ABOUT | The Opera Cowgirls

ABOUT THE COWGIRLS

The Opera Cowgirls are an alt-country band where grand opera meets the grand ole opry. Founded by Caitlin McKechney (mezzo-soprano/guitar/banjolele) after she was asked to open for a rock show at a local bar, the group also includes Sarah Beckham-Turner (soprano/cello), Maria Maxfield (soprano/egg shaker/tambourine), Jessica Sandidge (soprano/mandolin/rival egg shaker/tambourine) and Mila Henry (soprano sometimes/mini-keyboards/percussion). By blending the greatest operatic hits with some country flavor, the Cowgirls have proven that they can truly cover Puccini to Parton.

The Cowgirls have performed at venues ranging from dive bars to cabaret halls and beach bandshells to floating ferries, including the New York-based BAM Lepercq Space, Green Room 42, LIC Bar, Parkside Lounge, Pete's Candy Store, Le Poisson Rouge and The Slipper Room, and regionally at Avaloch Farm Music Institute (NH), Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre (IA), Delaware Valley Opera (NY), Hopewell Valley Vineyards (NJ), Magic City Opera (FL), Mr. Smalls Funhouse (PA), NightBlue Theater (IL), Opera North (NH), Painted Sky Opera (OK), Pensacola Opera (FL), Sandhills Repertory Theatre (NC), San Francisco Ballet (CA), St. Pete Opera (FL) and West Texas A&M University (TX). They were also presented by Pittsburgh Opera as part of the opening celebrations for the 2023 OPERA America Conference.

Guest artists include mandolinist Joe Brent, tap-dancing clown Brent McBeth, violinist Andie Tanning, violinist/musical saw player Philippa Thompson and mezzo-soprano Laura Virella, as well as ensembles ARKAI Music and Hotel Elefant. In August 2022, the Cowgirls all performed in the premiere of Letters That You Will Not Get: Women's Voices from the Great War by Kirsten Volness, Kate Holland and Susan Werbe (American Opera Projects), after debuting the original song cycle version in 2018.

Digital albums include Pearlsnaps and Pearls (their five-song "thesis" EP) and A Very Merry Cowgirl Christmas (a trio of holiday favorites), both of which are available online through all major music platforms.

Individually, the Cowgirls each cover a vast terrain, spanning The Metropolitan Opera, Amarillo Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, Florida Grand Opera, Nashville Opera, New York City Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera on Tap, Opera Philadelphia, PROTOTYPE Festival, Sarasota Opera and Tacoma Opera. OperaCowgirls.com.

MEET THE COWGIRLS

Caitlin McKechney, founding Cowgirl, rocks the guitar and banjolele (a hybrid of a ukulele and a banjo). You often hear her singing Carmen while flirting with unsuspecting beer-drinkers, or belting out some Patsy Cline. She has performed multiple times in both Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, but primarily on Mozart, Rossini and Bizet. She buys a new pair of boots each time she’s there, and now owns an impressive collection. Caitlin is also mom to her two darling cowpolk, Micah and Zoe.

Soprano-extraordinaire Sarah Beckham-Turner brings us her cello skills AND her Texas street cred, providing us with bass lines and baselines galore. In addition to her star power and spell-binding ability to work a crowd, she is also mom to “Sweet Baby James” Turner and little Caleb Vance. She currently lives in Amarillo where she is molding the future generation of opera singers at West Texas A&M University.

Mila Henry is our piano-mini-accordion-autoharp-bells-ukulele-slidewhistle player, who occasionally lends her sugary voice to a song or two. She can seamlessly transition from an orchestral score on a keytar to an improvised melodica solo that would make Mozart swoon. Most importantly, she is our style guru and owns a magnificent number of vintage cowgirl shirts.

Maria Maxfield grew up in Colorado singing country music. After studying voice and becoming an incredible soprano, she waltzed on over to Tennessee and met Caitlin, who was singing opera on the side of a Memphis highway (this is not a joke). Maria joins us along with her dulcimer, Merlin, who magically taught her how to play in less than a day.

Jessica Sandidge is our California girl, gracing us with her mind-boggling high notes and Dolly Parton blend of strength and sweetness. She plays a beautiful Seagull Mandolin named “Pearl”, and also lends her sweet skills to our ever-evolving roster of tiny instruments. Always a rebel, Jess is a natural blonde amidst a brood of brunettes, which we think is super country.

GUEST COWPERSONS

ARKAI

Kate Bergstrom, harp
Joe Brent, mandolin

Meagan Brus, soprano (emeritus)

Chelsea Feltman, soprano
Hotel Elefant

Jonathan Estabrooks, baritone

Rob Glaubitz, baritone

Sara Jacobi, soprano (emeritus)

Brent McBeth, tap dancer

Lindsay Ohse, soprano (emeritus)

Emily Jane Price, tap dancer

Nicole Sharlow, violin

Andie Tanning, violin

Brent Turner, tenor

Philippa Thompson, musical saw

Laura Virella, mezzo-soprano

Pete Wojtowicz, upright bass