Four generations of
the Nandayapa family comprise the renowned Marimba
Nandayapa ensemble, founded by Maestro Zeferino Nandayapa, a native of
Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. Marimba Nandayapa is the only Mexican marimba group
to have performed in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.
Mezzo Soprano Adriana Zabala recently joined the Minnesota Opera in the title role of the American premiere of Jonathan Dove’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, for which she was praised as demonstrating “tremendous stamina and boy-like flair” by the Wall Street Journal, and for her “firmly focused and resonant mezzo” by Opera News. For her role in Glass’ Waiting for the Barbarians, the New York Times hailed her as “a vivid, fearless presence,” and the Los Angeles Times called her “extraordinary- a young, vibrant mezzo.” An avid recitalist, Ms.
Greg Douma is in his 11th year as a music educator. At Eastview High School for the past seven years, he co-directs the Concert Choir and directs two men’s choirs and two chamber ensembles: VoiceMale and Camerata. In 2006, Greg and his wife, Kari, founded the Allegro Choral Academy, a non-profit music education organization which as grown to include three choirs, featuring nearly 100 singers in grades 2-8. Allegro gives a portion of its proceeds from each performance to charity. Greg is an active singer is a tenured member of the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus.
Now in her 34th year of music education, Judy Sagen has spent her entire career in the Apple Valley-Eagan-Rosemount School District 196. Currently at Eastview High School, her Concert Choir and Women’s Choir have been featured performers at both ACDA and MMEA State Conventions. Judy is currently President of the American Choral Director’s Association of Minnesota.
The Eastview High School Concert Choir (Apple Valley, MN) is a 70-voice auditioned choir comprised of students in grades 11 and 12. Their repertoire is diverse, incorporating music of many time periods, languages, cultures and styles. The Concert Choir has toured extensively to Europe, the Czech Republic and the British Isles.
Josiah Beretta, age 13, is from Melrose, MN. He is currently in his fourth season with the St. John's Boys' Choir under the artistic direction of Mr. André-Louis Heywood. He is a frequent soloist for the ensemble and is featured on their most recent recording, "Love's Pure Light". A lover of music, Josiah also plays violin in the orchestra at Saint John's Preparatory School where he attends classes as an eighth grader.
Jorge Córdoba, a native of Mexico City, has gained prominence as a composer and conductor, performing throughout his homeland, as well as in Spain, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Hungary, and the U.S.A.
Minneapolis native James Sewell is the co-founder and artistic director of James Sewell Ballet. James studied at the School of American Ballet in New York, was a lead dancer with Feld Ballets/NY and has performed as a guest artist with the New York City Ballet, Zvi Gottheiner and Dancers, and Denishawn.
Four generations of
the Nandayapa family comprise the renowned Marimba
Nandayapa ensemble, founded by Maestro Zeferino Nandayapa, a native of
Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. Marimba Nandayapa is the only Mexican marimba group
to have performed in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. 
Josiah Beretta, age 13, is from Melrose, MN. He is currently in his fourth season with the St. John's Boys' Choir under the artistic direction of Mr. André-Louis Heywood. He is a frequent soloist for the ensemble and is featured on their most recent recording, "Love's Pure Light". A lover of music, Josiah also plays violin in the orchestra at Saint John's Preparatory School where he attends classes as an eighth grader. 
Stephen Paulus has composed more than 350 works for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles, solo voice, keyboard and opera. 
Jorge Córdoba, a native of Mexico City, has gained prominence as a composer and conductor, performing throughout his homeland, as well as in Spain, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Hungary, and the U.S.A. 
Minneapolis native James Sewell is the co-founder and artistic director of James Sewell Ballet. James studied at the School of American Ballet in New York, was a lead dancer with Feld Ballets/NY and has performed as a guest artist with the New York City Ballet, Zvi Gottheiner and Dancers, and Denishawn. 
