The Hilton Presbyterian Church was founded in Newport News, VA in 1919. The Hilton Village area of Newport News was built to support the local shipyard and be respite from the harsh work environment there. Our members enjoy singing a variety of repertoire from Robert Ray to Antonio Vivaldi. Our members also participate in the VA Choral Society and Va Symphony Chorus. We are excited to be making our Carnegie Hall debut with DCINY under the direction of Joseph Martin.

Lois has been a church music director for 33 years, serving 3 different Presbyterian congregations in New York and Virginia. She also taught classroom music for 20 years and was recognized by the VA Symphony Orchestra as one of Virginia's top 30 music educators.

The Bethlehem United Methodist Church choir from Smith Mountain Lake (Moneta), Virginia sings two service anthems weekly plus special holiday music particularly at Easter/Maundy Thursday and Christmas. With over 30 choir members, this group of musicians provides Christian support for one another and shares the word of God using the power of music.

Music Director and Organist Robert Downey studied music at Roanoke College where he pursued a Fine Arts major in music. At the age of 18, he directed his first Easter cantata. From choir director at West End Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, he moved to Fort Lewis Baptist Church and then to Bethlehem United Methodist church in Moneta, VA, where he has been organist since 1999 and choir director since 2003.

Dana Moore Langford, Bay Area Choral Society Choral Director, is originally from Oneonta, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Music Education and a Master of Music Education where she was a member of Auburn University Singers and Student Conductor of the Concert Choir. Dana taught music, conducted show choirs and concert choirs in the LaGrange Georgia Public School System. In May of 2022, Dana had the opportunity to perform John Rutter’s Requiem at Carnegie Hall under the composer’s direction. She commented Rutter is “her favorite composer.”

The Soddy UMC choir is comprised of extremely devoted members who enhance the weekly worship services with their beautiful voices. The all-volunteer group has a deep desire to provide a successful music ministry to the congregation as well as the community. A favorite community outreach is providing music when their pastor, Rev. J. Todd Kingrea, serves holy communion to residents at a local health care facility. Ministry for seniors is a main focus of the church and the choir members enjoy old-fashioned caroling for the shut-ins during the Christmas season. A variety of music is performed throughout the year with cantatas and special music events. The church began as The Friendship Church and ultimately evolved into a United Methodist church. The choir is preparing music to celebrate the 165th year of their church’s existence in 2025.

Carla Anderson has been a volunteer pianist and choir director since her teenage years, beginning with the Methodist Youth Fellowship as an accompanist for their musical presentations. Her interest in directing began in high school where she served as Drum Major for the marching band, and also played the flute. Carla has attended Soddy UMC since she was baptized as an infant becoming the fourth-generation of her family to be members of this beautiful, small-town church. The church is in a community nestled in the foothills of the southern Appalachian Mountains on the Tennessee River in East Tennessee. Many immigrants settled there, especially from Wales, to work in the coal mines. Carla’s Welsh ancestors began her family’s legacy as musicians, dating back to her great-great-grandfather whose antique pump organ she still owns. She along with organists/pianists Nancy Woodall and Barbara Hendren lead the very successful music program for their church. This is her second time to perform with Joseph Martin through DCINY. She has been married to Mike for 41 years. They have one adult son, Kyle.

The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church in Sachse, TX has a rich history. The church was founded in 1985, and the Chancel Choir has been an integral part of the church's ministry. After having to shut down during the pandemic, the Chancel Choir still served the congregation with virtual selections to continue their ministry. Under the leadership of Verallen Kleinhenz, their director since July 2022, the FUMC Sachse Chancel Choir performs an anthem every Sunday from Labor Day to the last Sunday in May. They also present a Christmas and Good Friday cantata every year for the congregation. With the merging of Cornerstone United Methodist Church, the Chancel Choir is still growing and evolving adding new members to their ranks.

Verallen Kleinhenz is a composer and arranger of Choral and Handbell music. She has served as the choir director in Air Force and Navy Base Chapels in California, Arizona, Mississippi, Guam and New Mexico. Along with being the Director of Music and Worship at First United Methodist Church in Sachse, TX, Vera is the Choir Director of award-winning choirs at Sellers Middle School in Garland, TX where she teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs. She co-founded a choir for adults with developmental disabilities - Expressions of Joy - in 2010 in Albuquerque, NM and they are still serving the community in 2024. Mrs. Kleinhenz and her husband, Tim, have 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She also has a degree in Gourmet Cooking and Catering and loves to cook.

First Pres is a musical church! The First Pres Chancel Choir is a 30-voice choir who leads worship each Sunday with a wide range of choral music following the traditional pattern of the church year. Beyond Sunday mornings, the choir shares their music with people in the community through choir and orchestra concerts. They enjoy a close relationship with composer, Joel Raney, who lives in the community and has collaborated with the choir and Jane Holstein on many occasions.

For the past 28 years, Jane Holstein has served as Director of Music Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, Illinois, where she oversees the vocal choirs, handbell choir, and brass ensemble. It is at First Pres where Jane and Joel Raney first met and collaborated in music ministry for many years. One of her greatest joys is leading worship from the organ bench. Jane has recently retired from her position as music editor at Hope Publishing Company where she served for 25 years. She stays busy as organist, pianist, worship planner, concert artist, and grandmother of two.

The Hope Lutheran Church Choir has existed faithfully for many years under several directors and continues strong to this day! Today, we have approximately 40 rostered singers from many backgrounds- professional/amateur, experienced/new! Our mission is simple: We sing music that tells the true story of Jesus Christ for the people of God! The HLC choir considers every musical offering a true blessing for both our edification and the congregation’s. We are so blessed to be here at Carnegie Hall to share in the witnessing, through joyful song, of the ultimate love story found in Jesus Christ.

Chase Alexander Upchurch, tenor, is a proud graduate of Slippery Rock University’s music education program. Chase currently teaches general music and choir at Highland Middle School in Beaver County, PA and has been blessed to be the Director of Music Ministry at Hope Lutheran Church in Cranberry, PA for 4 years. Chase enjoys performing next to his wife, Lauren, and when he is not engaged in a musical activity, he enjoys cooking, bowling, playing tennis/pickleball, and taking walks with his dog, August. All glory to God for His blessings and for providing this opportunity at Carnegie Hall!

The Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora, Florida has a rich tradition of musical excellence. Having a diverse repertoire, they provide leadership for services throughout the year. Their weekly practice provides opportunities for learning, spiritual growth and fellowship. The choir has provided music for town festivals including Christmas walks, Light Up Mount Dora, choral festivals in Central Florida as well as yearly Spring and Christmas concerts.

Pianist Randall Frieling has performed throughout North America and Europe as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has taught piano and organ for 34 years at three Indiana universities and served as accompanist for the summer program of the American Boychoir School. He has performed on PBS televised broadcasts and was a featured performer on Indiana Public Radio. In addition, Frieling has been an accompanist with conductor Anton Armstrong for the National Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall. Frieling is the Director of Music and Worship Arts and Organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Dora, Florida.

The Brecksville United Methodist Church Chancel Choir has a long tradition of musical excellence, since its creation in approximately 1887. Under the direction of Music Director Machala Comenscheck-Slike, the choir has grown in confidence, spirit and size and is delighted to have traveled from Northeast Ohio to sing for and with you today. At Brecksville United Methodist Church, we are all about creating safe spaces to grow with God and one another, and one way we do that is through the wonderful gift of music.

A Cleveland, OH native, Machala is a vocalist, music director, and teacher who received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Cleveland State University. In addition to teaching choir at the middle and high school levels, Machala is also the Director of Music and Brecksville United Methodist Church. Outside of these two roles, she has also served as a Pit and Vocal Musical Director, Vocal Workshop Clinician, and Music Ministry Director. Machala is so excited to be adding Carnegie Hall to her performance venue list and cannot wait to make music with so many other wonderful musicians!

Newly launched fall of 2023, Christian Voices United exists to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ through Christian choral music so that all may know God’s unending love in a non-denominational musical setting. CVU represents 19 different churches in The Villages, Leesburg, Fruitland Park and Lady Lake area and truly imbibes the sense of ecumenical collaboration from its board to its members.

Marcie holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. She taught middle school and high school in Oklahoma, Missouri and Florida for a combined 12 years and has taught music to Senior Adults for 14 years. These ages range from 12 – 102! Marcie currently serves Community United Methodist Church as their Minister of Worship and has six performing groups within the church. In Florida, she has also served at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church (Leesburg) and New Life Presbyterian Church. Besides the Community UMC music ministry, Marcie also directs Continental Singers and the Plantation Choral Society. She is extremely honored to direct Christian Voices United and is excited about the opportunities God has in store for her on this journey!

Jeanine Woodruff Johnson is a lifelong student of music. Her earliest memories include piano lessons, participating in children's church choirs, and listening to a variety of music in her home. Her parents encouraged her love of music, and her novice instruments are piano, trumpet, guitar, and voice. After studying music in college, she graduated with a mathematics degree at Birmingham Southern College. Carissa Lovvorn, a loving wife, mother, and classically trained soprano earned acclaim for her performances at numerous Athens State University graduations and events. Throughout her life, she showcased her passion for music by actively participating in high school, college, honor choirs, and community choir. She has several collegiate vocal scholarships and completed an Associate's Degree in music education. Kay Kirkland has been interested in music, and it has been a part of her life since a young girl. She took piano lessons, sang in children's choirs, youth choir, ladie's ensemble, and an acapella choir. Mrs. Kirkland played the clarinet in junior high school. Currently she directs a children's choir. Laura Moyers is a classically trained violinist and soprano. She played violin for the Decatur Youth Symphony and served as concert-master her senior year of high school. While earning her Bachelor's of Science in sociology at Calhoun Community College and Athens State Universiy, she was trained as a classical soprano by Granville Oldham.

Ruth Moyers is the organist at First United Methodist Church in Decatur Alabama. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree in elementary and early childhood education from Athens State University. She began studying piano at age six. In elementary she studied under the mentorship of Joel Raney. In high school and college she studied piano, organ, and voice with Annette Trent, a professor at Athens State University. She has been part of specialy ensembles and choirs in college. Over the years, Mrs. Moyers has served as pianist, organist, and choir director in many churches and denominations. While living in Texas, she sang in the Seventh and James Baptist Church under the direction of Dr. Hugh Sanders, choral director at Baylor University. Currently, she is a private piano instructor.

The Encore! Choir is an enthusiastic SATB adult community choir based in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Its membership is drawn from a core of both retired and actively working educators, and includes friends from surrounding local communities who love to sing! Several choir members have been singing together for over 35 years and have become a close-knit, caring musical family. We perform a holiday concert and a spring concert each year to sold-out audiences, and challenge ourselves to learn a wide variety of musical styles encompassing sacred and secular repertoire ranging from the Renaissance period to contemporary choral literature of the 21st century. Representatives of the Encore! Choir are thrilled to be sharing in this once-in-a-lifetime experience of singing in Carnegie Hall.

Deirdre (Dee) Lawrence has been the conductor of the Encore! Choir in York Region, Ontario, Canada since 2015. She is a retired music educator whose career spanned 29 years at both the elementary and secondary school levels. She earned Hons B. Mus. and B. Ed. degrees from Western University in London, ON, a graduate diploma in Fine Arts from the Univ. of Calgary, AB, and a Master of Sacred Music degree from Emmanuel College of Victoria Univ. in the University of Toronto, ON. A church musician all her life, Dee is a member of The Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada, and is active on several committees within the United Church of Canada. Dee is excited to be performing with singers from the Encore! Choir in this grand, historic venue under the baton of Joel Raney, whose compositions have been featured in several of their own concerts.

The Lexington Avenue Baptist Church Choir was founded in 1929 and has a rich tradition of worship leadership in the central Kentucky region. The Choir sings weekly in services at Lexington Avenue, setting a high standard for theologically rich excellence in music. The Choir also presents special programs throughout the year, hosts the Austin Roberts Recital Series, and performs around Danville in various community events. Membership is open to all without audition or requirement. The LABC Music Department also houses a Handbell Choir, Children’s Choir, and various small ensembles with the purpose of glorifying God in Spirit and Truth.

Daniel Wesley is the Minister of Music at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, Director of Fine Arts at Lexington Christian Academy, and Artistic Director of the Lexington Singers Children’s Choir. Ensembles under Mr. Wesley’s direction have toured throughout the United States and Europe, including recent tours to Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Wales, England, Germany, and Italy. Mr. Wesley has also conducted honor choirs, adjudicated choral festivals, and presented lectures at conferences across the United States. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky and Campbellsville University. He and his wife, Kendra, reside in Lexington with their three children.

The Fairview Chorus has also been known as the Fairview Chancel Choir of Fairview United Church in Brantford Ontario Canada. Under the musical leadership of Hadyn Evans the 18 member SATB chorus performs musical selections for church services and concerts that range from the classics to more contemporary music such as those arranged by Joel Raney. Instrumental accompaniment such as flute and percussion help to enhance the musical experience of a number of the Fairview Chorus musical offerings.

Haydn Evans L.W.C. M. D. was born in South Wales, and moved to Canada at the age of 7. After completing grade 10 R.C.M piano In 1977, Haydn moved to Wales and studied Piano Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Haydn returned to Canada in 1982 and served as music director for a number of churches. Haydn has a passion for Music theatre and has directed and played for many productions. Currently, Hadyn is the music director at Fairview United Church in Brantford, Ontario, Canada where he conducts the Fairview Chorus.

The St Joseph UMC Chancel Choir under the direction of Bethany Wind is a dedicated group of 40 voices. This choir is the pillar of the traditional worship service, and also provides music at community events and nursing homes. The Chancel Choir is made up of all ages and not only sings traditional service music and anthems, but also performs cantatas and major works several times per year, usually with full orchestra. Our Chancel Choir is a large family that supports each other, prays for each other, and loves singing together. It is our honor to be singing on the Carnegie Hall stage.

Bethany Wind began her church music journey playing piano with her Mother who was a church organist for 60 years. Bethany began serving as Director of Music in 1989, and has served churches in that capacity for 35 years. Bethany has been the Director of Choirs at St Joseph UMC in Fort Wayne for 13 years, where she directs the Chancel Choir and 5 octave Handbell Choir. This performance is particularly meaningful as the St Joseph UMC choir commissioned Joseph Martin to write this work in Bethany's honor. Bethany is so excited to be at Carnegie Hall with her husband Jeff, her sister Theresa, sister in law, Becky, and her nieces Ilyssa and Melissa, all who are also singing in this performance. Bethany's dream is to someday conduct on the Carnegie stage.

The Music Ministry of First Baptist Church of Oak Park includes the Choir, Hand Bell Ensemble, instrumentalists and soloists. The Choir sings most Sunday mornings, rehearsing weekly. The repertoire varies from classic traditions to Gospel to modern arrangements. Each year we present Spring Music Festival and a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols.

Betty-Ann Lynerd has led choirs in the United States and abroad, conducting university and community choruses, and with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, and at the United States Naval Academy. In the American Choral Directors Association, she served as its president for Washington, D.C./Maryland, and worked as a panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council. She was the 2018 guest conductor for the All Asia High School Honor Choir in Hong Kong, and has conducted several choirs for Keith and Kristyn Getty. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for The Sing! Hymnal to be published in 2025 by Crossway.

The St Elmo UMC Praise Team is an ensemble of 5-7 singers who have been together since our church reopened after the pandemic. Although our former 30- member choir has never reassembled, we are a small but energetic- and loud- group. We still perform cantatas, contemporary selections, and traditional sacred music every Sunday. Although only two of us are able to participate this year, we are thrilled to have the opportunity once again!

The Chancel Choir of Bethany Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas consists of more than 50 singers ranging from high school to senior adults. They help lead worship weekly for the blended service at Bethany through the singing of anthems, hymns and modern worship song arrangements. Additionally, they present annually a Lessons and Carols and Easter Celebration with full orchestra, as well as various seasonal cantatas and dramatic musicals.

David Angerman has been the Director of Music and organist at Bethany Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, since 1980. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and Master of Church Music Degree from Baylor University and a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Texas in Austin. He has more than 300 published works including choral and handbell music as well as organ and piano solos. He has written the music for several youth and children’s musicals, and co-authored, along with Joseph Martin and Mark Hayes, KEYS FOR THE KINGDOM, a piano method for Christian students, published by Shawnee Press.

The Uvalde Methodist Church Chancel Choir is composed of around 30 members both men and women. We enjoy singing praises to God during one of our worship services each week. Our group is a mix of ages and backgrounds, but what we hold in common is our love of music and sharing our gift with others. This is the fifth time some of our members have traveled to sing at Carnegie Hall and each trip has been wonderful.

Paulo Viana, Music Director at Uvalde Methodist Church in Uvalde, TX, starting in January 2023. He is a Brazilian native and studied classical guitar and cello early in his life and later played cello in several Brazilian orchestras and taught cello at the public music school in Ribeirão Pires, SP. In 2017, Paulo moved to the United States and studied church music at Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio earning a B.A. in Music. While in SA, Paulo was in the Trinity Baptist Church orchestra. He is married to flautist Maíra Viana and they have a 12-year-old daughter.

New Harmony General Baptist Church is located in rural south central Kentucky. For the past 20 years the church has been under the leadership of Pastor Tony Evitts. The congregation has been generously blessed with individuals who love music and use their talents for the Lord. Our group participating tonight represents a small portion of the New Harmony congregation in addition to friends from neighboring churches. We praise God for this amazing opportunity to honor Him!

Laura Beth Wells earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University where she majored in mathematics, minored in music and completed the pre-pharmacy curriculum. She earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is a registered pharmacist in Kentucky. Wells began violin lessons at an early age, played violin in Hopkinsville Strings Orchestra and Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra. Wells took private French horn lessons, played French horn for WKU concert band and played mellophone for WKU Big Red Marching Band and Pep Band. Wells enjoys preparing music for special church services.

"Sabbatum Luscinias" is the Saturday night choir at Christ the King Catholic Church, consisting of sopranos, guitarist, altos and 1 tenor, who plays piano and violin. Our name means "the Saturday Nightingales" which resonates our sound! As musicians come and go, move or change jobs, we tend to remain singing and playing music whether it be Traditional. Latin, Contemporary or Praise and Worship, always making a joyful noise unto the Lord and his people.

Married 51 years to Mike Francis, raised three beautiful children Michael (Amanda), Christopher (Chelsea) and Sarah (Rick Olsen), enjoying 6 fun-loving grandchildren. Raised on Mobile Bay in the once small town Daphne, Alabama, was taught music by the Irish Loretta Sisters, Continuing my love for music took guitar lessons, and began singing solo for churches and events. While working with the "Nascar Drivers" of church music at National Pastorial Musician Conferences and Liturgical Music Workshops, I began composing music. Presently, directs two choirs at my church, where you will find me most often except today!

Singers include Debbie Langford, Sharon Matyskiela, Stephanie Richardson, Dan Roberts, Christi Say, and Tobi Sterett. We represent the Sanctuary Choir at Grace Bible Church in Sun City, Arizona.