at Nashville Opera where she appeared as Berta in Il barbiere di siviglia and Little Red in Little Red’s Most Unusual Day. During the 2025-2026 season, she played the role of Sally in The Day the Dogs Began to Talk with Thompson Street Opera and performed the soprano solo in Mozart’s “Missa Brevis” and Alex Berko’s “Sacred Place” with the Umeri Choir. Her 2025 also included company debuts with the Lyric Opera of Chicago as a chorister in Orff’s Carmina Burana and Cavalleria rusticana and Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Salieri’s Falstaff. She had multiple other role debuts in the past year, including Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company of Chicago, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Stella in Le dernier sorcier with Bellissima Opera. Ms. Fisher has been a semi-finalist in the Pasadena Vocal Competition, recipient of an Encouragement Award from the Laffont Competition, and a winner of MiOpera’s Vocal Competition.
ASHLEY TROESTER   mezzo-soprano
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Ashley Troester, mezzo-soprano, is an internationally performing artist recognized for her warm timbre, vocal richness, and compelling stage presence. She has brought her expressive musicianship and deeply empathetic storytelling to audiences across the United States and abroad, performing a versatile repertoire of dramatic arias from the European operatic canon. A versatile performer, Troester has appeared in leading and supporting roles including the title role in Bizet's Carmen, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Meg in Little Women, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief, Vera Boronel in The Consul, and Teodata in Handel's Flavio. Equally at home in ensemble and concert repertoire, she performs regularly with the Opera Colorado Chorus and as a soloist with Boulder Symphony. A returning artist with the Vienna Summer Music Festival in both 2024 and 2026, Troester performed at the historic Palais Ehrbar, collaborating with internationally recognized conductors, coaches, and directors while continuing to refine her artistry. In 2026, she appeared as Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte and covered the title role in Carmen, further developing her dramatic mezzo-soprano repertoire. She has also performed with Opera in the Ozarks, and her growing body of work reflects a commitment to expressive storytelling, vocal richness, and stylistic versatility. Troester holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Catherine Cook, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Colorado Mesa University, where she studied with Dr. Stefanie Anduri.
ANTONIO DOMINO   tenor
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Antonio Domino, tenor, returns as Resident Artist with Indianapolis opera, where he recently portrayed Don Curzio/Don Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro), and was previously a Studio Artist with the Chautauqua Opera Company, where he performed the role of Doodling Pennsylvanian in Lincoln in the Bardo and as a soloist in a recital. In 2025, Mr. Domino joined Opera Créole as the cover of Ali in their world premiere of Morgiane. In 2024, Mr. Domino participated in Des Moines Metro Opera’s Apprentice Artist program and was featured as Walter in the world premiere of American Apollo. While in Iowa, he also covered the role of Second Jew in Salome and performed in a scenes program as Tonio from La fille du régiment and Ramiro in La Cenerentola. In the Spring, he finished his time as a Resident Artist at Portland Opera, where he performed the roles of Don Curzio in The Marriage of Figaro and Jasper in The Snowy Day. In 2023, Mr. Domino received his Master’s degree at Rice University where he studied with Dr. Robin Rice. At the Shepherd School of Music, he performed the role of Dick McGann in Street Scene and in a scenes program as Count Almaviva from The Barber of Seville, Tonio from La fille du régiment and Ramendado from Carmen. As a proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mr. Domino received his Bachelor of Music from Loyola University where he studied with Dreux Montegut. He is also an alum of Houston Grand Opera's Young Artist Vocal Academy.
ERIK TOFTE   baritone
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Erik Tofte is a rising baritone from Binghamton, NY. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Mannes School of Music, and Binghamton University. Most recently, Erik performed with the Puddingstone Festival, along with pianist Angela Kim, for Schubertiade - performing popular Schubert lieder. This year, Erik began his work with Curtis On Tour, making appearances with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra as the Baritone Soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9, and with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra as the Bass soloist in Mozart’s Requiem in D minor. Erik was an Apprentice Artist with Palm Beach Opera ('25-'26). Here, Erik made his role debut as Marullo in Rigoletto. Erik performed with the Chautauqua Opera Company in 2025, as Schaunard in La Boheme, and covered the role of Marcello. In the same year, Erik covered the role of Luther Hargrove for the NYC premiere of In a Grove (Prototype Festival 2025). Other credits include: a Vassal with Boston Symphony Orchestra (Wagner’s Götterdämmerung Act III), Bass soloist in Handel's Messiah, and Baritone soloist in John Rutter’s Mass of the Children with the Tri-State Chorale. At the Curtis Institute, Erik performed as Le Mari in Les Mamelles de Tirésias, Harlekin in excerpts from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, and Belcore in L’Elisir d’amore (2023). He has appeared with: Opera Saratoga, Delaware Valley Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, Mannes Opera, Arcadia Chorale and Binghamton University. Erik is an Encouragement Award Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.
BENJAMIN PESSOGNELLI   pianist/coach
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Pianist Benjamin Pessognelli has given numerous recitals and performances as both a soloist and collaborative musician. After earning his undergraduate degree in Piano Performance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he studied with Dr. Igor Resnianski, Benjamin was awarded a Graduate Assistantship to continue his studies at WCUPA as a Master’s student in Piano Pedagogy. During his graudate studies, he served as rehearsal pianist for the West Chester University Opera Theatre, working on productions including Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, Vittorio Giannini’s Beauty and the Beast, Alcina, and Candide. In 2023, he won the West Chester University Concerto Competition, performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 28, with the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin’s postgraduate engagements include resident artist positions with Indianapolis Opera (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Nashville Opera (H.M.S. Pinafore, La fanciulla del West, Il barbiere di Siviglia), and Opera NEO (L’elisir d’amore, Il turco in Italia). Upcoming engagements include serving as rehearsal pianist for Indianapolis Opera’s Fall 2026 production of La traviata and as pianist for OPERA San Antonio’s Spring 2027 production of John Davies’ Pinocchio, presented in partnership with Magik Theatre.
ARTISTIC STAFF
DR. SARAH BALLMAN   Guest Outreach Stage Director
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Sarah Ballman is a mezzo-soprano, voice pedagogue, and teacher whose work spans opera, musical theatre, concert repertoire, and contemporary vocal music. She currently serves as a Guest Resident Artist Stage Director and Coach with Indianapolis Opera, working with the resident artists in performance, staging, and vocal preparation. She also maintains a private voice studio and teaches applied voice at Anderson University.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from South Dakota State University and Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her doctoral studies culminated in the completion of her document, A Catalogue of Mélodies Composed by Pauline Viardot.

Her operatic credits include Octavian in Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier, Prince Charmant in Massenet's Cendrillon, Nefertiti in Philip Glass' Akhnaten, Thi Kinh in the world premiere of P.Q. Phan's The Tale of Lady Thi Kinh, and Sister Helen Prejean in Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking with IU Opera Theater.

As a concert soloist, Sarah has appeared with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ( Handel's Messiah), the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, the Director's Jazz Orchestra, and the Bloomington Chamber Singers  (Beethoven's Missa Solemnis). She is also a first-call session vocalist with the Aire Born Group and Round Table recording studios in Indianapolis, recording choral arrangements and original compositions for music publishing companies.