APPLIED MUSIC INSTRUCTORS

Under the guidance of expert faculty, PVA music students receive world-class individual instruction and guidance from brilliant teachers and renowned artists. The Applied Music program provides students with pathways to excellence in music, communication, and technology appropriate for the 21st century musician. Our instructors are performers, scholars, fellows, and leaders at the top of their fields. They are mentors and advisors devoted to evolving our students' talents, imparting knowledge, honoring tradition while pushing past boundaries, and empowering our young artists to distinguish themselves in the arts.

BACK TO TEACHING ARTISTS

BAND

Aden Beery

Tuba

Tubist Aden Beery is a passionate performer, educator, and chamber musician.

He currently performs with the United States Naval Academy Band, serves as a Substitute Tubist with the National Symphony Orchestra, and is an active freelancer and teacher.

The experiences that defined his passion for chamber music include working with the American Brass Quintet as a part of the Aspen Fellowship Quintet in 2017, and being invited to compete in the Fischoff Chamber music competition. He performs with the USNA Brass Quintet very frequently, giving recitals and masterclasses throughout the DC area and traveling across the country.

He’s been a featured soloist recently with the USNA Band, and at the U.S. Army Band’s Tuba-Euph Conference. He’s also the first tubist to ever be named a winner of the Interlochen Arts Academy Solo Competition, and performed the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto with the IAA orchestra in 2014. That same year, he was selected as Principal Tubist of the National Youth Orchestra and also attended the Eastern Music Festival.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Music Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, and is an alumnus of the Interlochen Arts Academy. While in Chicago, he performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Skokie Valley Symphony, Classical Orchestra of Chicago, the Soli Deo Gloria Brass, and DePaul Symphony Orchestra and Bands, among others. His primary instructors include Floyd Cooley, Gene Pokorny, Warren Deck and Thomas Riccobono.

Alexandra "Sandy" Chappell

Clarinet

Alexandra (Sandra) Chappell earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet from the Catholic University of America (CUA) in 2018 that included Piano and Piano Pedagogy courses. While at CUA, she studied clarinet with Robert DiLutis. Highlights of her time there included performing as principal clarinetist of the orchestra for Pope Francis’s ceremonial visit as well as the School of Music’s 50th anniversary gala concert for a sold-out crowd at the Kennedy Center. Sandra was chosen as a research finalist on the subject of clarinet immigrants of the early twentieth century by the International Clarinet Association and was invited to present her work at their ClarinetFest in Ostend, Belgium, July, 2018.

She obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet from Washburn University, where she studied with James VanSlyke, and minored in piano with artist in residence, James Rivers. Sandra received the faculty award “Most Outstanding Musician” upon degree completion for that year and graduated cum laude with a minor in piano. Her Master of Music degree in clarinet was from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Sidney Forrest, a student of one of the clarinet forefathers in America, Simeon Bellison. After her Master’s degree, she began a career with the U.S. Naval Academy Band.

Sandra was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal as Principal Clarinetist and first Concertmistress of the U.S. Naval Academy Band at the end of her 20-year career. The preferentially staffed band performed for many dignitaries including: Presidents Reagan and both Bush Sr. and Jr., General Schwartzkopf, General Colin Powell, Bob Hope, Tony Curtis, and Senator and POW, John McCain. A highlight of her career was performing solo passages under Maestro Leonard Slatkin for the Naval Academy’s 150th Anniversary Gala. She also played under guest conductors: Frederick Fennell, James Barnes, David Holsinger, Robert Jager, and Anthony Maiello. Sandra was a clarinet soloist with the concert band, led the Woodwind Quintet, and performed on numerous recital series.

Dr. Chappell is the PVA clarinet teacher at Broadneck High School and teaches clarinet and piano at her home studio. She enjoys witnessing her students’ growth and accomplishments including County Band placements, receiving top marks at Solo & Ensemble festival, and invitations to perform on PVA Honors Recitals. Sandra performs with the Virginia Grand Military Band concert series and is invited to perform for band recordings for music publishing companies.

David Dochterman

Low Brass

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and raised in Illinois, David began his study of the trombone at an early age. He attended Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and studied under Eric Carlson of the Philadelphia Orchestra where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. His influential teachers have also included Nitzan Haroz, Charles Vernon and Fred Lewis.

David has performed with several international ensembles, including as Principal Trombone with La Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City, The Sofia (Bulgaria) Symphony and the Teatro Lirico D’Europa. In the United States, David has performed with the Maryland Symphony, Haddonfield (NJ) Symphony, Curtis Institute (PA) Symphony, Peoria (IL) Symphony, Elmhurst (IL) Symphony, Maryland Symphony Brass Quintet, Bayfield Brass Quintet and the Chicago Brass Choir. Additionally, David has been a featured performer at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conference.

As a member of the Bay Street Brassworks, David was a Yamaha Performing Artist and received the Grand Prize at the New York Brass Conference International Brass Quintet Competition in 2003, performing hundreds of concerts and educational shows across the United States.

As a soloist, David was a finalist in the Chicago Symphony Illinois Young Performers Competition, performing Gordon Jacob’s Concerto for Trombone with piano at Symphony Center. In 1997, David was a semi-finalist in the Eastern Trombone Workshop Classical Solo Competition performing the Paul Creston Fantasy.

In addition to working with PVA, David Dochterman is adjunct instructor of trombone at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD and is also a band director at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, MD.

Matt Francis

Saxophone

Woodwind specialist Matt Francis is a respected jazz performer and educator from the Metro DC area who regularly performs with some of today’s most sought after musicians and groups. While studying at Berklee College of Music, where he majored in music education and jazz composition, he performed with some of today’s most significant jazz composers and performers such as Joe Lovano, Hal Crook and George Garzone. After several years of performing with various groups and being a freelance musician, he moved to the Washington D.C. area where he began his educational career working for the DC Public School System. He taught for several years at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus in D.C. before coming to Annapolis High School in Anne Arundel County. While in the D.C. school system Mr. Francis took part in the Capital Jazz Program under the direction of Mr. Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Originally from Boston Massachusetts, Mr. Francis brings a unique understanding and approach to education though his years of experience in both the performance and educational settings. He is currently the orchestra director as well as the music department chair at Annapolis High School.

Anastasia Kupstas

Saxophone

Anastasia Kupstas is a multi-dimensional artist, musician, and audio engineer. She has recorded and mixed most genres of music, and she has honed her skills in her work for NPR’s Invisibilia podcast and in spaces like Aggregate Studios in Brooklyn. Anastasia has collaborated with numerous composers in the creation of new works, including the performance of multiple world premieres by fellow Peabody colleagues. She often experiments with other art media in conjunction with music, including visual art and auxiliary electronic music. Anastasia began her saxophone study with Henning Schroeder in 2007, and in 2018 completed her bachelor’s degree at the Peabody Institute with Gary Louie. She completed her bachelor's degree in Recording Arts & Sciences at the same institution the following year.

Brent Madsen

Trumpet

Versatile trumpeter Brent Madsen is an active jazz, commercial, orchestral, chamber and solo performer as well as an educator. Madsen has performed with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wolf Trap Opera Company, the Annapolis, Harrisburg, Alexandria and Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestras, Michael Formanek’s Ensemble Kolossus, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, and Baltimore-based improvised music collective Out of Your Head. He is also a founding member of NYC-based group Jerseyband. Madsen has played in the backup bands for stars such as Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, and the Four Tops. For years he has also been a regular in the DC/MD musical theatre pit orchestra scene. Madsen has performed in countless musical productions at venues such as Arena Stage, Wolf Trap, the National Theatre, the Kennedy Center, the Music Center at Strathmore, the Lyric Opera House, the Hippodrome Theatre, the Olney Theatre Center and Signature Theatre.

Anthony Valerio

Horn

Anthony Valerio, is currently a member of the United States Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, where he also performs with the Naval Academy Brass Quintet. Additionally, he appears with various symphonic and chamber ensembles in the Baltimore-Washington area. Mr. Valerio earned a master of music degree in horn performance from the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied with David Bakkegard. He also holds a bachelor of music degree in horn performance from West Virginia University.

Kim Valerio

Flute

Flutist Kimberly Valerio holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Mark Sparks. Her principal teachers have included Mary Louise Poor, Bonnie Lake, Donald Peck, and Walfrid Kujala. In addition, she has performed in master classes with Carol Wincenc, Robert Willoughby, Donald Peck and was a featured performer in the James Galway Masterclass at the National Flute Association‘s 1997 Chicago convention.

Ms. Valerio has been awarded first place honors in many competitions including the Chicago Flute Society, the Liberty Freemont Concert Society, the Society of American Musicians, Chicago’s Musical Arts, and the Elmhurst Symphony Young Artist Competition.

Ms. Valerio’s past teaching appointments include St. Mary’s College, Salisbury State University, Anne Arundel Community College, and the Peabody Preparatory.

She has been playing Principal Flute with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra since 2004 and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1998. In addition to her appointment with both orchestras she has performed with the Saint Louis Symphony throughout their 2002-2004 season, Baltimore Symphony, Washington National Opera, National Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Spoleto Festival Orchestra U.S.A., Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and Chesapeake Chamber Orchestra.

Kimberly Valerio’s sound has been described as having “sparkle and verve” by the Baltimore Sun, “gorgeous sound”, “sweet purity” by the Capital Gazette, and “graceful elegance” by the Severna Park Voice.

Dr. Melinda Wade-English

Flute

Melinda Wade-English has her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance from Texas Tech University. She has taught flute studios at Texas A&M at Tarleton, Salisbury University, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's OrchKids, and Peabody Preparatory.

She currently performs with the Washington Chamber Orchestra and the Young Vic Orchestra in Baltimore.

She has also performed with the Maryland Philharmonic, the Annapolis Chorale Orchestra, Opera Vivente, the Lubbock Ballet, the Roswell Symphony, and the Symphony of the Hills.

In addition to her flute endeavors, Dr. Wade enjoys teaching music theory, music appreciation, and the Irish penny whistle.

GUITAR, PIANO, AND PERCUSSION

Joshua Lilly

Piano

Joshua Lilly has been teaching music on a variety of instruments since 2003. In addition to his educational commitments, Josh is active in the local music scene, performing with original, cover and event bands. Also a composer, his music has been played on MTV, MTV2, Spike TV, and the Oxygen Network, and he has contributed soundtracks to award-winning films. Josh enjoys sharing his passion for music with his students, and aspires to educate while also building confidence.

Gilbert Glenn

Guitar

Gilbert Glenn is an artist who discovered his love for music in the small town of Castroville, TX. His first musical experience was in a modest band hall and he took euphonium lessons from a retired military veteran, Al Marroqiun Jr. During high school and college, Mr. Glenn joined Drum Corps International and toured the United States in 2011, 2012, and 2014. He was thrilled to be a part of Santa Clara Vanguard in 2014 for his final year in Drum Corps.

Mr. Glenn received his BM in Music Education with The University of North Texas. During those years, he primarily studied classical guitar with Tom Johnson, Hector Torres, and Bryan Burns.

Following his graduation in 2017, he received a position at The Dallas Academy of Music and Performing Arts. There, Mr. Glenn aided in his students’ discovery of their passion and talent in music. Along with his teaching work, Mr. Glenn received an opportunity to play in the production of Hairspray at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX, jumpstarting the other side of his career. Gilbert has since performed guitar in the pit orchestra for several musical productions in the Dallas Fort-Worth metroplex including shows such as Mamma Mia, Children of Eden, Aida, Lizzie! The Musical, 9 to 5, and more.

Gilbert continues to create and perform music that spans across all genres, remaining most passionate about music that pushes sonic and creative boundaries. Mr. Glenn is always looking for ways to innovate and challenge our understanding of music and the mind. He is a life-long learner and is passionate about encouraging minds, young and old, to reach undiscovered potential.

David Mueller

Guitar

David Mueller is a composer, performer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist musician.

Tobias Russell

Piano

Tobias Russell is a composer, pianist, and guitarist from Annapolis, MD. He has a diverse teaching background, with multiple years of experience both in individual lessons and the classroom. Mr. Russell has taught in the Anne Arundel County PVA program since 2015, and currently works with the piano majors. Additionally, he is a member of Music Educators of Greater Annapolis, and maintains a private piano teaching studio in Annapolis, MD.

His past experience includes teaching piano, guitar, and directing numerous onstage productions at School of Rock Annapolis (SOR) from 2013–2018, where he also served as Music Director and General Manager. After departing SOR, Mr. Russell spent the fall semester of 2018 teaching music theory at Anne Arundel Community College.

A graduate of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Mr. Russell holds a Master’s degree in composition from Catholic University. He has had several original works premiered over the past few years, the most recent being Nobiscum Deus, a composition for chorus and orchestra. The piece was performed at the National Basilica in Washington D.C. in December 2019 as part of the annual Christmas Concert for Charity. Other works performed include Drive, which was premiered in May of 2019 by the CUA wind ensemble; his choral setting of Haec dies, which received its premiere in April of 2019; and Centers, a three–movement composition for cello and piano which was selected for the inaugural New Music D.C. conference at Georgetown University in September of 2018.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Russell has been writing, recording, and performing his solo work around the Annapolis/ Baltimore/ Washington area since 2007. He is also the music director of Greater Annapolis Ballet (GAB), and works on arranging music for youth ballet performances while accompanying occasional classes. GAB is a non–profit ballet school founded in 2020 by his wife, Margaret Russell, who teaches on the dance faculty at Anne Arundel Community College. They live in Annapolis with their two children.

Dr. Yesook Suh

Music

Yesook L. Suh is a graduate of Boston University (B.M. in Piano and Composition), Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory of Music (M.M. in Computer Music), and the University of Maryland, College Park (D.M.A. in Composition). She currently teaches Piano, Composition, and Music History for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Program (AACPS/PVA).

Dr. Suh is also the Director of the Gifted and Talented Music Program of the Kirov Academy in Washington, DC and serves as the Co-Chair for the 2020 Kirov International Junior E-Piano Competition and annual Kirov International Music Festival. Prior to working at the Broadneck High School in Annapolis, MD, Dr. Suh taught Music Theory as an Adjunct Professor at Goucher College, at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Towson University. She was also the Chair of the Thomas Benjamin Young Composers Competition and taught composition at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Young Composers Workshop.

As a Korean-American composer, Dr. Suh has received many awards for her compositions, including First Place in the Prix d’Été Competition, the Walsum Composition Award, and the International Society of American Music Composer Award. She has received numerous commissions, including requests for her musical compositions from the Maryland Opera Studio, the Russian Chamber Arts Society and the Korean Cultural Foundation.

Robbie Werntz

Drum Set

Robbie has been teaching privately for nearly 20 years, and has been teaching drums and percussion performance with PVA since 2014. He has also been on the teaching staff at businesses such as Garrett Park guitars School Of Rock. He has been playing with local bands and recording in studios since he was 17 years old.

ORCHESTRA

Paul Bagley

Violin

Dr. Paul Bagley is a freelance violinist/violist in the Annapolis and greater D.C. area. Concertmaster of the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra and Londontowne Symphony, he also performs with the Annapolis, Alexandria, and Fairfax Symphonies, as well as the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera, and Washington Concert Opera.

An avid chamber musician, Paul plays in the Annapolis Chamber Players and the faculty Riverhawk Quartet at Anne Arundel Community College. He has appeared as guest soloist twice with the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra in his hometown, Duluth, MN, and several times with the Montgomery College Orchestra in Rockville, MD. He has also performed with The Who and on three of NPR's Tiny Desk concerts with Alt-J, Billy Corgan (of The Smashing Pumpkins), and Meg Myers.

Paul received his DMA from UMD-College Park and Master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in violin performance.

Kristin Bakkegard

Violin/Viola

Kristin Bakkegard is Associate Principal 2nd Violin of the Annapolis Symphony and Principal 2nd of the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra. She also performs with several other groups in the mid-Atlantic region such as the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Maryland Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Annapolis Chamber Players, and the Riverhawk String Quartet. She has soloed with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Montgomery College Orchestra.

An active teacher, Kristin teaches for the PVA program at Broadneck High and Bates Middle School, has been on the faculty at the Annapolis Symphony Academy since it’s inaugural year, and has maintained a private studio since 2013. She is also a member of the Live Wire String Quartet in Baltimore, performing interactive educational shows in Baltimore City Public Elementary Schools.

Outside of the classical music world, Kristin has appeared on three NPR Tiny Desk concerts featuring alt-J, The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, and Meg Myers.

Bridget Donchatz

Bass

Bridget earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Towson University in 2002, and a Masters of Education in Curriculum Design in 2007. She has performed as a bassist with the Columbia Orchestra, Moodswings Big Band, the BCPS Jazz, Wind, and String Ensemble, and as a violinist for the SSO.

After graduating from Towson University, Mrs. Donchatz taught middle school instrumental music, jazz band, and marching band in Baltimore County, MD from 2002 – 2012. After moving 2012, she accepted a PVA middle school string orchestra position from 2012 – 2014 in Anne Arundel County, MD. In 2014, she had to step away from the classroom in order to take care of her family, however she kept her craft alive through her private studio. She has served as an adjudicator for county and state orchestra festivals, and has been a clinician for many orchestras as they prepare for their concerts and festivals. Mrs. Donchatz currently teaches private string lessons in her own studio at home, in addition to teaching PVA bass private lessons at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, MD. She resides in Crofton, MD with her husband, and her two young daughters.

Emma Johnson

Cello

Cellist Emma Hays Johnson is a chamber musician and private instructor currently residing near the D.C. and Baltimore areas. She performs regularly with her piano trio, the Milo Trio, through Washington Musica Viva whose mission includes “performances of works from an extraordinary diversity of origins”. Through her invitations to be a Next Generation Alumni Artist at East Carolina University’s Summer Chamber Music Institute, Emma Hays has worked alongside Xiao-Dong Wang, Hye-Jin Kim, Ara Gregorian, Colin Carr, Emanuel Gruber, and Raman Ramakrishnan. Her string quartet, Katfem, has been coached by musicians from world-renowned ensembles such as the Ying Quartet, Dover Quartet, and Juilliard Quartet. Emma Hays has toured the East Coast with various chamber ensembles and has traveled as far as France and Sri Lanka for concerts and lectures.

In addition to chamber concerts, Emma Hays teaches cello and chamber music at M Institute for the Arts in Washington D.C. She loves teaching partly because it gives her the opportunity to foster growth of a music loving community in a big city, but also because watching her students progress is a constant inspiration. She also freelances and has been a member of several notable orchestras including the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the American Festival Pops Orchestra and the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Prior to receiving her second Masters in Music Performance at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst under the tutelage of Edward Arron, she held the position of adjunct professor at Beaufort County Community College in North Carolina.

Emma Hays’ most recent project has been co-founding a chamber music series called “Empath Concerts” with her colleague, violinist Celaya Kirchner. Empath Concerts aims to cultivate open-minded discussions about current and social affairs through music. The format for Empath includes live classical music and thoughtful discussions with performer and audience participation. Concerts are programmed according to social topics that are present in music history as well as current events.

Emma Hays studied at Converse College and George Mason University under the tutelage of Kenneth Law, and she graduated with her first Master’s Degree from East Carolina University under the instruction of Emanuel Gruber. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, climbing, traveling, baking, and running.

Pei Lu

Cello

Cellist Pei Lu is the recipient of many awards and honors. These include: a top prize in the National Cello Competition in China, MTNA (Music Teachers’ National Association) competition, International Baltimore Music Club Competition, Carmel international Chamber Music Competition and the Gregor Piatigorsky Award from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She has given solo recitals and chamber music concerts in Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. She also toured in the Middle East, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and China with Apple Hill Chamber Players. She has been associated with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as the substitute of the cello section since 1996. At Apple Hill Chamber Music Center summer camp, she has served as a faculty member for more than 20 years. In 2018, she became the Associate Principal of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

A native of China, Ms. Lu began her musical education at the Xian Conservatory of Music. Upon her arrival to the United States, Ms. Lu was honored with full scholarship to study with world renowned cellist, professor Stephen Kates. She completed her studies with the most prestigious Artist Diploma in Cello Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Music.

Robert Merkley

Violin/Viola

Robert Merkley is a string player, teacher, and conductor who moved to Talbot County, Maryland in 2016. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY, a Master of Music Degree from West Chester University in West Chester, PA and a Mathematics Certification from Albright College in Reading, PA. He has done subsequent graduate work at Penn State University, Villanova University and University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

He was the Elementary String Instructor and Orchestra Director in the Boyertown Area School District in Pennsylvania from 1972 – 1987 and conducted the Boyertown Junior High and Senior High Orchestras from 1999-2008. Under Bob’s direction, both groups consistently took 1st place in adjudicated festivals in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio. In 2005 The Boyertown High School Orchestra won the $1000 First Prize in The National Orchestra Festival held in Warwick, Rhode Island.

During three overseas music tours with Boyertown High School, Bob conducted concerts in England, Scotland, and France and Italy. A highlight of the 2006 tour was the Boyertown Orchestra performance in Florence, Italy as part of the World Sacred Music Festival. That tour also included orchestra performances in Sienna, Padua, and Rome.

He co-founded the Berks County Elementary Orchestra Festival in 1975, and started the Schuylkill Valley Youth Orchestra in 1984. He served as advisor and string coach for the Tri-County Orchestra from 1980 – 1983. He served as an adjudicator for Berks County, PA District 10, and Pennsylvania all-state orchestra festivals. He was on the executive board for AFM local 211, the executive board of The Boyertown Education Association, and the board of directors of The Pottstown Symphony Orchestra.

He played violin in The Allentown Symphony Orchestra from 1977-1982, The Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra from 1979-1983, and The Pottstown Symphony Orchestra from 1973-1983 and 2000-2009, The Reading Pops Orchestra from 1980 – 1982 and 2001 – 2015, and The Bridge String Quartet from 2002 – 2015.

VOCAL MUSIC

Jamie Balter

Mezzo-soprano Jamie Balter recently joined PVA as an Applied Music Instructor. Ms. Balter most recently received recognition by both The American Prize in Voice and New York Lyric Opera Theatre Competition for her performance of works by Strauss, Mozart, and Wagner. A native of Baltimore, Ms. Balter earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Alabama under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Houghtaling. As a member of the University of Alabama Opera Theatre, Ms. Balter sang the role of The Nurse in Philip Seward's Juliet and the Quiltlover in the world premiere of Michael Ching's RSBE - Remove Shoes Before Entering in the 2019/20 season. In the 2018/19 season, Ms. Balter sang the roles of Consuelo in West Side Story and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. During the 2017/18 season, Ms. Balter appeared as a guest artist in "Visions of Dreams," where she performed selections by Duparc, Schubert, Mozart, and Lehár. In July 2017, she made her role debut as Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. During the 2015/16 season, Ms. Balter returned to the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival as Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, where she also covered Countess Almaviva under the baton of Maestro James Richman. In addition, she appeared as La Chatte/L’Écureuil in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Previously, Ms. Balter joined the roster of Russian Opera Workshop, where she covered Zemfira in Rachmaninoff’s Aleko and the title role in an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. Balter began the 2016 season as a guest artist in "From Heidelberg to Hanover," where she performed Strauss’ Four Last Songs in addition to selections from Lohengrin, Der Freischütz, and Tannhäuser with pianist James Harp. Highlights of the 2014/15 season included Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Alice (cover) in Verdi’s Falstaff with Harrower Opera Workshop, and "An Evening of Opera & Song" with the McDonogh Guest Artist Series.

Ms. Balter maintains a private voice studio in Ellicott City, Maryland, previously having studios in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Springfield, Illinois and Miami and Tallahassee, Florida. She is the owner of Sunshine Music Studios and is currently an Adjunct Voice Instructor at Carroll County Community College and a Voice and Piano Instructor at the International School of Music. Ms. Balter has previously served as the head of the voice program at The Music Factory in Springfield, Illinois and served on the faculty at The Stubbs' Music Center in Tallahassee, Florida.

https://www.jamiebaltermezzosoprano.com

Alex Cooper

Alex Cooper is a conductor, clinician, arranger, composer, pianist, singer, and guitarist.

Currently, he serves as the Worship Pastor at Mariners' Church in Annapolis, MD. He completed his M.M. in Choral Conducting at Penn State University, studying conducting with Dr. Christopher Kiver.

He has experience working with choral ensembles of all ages and ability levels, and is in demand as a guest conductor, accompanist, jazz pianist, worship leader, and arranger.

While serving as a Teaching Assistant in the Penn State School of Music, he conducted ensembles at several notable venues to include Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany – the historic and famed church where J.S. Bach worked from 1723–1750 and is currently buried.

He has nearly two decades of experience as a church musician, worship leader, and music director, and has maintained a private piano, voice, and guitar teaching studio throughout his career.

He resides in the Annapolis area with his wife, Jess, and 1-year old son, Eli.

Leah Heater

Leah, a mezzo-soprano, graduated from the Masters and Artist Diploma programs at University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and she performed many works there, including: Mezzo Soloist in Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde and Symphony No. 3, Verdi's Requiem, and John Adam's El Niño, as well as Carmen in La tragèdie de Carmen, Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Aloés in L'Étoile, Mother Goose in The Rake's Progress, and Eboli in the CCM Philharmonic’s concert presentation of the five-act French version of Verdi’s Don Carlos. She has also sung as mezzo soloist in Dvorak’s Requiem with Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and with Asheville Symphony Orchestra in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. In June of 2015, Leah made her Carnegie Hall debut as mezzo soloist in Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem and was praised by the New York Concert Review for her “exquisite voice”.

Leah has been fortunate to workshop a number of new works: at Cincinnati Opera she created the role of Sadie in two workshops of Ricky Ian Gordon's new opera, Morning Star, and sang the role of Kathleen in the world premiere of the same opera. She also had the opportunity to work closely with Jake Heggie and Terrance McNally in a workshop of their new opera, Great Scott, which premiered at Dallas Opera. As a Gerdine Young Artist at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Leah covered the role of Kathy Hagen in the world premiere of Terrence Blanchard’s Champion, as well as the role of Gertrude Stein in the premiere of 27 by Ricky Ian Gordon, during which she stood in for the first two weeks of staging for Ms. Stephanie Blythe. Leah sang as Carmen in the touring reduction of Bizet's famous opera with Cincinnati Opera as well as the full length version with Rome Festival Opera. She covered Princess Eboli in Verdi’s French version of Don Carlos as a Studio Artist with Sarasota Opera. While an Emerging Artist at Virginia Opera, she sang the role of Juno in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and covered the role of Mary in The Flying Dutchman.

Jennifer Rivera

Jennifer Marie has a Bachelor of Arts in classical vocal performance and had an early career singing classical music. After a hiatus to raise her family, Jennifer returned to the local music scene teaching commercial voice and coaching youth rock bands.

Rebecca Skaar

Soprano Rebecca Skaar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Luther College and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Northwestern University.

Rebecca Skaar began her career with a passion for musical theater, and eventually developed a love for opera and art songs. She believes singing requires both physical awareness and mental focus, and strives to teach the balance of these aspects.

She has experience teaching undergraduates while finishing her masters degree in Chicago, and while performing outreach with the San Diego Opera and Anchorage Opera.

Ross Tamaccio

Since moving to Baltimore in 2016, Ross Tamaccio has enjoyed an emerging career as a solo and ensemble singer throughout the Maryland/DC area. He is a well-known soloist with Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Central Maryland Chorale, Bach in Baltimore, and Maryland Choral Society. As a highly sought-after professional chorister, Ross performs with Oregon Bach Festival’s Berwick Chorus, the Thirteen Choir, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington National Cathedral, Baltimore Concert Opera, and has performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and Handel and Haydn Society.

Highlights from recent seasons include the world premiere of Peter Latona’s The Saint’s Triumphant with the National Shrine Choir, the east coast premiere of Jake Heggie’s Out of Darkness, Mahler’s Symphony Number Eight, with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Durufle’s Requiem with The Thirteen Choir, Brahms’ Requiem with Maryland Choral Society, and Handel’s Messiah with the Central Maryland Chorale. Upcoming projects include performances with the Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices and Orchestra, Kinnara Ensemble, and Santa Fe Desert Chorale.

Lauren Walker

Ms. Walker has taught in Anne Arundel County for 12 years, most recently at Central Middle School where she was named Semifinalist for AACPS Teacher of the Year in 2020 and is also the Artistic Director of the All Children's Chorus of Annapolis. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Loyola University of Maryland and has been very active with the Maryland Music Educators Association. She is in high demand as a clinician, conductor and adjudicator throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the field of vocal music.

In her role as the vocal lead teacher, Ms. Walker will oversee all aspects of the vocal music program, serve as a member of the senior capstone instructional team, collaborate with the Extended Day Applied Music Vocal staff, and work with the PVA Middle School vocal teams to create an exceptional vocal immersion program from grades 6-12.

Ms. Walker says, "I am so excited to become a member of the PVA team and meet the wonderful staff and students I've heard so much about! I'm looking forward to helping our PVA vocal students take their artistry to the next level and create lasting musical memories."