FPAC's 'Opera for Kids' Series Continues with ALICE IN WONDERLAND, 4/12 at THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Performing Arts Company's annual, free Family Concert Series concludes this season with Opera for Kids, Alice in Wonderland, on Sunday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Composed by Robert Chauls, Alice in Wonderland is an operatic adaptation of Lewis Carroll's cherished children's book. Journey down the rabbit hole with Alice and meet the colorful characters of Carroll's surreal, madcap world!

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are geared especially to children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances introduce audiences of all ages to music of many genres and feature talented, professional musicians in an engaging, entertaining and interactive way. FPAC's 2015 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance.

Alice in Wonderland features two members of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) voice faculty, Shauna Martin as the Queen of Hearts and Mariko Matsumura as the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat. FSPA student Julia Clifford of Medfield is featured as Alice, with Aaron Frongillo of Franklin, Nicholas Steiner of Millis, and Susauna Wickstrom of Plainville performing the parts of Duchess, King of Hearts, Gryphon and Mock Turtle. Pianist Synthia Sture will accompany the vocalists.

A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Shauna Martin received her master's degree in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University. Her performances include a wide variety of operatic and musical theater roles in works by classical as well as contemporary composers. Martin is a founding member of the popular children's show Opera Night in Canada and has performed with Canada's regional orchestras and on CBC Radio. This season, she appeared in FPAC's production of The Music Man as Mrs. Paroo.

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Matsumura received her bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana and a master's degree in Vocal Performance from Longy School of Music. Mariko's performance credits include Messiah, Aida, Hansel and Gretl, Der Rosenkavalier, The Magic Flute and numerous premiere performances throughout the Boston area. She has performed with Lorelei Ensemble, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Jyugoya Ensemble, Chorus Boston, Setegaya Women's Chorus and Opera Unmet.

A distinctive, non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, FPAC presents quality performances with a focus on youth development and live music, while offering opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts to work together in a collaborative and creative environment. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

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