In collaboration with our colleagues at Northrop, led by Executive Director, Kari Schloner, it is a pleasure to welcome you to today’s performance. VocalEssence and Northrop are about creating community and continuing to expand our messages through music and dance to a greater Twin Cities populace. We are delighted to continue our partnership with VocalEssence WITNESS: Symphony of Spirituals.

In 1991, when Artistic Director and Founder Philip Brunelle decided to honor Black History month with a concert dedicated to bringing greater visibility and awareness to the music of composers from the African diaspora, not even he could have predicted the profound and lasting impact that decision would have. VocalEssence WITNESS celebrates many outstanding contributions the Black community makes to our shared cultural heritage through concerts, conversations, recitals, workshops, and programming in churches, community centers, and schools throughout the metropolitan region. Each year, with the help of our phenomenal roster of VocalEssence Teaching Artists, thousands of students participate in interactive workshops based on a curated theme which highlights Black brilliance, past and present, and illuminates our role in making today’s society more equitable for all.

Long before our beloved community began to endure the hardships of our present circumstances, I knew that it would be important for us to return to the foundational soul of American music—the Negro spiritual. These songs, created by our enslaved African siblings and passed down by aural tradition, were born out of unimaginable hardships. They remain the most beautiful expressions of human experience still speaking to us. Today, these spirituals are paired alongside iconic freedom songs that served as catalytic fuel for the Civil Rights movement and they invite us all to be part of the resistance movement that is continuing the march towards freedom, justice, and racial reconciliation.

It’s such an honor to share the world premiere of a A Spiritual Suite, commissioned by VocalEssence for this occasion. B.E. Boykin is a rising star. Her opera, My Name is Florence, was just premiered by Minnesota Opera. I count it as a joy to consider her as a friend and can’t wait for you to hear how she uses the voices and orchestra to draw us into deeper meaning and understanding.

I encourage you to read the program notes below that share more context about the vision for this program, the origins of the songs, and the intentions of the composers and arrangers.

Now settle in, sit back, and get ready to lift your voice and sing in pursuit of justice. Prepare to consider your role in creating a world that is wide enough for all to thrive into being. It is my sincere hope that as you leave Northrop, you will embrace our invitation to live your life in a way that brings more love, more peace, more cooperation, and more joy into our world!

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

WALK TOGETHER, CHILDREN
Negro Spiritual, arr. William Henry Smith (1937)

THE JUSTICE SYMPHONY
Damien Geter (2021)
Chloe Johnson, soloist
I. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
II. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
III. Ego Trippin’

PRESENTATION OF THE REATHA CLARK KING AWARD

A SUITE OF SPIRITUALS
Negro Spirituals, arr. B.E. Boykin (2014/2026)
I. Go Down, Moses
II. Mary Was the Queen of Galilee*
III. Steal Away*
IV. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho*

INTERMISSION

KHUMBAYA
Traditional Spiritual, arr. Lucas Bok (2010)

BOUND FOR GLORY
Traditional Spirituals, arr. Rollo Dilworth (2019)
I. This Train is Bound for Glory
II. City Called Heaven
III. Goin’ Home, Audrey Lane-Getaz, soloist
IV. Amazing Grace
V. No Ways Tired

GLORY
from Selma
John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn, and Che Smith, arr. Mark Brymer (2014)
Traiveon Dunlap, soloist
Brianna Hill, spoken word

AUDIENCE SING: LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
Rosamond J. Johnson, arr. Roland Carter (1978)
(Audience invited to stand and sing as directed)

*WORLD PREMIERE

WALK TOGETHER, CHILDREN, Traditional Spiritual, arr. William Henry Smith (1937)

THE JUSTICE SYMPHONY, Damien Geter (2021)
I. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
II. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
III. Ego Trippin’

PRESENTATION OF THE REATHA CLARK KING AWARD

A SUITE OF SPIRITUALS, Traditional Spiritual, arr. B.E. Boykin (2014/2026)|
I. Go Down, Moses
II. Mary Was the Queen of Galilee*
III. Steal Away*
IV. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho*

INTERMISSION

KHUMBAYA,Traditional Spiritual, arr. Lucas Bok (2010)

BOUND FOR GLORY, Rollo Dilworth
I. This Train is Bound for Glory
II. City Called Heaven
III. Goin’ Home
IV. Amazing Grace
V. No Ways Tried

GLORY, John Stephens, Lonnie Lynn, and Che Smith, arr. Mark Brymer (2014)
from Selma

AUDIENCE SING: LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING, Rosamond J. Johnson, arr. Roland Carter (1978)
(audience invited to stand and sing as directed)

FREEDOM IS COMING: CAN’T TURN ME ‘ROUND, G. Phillip Shoultz, III (2025)
Freedom is coming, yes I know!
You can’t turn me ‘round
I won’t let nobody turn me ‘round
I am marching up to freedom land.
—based on freedom songs from South Africa and the United States Civil Rights Movement

 

We were created for community and need one another to truly survive. To Lead with Love is to acknowledge that everyone deserves the right to live in a world that allows them to be fully alive and thrive. Leading with love is not just a choice that we make or a mindset that we adopt, it is cultivating the practice of belovedness and hospitality each and every day.

The Lead with Love pledge, developed in 2024 for the WITNESS: Lead with Love concert, is comprised of twelve statements that invite us to nurture habits of caring and connection.

I will LISTEN.

I will ENCOURAGE others to be the best versions of themselves.

I will ASK questions so I can better understand the perspectives of those around me.

I will DEEPEN my awareness of the needs that exist in our communities.

I will WORK with others to strengthen our communities.

I will INVEST my time, talents, and resources to help improve the lives of those around me.

I will TAKE TIME for reflection and TAKE ACTION when the situation calls for it.

I will HOLD OTHERS UP when they experience difficulties and disappointments.

I will LET MY VOICE BE HEARD and speak up in the face of injustice.

I will OPEN DOORS through conversation and compromise.

I will VALIDATE the differences that make us unique.

I will EMBRACE changes that allow us to better live in community with one another.

CHLOE JOHNSON
Soloist
Chloe earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from St. Olaf College where she played viola in the St. Olaf Orchestra and Philharmonia and continued her studies in Voice Performance, studying with Alison Feldt and singing in the St. Olaf Choir.

Chloe went on to receive her Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College where she toured and performed with the awarded Westminster Choir and Westminster Symphonic Choir under Dr. Joe Miller and sang with teachers Lindsey Christiansen and Laura Brooks Rice. She has had the privilege of singing with renowned orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Berlin Philharmonic. Chloe sang in the choir-in-residence at Spoleto Festival USA and performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona, Spain.

Chloe has toured throughout the United States and internationally with ensembles including VocalEssence, the St. Olaf Choir, the Westminster Choir, and other project-based choirs.

In addition to her work with the Ensemble Singers, she is an active church musician, directing the choir and serving in worship ministry at Hope Church in Richfield. Chloe is also a voice and piano teacher and the mother of two young boys. She has been a member of VocalEssence for eight years.

 

B.E. BOYKIN
Commissioned Composer
B.E. (Brittney Elizabeth) Boykin is a distinguished composer, conductor and pianist, renowned for her dynamic artistry and profound contributions to the world of music. Most recently, her music appears on two albums nominated for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards in the Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category: Black Pierrot (Sidney Outlaw and Warren Jones) and In This Short Life (Devony Smith and Danny Zelibor). This recognition stands as one of her newest career highlights, joining a legacy of performances at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and affirms her influence as a leading voice in contemporary classical music.

In addition to her work in opera, she continues to leave a lasting impact on the choral world as a sought-after conductor and clinician who is celebrated for her unique artistic expressions and ability to connect with her ensembles. Her recent features include conducting the Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Choir in a closing concert for the 2024 Chorus America Conference and leading them to emerge as the category winner at the 2024 World Choir Games, the largest international choral competition in the world. Beyond the concert stage and opera house, Boykin not only solidifies her reputation as a leader in choral music but demonstrates her deep passion and commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians through her community engagement.

With a career characterized by artistic excellence, educational impact, and a deep commitment to cultural advocacy, she is honored to serve on the National Board for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. She is currently the Director of Choral Activities at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Learn more at Beboykinmusic.com.

VIOLIN 1
Elise Meichels Parker
Mary Alice Hutton
Karl Braaten
Claire Loudon
Romulo Sprung

VIOLIN 2
Kseniya Khvashchynskaya
Stephanie Skor
Renata Steve
Ethan Balakrishnan

VIOLA
Anne Ainomae
Alastair Brown
Chuck Krenner

CELLO
Teresa Richardson
Sally Dorer
Darin Anderson
Diane Tremaine

BASS
Cassidy Morgan
Irving Steinberg

FLUTE
Karen Baumgartner
Erica Bennett

PICCOLO
Bethany Summersgill

OBOE
Sarah Carmack

ENGLISH HORN
Kelley Tracz

BASSOON
Matt Bertrand
Justin Windschitl

CLARINET
Jennifer Gerth
Karin Meffert Nelson

HORN
Allison Akins
Neal Bolter
Alex Henton
Gina Goettl

TRUMPET
Jonathan Brandt
Christopher Volpe

TROMBONE
Phillip Ostrander
Larry Zimmerman

TUBA
Jacob Grewe

PERCUSSION
Will Kemperman
Joel Alexander
Paul Hill
Robert Adney

Now in its 36th year, VocalEssence WITNESS celebrates the contributions of African Americans to our shared American heritage through in-school and virtual workshops with teaching artists for students grades 4-12, professional development and classroom resources for teachers, and VocalEssence WITNESS Young People’s Concerts featuring VocalEssence singers.

2025-2026 FAST FACTS

• 49 Partner Schools, including 18 from Minneapolis Public Schools

• 31 schools returning for repeat partnership

• 18 brand new partner schools joining WITNESS this year

• 3,669 students will attend Young People’s Concerts

• 3,603 students will participate in workshops with WITNESS Teaching Artists

• 33 buses, subsidized by VocalEssence through generous supporters will transport Minneapolis Public Schools students to the Young People’s Concerts free of charge

• Teachers have access to 14 different lesson plans—created by VocalEssence staff to meet Minnesota Academic Standards—engaging students in this year’s theme of Eyes Still On The Prize II.

TIMOTHY BERRY
Vocalist/Composer/Percussionist

PATRICIA BROWN
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

TRAIVEON DUNLAP
Vocalist/Percussionist

GINGER COMMODORE
Singer/Songwriter/Actress

KARLA NWEJE
Dancer/Choreographer/Literary Artist

T. MYCHAEL RAMBO
Musician/Singer/Actor

ROXANE WALLACE
Dancer/Choreographer

Torrie Allen
Marvin Anderson
Martha Arradondo
Stanley Brown
Tazha Buckner
James Burroughs
Eric Clark
Victoria Davis
Ashley Dubose
Jacob Gayle
Valton Henderson, Chair
Tricia Kaufman
Reatha King
Kevin Lindsey
Laverne McCartney Knighton
Rose McGee
Rhoda Miriphiri-Reed
Maria Mitchell
Dr. Kristin Morris
Philomena Morrissey Satre
Amanda Norman
Jonathan Palmer
Chadwick Phillips
Joanne Reeck
Sharon Smith-Akinsanya
Lezlie Taylor
George Thompson

REATHA CLARK KING AWARD WINNER:
ROSE MCGEE

Since 2007, VocalEssence has given out an award named after pioneering African American scientist, educator, and philanthropist Reatha Clark King. This year we’re pleased to recognize the vital work of Rose McGee.

The lyrics “you and I must work together to be the light” aptly articulates the essence of Rose McGee. Born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, Rose saw her grandmother and great grandmother “be the light” as they baked sweet potato pies for families with a new baby or grieving from the death of a loved one. Rose learned that food connects people and creates opportunities for them to come together—to lift one another up through stories, songs, laughter, and tears. These were the experiences that formed the basis for her life’s work. Rose has led story circles with parents, students, and educators in her work through the Minnesota Humanities Center. She is the playwright behind Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story and has served on teaching artist rosters for organizations—including VocalEssence. She is also the author of the children’s book, Can’t Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie like Our Mama.

All of these gifts come together in her “bake”tivism where her light truly shines bright. As she watched the protests in response to the brutal murder of Michael Brown in August of 2014, Rose asked herself, “What can I do?” Her answer—“Go into your kitchen, make some sweet potato pies, pack your car and deliver them.” So…she packed the trunk of her car with 30 freshly-baked sweet potato pies and traveled to Ferguson. As Rose listened to each recipient talk about how the pie had come at just the right time, her nonprofit organization, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie: A Catalyst for Caring and Building Community was born. Each year since, hundreds of people come together to bake pies and have honest dialogues around race. Rose’s unique approach helps people and communities bridge racial divides and begin the path towards reconciliation and healing. When asked what she hopes to share through her children’s book, Rose says, “I hope that generations will get together and read it together… because what it will do, I hope, is help people to be comfortable with speaking about stories, about history. Things that these children may not know.” Everywhere Rose McGee goes she lets her light shine as she keeps her eyes on the pies!

PAST REATHA CLARK KING AWARD WINNERS
2025: Dr. Reatha Clark King
2024: Dr. Padmini Udupa
2023: Sondra Samuels, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
2022: Traci V. Bransford
2020: VocalEssence Teaching Artists and Joanna Cortright
2019: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
2018: Dr. Jacob A. Gayle, Jr. and the Medtronic Foundation
2017: T. Mychael Rambo
2016: Dr. Josie Robinson Johnson
2015: Sanford Moore
2014: General Mills
2013: Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
2012: Theresa Neal
2011: Sharon Sayles Belton
2010: Laysha Ward
2009: Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Page and Diane Sims
2008: Patricia A. Harvey
2007: Ms. Ossie Brooks James

Situated at the heart of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and a state historic landmark, Northrop has served as the University’s primary gathering place for the performing arts, world-renowned dance performances, concerts, academic ceremonies, and major civic events for nearly 100 years. From touring international and favorite local dance companies, musicians, and film screenings to the hottest comedy acts, renowned speakers, celebrated authors, and prestigious UMN lectures, Northrop offers opportunities for all ages to explore, learn, and engage.

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
Clara Lindwood
Christina Pederson
Venessa Rockwell
Alexa Rosenbaum
Mary Salveson
Emma Schlabach
Emily D. Seifers
Ashley Slattery
Leah Sovick
Abbie Sulik
Dana Terres
Amanda Troolin
Kat True
Jen Vickerman Akaolisa
Dannika Wright

ALTO
Akosua Obuo Addo
Johanna Beaupre
Jo Michelle Beld
Katelyn Belden
Maria Coughlan
Mary Depew
Maggie Driemeyer
Nancy Jo Goettl
Autumn Gurgel Valentini
Marjorie Hakala
Meg Hanna
Dee Hein
Grace Herbertz
Brianna Hill
Grace Hjort
Tori Hornby
Emma Jirele Sandhurst
Katie Kovacovich
Ruby Lindholm Kramer
Annie Krishnan
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
Alyssa Shapiro
Sarah Taft
Allie Wigley

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

BASS
Robert Atendido
Seth R. Bresky
David Castro
Garret Fettig
Adam Hecker
Russ Kaplan
Evan Clay Kelly
Jordan Kiffmeyer
Jeff League
Phillip Lowry
Nicholas Marcouiller
Thomas Mondry
Nicholas Mroczek
Milo Oien-Rochat
David Olson
Ron Pearson
Brian D. Ruhl
Grant Spickelmier
Trent Stenoien
Jacob Hurley Weindling

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.

SOPRANO
Jennifer Bevington
Katie Boardman
Elsa Buck
Chloe Johnson
JoAnna Johnson
Kathryn Rupp
Mari Scott
Carey Shunskis

ALTO
Robin Joy Helgen
Patty Kramer
Audrey Lane-Getaz
Anna George Meek
Judith McClain Melander
Carolyn Nuelle
Kristina Rodel Sorum
Catherine Terres

TENOR
Will Berendsen
Ben Brunnette
Jared Campbell
Eli Gatlin-Baumgartner
Robert J. Graham
Jonah Herzog
Andy McCullough
Phil Reilly

BASS
Dakota Andersen
Joseph Ellickson
David Gindra
Joe Kastner
Erik Krohg
Dr. Michael P. Schmidt
Benjamin Shermock
Ian Witry

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.

MEMBERS FROM SABATHANI VINTAGE VOICES
Becky Coleman
Jerie Cuff
Valton Henderson
Wilmetia Henderson
Jean Herron
Paul Kopatz
Linda Kos
Carolvenia Richardson
Nancey Riley

MEMBERS FROM TRILLIUM WOODS CHORALE
Mark Daniel
Jim Ervin
Jean Spong
Chuck Swanson

MEMBERS FROM KEYSTONE CHOIR
Julie Borgerding
Ruthena Fink
Shelley Jensen
Janie Morissette
Chris Rosenthal
Rhonda Simonson
Stephanie Stockton
Mary Lou Wall
Beth Yokom

Cynthia Betz
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks
Deb Cran
Susan DeNuccio
Benjamin Eng
Cari Hatcher
Jill Hauwiller
Holly Kellar
Bob McMaster
Kelly McQueen, Chair
Jim Moore
Robyne Robinson
Toni Pierce-Sands (Emeritus)
Kari Schloner
Chaz Sloane
Kao Lee Vang
Donald Williams

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Fernelius
President

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

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Northrop is grateful to their supporters and donors who continue to support programming, education, and community engagement.

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

Northrop Supporters

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

Rollo Dilworth
Just a Theory Press
Newtrax Transportation Service