Karen Beacom in concert wsg/Glenn Seven. Allen and Randi Bumstead

Soo Opera director and world-class soprano, Karen Beacom in concert. With a voice and stage presence described as “warm and lyrical with a lot of dramatic power,” Karen Hughes Beacom is making a name for herself on the opera and concert stage. Her career is crossing borders, with her recent international performance at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, China as the soprano soloist in Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Tianjin Symphony. Karen also appeared as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro under the baton of Joseph Rescigno in Novafeltria, Bellaria and Sant’Archangelo, Italy. Karen performs regularly with the Sault Symphony in Ontario, Canada, with solo appearances in Handel’s Messiah and in Orff’s Carmina Burana.

This versatile soprano has performed leading roles in Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, Cosi fan tutte, O Pioneers!, Madama Butterfly, and Le Tragedie de Carmen, among others. Her opera credits include Des Moines Metro Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Opera Omaha, Sun Valley Opera, DuPage Opera Theatre, Soo Opera Theatre and the Chautauqua Institution. ¨In addition to performing, In 2007 she founded the Soo Opera Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where she now serves as artistic director. Past productions include La Boheme, Hansel and Gretel, That’s Amore, The Magic Flute, A Grand Night for Singing, Die Fledermaus and Cosi fan tutte, Gianni Schicchi, and The Marriage of Figaro. In addition to her private vocal studio, Karen is an adjunct professor of music at Lake Superior State University. Karen holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied under Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-Soprano, Ariel Bybee. A student of Bybee’s in New York City, Karen followed her mentor and teacher to earn her degree in the field of opera. Karen previously earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Harp Performance from DePauw University.

Known for his work on Broadway and in leading theatres throughout the country, Glenn Seven. Allen appeared as Giuseppe in the Tony-winning Broadway run of Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza. Other theatrical credits include Girl Crazy at City Center as part of their Encores season, Casino Paradise with Lincoln Center, Lancelot in Camelot at the Arvada Center, Rutledge in 1776 at Goodspeed, Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar at North Carolina Theatre, Assistant D.A. Kramer in the world premiere of Bonfire of the Vanities at The Process Studio Theatre, Carouselwith the NY Philharmonic for PBS Great Performances, and Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC (Helen Hayes nomination, Best Actor).

Allen recently performed with New York City Opera in All is Calm; created the role of John in Southern Crossings at Barnard College; and sang Rodolfo in Soo Theatre’s La Bohème. He also appeared as a soloist with Gulfshore Opera and American Modern Ensemble. He has starred as Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities at Bob Jones University and at New York City Opera as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain and Freddy in Dear Erich. He has also performed with Charlottesville Symphony, American Lyric Theatre, and Glacier Symphony, and was featured in a Mediacom commercial.

Randi Bumstead is going into her sophomore year as a vocal major at CMU (Central Michigan University). Bumstead, a long time student of Beacom’s, is no stranger to the stage, having been a part of and starred in dozens of fully staged productions and countless concert performances at the Soo Theatre in her hometown, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Highlights have included Princess Winifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Snoopy in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, Olaf in FROZEN, and countless other musicals, in addition to playing the roles of Cherubino in THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and Third Lady in THE MAGIC FLUTE w/ Soo Youth Opera.

Randi has previously performed on stage and in master classes with both Allen and Beacom right here on Mackinac Island!

Please note this is an outdoor event and may be subject to inclement weather.