Stephanie Bartis
Stephanie Bartis received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from UNC-Chapel Hill and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College. She is the owner and director of Bartis' Creative Studio and was awarded Kindermusik International's Maestro designation for Masterful Teaching and is among the top Kindermusik programs worldwide. She is a member of Kindermusik International's Curriculum Author Team, the Kindermusik Educator's Partnership and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Stephanie is also a K-5 Elementary music specialist in the Guilford County Schools.
Robert A. Bearden
Greensboro native Bob Bearden earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Duke University, where he was a member of the Chapel Choir. He has also sung with the New York Choral Society and the Durham, NC-based Vocal Arts Ensemble. Bob is a Senior Vice President of Finance with LabCorp in Burlington.
Dianne Hahn Black
Dianne Hahn Black holds a Bachelor's degree in voice from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Master's degree in music therapy from Florida State University and a certificate in accounting from Guilford College. Dianne also sings with the Kensington Consort, an eight voice ensemble specializing in early music, and is a soloist and section leader at Jamestown United Methodist Church. She previously sang with the Camerata singers and the Greensboro Oratorio Society. Dianne is a CPA and CFO for Management Resource Systems, Inc.
Jolynda Bowers (Sponsored by Suzanne Goddard)
Sanford native Jolynda Bowers received her Bachelor of Music from UNCG and Master of Music from the University of Illinois. She is soloist/section leader at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and has appeared as a soloist with the Greensboro Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Piedmont Chamber Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Eastern Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Youth Chorus, Mebane Community Chorus, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Chorus, Brevard Music Center Orchestra and the Durham Civic Choral Society. Jolynda is a Business Planning and Forecasting Manager for Syngenta Crop Protection.
Rachel Bowman
A veteran of Dr. Young's Chamber Singers at UNCG, Rachel is happy to be singing with Bel Canto for the first time this fall. She also serves as a soloist and section leader at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington. While pursuing her Master of Music at UNCG, she sang the role of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, as well as Mama Bear/Goldilocks's Mom/Pizza Girl in the traveling children's opera Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Rachel is currently a PhD candidate in the English department at UNCG and hopes to become a professor of Rhetoric and Composition.
Tandy Brown
Tandy Brown, a Wilmington native and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, has been a member of Bel Canto Company since 1988. He is an experienced carpenter with his own business (Buffalo Creek Custom Woodworking and Remodeling) and an avid kayaker. Mr. Brown also performs with the Kensington Consort, a newly-formed ensemble specializing in early music.
Ed Carlson
Ed is originally from Warren, PA and has lived in the Triad since 1998. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a BBA in Finance. While in PA, he studied with former Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Rosalind Hupp and sang with Ensemble Musica, a quartet that performed throughout PA and western NY. Ed has been a tenor section leader at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, as well as singing with Piedmont Chamber Singers, Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale and Greensboro Choral Society.
Hannah Rose Carter
Hannah Rose Carter received her Bachelor's degree in vocal performance and music education at SUNY Potsdam, and earned her Master's in vocal performance from UNC-Greensboro. Ms. Carter has appeared as a soloist with the Greensboro Choral Society, Dei Laudes Choir, and at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. This is her fourth season with Bel Canto Company. Mrs. Carter sings with the Kensington Consort, and is the music director at The Learning Palette Preschool in Jamestown. Her husband, Brian, is an accomplished cellist and doctoral candidate at UNCG.
Anita Rzonca Charles (Sponsored by Doris Henderson)
Originally from Chicago, Anita obtained her B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and her M.M. in Voice from the University of Illinois. Anita has performed with the Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Opera Theater, Illinois Opera Theater, Washington Opera, the Washington Concert Opera, the Washington Savoyards, Wolf Trap Opera Company and the Alexandria Symphony. She has been a semifinalist in the MacAllister Opera Awards Competition and placed first in the NATS State and Mid-Atlantic Regional Competitions in 1992. She has been a soloist with the Greensboro Symphony and has performed roles with many theatre companies throughout the Piedmont Triad.
Sarah Keith Chowning (Sponsored by Hayes & Clem Clement)
Sarah Chowning received a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from DePauw University School of Music in Greencastle, Indiana. An active and versatile performer, she has appeared as soloist with the Greensboro Symphony and Greensboro Youth Chorus and serves as section leader and soloist at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She performs locally and across the country in a wide variety of musical genres from Celtic to opera. Sarah teaches voice at Holy Trinity Music School and serves on the Executive Board of Music for a Great Space. Other interests include community and the arts, creativity, and leadership. She and her husband, Jeff, delight in time with their daughter, Amanda, and will welcome a second daughter in early 2010.
Maya Clausen
Maya Clausen, soprano, is a graduate of the University of South Florida. Having a degree in music education, she spent six years teaching high school and middle school orchestra, as well as high school chorus classes. She is an accomplished soloist, having performed regularly with The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, as well as The Florida Orchestra and Opera Tampa. Since moving to Greensboro in 2006, Maya has enjoyed singing with Bel Canto Company. Maya is blessed to be an "at-home mom" to her two amazing little boys and darling, one-year-old daughter, and thanks her husband, Bill, for all his love and support.
Anne Coltrane
Anne Coltrane received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor and Master of Music from UNCG. Currently she sings with the chancel choir at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, the Choral Society of Greensboro, and Piedmont Opera Chorus. She has sung with Winston Salem Symphony Chorale, NCSA Cantata Singers, and the Lake Junaluska Singers and serves as vice president of the UNCG Musical Arts Guild.
Matthew DiCamillo
A native of Niagara Falls, NY, Matthew DiCamillo has a Bachelor of Arts in applied music from SUNY Fredonia and a Master's of Music degree in vocal performance from UNC-Greensboro. He has performed as soloist with Capital Opera Raleigh, Greensboro Opera Company/EMF, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, and sings with the Kensington Consort. Matthew is on the voice faculty at Elon University, Szymanski Studios in Chapel Hill and the Music Academy of North Carolina. He is currently enrolled in the Feldenkrais Practitioner training program at the Institute for Somatic Education in San Francisco, CA.
Liz Doebler
Liz Doebler, a Rochester, NY native, completed her M.M. in Vocal Performance at UNCG, M.M. in Music Education and B.M. in Music Education and Performance at Ithaca College. She recently performed the role of Despina in Cosi fan tutte with Capital Opera Company as well as Mary in The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Baby Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at UNCG. In 2007, she was an alternate finalist in the UNCG concerto competition, and sang in recital at the Schlern International Music Festival in Italy. She is a voice teacher at Music Academy of NC and UNC School of the Arts Community Music School, and is the choral director for the Greensboro Symphony Guild Women's Chorus.
Jaime English
Jaime English, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music. She has performed in several operas, including Lakm� and Cosi fan tutte, and with a variety of choral ensembles, including UNCG Chamber Singers, Eastman Chorale, and Pittsburgh's Junior Mendelssohn Choir, as well as playing cello with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony. Currently she is the middle and upper school music teacher at Westchester Country Day School in High Point, and teaches voice and cello privately at home, as well as at Moore Music in Greensboro.
Carolyn Hall
Carolyn Hall has performed with the Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte Repertory
Orchestra, Oratorio Singers and Oratorio Chamber Singers of Charlotte, Piedmont Chamber Singers, Columbia and Augusta Choral Societies. Ms. Hall appeared as Mrs. Ott in the 2004 UNCG production of Susannah by Carlisle Floyd. A North Carolina Regional Artist, Ms. Hall was a Fellow at the 2001 Conductors Institute of South Carolina and served as Conductor of Gaston String Orchestra in Gastonia, NC, before moving to High Point. Ms. Hall is the Conductor/Artistic Director of the High Point Children's and Youth Chorales and teaches at High Point University. Ms. Hall received her B.M. from Wesleyan College, M.M.E. from the University of South Carolina and M.M. in Choral Conducting from UNCG.
Ben Heinsohn
Originally from Kingston, NJ, Ben Heinsohn sang with The American Boychoir under the direction of James Litton from 1987-1991. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hampden-Sydney College, and a Master of Science in Education from Elmira College. Ben has recently become a small business owner; his local company, Salem Windows & Doors, serves the Triad area with a focus on green building and restoration. Ben also serves as the head lacrosse coach for Wake Forest University's club lacrosse team. He and his wife, Joy, are expecting their first child in December.
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson, a native of Madison, NC is excited to be returning to Bel Canto Company for a second season. He is currently Choral Director at J.E. Holmes Middle School in Eden, NC. Eric is a graduate of Appalachian State where he earned degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance with a concentration in Sacred Music. Growing up, Eric sang with the Greensboro Youth Chorus and has also performed in the Greensboro Opera Company chorus and the ASU Opera Theater. He is currently serving as the Baritone Soloist and Section Leader at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC.
Allison Kokkeler (Sponsored by Carol & Fred Andresen)
Allison Kokkeler, a Wisconsin native, received a Bachelor's in Education and Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Master's degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Most recently she has appeared as Frasquita in Carmen, Emily in The Ballad of Baby Doe, and The Announcer in Gallantry. She has been a soloist in choral ensembles, and most notably the soprano soloist for Britten's Ceremony of Carols. Currently, she teachers choir and general music at Turrentine Middle School in Burlington and works as a choir director and accompanist at The Church of the Covenant in Greensboro.
Melissa Larkin
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Melissa received Bachelor's degrees from Prairie Bible College and the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada and a M.M in Vocal Performance from UNCG. Melissa has appeared with the UNCG Opera Theatre in The Ballad of Baby Doe, Libby Larsen's Barnum's Bird, and most recently as Salud in La Vida Breve for UNCG's Spring 2008 season. She also has appeared in productions of The Mikado, The Medium, Le nozze di Figaro, La Boh�me, and Die Zauberfl�te. Melissa works as the associate music director at Front Street United Methodist and teaches private voice lessons.
Karen Lecky-Springer
Karen Lecky-Springer, a Florida native, holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from UNC-Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Rollins College with concentrations in Vocal Performance, Conducting and Music Business. While in Florida, Mrs. Lecky-Springer sang with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, and at Walt Disney World. Also a talented actress and dancer, she has appeared in national commercials, soap operas, and national dance competitions. Mrs. Lecky-Springer is currently the Choir Director at the Canterbury School in Greensboro and a Choral Scholar at Westminster Presbyterian Church. This is her first season with Bel Canto Company.
Richard D. Lowder II (Sponsored by Robert & Susan Dorn)
Rich Lowder is a North Carolina native and holds degrees from Duke University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is a physician assistant at the Dayspring Medical Center in Mocksville, NC, and serves as Minister of Music at Maplewood Baptist Church in Yadkinville, NC. Rich has performed with the Duke Chapel Choir, the North Carolina Baptist Singers, and the Magnolia Baroque Festival in Winston-Salem, where he lives with his canine buddy, Famous. Rich also enjoys running and bicycling in area fundraisers.
Robert Matthews
Robert Matthews, a native of Carthage, NC, earned his B.M. and M.M. from Appalachian State University. After graduation, he taught choral music at North Wilkes High School in Hays, NC and was the Minister of Music at Hinshaw Street Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, NC. Last summer, Robert was a Conducting Apprentice at the Berkshire Choral Festival, where he was given the Charles Dodsley Walker Award. Currently, he is pursuing his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at UNCG. He also sings in the adult choir at West Market Street UMC and teaches choral music at Greensboro Day School.
James A. McClureJames A. McClure, originally from Charlotte, NC, received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Appalachian State University and his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from UNCG. Currently, James is a section leader/soloist with Centenary United Methodist church under the direction of David Pegg. His past performing credits include Betto and Gianni Schiicci from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Balthazar from Amahl and The Night Visitors, Nilakantha from Lakm�, and Grandpa Moss from The Tenderland. James has also been invited as a guest artist with Brevard Chamber Orchestra and the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. Most recently he performed "Elijah" with Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and Marchese in La Traviata with the Piedmont Opera Company.
Wendell Putney
Wendell Putney, an Elizabeth, NJ native, is retired from a career in information technology. He has appeared with Greensboro Opera and Piedmont Opera as a chorus member in over 25 productions, and has performed with Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival and Choral Society of Greensboro. Mr. Putney is a section leader and soloist with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, and studies with Dr. Donald Hartmann. This is Wendell's ninth season with Bel Canto Company.
Charles (Chip) Renn
Chip Renn, originally from Defiance, Ohio, holds degrees in mathematics from both the Ohio State University and UNCG. While a student, Chip sang with the Men's Glee Club and Chorale at OSU and the Chamber Singers at UNCG. He has also been seen on stage as Pippin in Pippin, Huck Finn in Big River, Matt in The Fantasticks, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He currently works as a computer network administrator in Greensboro.
Stephen Saxon
Stephen Saxon recently graduated from Mars Hill College with a degree in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in music. While there he served as Choir President, ACDA student chapter president, and founded the Mars Hill Men's Quartet. An avid barbershopper, Stephen has won international chorus gold medals with both the Masters of Harmony and the Westminster Chorus, each based in Southern California. He is proud to have been a member of the Greensboro Youth Chorus, and is the son of Anne Saxon, the director of the Central Carolina Children's Chorus. He currently resides in Winston-Salem.
Nicolle Alexandre Sherwood
Originally from Nashville, TN, Nicolle holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Belmont University and a Master's degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University. Since moving to NC in 2004, she has performed with Long Leaf Opera, Capital Opera, and the Magnolia Baroque Festival. She and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful girls- a newborn baby and a 2 � year old- and Nicolle is happy to be able to stay home with them while they are young.
Kate Smith
Kate Smith received her B.M. from the State University of New York at Fredonia
and her M.M. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While completing her Master's in Vocal Performance, Ms. Smith was featured as Nella in the Greensboro Opera Company's production of Gianni Schicchi, and in the title role of Little Red Ridding Hood with the UNCG opera outreach program. At Fredonia, she performed in such roles as Carolina in The Secret Marriage, Madame Goldentrill in The Impressario, and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. Other recent roles include Adina (cover artist), in L'elisir d'amore with Capital Opera in Raleigh, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors with High Point Community Theatre. She is currently featured as a soloist and Soprano section leader at Centenary First Methodist in Greensboro.
Bill Snedden (Sponsored by John Cary)
A native of Atlanta, GA, Bill Snedden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UNCG, where he studied voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, and composition. He has appeared with the North Carolina Bach Festival, the Magnolia Baroque Festival, and is a frequent guest soloist/section leader and organist at several area churches as well as being a founding member of the Kensington Consort. Recently, Bill returned to UNCG where he earned a Master's in Business Administration. He is currently a Sr. Business Analyst with United Health Group in Greensboro and lives in Summerfield with his wife, Nancy, and two dogs, Riley and Loki.
Bill Stephens
Bill Stephens is a resident and native of Danville, Virginia. Bill has been a member of the Choral Society of Greensboro for the last 20 years. He is the immediate past President of the organization and serves on its Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the Musical Arts Guild of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Bill is employed by American National Bank and Trust Company in Danville as the Director of Technology Development.
Hope Fairchild Thacker
Hope Fairchild Thacker, mezzo-soprano, is a Mississippi native. She holds a D.M.A. in Vocal Performance from UNC Greensboro, as well as an M.M. in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and a B.M.Ed. in Choral Music Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Thacker's vocal awards include national semi-finalist in the 2004 NATSAA Competition and guest artist for the 2004 Southern Region NATS Convention. Recent roles include Angela in Colaner's He Cried Uncle (World Premiere), Augusta in The Ballad of Baby Doe, Zita in Gianni Schicci, Mercedes in Carmen, and the Witch in Into the Woods. Oratorio performances include Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Alma by Schiffman (NC premiere), Vivaldi's Gloria, and the Durufl� Requiem. Dr. Thacker is currently serving as Artist in Residence at UNC Charlotte and resides in Greensboro, NC with her husband, Dr. Brian Thacker, and their sons, Hartley and Robert.
Hillary Ann Webb
Hilary Ann Webb hails from Schererville, Indiana. She received a Bachelor of Music in voice performance at Ball State University and her Master of Music in Voice performance from UNCG. She has sung with Greensboro Opera Company, the Choral Society of Greensboro, The Oratorio Society of Greensboro, UNCG Opera Theater, and Capitol Opera. Hilary is actively singing and competing all over the United States and made her European debut this past June in Florence and Traviso, Italy.
Gerald Whittington
Gerald Whittington has been a member of the ensemble since 1992. He has appeared as soloist with the Bel Canto Company, as well as the Atlanta Choral Guild, Ash Lawn Opera, Charlottesville Oratorio, Raleigh Oratorio and the Choral Society of Durham and has performed with conductors John Rutter, Robert Shaw, Rodney Wynkoop, Simon Carrington, Robert Porco and Lara Hoggard. As a recitalist, he has premiered solo works by Frank E. Wiley and Roger Hannay. He is Vice President for Business, Finance and Technology at Elon University and sings at Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Chapel Hill.