Hello, everyone,

I am so glad you have chosen to spend this afternoon with us for Global Rhythms, Joyful Voices! We present today’s concert to celebrate the breadth of cultural traditions that continue to shape the development of American musical idioms and to acknowledge the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals upon which this country was founded.

The program showcases the incredible versatility of the human voice, featuring music from the Americas (North and South), Africa, Asia, and Europe. Each of the cultural identities represented are part of the rich tapestry of global traditions rooted here in the Twin Cities and throughout our state, and each of the stories shared enhances our appreciation of one another, inviting us to live together more harmoniously with curiosity and joy.

I am thrilled to welcome our illustrious cohort of guest collaborators who will each in their own way extend our choral singing into a holistic, full-bodied celebration complete with puppetry from the Phantom Chorus Theatre and dance from Africa, Asia, India, and Mexico from the Niibox and Family, Ghanaian Drumming and Dancing, Kaj Cis Siab Hmong Dance Team from HOPE Community Academy, RGK Dance Ensemble, and Los Alegres Bailadores. We will also experience the vocal stylings of Jhadiya Steele, a homegrown rising star, whose voice transports listeners into the presence of the creative, life-giving force.

I am so proud of our VocalEssence Chorus and Singers Of This Age for their commitment to preparing and sharing this varied and challenging program with passion, precision, and incredible artistry. It is also a joy to place a spotlight on the music of VocalEssence ¡Cantaré!—an initiative that builds musical bridges between Mexico and Minnesota (and beyond with our franchised partners!).

Thank you again for attending today’s performance. I hope you leave with a renewed awareness of the great diversity of experiences that comprise this wonderful land that we share. I trust that you will be encouraged and commit to do something to promote the common good and care for our siblings who live around us.

—G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Associate Artistic Director, VocalEssence

Khumbaya
Negro Spiritual, arr. Lucas Bok (2010)
As performed by the Soweto Gospel Choir
Jhadiya Steele, soloist

Micah 6:8
Lisa Fuglie and Mark Anderson, arr. Carol Barnett (2017)
featuring Monroe Crossing

If I Were Bird
Melanie DeMore (2025)

III. The Real Nation-Builders
from Sarojini
Shruthi Rajasekar (2022)
Nirmala Rajasekar, veena

Son de la Vida
José Galván Castañeda (2014)

Spiritual Suite
II. Steal Away
III. Mary Was the Queen of Galilee
B. E. Boykin (2025)

Jayjaykar!
Shruthi Rajasekar (2018)
India
Featuring RGK Dance Academy

Imagine
Kayla Gibson (2020)
Kayla Gibson, soloist

When Music Sounds
John Rutter (2018)

Into the Fire
Lisa Fuglie, arr. Carol Barnett
featuring Monroe Crossing

I Know I Been Changed
Based on a traditional Negro Spiritual
As performed by LaShun Pace
Jhadiya Steele, soloist

Joy
Julio Morales (2019)
Ana Madai Leyva, alto

Hands
Jocelyn Hagen (2017)

 

KHUMBAYA, arranged for Soweto Gospel Choir by Lucas Bok (2010)
Somebody’s cryin’ Lord. Khumbaya.
Somebody’s prayin’ Lord. Khumbaya.

Oh Lord! Hear my prayer!
As I lift my voice and say,
I need your love today.
I need you right away.

Somebody’s in despair!
Somebody feels like no one cares!
I know you’ll make a way,
Yes, God will make a way.

Oh! Khumbaya.
Oh, Lord, Khumbaya
—Traditional Spiritual

MICAH 6:8, Lisa Fuglie and Mark Anderson, arr. Carol Barnett (2017)
The wrongs of one to another can seem too much to understand.
We hate in turns, we never learn.

An eye for an eye leaves both blind. It’s a pound of flesh for an ounce of crime
And no one wins, the wheel just spins.

CHORUS
He has shown you, oh man, what is good; what does Yahweh require of you?
Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

Let mercy fall like gentle rain, without compulsion, without strain.
When grace is real, we all can heal.
When we forgive another’s debt, we free ourselves to love, and yet
We honor those we miss the most.

This light of mine is not my own;
It shines from these few seeds I’ve sown.
On just terrain will mercy reign.
—Lisa Fuglie and Mark Anderson

IF I WERE BIRD, Melanie DeMore (2025)
If I were bird, if I were sky
Then in a dream I’d surely fly
Beyond the sun, then to the moon
If I were bird.

If I were whale, if I were sea
My song would sing eternity
From oceans deep to earthen core
If I were whale.

If I were tree, if I were grove
My roots would grow throughout the world
Connecting all both far and wide
If I were tree.
—Melanie DeMore

III. THE REAL NATION-BUILDERS, Shruthi Rajasekar
from Sarojini

Sarojini is a large-scale musical work that chronicles the breadth of Sarojini Naidu Ji’s legacy. Drawing from texts by and about Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949), and using themes from the Indian Independence movement, the composition highlights her political contributions, her artistic prowess, her advocacy of women’s rights, and her impact on India’s larger fight to be free from British imperial rule.

Women played a central role in sustaining the movement, from producing goods for boycotts to leading protests and strikes. Their strength is personified here as Goddess Lakshmi, symbol of compassion and well-being, embodying the resilience and sacrifice of the women who carried the struggle forward.

SON DE LA VIDA, José Galván Castañeda (2018)
Sung in Spanish
Gentlemen, I suggest,
That life is to be enjoyed,
Gentlemen, this I suggest to you.

Don’t agonize about the future,
The past is only a joke now,
It’s better to enjoy the present,
The present is the only thing that exists.

That’s why it’s better for us to enjoy
Life’s groovy beat.

Sometimes I break down and cry
Because my heart aches,
But it doesn’t hurt as much
Whenever I sing this song.

When I have money
I enjoy it with all my heart
But when I don’t have a penny
I have fun anyway, dancing to the beat of this song.

This is the way we sing in México,
With love and with passion,
And with our throats wide open,
Giving our hearts away.
—Text by José Galván Castañeda

A SUITE OF SPIRITUALS, arr. B.E. Boykin
II. MARY WAS THE QUEEN OF GALILEE
Who was Mary?
Mary was the Queen of Galilee.

Mary rode to Bethlehem.
There she brought the Holy Lamb.
Mary saw Him crucified.
When her Lord cried out an’ died.
Oh, she wept an’ Martha moaned.
Sky turned purple all aroun’.

Now after Sunday down at the tomb,
When the stone was rolled away,
She didn’t find her Lord, an angel came unto her
Telling the good news that Jesus Christ is risen
And will appear again.
Queen of Galilee,
Oh, Mary was the Queen of Galilee.
—Negro Spiritual

III. STEAL AWAY
Refrain: Away, steal away.
Steal away to Jesus.
Steal away, steal away home.
I ain’t got long to stay here.

Away, steal away.
My Lord, He calls me.
He calls me by the thunder.
The trumpet sounds within’ my soul.
I ain’t got long to stay here. Refrain:
—Negro Spiritual

JAYJAYKAR! Shruthi Rajasekar (2018)
Sung in Hindi
Victory to the Lord, Praise the Lord!
Praise be to You, Jesus Christ

He embodies absolute kindness
He wants only the best for everyone
He loves everyone

He lifts up those who have fallen
He removes all our burdens
Your greatness is boundless
—Pastor Anil Kant, tranlation by Nirmala Rajasekar

 

IMAGINE, Kayla Gibson (2020)
Gentlemen, I suggest,
That life is to be enjoyed,
Gentlemen, this I suggest to you.

Don’t agonize about the future,
The past is only a joke now,
It’s better to enjoy the present,
The present is the only thing that exists.

That’s why it’s better for us to enjoy
Life’s groovy beat.

Sometimes I break down and cry
Because my heart aches,
But it doesn’t hurt as much
Whenever I sing this song.

When I have money
I enjoy it with all my heart
But when I don’t have a penny
I have fun anyway, dancing to the beat of this song.

This is the way we sing in México,
With love and with passion,
And with our throats wide open,
Giving our hearts away.
—Text by José Galván Castañeda

WHEN MUSIC SOUNDS, John Rutter (2018)
When music sounds, gone is the earth I know,
And all her lovely things even lovelier grow,
Her flowers in vision flame, her forest trees
Lift burdened branches, stilled with ecstasies.
When music sounds, out of the water rise
Naiads whose beauty dims my waking eyes,
Rapt in strange dreams burns each enchanted face,
With solemn echoing stirs their dwelling-place.
When music sounds, all that I was I am
Ere to this haunt of brooding dust I came;
While from Time’s woods break into distant song
The swift-winged hours, as I hasten along.
—Walter de la Mare

INTO THE FIRE, Lisa Fuglie, arr. Carol Barnett
Three men don’t know what to do.
How can they turn their back on God?
King Nebuchadnezzar said, “Your God is not the truth.
Renounce, or you must go

Into the fire.
Go into the fire,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.”
And they went into the fire.

How can this be? There are not three
But four, standing in the flames.
This king will concede, “Bring them to me.
Their God is the One who saves

From the fire.”
They went into the fire,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Not alone in the fire,
There were four in the fire.

When those who wield the power say you must do
That which goes against our God,
Don’t be afraid. You are not alone;
Have faith, even as you go

Into the fire.
Go into the fire
Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Feed the hungry, clothe the poor.
When they knock, open up your door.
God is seen in everyone.
Let us pray His kingdom comes.
Love your brother as yourself.
Love defies the fires of Hell.
Illuminate the false command;
Take a step for God and man.

Step into the fire,
Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
They went into the fire,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
—Lisa Fuglie

I KNOW I’VE BEEN CHANGED, As performed by LaShun Pace (1991)
Refrain: I know I’ve been changed
I know I’ve been changed.
Angels in Heaven done signed my name.

Well, if you don’t believe that I’ve been redeemed,
The angels in Heaven done signed my name.
Oh, follow me down to that old Jordan stream.

I stepped in the water and the water was cold.
Oh, it chilled my body but not my soul. Refrain:

Somebody said, how can a brown cow eat green grass
And give you white milk? Well, if you think that’s something
God’s chemical laboratory of redemption took my black soul
And dipped it in red blood. And I came out white as snow. Refrain:
—Based on a traditional Negro Spiritual

JOY, Julio Morales (2019)
Close your eyes, listen to the hum of the spirit.
Your trial is done and your day is new.
There’s no time for being blue.
Joy way down, you can feel it too.
Feel it chase away the blues.

Refrain: Joy, joy, joy when feels impossible.
Joy, joy joy, when the choice is optional,
Something you can’t destroy, joy
Is what I feel.
Oh, it’s so real.

Hold your light as you travel through the valley.
When you feel it in your soul, you’ll never tire.
When you smile, you conquer the fire.
After storms roll, glee will fall and joy will ignite.
Growing til your spirit glows. Refrain:

I go to prepare a place for you,
With my joy in my pocket and my love for you.
Close your eyes, feel it in your soul.
Let your joy live inside of you and go on. Refrain:
—Text by Anthony Wright

NIIBOX AND FAMILY, Nii Adjetey Mensah
With over 30 years of experience in music performance, arts education, and public speaking, Nii Adjetey Mensah bridges the worlds of art and business. Son of Master Drummer Sowah Mensah and director, choreographer, and dancer Rev. Naa-Abashie Ankrah, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 and began performing traditional African music and dance in 1987.

As NiiBox, he is a composer, instrumentalist, beatboxer, emcee, and dancer who has collaborated with artists such as World Voices, Marty Haugen, and Mos Def. Through groups like Sankofa and Manifesters, he has led hundreds of workshops and residencies, educating diverse audiences on African and urban art forms.

A Distinguished Toastmaster, Nii has delivered programs for major organizations including Wells Fargo, Chevron, and Yahoo. He is also Executive Director of Face Forward, promoting social change through the arts, and a Corporate Treasury Consultant at Wells Fargo with over a decade of financial expertise.

KAJ CIA SIAB, HOPE Community Academy
HOPE Community Academy’s dance team, Kaj Cia Siab, is a vibrant, student-centered program led by coaches Pa Nhia Moua and Kyra Thor. Rooted in cultural pride and expression, the team honors Hmong history through movement while building strong technical dance skills. Open to grades 6–12, dancers meet twice weekly to grow in teamwork, discipline, and confidence. The program blends traditional and contemporary influences, creating space for creativity and identity exploration. Grounded in values of community, perseverance, and respect, Kaj Cia Siab empowers students to become expressive performers and thoughtful leaders, both on and off the stage, while preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage.

LOS ALEGRES BAILADORES, Rebecca Moran Cusick
Los Alegres Bailadores is a vibrant Mexican folkloric dance group that has shared colorful, authentic performances throughout the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota for over 45 years. Founded in 1977 by Rebecca Moran Cusick, the ensemble reflects her lifelong dedication to preserving and celebrating Mexican cultural traditions rooted in her family’s legacy.

Dedicated to honoring the rich diversity of Mexico’s regions, Los Alegres Bailadores educates younger generations and communities through performances that bring tradition to life. Rebecca’s training in Mexico and ongoing cultural research ensure each dance remains authentic, carrying forward the music, artistry, and heritage of Mexican folklore for future generations.

PHANTOM CHORUS THEATRE
Phantom Chorus Theatre is a grass-roots non-profit theatre company specializing in collaborative, experimental, original works or adaptations. Through the mediums of puppetry, movement, music, and multimedia, they strive to harness the power of imagination–to make the impossible real. With a focus on accessibility and community outreach, their aim is to bring a unique theatrical experience to a wide audience.

Co-artistic directors Thalia Kostman and Marc Berg have been collaborators since 2016. Having worked together on a variety of projects–and sharing a passion for puppetry, movement, and mask– they decided to form Phantom Chorus Theatre as a way to foster not only their own artistic voices, but the voices of their fellow company members and collaborators.

RGK DANCE ACADEMY, Renu Kumar
RGK Dance Academy, founded by Renu Kumar in 2004, is a leading Modern Indian dance institution known for its dynamic Bollywood-inspired programming. Blending folk, contemporary, semi-classical, and classical forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam with styles such as hip-hop and salsa, the academy has trained over 2,000 students and produced 96 original works, including 19 annual Bollywood dance-dramas in Minnesota.

Renu leads a dedicated team in creating performances that highlight the power of storytelling through dance, often exploring real-life themes and multicultural connections. Beyond performance, RGK Dance Academy fosters a vibrant, inclusive community where students engage in dance and theater while deepening their understanding of Indian culture.

Through classes, productions, and annual charity events, RGK Dance Academy empowers youth and supports local and global causes—using the arts to inspire, connect, and give back.

JHADIYA STEELE
At just 22, Jhadiya is already making waves in gospel and soul music. Grounded in the legendary Steele family legacy and boldly carving her own path, she is a dynamic vocalist, writer, composer, and worship leader with a voice full of power, precision, and spirit.

For 57 years, VocalEssence has provided opportunities for singers from the Twin Cities area to create incredible music together and build connections as part of the vibrant arts community in Minnesota.

VocalEssence is known for introducing audiences to music and artists who are not yet known, often welcoming guest artists, composers, and conductors who are emerging, have unknown works, or represent a variety of cultures. Welcoming all members of the greater community, VocalEssence embodies the motto: Together We Sing.

VOCALESSENCE MISSION
VocalEssence draws upon the power of singing together to nurture community, inspire creativity, affirm the value of all persons, and expand the influence of choral music.

PHILIP BRUNELLE
Artistic Director and Founder
Philip Brunelle, Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence 57 years ago, is an internationally-renowned conductor, choral scholar, and visionary. Philip has conducted symphonies, choral festivals, and operas on six continents. He holds five honorary degrees, served 9 years as Vice President of IFCM (International Federation for Choral Music), and has been recognized for his commitment to choral music by the governments of Norway, Hungary, Sweden, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, he was awarded the American Prize in Choral Conducting and, in 2020, was given the Honorary Member Award by the Society for American Music. In fall 2024, Philip was appointed a National Arts Associate of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. Philip is also Organist-Choirmaster at Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis. During the pandemic Philip recorded 300 “Musical Moments” which can be accessed at https://www.vocalessence.org/what-we-do/virtual-projects/musicalmoments-with-philip-brunelle/ and his thoughts on music are at RenaissanceManpodcast.com. Philip and his wife Carolyn, a studio artist, have 3 children (Tim, Christopher, and Elise) and 7
grandchildren.

G. PHILLIP SHOULTZ, III
Associate Artistic Director
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, associate artistic director, uses the power of the spoken word and song to foster community and inspire action among people of all ages and abilities. Phillip conducts festival choirs and leads workshops across the United States and beyond. He serves on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas and guides the ministries of worship, music, and the arts at Westwood Lutheran Church. An accomplished curator of multi-disciplinary community collaborations, Phillip is the Artistic Director of the University of Minnesota Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert. The Minnesota Orchestra regularly engages Phillip to host their Young People’s Concerts and his online presence continues to grow as his pandemic livestream, Take 5 with GPS, recently reached the 500-episode milestone. The winner of numerous honors, including the ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition and multiple Teacher of the Year awards, Phillip founded “Table for More” in the summer of 2020 to help organizations address issues related to innovation, equity, racial justice, and belonging in the arts. Phillip lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Michelle, and their two children (Malachi and Lydia Grace).

ROBERT GRAHAM
Learning and Engagement Manager
Conductor, Vintage Voices
Robert Graham is the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence where he serves as the conductor for the VocalEssence Vintage Voices choirs, and oversees the renowned VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. Robert has a Master of Music degree in both vocal performance and choral conducting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and a B.A. in vocal performance from Xavier University of Louisiana. Robert currently serves as a section leader of the adult choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, sings second tenor in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, and also performs around the Twin Cities as a solo and chamber musician.

CASEY RAFN
Accompanist
Pianist Casey Rafn enjoys a varied career as a collaborative pianist both in the United States and abroad, in Europe and Latin America. He is a member of ‘Trés’, whose saxophone-piano trio was just nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for their new album “Romance al Campesino Porteño.” Casey often collaborates in concert or recordings with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and University of Minnesota School of Music faculty. As a piano soloist he took top prizes at the International Liszt-Garrison Competition in Baltimore, has appeared with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, and has taught at both the University of Minnesota School of Music and the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts.

JOHN JENSEN
Accompanist, VocalEssence Vintage Voices
John Jensen received his music degrees in Southern California, where he attended Occidental College and University of Southern California. While there he free-lanced as a studio musician, playing on the Andy Williams show and touring the country with prominent singers through Columbia Artists Management. He moved to Iowa and taught for 15 years at Grinnell College as an artist-in-residence. In 1990, John moved to St. Paul and has played with VocalEssence, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In November 2022, John appeared with the Yale Symphony Orchestra at Yale University to play and record a piano concerto by the late Paul Reale, for Naxos records (released in 2023).

VOCALESSENCE CHORUS

The VocalEssence Chorus is a group of talented and enthusiastic singers from many different walks of life, united by their love of singing and community. Performing a wide variety of musical styles, premiering new works, and sharing the stage with a diverse array of guest artists, the Chorus is a welcome home for singers who wish to continue making music throughout their adult lives.

SOPRANO
Ann Ambach
AnnaLisa Anderson
Madison Asher
Jessica Belt
Christine Boone
Ashley Brandt
Kate Brinkert
Corey Cellurale
Lorinda Chagnon
Marie Colangelo
Amanda Connolly
Emily Dyrdahl
Katie Eilers
Eva Gibney-Jones
Lillian Gray
Kristina M. Guiffre
Rebecca Hovsepian
Claire Huber
Sally Jaffray
Elinor Jones
Maggie Koebele
Laura Langan
Christina Pederson
Venessa Rockwell
Alexa Rosenbaum
Emma Schlabach
Emily D. Seifers
Ashley Slattery
Leah Sovick
Abbie Sulik
Dana Terres
Amanda Troolin
Kat True
Jen Vickerman Akaolisa
Dannika Wright

ALTO
Azure Anderson
Johanna Beaupre
Jo Michelle Beld
Katelyn Belden
Maria Coughlan
Mary Depew
Maggie Driemeyer
Nancy Jo Goettl
Autumn Gurgel Valentini
Marjorie Hakala
Dee Hein
Grace Herbertz
Brianna Hill
Grace Hjort
Tori Hornby
Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Katie Kovacovich
Annie Krishnan
Jessica Laven Johnson
Jeenee Lee
Lark Lewis
Ana Leyva
Carly Lunden
Kristi Mueller
Elizabeth Neuenfeldt
Jillian Paulson
Liz Raimann
Marty Raymond
Miriam Sahouani
Erin Sandsmark
Katie Sandsmark
Lisa K. Schalla
Sydney Schoeberle
Laura Tanner
Allie Wigley

TENOR
Erik Adolphson
Steve Aggergaard
Brett Bacon
Larry J Brandts
Cheryl Calloway
Bjorn Christ
Dante Colmenares
Ryan Coopergard
Alexander Cox
Ben Demaree
Tim Emery
James Feltes II
Kurtis Parlin
Thomas Sasdi
Peter Carlson
Schattauer
Barry John Tikalsky

BASS
Robert Atendido
Seth R. Bresky
David Castro
Garret Fettig
Adam Hecker
Russ Kaplan
Jordan Kiffmeyer
Devin Knopf
Jeff League
Nicholas Marcouiller
Thomas Mondry
Nicholas Mroczek
Milo Oien-Rochat
David Olson
Ron Pearson
Brian D. Ruhl
Grant Spickelmier
Trent Stenoien

VOCALESSENCE ENSEMBLE SINGERS

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have established an international reputation because of their extensive catalog of recordings and broad range of unique repertoire. This chamber choir, whose members hail from a wide variety of professions, is bound together by their skilled artistry to create what The Times of London has described as a “flawless” sound.

VOCALESSENCE SINGERS OF THIS AGE

The VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) is a community of Twin Cities teenagers engaged in expanding what it means to be a choir and, encouraging a wider circle of participation in the artform. Presenting music ranging from classical to hip-hop, they use creativity and collaboration to build an accepting community, equipped with the skills to lead social change in our society.

Ruby Atkins
Isadora “Isa” Blons
Noa Butler
Quinn Combs
Susanna Cowan
Jayla Ferguson
Iris Ferris
Zsuzsa Gallo
Sage Herringshaw
Amos Lucken Hills
Christ Tha Lay Htoo
Hser Htoo
Soren Johnson
Finley “Fin” Jones
Sasha Jordan
Cole Keller
Annah King
Olive Kirk
Isabella Lah
Emma Miller
Henrik Mills
Bailee Norman
Claire Oberheide
Ian Oberheide
Leah Odegaard-
Dunning
Claire Patterson
Zola Ranum
Jake Rowell
Bailey Schneeberg
Danny Shavor
Aurora Silpala
Avery Somdahl
Sarah Tha
Moua Kong Thao
Yawn Ye Thao
Za Zoua Thao
Adra Vang
Alice Weiland
Esther Wildebuer
LJ Wildebuer
Lacha Yang

VOCALESSENCE VINTAGE VOICES

VocalEssence Vintage Voices is an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults. Guided by a desire to create a welcoming atmosphere and remove barriers for participation, these choirs sing to build community, combat loneliness and isolation, and improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Fernelius
President

Carolina Maranon-Cobos
Past-President

Valton Henderson
Vice President, Board Affairs Committee Chair

Dan Dressen
Secretary

Kristen Hoeschler O’Brien
Treasurer

Philip Brunelle
Ben Brunnette
Ryan French
Cassandra Garnett
Brianna Hill
Novelli Jurado
Daniel Kantor
Lori Ledoux
Lisa Merklin Lewis
Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed
Dr. Kristin Morris
Kristine Oberg
Anna Ostroushko
G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Eve Schulte
Jeff Smith
Timothy C. Takach
Bob Thacker
Mary Tjosvold
Elizabeth Truesdell Smith
Amy Jaine Wielunski

LIFETIME DIRECTORS
Ann Barkelew
Ann Buran
Art Kaemmer*
Nikki Lewis
Mike McCarthy*
Dave Mona
Alfred Moore
Don Shelby
Dorene Wernke

HONORARY DIRECTORS
Dominick Argento*
William Bolcom
Dave Brubeck*
Stewart Copeland
Aaron Copland*
Håkan Hagegård
Louise Heffelfinger*
Eskil Hemberg*
Betty Hulings*
Sigrid Johnson*
James Earl Jones*
Garrison Keillor
Sir James MacMillan
Donald Mitchell*
Helmuth Rilling*
Sir John Rutter
Peter Schickele*
Dr. André J. Thomas
Eric Whitacre
Roderick Williams OBE
*In remembrance

VOCALESSENCE STAFF

ARTISTIC STAFF
Philip Brunelle
Artistic Director and Founder

G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Associate Artistic Director

Robert Graham
Learning and Engagement Manager | Conductor, Vintage Voices

Casey Rafn
Accompanist

John Jensen
Accompanist, Vintage Voices

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Azure Anderson
Events and Operations Manager

Jeff Bina
Director of Finance and Operations

Rhiannon Fiskradatz
Learning and Engagement Manager

Laura Holst
Development and Marketing Associate

Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Engagement and Communications Manager

Ethan Johnson
Director of Artistic Operations

Amanda Timmer
Director of Marketing and Communications

Amy Jaine Wielunski
Executive Director

VocalEssence has a large group of committed supporters and is honored by the many gifts received in memory, appreciation, and celebration of friends and family that are too many to list in this concert program.

Please click the button below to see a full list of supporters and special tributes.

VocalEssence Supporters

Marc Berg
Seth Bresky
Kristina Guiffre
Thalia Kostman
Renu Kumar
Ana Madai Leyva
Nii Adjetey Mensah
Julio Morales
Rebecca Moran Cusick
Pa Nhia Moua
Nick Mroczek
Kristi Mueller
NewTrax
Plymouth Congregational Church
Jhadiya Steele
Kyra Thor
Lori and Kat True
VOX A cappella Band
Westwood Lutheran Church
Jackson Yang