EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Abbey Diana Engelmann is an operatic soprano, arts administrator, and advocate. Engelmann harnesses the power of her dynamic, zesty and unique voice to create deep, empowering connections with audiences. Praised by The Boston Musical Intelligencer as a "fairy godmother" whose charm "won the praise of the audience," she is known for her ability to enchant with both her vocal artistry and onstage presence.

She has performed with Longy School of Music, Boston Lyric Opera, North End Performing Arts Center, Chicago Summer Opera, Manhattan Opera Studio and Millikin Opera Theatre. Recent performance credits include Pernille in Dan Shore’s The Beautiful Bridegroom, Victoria in Hildegard’s Ordo Virtutum, Noémie in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Deianira in Sophie Carpenter’s A Haunted Palace, Amore in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, and more! Engelmann was awarded “Broadway World Chicago’s Best Production of an Opera 2023” during her time as Flora in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. You can find her this summer singing in the Chorus of Boston Summer Opera’s production of Pirates of Penzance.

Engelmann holds a Masters in Music from Longy School of Music and a Bachelors in Music from Millikin University. 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Kevin Lubin (he/they) is a composer, instrumentalist, and silly goose from New York and now living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have a master’s degree in music composition from the Longy School of Music and a bachelor’s in harpsichord performance from Adelphi University, where their klezmer opera Four Jewish Women Playing Mah Jongg was premiered. Other compositional highlights include composing only the most serious pieces of music for toy piano, kazoo, and squeaky pig toys.

Kevin is an avid lover of early music and has performed with a variety of historically-informed ensembles on harpsichord and viola da gamba. In these roles, they have curated riveting and educational concerts including those highlighting Jewish composers of the 17th century. Other passions include teaching lessons for a variety of instruments such as piano, ukulele, guitar, voice, and recorder. On a typical day, Kevin can be found brewing multiple cups of coffee, singing in Yiddish, and scheduling more rehearsals than they have time for.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Alexa Connelly (she/her) is a classical soprano based in New Hampshire and active throughout the Greater Boston area. She loves bringing people together through music and is drawn to expressive storytelling and collaborative performance. Her musical interests span opera, chamber music, early music, and musical theatre.

Recent performance highlights include appearing as a soloist in Brahms’ Requiem and performing leading roles such as Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, The Fence in Considering Matthew Shepard, and Jenny in Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters. In 2023, she won the University of New Hampshire Aria and Concerto Competition, performing “Ain’t It a Pretty Night?” with the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony. Her work has also been recognized with several Granite State and New England NATS awards.

Alexa earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of New Hampshire and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where she performs with Vox Exchange, a chamber ensemble working closely with the Grammy-nominated ensemble Lorelei.

OPERATIONS & GRANT WRITER

Reed Demangone is an American countertenor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who began his performing career at four years old and has yet to stop. Reed loves to go outside the box of what is expected from a countertenor, having recently gone from playing the forlorn lover Ottone in Handel’s Agrippina with the Boston Early Music Festival, to portraying the bizarre and lovable Strephon in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe with the Maenad Theatre Troupe.

In addition to his work as a singer, Reed is also a stage director with a specialization in fight and intimacy coordination, recently appearing as a fight choreographer for Boston Early Music Festival’s La Stellidaura Vendicante, and as an intimacy coordinator for Hibi Gibi Opera’s La Serva Padrona. Outside of music, Reed is also a nationally rated Epee fencer, having served as fencing team captain at University of Cincinnati, and worked as a fencing instructor and armorer at McGill University. 

Reed has been teaching both children and adults since 2018, and is passionate about fostering the next generation of musicians as well as supporting those already established. Reed is currently a music teacher at Needham Music, where he teaches piano, voice, and acting to students of all different ages and experience levels. As a teacher, Reed’s first goal is always to establish a full and lasting love of music in all his students, along with giving them the tools to take their ability to the next level. 

Reed began his operatic education at the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati (CCM), where he earned his Bachelors of Music, soon followed by a Masters of Music from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University (SSoM). Following his work as a young artist with the Boston Early Music Festival, he has fully relocated to the Boston area, and is looking forward to his next exciting project!

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hannah Jackson (She/Her) is an actor turned photographer/administrative assistant. She is excited to join Little Songbook and help their company grow! Her passion for photography started at a young age and was very commonly thrown into the role of photographer for her friends. From birthday photoshoots, to travel photos, and lastly being Abbey’s go-to for headshots, she does it all! Hannah joined LSO from the start as the friend who tags along to help, so she is beyond excited to take on a more official role. The world of opera is new to Hannah but she is learning more and more everyday. She hopes everyone will enjoy the amazing performances by LSO.