During the 2025-26 season at HGO, Butler Studio and YAVA alumna Megan Mikailovna Samarin performs the role of the Sandman in Hansel and Gretel. Previously at HGO, Samarin performed as Second Lady in The Magic Flute (2015, Miller Outdoor Theatre); Johanna in Sweeney Todd (2015); Olga in Eugene Onegin (2015); Third Water Nymph in Rusalka (2016); Lady Meresvale/Mistress Revels in Prince of Players (2016); Siebel in Faust (2016); Second Secretary in Nixon in China (2017); Sextus in Julius Cesar (2017); and Carla Mae in A House Without A Christmas Tree (2017). She has performed with the New York Philharmonic in Mozart’s Requiem under Manfred Honeck, the Lexington Philharmonic in Rodrigo’s Retablo de Navidad, and at OPERA America’s Emerging Artist Recital Series in New York City. Notable operatic roles include Siebel in Faust at San Antonio Opera; Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro at Aspen Music Festival; and Idamante in Idomeneo at Wolf Trap Opera. Samarin is a recipient of a Sara Tucker Study Grant, a Shoshana Foundation Richard F. Gold Career Grant, and Second Prize in the Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and is a fellowship recipient of the Aspen Music Festival.