Margaret Suzanne Derasmo (Mabel / Ensemble): This is Mrs. Derasmo's second season of performing with GaSLOCoLI. Past credits with the company include A Christmas Carol (The Ghost of Christmas Present), H.M.S. Pinafore (Chorus Manager) and Radio Nights 2008 and 2010 (Soloist). Mrs. Derasmo is excited to be performing the role of Mabel in this season's production of The Pirates of Penzance. She is also the Business Manager for the 2009-2010 season.

Mrs. Derasmo completed her Bachelor of Music from State University of New York Purchase Conservatory of Music in 2005 (cum-laude). Here, she studied with Kaori Sato and Jean Marie Miller and coached with Hugh Murphy and Joan Krueger. Purchase Opera credits include Hänsel und Gretel (chorus), Amahl and the Night Visitors (chorus), Dido and Aeneas (chorus), The Merry Widow (Dodo), Carmen (Frasquita) and Dialogues of the Carmelites (Madame Lidoine). She completed a Master of Arts in Music History and Literature from C.W. Post Long Island University in 2007 (summa-cum laude). At Post, Mrs. Derasmo studied with Ruth Golden and coached with LeAnn Overton. Distinguishing credits include Messiah (soprano soloist), A Romantic Evening of Art Song (founder and director), teacher's assistant and Opera Scenes (2006 and 2007). Mrs. Derasmo was later hired by the University to stage manage their Opera Scenes and perform as a guest soloist in 2008. In 2001, Mrs. Derasmo was honored to be the soprano of a quartet performing the National Anthem at Shea Stadium and in 2006 she sung in Madame Butterfly with Regina Opera in Brooklyn, New York. She is currently the Music Director of St. Joachim R.C. Church in Cedarhurst, New York.

Special thanks to my entire family–Mom & Dad, Kathy & Joe–for the never-ending support of my music and for all of the babysitting and, most of all, to John for all of his patience and love. Many kisses to my baby Michaela.