Huntington College News Release
Contact John W. Paff, Public Relations Director (260) 359-4048 or 358-7074
Students perform Mozart's Marriage of Figaro
Star soprano directs HC's first opera since '95
FOR RELEASE March 26, 1998(Click here for photos from the performance)
HUNTINGTON, IN—The Department of Music at Huntington College will present Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro April 16, 17, and 18 at the LaFontaine Ballroom, 208 W. State Street, Huntington. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. For more information, call the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4.p.m. at (260) 359-4261.
The comedic opera is directed by internationally acclaimed soprano, Winifred Faix Brown. Dr. David N. Wallis is Executive Producer, Bonnie Stephan is Producer, and Mary Sell is piano accompnaist. The cast includes Huntington graduate, Troy Clark, and undergraduates Joy Patterson, Hersel Cremeans, Kimberly Houston, Briana Nei, Paula Kinn, Michael Thompson, Stephen Doyle, Rob Rohrs, and Jennifer Barnes.
Winifred Faix Brown, guest director of The Marriage of Figaro, has been critically acclaimed throughout the world for her exquisite voice and exciting artistry. Her strong, agile instrument maintains its beauty through three octaves, allowing her to shine in such prima donna roles as Norma, Violetta, Vitollia, Lucia, Donna Anna, Rosalinda, and the Marschallin. A popular guest artist in Germany, Ms. Brown has sung over sixty roles. After winning the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, she lived and performed in Europe for many years. Especially in demand for Mozart, Verdi, and Strauss, her triumphs have included performances in Cologne, Berlin, Paris, Nice, Parma, and Rome. The soprano toured much of Latin America and for many years has been a favorite in Guadalojara, Caracas, and Mexico City. She is well known for her videos and live broadcasts. Returning to live in the U.S. to be with her family, Winifred has performed in almost all cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Portland, Seattle, Miami, Palm Beach, Cincinatti, Milwaukee, and with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera. This lovely performer is as at home with oratorio, concerts, chamber music, recital, and Broadway as opera. She sings with organizations throughout the Midwest. Ever fascinated with language, drama and the voice, Ms. Brown coaches a voice studio of young professionals, and is in demand as a stage director and for master classes. Her beloved project right now is being creative director for N.O.V.A., an organization that unites talented people into service oriented arts projects. Winifred's education at the College of Wooster, the University of Illinois, the Metropolitan Opera Studio, and the Chicago Lyric Opera Center, degrees in violin, voice, and conducting, and her vast performance experience combined with her language skills are bringing fresh translations and concepts to a wide variety of audiences. Her respect for tradition brings an elegance to her performing that colleagues and audiences embrace.
Dr. David N. Wallis, executive producer of The Marriage of Figaro, is Director of Choral Activities and Chair of the Music Department at Huntington College. Since arriving at Huntington, Dr. Wallis has directed numerous "town and gown" presentations of Handel's Messiah, and has been director of the Sanctuary Choir at College Park Church. His move to Huntington College was in response to God's call to the Christian liberal arts tradition, and melds his years of serving as a Minister of Music in local churches with his educational and professional experience. He completed a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, certification for public school teaching in Massachusetts, and has received both the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Conducting from Michigan State University. He has spent 19 years teaching at both the collegiate and secondary levels, including posts at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Michigan State University, Lansing Community College of Lansing, Michigan, and Tantasqua Regional Senior High School in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Prior to his appointment to Huntington College, he was Executive Director of Salisbury Singers, Inc., a non-profit arts organization comprised of a civic orchestra, chorus, regional opera company, and children's program. He and his wife, Janna, have two daughters, Abigail and Sarah, and are expecting their third child in April.
Bonnie Stephan, producer of The Marriage of Figaro, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in organ and vocal music from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Ball State University. While at IU, she was the winner of the American Guild of Organists competition for the state of Indiana. She has presented numerous organ recitals throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Besides her organ work she has sung lead roles in ten major operas and has done extensive concert and oratorio work in voice. She also spent one season at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw, Indiana where she appeared in numerous musicals. She has taught voice at Ball State University and voice, organ, and piano at Huntington College. She presently serves as organist at Unity Christ Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is a private teacher of voice and teaches voice and voice related courses at Huntington College.
Mary Sell, piano accompanist for the production, received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in music education and piano performance from Ball State University. She is a former piano teacher and elementary school music teacher in Huntington County. She presently is vice-president of Sigma Eta Sorority Fine Arts and president of the board of directors for the Children's Choir of Huntington County.
Troy Clark returns to the Huntington College stage to perform the role of Count Almaviva. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in choral education from the college in 1992. Since then, he has earned numerous stage credits ranging from opera to musical theater. He has also worked as a church music minister, music teacher at New Hope Christian School in Hillsdale, Michigan, and as an Admissions Counselor for Huntington College. Clark also spent three summers serving as tour manager, music director, and performer with Doc Rainbow's All-Star Colorful Review, a summer troupe sponsored by Huntington College. Clark's opera credits include a recent performance as Danilo with Light Opera Works. He has also performed as The Reporter in Chicago Opera Theater's acclaimed production of Shining Brow, and covered the title role in Don Giovanni. Other roles include the Baron in La Traviata at Bowen Park Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Nabucco. Musical theatre credits include Arvide in Pheasant Run Dioner Theatre's Guys and Dolls, Richard Henry Lee in 1776 at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Charlie in Me and My Girl, and Duke in Big River for the Croswell House, in addition to other roles at Wagon Wheel Theatre. The baritone has studied voice with Winifred Faix Brown, acting with Dr. Donald Rainbow of Huntington College, speech with Margaret Loft of Southern Methodist University, and improvisational acting with Second City Training Center of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to his singing and acting talents, Clark plays several instruments, including the guitar, banjo, trumpet, and ukulele.
Joy Patterson, a junior at Huntington College, plays opposite Clark in the role of Countess Almaviva. A broadcast communication major from Durand, Illinois, Patterson has been involved in music most of her life. Since entering college, she has performed with the music ministry groups One Voice and Anchored, traveling to many churches throughout the United States and Latin America. She has also performed with the Huntington College Concert Choir on several tours, and last spring had the opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall under the direction of the internationally known British conductor, John Rutter. Also with the choir, she has performed with the acclaimed Christian artist, Larnelle Harris. Her theater credits include the role of Winnafred in Once Upon A Mattress, and roles in Up the Down Staircase, Sometimes I Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night, Pete's Little Luncheonette Of Terror, and numerous church theatrical performances. Her favorite performer is Carol Burnette. She has studied voice for four years, and hopes to "continue singing and praising God wherever He leads."
Hersel Cremeans performs the title role in The Marriage of Figaro. Cremeans is a junior choral education major from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He has also toured with the ministry team One Voice extensively, including a trip to Latin America. Having studied voice for ten years, Cremeans has performed in many recitals at Huntington College, including three honors recitals. He has performed many musical styles, and Nat King Cole remains his musical role model. He has served as assistant to the Huntington College Concert Choir and ministry team, Exaltation. He has performed in the HC Theater production of Godspell and was a member of a summer musical drama ministry, Live Bait. Cremeans has also served as a church youth minister, and is looking forward to his wedding, planned for this June.
Briana Nei presents Cherubino, a mischievous boy. Nei is a senior choral education major originally from Keyser, West Virginia. Music has been an important part of her life for the past 12 years. The soprano has studied voice for three years, and has performed with the Huntington College Concert Choir for two and a half years, including many performances across the eastern United States. She has performed with the Concert Choir at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter. Having studied saxophone for nine years, Nei has performed with her horn in several recitals and with the college Wind Ensemble, as well. Nei also performs with Huntington College's Collegium Musicum, a group specializing in medieval music, and with a community praise band. She is now involved in a music ministry with her husband, Caleb, and it is one of her goals to someday perform original music with him. Her theater credits since coming to Huntington College include the role of Alice in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Rosalyn, in Romeo and Juliet, and Grandma Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. She has also directed several short dramatic presentations for chapel services, and is currently directing a children's musical for a local church.
Kimberly Houston will sing the role of Susanna. She is a sophomore vocal performance major from Hammond, Indiana. Since the age of five, she has been involved with the musical arts, having studied both voice and piano. She has toured with many musical groups, including a six-week summer tour with the Young Continentals in 1992, a four-week European tour with the United States Youth Ensemble during the summer of 1996, and tours of the eastern and southern U.S. with the Huntington College Concert Choir, including a 1997 performance in Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter. She is also no stranger to the stage, having performed the roles of Laurie in Oklahoma and Lady Thiang in the King and I, both with Highland Park Theatre; Fruma Sarah in Huntington College's Fiddler On The Roof ; Marian and Ethel Toffelmier in The Music Man, Aunt Nettie in Carousel; Helen in Exit The Body; and as a cast member in Godspell. She interned at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts during the summer of 1993 for the productions I Do, I Do!, The Music Man, Gypsy, and South Pacific. She was student director for the high school production of 42nd Street also in 1993, and for Dracula in 1995. She has also been a member of Bethel Baptist Church Choir for six years. Her role model has been her mother, who is her best friend and mentor. She also admires the ambition and versatility of Barbara Streisand. Houston plans to attend graduate school for additional musical training, and hopes to sing opera professionally in the future.
Paula Kinn, senior music education major, presents the role of Marchellina. Hailing from Findlay, Ohio, Kinn has been an active member of the Huntington College Concert Choir, serving as assistant and also touring with the choir. She performed in Carnegie Hall with the Choir under the direction of John Rutter, and also with Larnelle Harris at the Merillat Centre for the Arts. She sang for three years with the Ohio Honors Chorale and for four years with the All County Choir. She also performed for one year with the Ohio All-State Choir. She has soloed at formal recitals for three semesters at Huntington College, and has studied voice for five years. Her theater credits include the productions Carousel, Lil' Abner, Boys Next Door, Greater Tuna, Working, The Music Man, and Godspell. Kinn hopes to teach high school or college students in the area of choral education. Her role model is her mother, who is one of the bravest people she knows, even though she can't carry a tune. Kinn said, "God knows that she and I make a joyful noise together."
Michael Thompson is a sophomore vocal performance major from Huntington, Indiana. The tenor, who is taking on the role of Basilio Don Curzio, has been studying voice for the past two years, and has toured with the Huntington College Concert Choir, including performances in Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter, and with Christian artist Larnelle Harris. He has also been a member of the college's praise and worship band, Joyful Noise, and the touring music ministry team, One Voice. He has toured the United States and parts of Latin America with the college groups, and has had extensive opportunities at music ministry. One of Thompson's goals is to continue a music ministry once he has attained his college degree.
Robert W. Rohrs is stepping into the role of Antonio. This philosphy major from Toledo, Ohio has been involved with music for many years, including Concert Choir, Show Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Band while at Anthony Wayne High School. He has also studied voice for two and a half years, and is a member of the Huntington College Concert Choir. His theater credits include A Time For Christmas, Hello Dolly, and Bowling Green State University's Fiddler on the Roof and The Music Man.
Jennifer Ann Barnes will sing the role of Barbarina. A sophomore music education major from Huntington, Indiana, Barnes has been involved in music for the past 13 years. The soprano has performed at the Indiana State School Music Association's Solo and Ensemble State Contest, Longaker and Formal Recitals at Huntington College, and at the Indiana State 4-H Fair.
She also has several stage credits, including The Wizard Of Oz, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Plain and Fancy, Bye, Bye Birdie, Fiddler On The Roof, and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. She has studied voice for 10 years, and has been involved with such activities as the College Park Children's Choir. She works as a lifegaurd and as a GED tutor.
Stephen Doyle, a sophomore from Boardman, Ohio, is Bartolo for this production. For the past 15 years, he has been involved with music, but has only studied voice for two years. This is Doyle's first musical or theatrical performance at Huntington College.
For more information about the Huntington College production of The Marriage of Figaro, please contact the Merillat Centre for the Arts, (260) 359-4261.
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