Emily Sternfeld-Dunn, soprano, is a strong advocate for new music and unconventional performances of art song and opera. Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn regularly gives recitals across the country featuring works of contemporary American composers. Significant performances with Hartford Opera Theater include Laetitia in Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief and Aunt Polly and Susy Harper in Tom Sawyer, a new work commissioned by the company. She has performed as a soloist with the Mid Columbia Symphony, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Choral Society, Opera Kansas, Connecticut Concert Opera, the Idaho Washington Symphony, and the Palouse Choral Society. Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn was a finalist in the Art Song and Oratorio categories of the American Prize in 2014.

 As an educator Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn maintains a full voice and piano studio. She has been on faculty teaching voice at Southwestern College, Washington State University, and Wichita State University. Her students have performed professionally within both the classical and music theater genres. Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn’s students are nationally competitive, having won awards through KCATF and NATS.

Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in piano performance from California State University, Hayward where she graduated magna cum laude. She also has a Master of Arts degree in music with emphases in piano and vocal performance from Washington State University, Pullman. Ms. Sternfeld-Dunn holds a Graduate Professional Diploma in vocal performance from The Hartt School. Further education includes successful completion of a Certificate of Figure Proficiency in Estill Vocal Training. She lives in Wichita, KS with her husband and daughters.

Amanda Pfeninger, pianist, is a graduate of Wichita State University with a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and Coach Accompanying studies. She is in demand as a collaborator with vocalists and instrumentalists as well as choirs. She served as the opera coach and choir accompanist at Fort Hays State University. She is currently the vocal studies teacher at Douglass High School, where she directs the choirs and teaches stage craft.

Pfenninger is also active as a soprano soloist, performing roles in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Le Nozze di Figaro, and The Impressario. She has also performed as a soloist in Handel's Messiah, John Rutter’s Magnificat, and Haydn's Missa Brevis in F. She is currently the soprano soloist at East Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita.

Pfenninger completed a B.M.E. from Fort Hays State University with an emphasis in Choral Conducting and Piano studies. She taught choral and general music in Western Kansas before moving to the Wichita area in 2012 with her husband and sons.