MEET OUR TEAM & ARTISTS!

Heads of Most Stuffs

Artistic Director
Founder

Mezzo-soprano Megan Berti is a Houston-based performer originally from California (yup, one of those!) who has sung with opera companies and orchestras from coast to coast and overseas…what an over-achiever. She sings often with Houston Grand Opera and has appeared at Opera in the Heights, Miami Lyric Opera, Painted Sky Opera, MUSIQA…the list goes on. (If you want to check out all the awesome things she’s sung and all the cool places she’s been, she’s got a website for that: www.MeganBerti.com.) The idea for HOPERA was born from Megan’s love of opera and a passion for craft beer and liquor – they seemed like a match made in Hea–, well…Houston! I mean really, what could be a better pairing with craft opera than craft drink? Okay, craft cheese would be pretty great…but let’s be honest, there’s plenty of cheese in opera! And Houston, with its thriving community of artists and small businesses, is the perfect home for fine (if often cheesy) opera served with delicious small-batch beverages. Megan believes that opera is for everyone, that there’s an opera for everyone out there, and that it should be enjoyed with good friends and a glass (or two) of the good stuff! Cheers to you, and cheers to us, and we look forward to making Hopera a part of Houston!

Executive Director
Co-Founder

Native Houstonian Brennan Blankenship, soprano, is an exiting and versatile performer who has worked with companies across America and across the pond (also an overachiever).  Her favorite recent roles include Violetta from La Traviata with Opera North and Brittomara in the world premiere of If I Were You with Merola Opera. She also enjoyed  dipping her toe into musical theater with Opera North’s Carousel, and plans to do it more often. (Click here if you want to know where she is performing next!) 

​Brennan has always enjoyed fantasizing about running her own company here in Houston, but never followed through until Megan approached her with her amazing idea for what is now HOPERA. Obviously, Brennan thought it was terrific, and immediately got on board. While she may be a tad pickier about her beer than Megan (and cheese, if we are being honest), she is excited to help bring opera back to venues where people can relax, drink, and enjoy themselves with ease.
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Heads of Pictures and Words and Stuffs

Marketing & Development Director
Co-Founder

Meet Ashley Duplechien, the Cajun-Creole mezzo soprano with a voice as flexible as her career choices! Armed with a Masters from the Royal Academy of Music and a Bachelor's from LSU (Geaux Tigers!), Ashley isn't just conquering high notes – she's also conquering the world of alternative fuels. 
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From belting out the alto solos in Verdi's Requiem to rocking the title role in La Cenerentola, Ashley's vocal range is as diverse as her taste in career paths. As Fiordiligi in Cosi, she can charm audiences with her voice just as easily as she can sarcastically comment on the lack of good coffee backstage. Known for her agile voice and unique style, Ashley is a force to be reckoned with – on stage and in any heated debate about the most sustainable biofuel. Who says you can't save the world and sing your heart out at the same time? 
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​Design Director
Co-Founder

Corey Phelps is a Houston-based designer who has always had a love for drawing and creating.  He began drawing at a young age when he found out that being a Superhero wasn’t a real job, and so instead, drew himself as one. This love of drawing combined with a strong, introverted personality led him to harness the power of art and design as an architectural designer. After graduating from THE Ohio State University (yes, the “THE” is necessary) and Rice University, Corey has worked at several Houston-based firms, including Kinneymorrow, Huit-Zollars, and now Perkins & Will.

​Corey’s love for buildings has not stopped him from designing and drawing other stuff on the side, however, so when Megan asked him to design the graphics for her company, he couldn’t wait to help! It probably helps that he likes beer and music, too!

Head of the Random Stuffs

​​Operations Manager
Co-Founder

Rene is a violist by trade, serving  as principal violist of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras since 2004. He loves playing chamber music and long walks on the beach, but is also an avid mediocre online gamer who enjoys getting back to his Mexican roots by eating breakfast tacos for dinner. With all these high level credentials many may forget that this is NOT his first go around in the non-profit world of small opera companies here in Houston.

​After serving on the board of Opera Vista for 6 years, Rene went dormant from this life; but like Luke being approached by Rey about entering back into the life, he too said, “Eh, do I have to?” And Megan said “Yes. You have to.” So now his limited expertise is finally being used for something! Good thing he loves opera and beer!!!

Board of Directors

President: Megan Berti
Vice President: Ashley Duplechien
Secretary: Brennan Blankenship
Treasurer: Rene Salazar
Member: Corey Phelps

Advisory Board Members

Chris Besch
Caitlin Crombleholme
Darcee Grice
Emily Kelly
Dani Teumou