Lois Ricciardi holds a BM and MM from University of Hawaii in composition. She has studied choral music with Donald Neuen, Robert A Harris, and John Rutter at various conferences. She has been conductor of the Kauai Chorale for 28 years, and has performed Vivaldi Gloria and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with the Honolulu Symphony. The Kauai Chorale is a community chorus and has performed works from classical to "pop." Ricciardi is also an accomplished pianist, has performed in concert as solo performer as well as accompanist. She is also music director and organist of Lihue United Church. She has been recipient of ASCAP scholarship, and Woman of the Year in the Arts by the YWCA, recognized by the senate of the state of Hawaii and received a proclamation from the mayor of the county of Kauai.

The Kauai Chorale is a community chorus comprised of members from all over the Island of Kauai. They are from all walks of life and commit to weekly rehearsals. Some members are professional singers and some do not read music, but all work extremely hard and are committed to do the best performance possible. They have performed works such Bach 'Wachet Auf", Vivaldi "Gloria", Handel's "Messiah," as well as fun, challenging pieces such as Chorister's Covert Concert, voice

Dr. Thomas R. Smith Dr. Thomas R. Smith has been Minister of Music at Providence Baptist Church for 43 years, Until his retirement, he served as Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Auburn University. He received the B.M in Church Music from Samford University, the M.A. degree in Music Theory from the University of Iowa, and the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado. As a member of ACDA, Dr. Smith was Program Chair for the 1985 Convention in Salt Lake City, the 1987 Convention in San Antonio, the 1995 convention in Washington, D.C., and the 2003 Convention in New York City. Dr. Smith is also conductor of the Alabama Singing Men.

The Providence Baptist Church is the main worship choir for the church located in Opelika, Alabama. As a part of an active Music Ministry, the choir has toured annually for more than 35 years, including two European tours. The Church Choir sings a varied repertoire from the sacred classics to gospel and spirituals. For the choir, performing the "Gospel Trinity" at Lincoln Center is an experience that will last a lifetime.

David Newkumet received his Bachelor of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Music Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He is employed at Cathedral High School, Växjö, Sweden as the Artistic Director of the Advanced Young Musicians Program (Musiktillägget, a collaborative music education program run by Cathedral and the Växjö Music Conservatory) and as music teacher in Cathedral’s Fine Arts Music Program, a position he has held since 1989.
David has conducted the Academic Choir since 1990.

Akademiska kören (the Academic Choir), founded in 1968, is a well-known and respected choral group in the Växjö region. The choir has 60 active members, with David Newkumet as conductor since 1990. The repertoire ranges from major works and masses by Rachmaninov, Händel, Bach and others, to mixed programs with contemporary and/or classic masterpieces. The choir’s tradition of excellence in choral music continues as it enters its 50th season this fall.
 

Dr. William C. Powell, professor and director of choral activities at Auburn University, holds degrees from Alabama State University, Westminster Choir College, and Florida State University. At Auburn, he teaches choral-related courses and conducts the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Men's Chorus, and Gospel Choir. His guest-conducting engagements include performances in Italy, Australia, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney World, and for various regional and state choral festivals. Powell is a frequent adjudicator, and he has presented sessions for American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators, Intercollegiate Male Choruses, College Music Society, etc. His choral arrangements are published by Hal Leonard, Oxford University Press, and Gentry Publications, which released “The William Powell Choral Series” in 2017.

Richard Riley is the Artistic Director of the Burlington Choral Society. Previously he was on the performance faculty at Cornell University where as director of the Cornell Chorale (1997-99) and Sage Chapel Choir (1999-2006) he conducted performances of large works by Bernstein, Britten, Orff, Stravinsky, Dello Joio, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Bach, and Purcell as well as premiere performances of works by twelve Cornell-affiliated composers. Mr. Riley received his Bachelor’s Degree in the Performance of Early Music from the New England Conservatory, studying voice with Susan Clickner and early woodwinds with Nancy Joyce Roth, and his Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. A native of Baltimore, he was the first conducting student of Theodore Morrison, founder of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.

John Woods serves as Music & Worship Pastor for the Dawson Family of Faith, providing leadership in a variety of areas including music, the arts, and liturgy. He is passionate about the marriage of the timeless and timely, providing the congregation with an authentic voice in worship. John attended Baylor University and received a Bachelor of Music in Church Music, later receiving a Master of Music in Church Music with an emphasis in choral conducting from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity in Theology from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. John wants corporate worship — specifically that Sunday morning slot — to matter. When there’s time, John likes cluttering up his Mac, reading Dan Brown, listening to “This American Life,” traveling with his wife Lindsay and children Hudson, Emma, and Mason, and exploring the intersection of music, faith, liturgy and community. Eleanor V. Stokes Eleanor Victoria Stokes presently serves as the Director of Music at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and counts it a privilege to have been chosen to share the Good News of Jesus, through music to all who will listen!

Eleanor Victoria Stokes presently serves as the Director of Music at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and counts it a privilege to have been chosen to share the Good News of Jesus, through music to all who will listen! Dawson Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, Birmingham, Alabama When it’s time to celebrate the majesty, power, and sovereignty of God, the Dawson Baptist Sanctuary Choir leads the way. This 200+ voice adult choir is the heart of the Music & Worship Ministry at Dawson and leads the congregation each week in worship. Outside of the Sanctuary, this diverse ministry group sings around town, across the country, and around the world, sharing the beauty and love of Christ through the best of choral music. Any adult can be a part of the Sanctuary Choir, and there is no audition required.

Richard Riley is the Artistic Director of the Burlington Choral Society. Previously he was on the performance faculty at Cornell University where as director of the Cornell Chorale (1997-99) and Sage Chapel Choir (1999-2006) he conducted performances of large works by Bernstein, Britten, Orff, Stravinsky, Dello Joio, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Bach, and Purcell as well as premiere performances of works by twelve Cornell-affiliated composers. Mr. Riley received his Bachelor’s Degree in the Performance of Early Music from the New England Conservatory, studying voice with Susan Clickner and early woodwinds with Nancy Joyce Roth, and his Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. A native of Baltimore, he was the first conducting student of Theodore Morrison, founder of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.

Eleanor V. Stokes is director of choirs at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham Alabama. She is also principal of EPIC Alternative Elementary School. Eleanor enjoys all genres of music, but feels especially called to encourage the people of God through gospel music.

Sixth Avenue Baptist Church choirs, through the years has performed and enjoyed an extensive repertoire of sacred and gospel music and spirituals. Sixth Avenue Baptist church enjoys a variety of choirs that include the Children and Youth Choirs, the Progressive and Sanctuary Choirs, the Women's Chorus, and the Evelyn S. Hardy Men of Distinction. All choirs sing to support the gospel message for the equipping of saints to be servants in the community and ultimately to the glory of God.

Katherine Nelson-Tracey, originally from North Dakota, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Music Education and a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Dakota. In 1998 she earned a second Master's Degree in Choral Conducting from George Mason University. Katherine teaches voice and piano in her private studio in Woodbridge, VA. She serves as the applied music coordinator and an adjunct professor for the Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge campus. She is the founding director of the New Dominion Choraliers (NDC). She sings with the National Philharmonic Chorale, resident of The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, and serves as the soprano I section leader.

Dr. Ray Landis has served as Music Director and Organist at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri since 1998. He is an accomplished organist and directs the Chancel Choir, Canterbury Bells and Youth Choir. He holds degrees from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania (Bachelor of Science in Applied Music); and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts). As a co-founder of the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center of East St. Louis, Illinois; Ray is engaged in developing and implementing a multi-year music-based youth development program.

The Chancel Choir of First Congregational Church of Webster Groves is comprised of 16 volunteer singers. The choir enjoys presenting a wide diversity of works. Works have included Handel’s Messiah; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Rutter’s Requiem; Bach’s Cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen; Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass; Rosephanye Powell’s The Cry of Jeremiah; Kim André Arnesen’s The Wound in the Water; and music by the Beatles and U2. In addition to providing music leadership in worship, the choir participates in our church’s God Is Still Speaking, Come Listen! Artistic Series. The series presents innovative inner-arts programming bringing together volunteer and professional artists.

Gianna Andrea Summers, director and performer, graduated with Honors from Arizona State University in Choral Education and Voice Performance in 2003 and graduated with Honors with her Masters in 2005 in Multicultural Education from National University. She has taught choral music in El Segundo for the last 15 years. Gianna spent time with the Costa Rican Opera along with singing professionally in Los Angeles in the last 15 years . Along with directing all the choirs at ESHS, Gianna is also the music director of Haven Academy of the Arts. Gianna married the love of her life, Bobby Summers, in 2008, their daughter, Kate is 8 years old and loves to sing and play softball! They reside in El Segundo, CA with their two dogs Griffey and Daisy.

With many 1st and 2nd place awards as well as international recognition, some highlights are 2012 Entertainment Choir for the London Olympics and Canterbury Premiere, 2013 Pres. Inauguration Choir for Pres. Obama, 2014 Grand Ole Opry Premiere, 2015 Voices on Broadway, 2016 Disneyland Paris and Notre Dame Premiere, and 2016 Royal Hawaiian Music Festival Choir.

Liliya Shamazov is a conductor, pianist, and a music educator. She holds degrees in piano performance, music history, and school administration. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including Conservatory of Music Scholarship (Brooklyn College, CUNY), Harvey Lichtenstein Prize in Performing Arts, Laurence Dilsner Memorial Award for Choir Directors and Music Educators, Choral Award (Brooklyn College), and John Challener Award in Piano. Ms. Shamazov has worked with choruses for over 20 years, singing, accompanying, and conducting. As a choral accompanist, she has worked at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Middle School Audition Boot Camp at Lincoln Center, New York University Chorale, and the NYC Honors Festival. She sings and conducts at the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan, and has worked with the Stuyvesant High School Choruses since 2005.

Stuyvesant High School’s Choruses number approximately 300 singers drawn from the international community of Stuyvesant High School, encompassing grades 9 through 12. Students accepted into Concert Chorus, Oratorio Choir, and the Madrigal Choir commit themselves through senior year. Repertoire is varied, representative of masterworks and pieces from the popular canon. The choruses have performed at the NYC Honors Choral Festival, the NYC High School Choral Festival (run by the National Chorale), and have sung the national anthem at the Citi Headquarters Plaza and Lobby Opening Ceremony. At the NYSSMA festivals, the choruses have received Gold Awards, as well as Gold with Distinction Award at last year’s festival. The choruses have sung with the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) since 2013, performing Handel’s Messiah, Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, and Mozart’s Requiem. In June of 2016, the Concert Chorus was invited to perform a solo segment in DCINY’s “Songs of Inspiration and Hope” concert at Carnegie Hall.

Melissa VerCammen, a 3rd generation musician, comes from a long line of music professionals. Ms. VerCammen, born in Pittsburgh, PA, moved from Columbus, OH after college to Washington D.C. in 2007, where she began her tenure at the Washington Latin Public Charter School. She started the music department back in 2011 with only 27 students. Since then, the department boasts more than 100 students and six ensembles. In her own time, she has sung with The Choral Arts Society under Norman Scribner and the Cathedral Choral Society under J. Reilly Lewis. She is married and lives in Washington D.C.

Founded in 2006, The Washington Latin Public Charter School’s mission is to educate students in the classical tradition. The Honors Choir is an audition-only group and has traveled all over the Northeast. Within the past year, the Honors Choir traveled to New York to compete in and win the Fame Choir Competition on Symphony Space. Members of this ensemble have performed at various engagements and locations such as St. John the Divine, Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA, The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., a Supreme Court induction ceremony, the D.C. Education Festival, Christ Church Philadelphia, and a Bob Woodward fundraising event.

Gary M. Klarenbeek has been Director of Music Ministries at Auburn United Methodist Church in Auburn, Alabama for seventeen years where he leads worship for all traditional services and directs all choral activities for adults including the 100 voice Chancel Choir, Jubilate Singers, Women's Ensemble, New Song, and 4Him and also oversees music activities for handbells, youth, and children. One of Klarenbeek's passion is choral/orchestral programs for community outreach as well as empowering choirs to sing with passion to convey the Gospel more effectively to the listener. He has also served churches in Naples, Florida, Houston, Texas, and St. Louis, Missouri.

The Chancel Choir of Auburn United Methodist Church is a dynamic and growing body of nearly 100 singers. With a diverse membership from ages 19 through 92, they embody a a positive "can do" spirit in all they do. They lead in worship for every 11:00 worship service throughout the year and undertake major choral/orchestral programs for Easter, Christmas and also an annual patriotic Symphonic Pops each summer called Star Spangled Spectacular. They have had the pleasure of performing with Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris as well as performing under the direction of guest conductors Dr. Donald Neuen and composers Mary McDonald and Heather Sorenson. The AUMC Chancel Choir has become known in the area for it's passion, artistry, and commitment to excellence in the choral art.

Jon Noyes is a music educator in the Fairfield (Conn.) Public Schools and is the Music Director & Founder of the Fairfield County Children’s Choir. He served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Fairfield University from 2002 - 2012. Mr. Noyes received degrees from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. The Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association named Mr. Noyes Choral Director of the Year for 1998. He has conducted all-state, regional and national festival choirs, including the 2011 National Children’s Choir for the Organization of American Kodaly Educators at the OAKE Annual Conference in Minneapolis.

The Fairfield County Children’s Choir is a community-based choral program founded in 1995. The FCCC has performed throughout the Northeast and in New Orleans, San Francisco, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona, Canada, England, Ireland, Austria and the Czech Republic. The group has shared the stage with Renee Fleming, Charles Strouse, Stephen Schwartz, Christopher Plummer and Sara Watkins. In 2012 the choir made a television commercial in the form of a ‘flash mob’ for Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. In April 2014 the choir performed on America’s Got Talent at Madison Square Garden.

LaMonica Lewis, a native of Austin, began a musical journey at age seven in the church choir. She continued to use her gift throughout the community during her youth. LaMonica later received a scholarship to study voice at the University of Texas at Austin. Her career took her to the Austin Independent School District where she has taught music for the past 31 years. LaMonica is currently Director of Music at Wesley United Methodist church. The music ministry is a vessel for sharing Gods word through song. Her music career has afforded her the opportunity to perform and/or record at many notable events with many well-known musicians throughout Austin and the surrounding area.

The Wesley Intergenerational Choir was founded in September 1977. The name “Intergenerational” encompassed all generations and varied genres of music. During the past 40 years, Wesley has had a long list of very gifted and talented Directors and Musicians. The Intergenerational choir has been blessed with providing music, not just during worship, but at special events throughout the State of Texas –the memorial service for the late Governor Ann Richards and Entertainer Cactus Pryor, the HEB Feast of Sharing, in concert with Conspirare, Southwest Texas UMC Conferences, community of faith services, and much more. It is because of God’s grace that we are blessed to share our talents and gifts with the Austin and surrounding communities.

Brian Crowe has been the Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama for the past 5 years. He leads the 100 member adult choir in preparation for weekly worship, and in multi-faceted musical presentations at Christmas and Easter. Brian is also active in coordinating seven children’s choirs and the senior adult choir. In addition to his passion for leading God’s people in worship, he is an accomplished cellist, having played on a professional level for over 25 years.

The group from First Baptist Church Opelika, Alabama, is a small representation of the 100 member adult choir. The choir has performed in a variety of venues, and has performed most recently with Travis Cottrell. First Baptist Church Opelika is the home church of Rosephanye Powell, composer of “The Gospel Trinity.”