Aaliyah Bancod (she/her/they/them) is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and lifelong music lover from Chandler, Arizona. After finding a particular fondness for choral music in high school, she attended Northern Arizona University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2018. While at NAU, they participated in various choral ensembles, including the NAU Axecidentals a cappella group which they were a founding member of. Her appreciation for a cappella has continued in her participation in Red Letter Daze, a vocal quartet that has gained a following on social media since its creation in 2020. Currently residing outside of Seattle, Washington, they are studying electric bass and following their dream of becoming a professional touring musician in a rock band. Aaliyah is very excited to be returning to Arizona to perform with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers again!
An artist distinguishable by her facile lyricism and artistic prowess, Haitian-American soprano Monika Beauvais (she/her/hers) recently performed as a Young Artist with the Dandelion Opera Institute.
In the previous season, she made her mainstage role debut as Mimì (La Bohème) and as a member of Quartet (Little Women) with Opera in the Ozarks. During the 2018 season, Ms. Beauvais joined the Aspen Music Festival and School as one of the Young Artists of the Aspen Opera Center. She made a mainstage appearance as Stella in Les contes d’Hoffmann, as well as performances of Perneatha Evans (The Long Walk), Susannah (Susannah), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) and Anne (The Rake’s Progress) in various scenes programs.
Ms. Beauvais is a graduate of Mannes School of Music in New York City and Northern Arizona University, where she received a Master of Music in Voice and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, respectively. She is presently based in Mesa, AZ and currently teaches at Fulton Elementary School in Chandler, AZ.
Evan Braun (he/him/his) is a Secondary Music Education Major with a Choral Emphasis in his third year at Northern Arizona University. During his time at NAU, Evan has worked to find and develop his voice as a tenor with Dr. Ricardo Pereira. He is proud to be a member of some of NAU’s premier vocal ensembles, including Shrine of the Ages and High Altitude Vocal Jazz. Evan is also honored to sing with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, the prestigious choir in residence at The Church of the Red Rocks, where he sings weekly as a choral music intern. He has sung as a soloist with the NAU Men's Chorale, High Altitude, and most recently, as part of a quartet in Damien Geter's Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow. Outside of music, Evan works as a barista at Starbucks.
Carter Brown (he/him/his) is a 2022 Northern Arizona University Graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and an Italian Minor. He has performed in many choirs and professional settings such as Shrine of the Ages Choir under the direction of Edith Copley, and Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers under the direction of Ryan Holder. He has accomplished many academic achievements including directing Elevation, one of the Northern Arizona University a capella Choirs. He is currently a manager, server, and professional singer at Black Bart's Steakhouse in Flagstaff, AZ. He aspires to be but is not limited to a respectable professional musician. His passions include singing, playing piano, speaking Italian, cooking, reading, exploring, the outdoors, and enjoying everything life offers. He is always excited to contribute and be a part of matters larger than himself. He is very grateful to participate in this pensive yet wonderful oratorio.
Schae Chapman (she/her/hers) is excited to be singing once again with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers! Schae was a member of SACS from 2014-2017 and a music intern at the Church of the Red Rocks from 2015-2017. While at Northern Arizona University Ms. Chapman performed in many ensembles including Women’s Chorale, Northern Voices, and High Altitude under the direction of Dr. Ryan Holder as well as Shrine of the Ages Choir under the direction of Dr. Edith Copley. She also studied private voice with Dr. Ricardo Pereira. Since leaving NAU Ms. Chapman has become a member of Canto Vivo Chorale under the direction of Dr. Craig Peterson and will be entering her third season as a soloist and choral section leader for Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale. Schae recently opened her own voice and piano studio in Chandler and enjoys helping young musicians. She is grateful to be back in Sedona once again.
Tyrese Childs (he/him/his) originally from Fargo, ND, is a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music. During the summer, he serves as a faculty member at Trollwood Performing Arts School in Moorhead, MN teaching Acting and Music to K-7th grade students. In September, Tyrese will be relocating full time to Minneapolis, MN to further pursue his career in live music events, as well as writing and recording his own music. Tyrese is honored to finally perform Considering Matthew Shepherd with SACS this year and hopes that the music’s message inspires the audience just as it has inspired himself!
Kazin Cole (he/him/his) is currently a choir and piano teacher at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona. Kazin is a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University, where he studied Music Education with a Choral Emphasis. While at NAU, Kazin performed in the Men's Chorale, University Singers, Shrine of the Ages, Northern Voices, High Altitude, and NAU Elevation. Prior to his time at NAU, Kazin studied at Mesa Community College and performed in the Concert Choir and Jazz Choir. He is incredibly excited to perform with the Sedona Academy Chamber Singers.​
Taylor Day (she/her/hers) is a recent graduate of Choral Music Education at Northern Arizona University. Taylor has been involved in many ensembles over the past 4 years. Most notable would be the all-treble choir, Women’s Chorale as the Student Conductor, all-treble a cappella group, Axecidentals, Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, and University Singers. Day is very involved with American Choral Directors Association and serves as the President of the NAU ACDA student chapter. She has extensively studied voice for 3 years at NAU. Outside of being a full-time student, Day runs her own business and is passionate about working hard. She also serves as an assistant director at Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre where she teaches a variety of voice lessons, piano lessons, interest workshops, and summer camps.
Lindsay Decoste (she/her/hers) is the director of choirs at Red Mountain High School in Mesa. She graduated from NAU in 2015 with a degree in choral music education. Lindsay is also an avid performer, singing in multiple choral groups, as well as performing in community theatre productions throughout the valley, most recently as Diana in Next to Normal at Mesa Community College. Lindsay currently serves on the board of the Arizona chapter of the American Choral Directors Association as the Vocal Jazz Repertoire and Resources Chair. In her free time, you can find her cheering on the Dodgers with her husband Robert and their cats, Starbuck and Momo.
Robert Decoste (he/him/his) has been the director of choirs at Higley High School since he began his teaching career seven years ago. During his tenure at Higley, Robert has cultivated a prominent program that inspires and influences youth throughout the community and is one that welcomes people from all walks of life. Robert has traveled with his ensembles to perform across the country with major performances in San Francisco, Washington D.C, Tennessee, Louisiana and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Abby Dotts (she/her/hers) is a 2022 graduate of Northern Arizona University, earning undergraduate degrees in Music and Psychology. While at NAU, Abby was a four-year member of the Northern Voices and High Altitude jazz ensembles. She also performed with the Women’s Chorale and Shrine of the Ages. For three years, she held the role of Student Coordinator for the annual Jazz Madrigal Festival. Abby was recently accepted into the Disney College Program and will relocate to Florida later this summer. Additionally, Abby will continue to develop her Etsy business where she expresses her creativity through custom paint designs. Starting in 2023, she will return to her studies at Colorado State University to pursue a master’s degree in Music Therapy. Abby cherishes this opportunity to perform with the accomplished talent in the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers.
Heather Drusedum (she/her/hers) is a senior choral music education major at Northern Arizona University. Throughout her years at NAU, she has participated in Women’s Chorale, University Singers, Chamber Choir, and Shrine of the Ages. Currently, she serves as the Shrine of the Ages/Choral Union President, NAU ACDA Student Chapter President, and Jazz Madrigal Student Coordinator. Drusedum is a choral intern at the Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona, and a member of the Sedona Academy Chamber Singers.​
Celine Durney (she/her/hers) has been actively engaged in music throughout her life in various mediums. She has recorded 4 albums, performed live on several radio shows & in many different venues alongside prestigious artists such as The Real Group, Pentatonix, Sarah Brightman & Josh Groban. She has arranged various a cappella & orchestral works & is a frequent workshop leader for creating a cappella arrangements at both choral and a cappella festivals across the country. She has been nationally recognized as an outstanding singer, arranger, and educator and enjoys continuing her work as a freelance musician around the Phoenix area, especially within both of her professional a cappella groups, Red Letter Daze and Side Note. As a proud Northern Arizona University alumna, she currently teaches choir at Greenfield Junior High School as well as Gilbert High School alongside Dr. Marcy Spencer, and she is now an Adjunct Music Faculty member at Chandler Gilbert Community College directing their first contemporary a cappella group, Vocal Remedy. Celine is VERY excited and honored to be performing this very special work with her dearest friends and colleagues that constitute the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers!​
Courtney Evans (she/her/hers) is a singer, pianist, choreographer, and choral director from Phoenix, Arizona. Courtney recently completed her third year of teaching at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, where she directed four choral ensembles, taught beginning and advanced piano, and served as the faculty advisor for students in the Vocal Performance & Musical Theatre pathways in the Marcos Fine Arts Academy. In 2019, Courtney was recognized as the “Future Choral Educator of the Year” by the Arizona Music Educators Association. In addition to teaching, Courtney actively performs with various professional choirs including the Phoenix Chorale, Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, and the Canto Vivo Chorale, with whom she sang on tour in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic earlier this summer. She recently performed in Kansas with the Ad Astra Music Festival as a featured soloist in Handel’s Messiah and as the Drawing Teacher in Gregory Spears’ opera Paul’s Case. Courtney graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education and she is thrilled to return to NAU this fall to begin her M.M. in Choral Conducting.
Elizabeth Good (she/her/hers) recently finished her time at NAU with a degree in choral education and is currently student teaching at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem, Arizona. Throughout her time at NAU, she has participated in Shrine of the Ages, Northern Voices and High Altitude vocal jazz ensembles, Chamber Singers, accompanied for University Singers, and student conducted for Women’s Chorale. Elizabeth has been singing with SACS throughout her four years at NAU, and she was an intern at Church of the Red Rocks during her senior year. She was also a recipient of the Gold Axe award this past year, which is awarded to the top 1% of seniors at the university. Not only is she aspiring to be a music educator, but she has also worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at NAU’s recreation facility. Elizabeth will continue to pursue her fitness career in her life post-college. She is so grateful for the opportunity to be singing with SACS again this summer!
Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, Ryan Gunderson (he/him/his) grew up in a creative and musical environment. By age thirteen he was composing choral anthems for church and had realized that his ultimate passion was music composition. Since then, Ryan has studied music at Northern Arizona University and the University of Southern California and graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition and a minor in Sound Production. He is honored to have studied with distinguished mentors such as Morten Lauridsen, Frank Ticheli, Garry Schyman, Jo-Michael Scheibe, and Michael “Smidi” Smith. In recent years, Ryan has enjoyed writing music for short films, chamber ensembles, NAU’s Shrine of the Ages Choir, USC’s Thornton Symphony, SoundMind, the Phoenix Youth Symphony, and even the U.S. Army - which commissioned original music for promo videos. Looking forward, Ryan is excited to keep sharing positivity and healing with the world through his music, to continue writing music for film, and is eager to see what new adventures the future holds.
Lies’l Hill (she/her/hers) is an artist, musician, and educator from Mesa, Arizona. Lies’l has always been actively involved in the arts, with diverse creative endeavors ranging from choral music to visual art, nonprofits to pottery. She earned her B.M. from Northern Arizona University in Choral Music Education, and has taught choir, art, chess, and ceramics in both Arizona and New York City. Lies'l has earned teaching certifications from Lincoln Center Education and Harvard University’s Passion-Driven Learning Institute. She has maintained an active career as a professional singer, currently in her 6th season with the Grammy Award Winning Phoenix Chorale and Canto Vivo Chorale, as well as a backup vocalist for artists traveling through the valley. Lies’l serves on the boards of Phoenix Chorale and Arizona Music Educators Association and is the Operations Director for Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix and Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. Her love for arts nonprofits has led her to work with many local arts organizations, including Arizona Commission on the Arts, Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Arizona Musicfest, and more. Lies’l is currently the Assistant Choral Director at Mesa Community College. Through the pandemic, she began focusing on watercolor, graphic design, and digital art, and her work is now featured valley-wide.
Praised for her polished, graceful stage presence “with a lush sound… [and] a delicate sensibility” (Singerpreneur magazine), mezzo soprano Aubrey Hawkinson (she/her/hers) recently relocated to Decatur, IL from Los Angeles, CA. She grew up in Mesa, AZ, where she went on to get her undergraduate degree in Flagstaff. Her Kimmel Center debut was as a Westminster Symphonic Choir soloist in Nico Muhly’s Bright Mass with Cannons orchestral premier performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition to co-founding and producing Hawkmore Lyric Opera Company’s inaugural staged production I Capuleti e i Montecchi, she also starred as the leading role of Romeo in March 2018. Performances in the LA area included an exclusive grand opening of the Pacific Visions Theater with Long Beach Opera, chorus work in Pacific Opera Project’s Carmen that was featured on PBS’s “Live at the Ford” broadcast, and LA Opera’s Hubble Cantata concert. Previous roles include Charlotte (Werther), Mrs. Grose (The Turn of the Screw), Romeo (I Capuletti e i Montecchi), Marta (Iolanta), First Lady (Die Zauberflӧte), Polly (The Threepenny Opera), Mrs. Anderson (A Little Night Music) and two seasons with the Dickens Carolers of Disneyland. Mrs. Hawkinson holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Music Degree in voice performance and pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. Mrs. Hawkinson is currently an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Millikin University and has upcoming performances throughout the region as a concert soloist and in musical theater.
Benjamin Hawkinson (he/him/his) is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. At Millikin, Dr. Hawkinson conducts the flagship University Choir, and OneVoice, an internationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble. His choirs tour annually throughout the country and are regularly invited to conference performances.
​Dr. Hawkinson is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and presenter with recent credits including Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalm with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, numerous honor choirs in both traditional choir and vocal jazz areas and presenting talks at conferences and universities focusing on music educator mental health entitled "Beating the Burnout: Time Management for Teachers". He also serves as Director of Music at Central Christian Church in Decatur, IL.
In his free time, Dr. Hawkinson enjoys spending time with his wife, Aubrey Hawkinson (featured above), two sons Liam and Eli, and black lab rescue, Sadie. He is thankful for the opportunity to return to the Southwest to singer under the baton of his teacher and long-time friend, Dr. Ryan Holder. Dr. Hawkinson holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Arizona University.
Christopher Hughes (he/him/his) has been actively involved in choir since the second grade. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education with a choral emphasis from Northern Arizona University as well as master’s degrees from both Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. He sang eleven seasons with the Sonoran Desert Chorale and has been featured as a tenor soloist. He is currently a member of the Canto Vivo Chorale. He has been the choral director and IB music teacher at Betty H. Fairfax High School for the past eleven years. He served as the gifted facilitator for three years and is currently the instructional leader for the performing arts department. He has served as the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) All-State Show Choir Chair, American Choral Directors Association Repertoire and Resources chair for tenor and bass choirs and is currently serving as the member at large for AMEA. He has conducted a variety of honor festivals including the Greater Phoenix Middle School Honor Choir, Laveen District Honor Choir, Arizona All-State Middle School Mixed Choir, and the Tolleson Union High School District Honor Choir.
Amanda Johnson (she/her/hers) is a recent graduate from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a minor in Spanish. She currently lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona, and will begin her first year of teaching this Fall at Desert Cove Elementary School. Amanda is very excited to be singing with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers again after time away due to the pandemic and is grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn such a beautiful and powerful piece of music.
Cecily Jorgensen (she/her/hers) graduated with honors from NAU in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. Cecily’s favorite role at NAU was Second Lady in The Magic Flute. She is a founding member of SACS and enjoyed performing in Shrine of the Ages and both jazz ensembles, Northern Voices and High Altitude. After graduation, Cecily spent 6 years teaching music lessons and directing youth musicals. She also enjoyed performing in local choirs and productions. Highlights include: MCC’s production of Songs for a New World, Steve Hackman’s world premiere of The Firebird Symphony Remix, and Carmina Burana with Ballet West. Cecily now lives in Utah with her husband of 11 years and feisty Pomeranian, Eevee. She currently works as a Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Avalaunch Media and looks forward to pursuing a career in project management.
Adam Kent (he/him/his) earned his bachelor's degree in music education with choral emphasis from NAU in 2017. While he was at NAU he sang with Shrine of the Ages and High Altitude. Since graduating he has continued singing with Sidenote -- a contemporary acapella group made of Arizona collegiate acapella alumni. He performed with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers in 2014 - 2019 and is excited to sing with the ensemble again.
Toby Kidd (he/him/his) received his B.M. and M.M. degrees in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University, under the vocal instruction of Dr. Judith Cloud. As a student, he performed regularly with the NAU Choirs, NAU Opera and many other solo and ensemble settings. He also founded a Student NATS chapter, serving as president for two years. Since making his professional debut as a concert soloist with Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra in their performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Toby has regularly been sought after as a performer throughout the Southwest. Toby has been involved with many organizations, notably Arizona Opera Chorus, ArtSong Rising, the Phoenix Chorale, and is a founding artist of Helios: a modern renaissance. Recent recordings include the Phoenix Chorale’s 2015 Grammy award winning Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil (chorus and soloist), Nils Lofgren's 2019 album Blue with Lou (backup vocalist), SACS and Michael Hoppé’s 2020 recording Peace and Reconciliation (chorus), and most recently Helios’ 2021 debut album à7 (vocal artist). Toby remains active in arts leadership, serving on multiple boards, as well as pursuing a professional career in educational technology. He is currently working as the Director of Studios in Learning Futures at Arizona State University, where his team leverages cutting edge technology to reimagine the future of education.​
Hannah Olivia Kimball (she/her/hers) is excited to return to the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers to sing in this important project! She graduated in 2018 from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis. Presently, Hannah teaches Chorus and Music Exploration at Kyrene Middle School, sings with the Grammy-award winning ensemble Phoenix Chorale, and is the Alto Section Leader and Children's Choir Director at Christ Church Anglican.
Micah Laird (he/him/his) is a graduate of Northern Arizona University where he obtained a degree in Instrumental Music Education as the Outstanding Senior in the School of Music. During his time at NAU, Micah was an active member of the school of music. He performed with the Shrines of Ages Choir, Northern Voices Jazz Choir, The Highlanders All-Male Acapella Group, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz band, and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra where he played trumpet. While in college, Micah also toured the country with the World Champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and 2016. Micah currently lives in Blue Springs, Missouri where he is the assistant director of bands at Brittany Hill Middle school and an associate director of bands for the Golden Regiment Marching Band from Blue Springs High School. In addition to his public-school teaching, he is on the instructional staff for the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps for the current 2022 season. He will be attending the University of Oregon in the fall to start a graduate degree in Wind Conducting. Micah is thrilled to be back singing with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers.​
Shelby Laird (she/her/hers) is from Hays, Kansas and has sung with the Sedona Academy Chamber Singers since 2017. She was a Young Artist for the Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell, KS in 2015. She graduated from Northern Arizona University in December 2018 with a degree in choral music education. While at NAU, she performed with Shrine of the Ages Choir, High Altitude, Handbell Choir, Women’s Chorale, and student conducted University Singers. Shelby served as NAU’s Student Chapter President of ACDA and planned the Student Symposium for the state of Arizona in 2017. She was awarded the Outstanding Future Choral Educator of the Year for the state of Arizona in 2018. Shelby also performed the role of Countess in Fort Hays State University’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. Shelby taught choir in the Independence School District at William Chrisman High School for three years. This fall, Shelby will be pursuing a masters degree in choral conducting at the University of Oregon where she will study with Dr. Sharon Paul. Shelby is always happy to be singing with SACS again!
Thommy Long (he/him/his) is a 23-year-old baritone who studied at Northern Arizona University. In the summer of 2021, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in University Studies. He combined the disciplines of music and psychology to explore the relationship between optimal human development through the understanding of musical development. Last summer he studied with the Berlin Opera Academy in Kandersteg, Switzerland. Here he continued his training as an opera singer and performed the roles of Frank in J. Strauß’ Die Fledermaus and Betto di Signa in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Currently he is working as a personal injury paralegal and is starting to search for schools to apply to for a Masters degree in Opera Performance. Thommy is overjoyed to be a part of this year's SACS and to perform Considering Matthew Shepard with so many talented individuals.
Gabi Marcus (she/hers) is vocalist, model, and dancer from Glendale Arizona and is thrilled to be performing with Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. Gabi has been singing with the group since 2015 and is honored to contribute her voice and talent to Considering Matthew Shepard (CMS). Ms. Marcus graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2019 with her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance. After moving to Portland, OR in 2021, Gabi has had the pleasure of collaborating with several churches and choral groups. Currently, she is employed with Portland Symphonic Chorus, with whom she had the honor of singing back-up for Andrea Bocelli on his most recent tour-stop in Portland. Gabi is pursuing many avenues of performance and art hoping to join the milieu of queer performers advancing music in America and breaking barriers in queer representation. She is always so grateful to return to her choral roots and is so deeply impassioned to give her voice to CMS and its message of solidarity and hope.
Amanda (Mandy) Matthews (she/her/hers) Colorado native, graduated from Northern Arizona University in December of 2018 with her degree in vocal performance. During her time at NAU, she studied with Dr. Judith Cloud, sang with the Women’s Chorale (now Vox Astra), Shrine of the Ages, Northern Voices, SACS, and the Axecidentals while also holding several roles with the NAU Lyric Theater. Since graduation, Mandy has taught private voice and piano lessons, high school and middle school choir, and participated in festivals and summer programs nationally and internationally. While teaching at the high school she once attended in Woodland Park, Colorado, she had the opportunity to music direct their productions of My Fair Lady and Willy Wonka. She currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she teaches private lessons and bartends and serves at one of Ann Arbor’s newest rustic fine dining establishments. In the spring of 2022, she music directed the Tecumseh Youth Theatre’s production of Footloose in Tecumseh, Michigan. This September, Mandy will attend Boston Conservatory where she will begin her graduate degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy.
Sam McGehee (he/him/his) is very excited to be back with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers after two years since last participating. At Northern Arizona University, he had the opportunity to work with both Dr. Edith Copley in the Shrine of the Ages Choir and Dr. Ryan Holder in both vocal jazz ensembles. Currently, Sam is a student at Portland State University working towards a Master of Music in Jazz Studies. He is so thankful to be invited back to sing alongside close friends and work with an incredible educator!
Sague Molina (he/him/his) is a singer, teacher, and arranger born and raised in Arizona. Sague graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in music education with a choral emphasis where he had the privilege of music-directing and singing with the tenor-bass a cappella group, The Highlanders, while also producing and arranging their first studio EP. Sague has sung with the Shrine of the Ages choir, High Altitude vocal jazz ensemble, Chamber Singers, Men’s Chorale, and student-conducted the University Singers at NAU. He has sung with Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers since 2017. Onstage, he has performed in a handful of operas and oratorios, in roles such as the bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Carissimi’s Jephte. Currently, Sague is the director of choirs at Camelback High School and is a singer in the Canto Vivo Chorale.
MaryAnne Muglia Smith (she/her/hers) is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and arranger from Mesa, Arizona. She grew up singing and harmonizing on the road with her dad and brother and fell in love with performing. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's Degree in Choral Music. Since graduating she has taken various freelance jobs arranging for and coaching choirs in Arizona and virtually all over the U.S. She currently directs choirs at All Saints Church in Mesa, and spends time with her sweet little new baby and husband. 
Matthew Myers (he/him/his), tenor, serves as associate director of choral activities at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where he conducts the University Singers and Treble Choir and teaches courses in music education and conducting. He earned his DMA in choral conducting from Louisiana State University, his MM in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University, and his BA in vocal performance and music education from Luther College. He began his education career by teaching grades 6-12 choir at The American International School of Muscat in Oman. For the following five years, he worked as director of choirs and musical theatre at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois. In addition to conducting five choirs, he taught AP music theory, class piano, and critical thinking and coordinated a middle school choral program at four of Boylan’s constituent grade schools. While in Flagstaff, he conducted the NAU Men’s Chorale, the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, and the Flagstaff Youth Chorale’s Troubadours. At LSU, he served as assistant director of the A Cappella Choir and Tiger Glee Club. In his first collegiate position at the University of Alabama, he conducted two choirs and taught courses in music appreciation, choral literature, and music education. He has held church music positions in Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, and Alabama and has sung professionally with Red Shift, Coro Vocati, and Elysian Voices in addition to the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers (2015-17 and 2019). He is co-host of the Choir Fam Podcast and artistic director of the Palouse Choral Society.
Simon Nissen (he/him/his) is a recent graduate of Portland State University where he earned a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting. While at PSU he conducted both the Thorn Choir and University Choir and sang in the award-winning Portland State Chamber Choir. Prior to his time at PSU, Simon taught choir at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, for six years. Simon graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2014 with a degree in choral music education. During his time there, he was both a member of Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers and a choral music intern at Church of the Red Rocks and is very grateful to have the opportunity to return to the group.
Josephyne Patten (she/her/hers) is a California-born soprano who received her Master of Music inOpera Performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is an Arizona District Winner and Western Region Participant of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Recent stage credits include Donna Anna (cvr) (Don Giovanni), Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Magda Sorel (The Consul), Madame Lidione (Dialogues des Carmélites), Tatyana (cvr) (Eugene Onegin), and Fiordiligi (cvr) (Così fan tutte). Ms. Patten was recently seen as a 2019 Emerging Artist at Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake, NY. She is currently based out of Los Angeles where she lives with her husband, Tannor, and her cats, Deku and Kiki. She is so excited to sing with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers again!
Jason Raetz (he/him/his) is excited to be returning to perform with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. He earned a B.M. in Music Education from Western Michigan University and an M.M. in Choral Conducting from Northern Arizona University. A native of Phoenix, Jason grew up singing and learning music in the Phoenix Boys Choir and has gone on to perform as a soloist with the Flagstaff Master Chorale and Early Music Michigan. Currently, he is singing in his sixth season with Phoenix Chorale and spent 4 seasons performing with Helios: A Modern Renaissance. Notable recordings he has been involved in are: Helios’s album, à7 (2021), Peace and Reconciliation: Choral Music, music composed by Michael Hoppé (2020), and Nils Lofgren’s album Blue With Lou (2019). For nearly 10 years he has taught music at several schools around the valley and was a director with the Phoenix Boys Choir. Most recently, Jason directed large high school and middle school choirs at Arizona School for the Arts.
Colette Roberts received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University in 2015 as well as a Performance Certificate from NAU in 2017. During this time, she performed the roles of Dido in Dido and Aeneas, La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Nerone in L’Incoronazione di Poppea. She was selected as a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Competition for the Arizona District in 2017 as well as being given encouragement awards at the district and regional levels. Colette has worked in special education for the last five years while pursuing a certification in music therapy from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. She will begin a full-time internship with Arbor Hospice (Ann Arbor, Michigan) starting in September to complete her training and hopes to continue working in hospice or with people with disabilities. Colette has sung with SACS since 2012 and is grateful to be returning to perform this important piece of music with some wonderful people!
Javi Rodriguez (he/him/his) is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in the city of Avondale and attended Westview High School. Javi is currently a senior earning his bachelor's degree in Secondary Music Education from Northern Arizona University. During his undergrad, Javi studied with Dr. Edith Copley, sang in Northern Arizona University's Shrine of The Ages ensemble, participated in a-cappella groups, chamber ensembles, male ensembles, and later became an intern at The Church of the Red Rocks, located in Sedona, Arizona under the direction of Dr. Ryan Holder.
Katherine Rosenfeld (she/her/hers) graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2019 with a degree in choral music education. Her time at NAU was marked by leadership roles including serving as the President for both the NAU chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and the Shrine of the Ages Choir. At NAU she sang with the Women’s Chorale, Shrine of the Ages, the all-treble a cappella group, the Axecidentals, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. Since graduating, she has sung with Quartz Ensemble, Canto Vivo, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, St. Barnabus on the Desert, Christ Church of the Ascension, and the Grammy-award-winning Phoenix Chorale. An alumnus of the Phoenix Children’s Chorus and Horizon High School’s choir program, Rosenfeld loves serving the choral community in Phoenix. She currently teaches junior high and high school choir at Arizona School for the Arts, runs a private voice studio in North Phoenix, and serves on the Arizona state board of the American Choral Directors Association. She is thrilled to be returning to SACS once again!
Anjelica Simone (she/her/hers) studied Choral Music Education at Northern Arizona University where she was highly involved in most of the chorale ensembles. Anjelica performed and toured with the Shrine of the Ages choir and participated in jazz choirs Northern Voices, and High Altitude as well as with the Chamber Singers and the Harter Memorial Handbell Choir.
Anjelica is a freelance soloist, choral performer, and church cantor around the valley. She will soon begin her fifth season singing with the Phoenix Chorale and she is the Alto section leader at Christ church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley. Anjelica is a founding member of the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers and has performed many early music programs and stadium shows as a member of Solis Camerata. Outside of music Anjelica works full time as an Accounting Specialist at a CPA firm in Chandler and enjoys cooking, traveling, and fishing with her fiancé and their dog.
Colton Stuart (he/him/his) is currently a senior Vocal Performance Major at Northern Arizona University. He has been involved in many different ensembles throughout the Kitt School of Music such as Men’s Chorale, Shrine of the Ages, Northern Voices, High Altitude, the Highlanders, as well as being involved with several Lyric Theater productions. After his degree, he hopes to return to the Phoenix area where he can put his bachelor’s degree to use by doing community theater. In his free time, he is a singer songwriter along with his guitar and other instruments. He is so thankful to his family and friends for being endlessly supportive of him in all of the endeavors he chooses to tackle, as well as all of his professors that have led him to becoming a better performer, as well as a better man.
Catherine Thornsley (she/her/hers) received her Bachelor of Arts Music in Vocal performance from Northern Arizona University where she studied under the direction of Dr. Judith Cloud. She was a proud member of the Sedona Academy of Chamber singers and alto intern for the Church of the Red Rocks from 2013-2015. She moved to Seattle after receiving her bachelor’s degree to become a working professional while fulfilling her need for music by participating in the Seattle Symphony Chorale. Catherine began to pursue her Master of Music in Opera performance degree at the University of British Columbia in 2019. With UBC Opera, she had the privilege of portraying Marta in the Canadian premiere of Weinberg’s Pasażerka and has had the opportunity to sing internationally, traveling to the Czech Republic and Germany with the UBC Opera Ensemble. In July of 2021, she earned the opportunity to join Brott Opera where she performed the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte. She was most recently seen in UBC Opera’s production of Antonin Dvorak’s opera Rusalka as the title character. Catherine was a semi-finalist in this year’s Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and competed as a semi-finalist in the International Belvedere Singing Competition in Latvia. She is currently based out of Vancouver where she studies under the direction of Nancy Hermiston and regularly works alongside community opera organizations to bring music to the community through outdoor concerts. Catherine is ecstatic to be back where she grew up, singing alongside friends in the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers.
Hanna Van Belle (she/her/hers) is a dynamic singer, actor, and dancer, with extensive experience in choral, musical theatre and operatic settings. 22 years of age, she was born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona and is currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Northern Arizona University. Van Belle has won several awards for her vocal performance; she is a two-time first place winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Western Division competition and has been awarded scholarships by the Northern Arizona University choral department as well as the National Society of Arts and Leadership. Most recent experiences include her performance as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro with the Matador Opera Workshop, as well as concerts with the Shrine of the Ages choir.
Bass-baritone Alan Williams (he/him/his) earned his specialist and master’s degrees in voice performance from the University of Michigan, where he performed title roles in main stage and chamber operas. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2018 from Northern Arizona University. He recently made his Des Moines Metro Opera debut, appearing as King Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and covering in Porgy and Bess as Lawyer Frazier under renowned Simon Estes’ last opera performance. Alan has performed in concerts with Detroit Opera and performed works by Harry T. Burleigh at the Oxford Lieder Festival in England. In 2021, he won the Graduate Concerto Competition at the University of Michigan, singing Modest Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death. Aside from solo performances, Alan is a member of Dr. Eugene Rogers’ Exigence, the professional vocal ensemble that highlights the artistry within Black and Latinx communities. In 2019, Mr. Williams and two of his colleagues founded BlueNote Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the first vocal jazz ensemble at U of M. For the 2022-23 season, Alan will join the roster of LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and will be the featured bass soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra this coming March.

INSTRUMENTALISTS
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A native of Pennsylvania, Chris Granger obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Piano Performance from Westminster College in rural New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and his Master’s in Choral Music Education From Kent State University. Mr. Granger is currently the Choir Director at Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee and has been there since 2018. As an active collaborative pianist, he has performed with several school ensembles, chamber ensembles, and soloists in the Phoenix Metro area. He is also the Pianist in Residence for the La Forza Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Granger is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NafME), Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), and Arizona Choral Educators (ACE), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). He currently serves as the AzACDA Board Secretary. In his spare time, Mr. Granger enjoys spending time being outdoors camping, fishing, boating, and hiking.
Liz Guzman is an active percussion educator and performer who currently serves as the Percussion Specialist at Arizona School for the Arts in Phoenix, AZ. Her duties at ASA include instructing beginning through advanced levels of percussion and directing the award winning ASA Percussion Ensemble. She received her degree in percussion from Arizona State University in 2004 under the direction of Dr. Douglas Nottingham, Dr. JB Smith, Dr. Mark Sunkett and Bill Wanser. (Phoenix Symphony, retired) In 2011 she was named a Surdna Arts Fellow, which granted her the opportunity to study with world-renowned marimbist Naoko Takada. 
In addition to ASA, she maintains a busy private studio where her students have performed and earned honors at the AMEA Solo & Ensemble, Arizona Regional & All State Bands and Orchestra, Curry Summer Music Camp, Berklee Percussion Camp, the AzPAS Solo & Ensemble Festival, Phoenix Youth Symphony and the Academy Drum & Bugle Corp. 
Ms. Guzman regularly performs with various groups around the valley including the Rosewood Rascals Marimba Band, Salt River Brass, Musica Nova Orchestra, Arizona Cantilena Chorale, and Promusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra. She is a member of the Arizona Music Educators Association, National Association of Music Education and is the Past-President of the Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
Kimberly Hankins is the violist of the Tetra String Quartet. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Germany, Luxembourg, and Iceland. Dr. Hankins has a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University, where she was a Teaching Assistant for Nancy Buck and Violist of the Herberger String Quartet. Before moving to Arizona in 2017, she completed a Performance Diploma in Solo Viola Repertoire with Ed Gazouleas and a Masters of Music degree at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music with Masumi Per Rostad. Dr. Hankins has performed in orchestras led by notable conductors such as Alan Gilbert, Carl St. Clair, Krzysztof Urbański, and Leonard Slatkin. She has also worked closely with members of Pacifica Quartet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, St. Lawrence String Quartet, and Brooklyn Rider. With a desire to expand the viola repertoire, Dr. Hankins completed her DMA Research Project on her transcriptions and recording of Ernest Bloch's Three Suites for Solo Cello. As a member of the Tetra String Quartet, Dr. Hankins works to expand access to quality music performances in the Phoenix area and inspire and empower youth through chamber music education. For more information, visit kimberlyhankins.com and tetraquartet.org.
Wes Hawkins is a Percussionist and Music Educator in the Phoenix area with a diverse array of experiences. He earned undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance (University of Arizona, '97) and a Master’s degree in Music Education with a Jazz Studies emphasis (Arizona State, '03). Currently Wes teaches Jazz History, Steel Pan, Percussion Ensemble, and Percussion Lessons at Phoenix College. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society (AZPAS) from 2002-2021 and is frequently called to serve as a percussion clinician/adjudicator for AMEA, ABODA, and WGAZ. He is the owner of the Rhythm Is Life Percussion Studio, and maintains an active roster of private students, many of which have gone on to receive regional, state, and national accolades, or have gone on to earn graduate degrees, teach percussion at the college level, or become professional performers. Wes also leads the Rhythm Is Life Steel Band, an organization dedicated to the art of Caribbean steel pan music, especially Calypso & Soca music of Trinidad & Tobago. He is in demand as a drummer/percussionist for several musical organizations in the Phoenix area and has proudly served as the percussion accompanist for the Phoenix Children’s Chorus since 2014.
Ben Hedquist is the Director of Jazz and Popular Music Studies at Glendale Community College. He holds a doctorate in double bass performance from Arizona State University where he studied under double bass virtuoso Catalin Rotaru.
As a double bassist, Hedquist is known for his versatility and feels at home playing classical or jazz music. As a classical musician, he has performed with the West Valley Symphony, Phoenix Opera, and as Principal Bassist for the Musica Nova Orchestra. Hedquist has also performed in chamber concerts with the ASU String Faculty as part of the Stradivarius Concert Series at the Musical Instrument Museum, with violinist Mark Fewer (McGill University) as part of the Lotus Land Project and performs solo recitals throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area. In 2016, he was placed as runner-up for the Arizona State University’s Concert of the Soloists Competition.
As a jazz bassist, Hedquist was a finalist in the 2016 European Double Bass Congress jazz bass competition held in Prague, Czech Republic. He performs regularly with Phoenix-based musicians such as Michael Kocour, Jeff Libman, and Dom Moio, and also with the adventurous jazz sextet Running from Bears. He has performed with a growing number of jazz notables, including Joe Locke, Peter Bernstein, George Garzone, Miguel Zenon, Glenn Zaleski, John Hollenbeck, Harold Maybern, John Clayton, and Lewis Nash.
Ben Hedquist performs throughout the valley with his own quintet and in 2019 released his first album titled “The Mists of Uncertainty” featuring all original compositions by Ben.
Mary Jackson began playing clarinet at age 12 in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She currently holds the position of 2nd Clarinetist in the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Philharmonic, in addition to performing as a substitute clarinetist with the Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Opera. Before moving to Arizona in 2012, she was the 2nd Clarinetist of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the E-flat Clarinetist of the Wichita Symphony. She has also performed with the Kansas City Symphony and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory.
Jacob A. Landi is a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for voice and guitar. Having played guitar for 20 years, he has performed, recorded, and taught all over the United States in many styles including Pop, Rock, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern Worship and Classical.
Originally from Tucson, AZ, Jacob went north to earn his Bachelor's of Choral Music Education from Northern Arizona University in the Fall of 2015. At NAU, he performed as a guitarist and vocalist in the top Jazz I ensemble and multiple NAU Choirs, including the prestigious Shrine of the Ages Choir and High Altitude Jazz Choir. Jacob then took his passion for music to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he served as a musical products consultant for the nation's largest online music retailer, Sweetwater Sound. During his time in Indiana, he served as the Director of Music and Worship for St. John's Lutheran Church, performing for many worship events in the MidWest, and frequently performed as a guitarist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
Most recently, Jacob earned his Master of Business Administration from Ball State University in December of 2021. He currently serves as a leader in the finance technology space for businesses across the Phoenix area and continues to perform and collaborate on guitar, voice, and other instruments with his wife Monika. They are expecting their first child in September 2022. Jacob is extremely honored to be performing with the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers for this profound performance of Considering Matthew Shepherd.
Hailed by a class of 2nd graders as “wreely nice and kind” and “the coolest man on erth,” Arizona native Taylor Morris enjoys blurring the line between violin and fiddle. Strongly believing we can learn more about the world through collaboration with others, he actively pursues musical projects in different genres. Currently, he is part of Tricia & Taylor, a genre-bending violin/fiddle duo with concert violinist Tricia Park, and a member of The Sound Accord, a string sextet that creates vibrant arrangements of folk music. After studying classical violin at Arizona State University with Dr. Katie McLin, he spent four years touring with Barrage, a world-music violin troupe based out of Canada. His travels, both with Barrage and personally, have led to performances in 48 states and 13 countries with musicians from a multitude of backgrounds.
Offstage, Taylor obtained a master's in education from Harvard University and teaches nationally as a guest educator, working with 4-year-olds to professionals and teachers. He co-founded/co-directs the Gilbert Town Fiddlers (an extracurricular fiddling program for young string players), serves as a continuing Guest Lecturer at Arizona State University, runs a summer camp for young musicians called StringPlay, and is a committed private teacher with a dynamic studio of young violinists and fiddlers. For more information on Taylor, please visit: www.taylormorrismusic.com.
Dr. Yeil Park (pronounced ‘Yale’) is a dynamic cellist who enjoys his career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, and educator. He is a tenured member of Arizona Opera since 2014. Other orchestral engagements include Arizona Musicfest, Castleton Festival Orchestra where he sat assistant principal under maestro Fabio Luisi, and as a regular substitute with The Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Shanghai Quartet, the Brentano String Quartet, and The Ying Quartet. Other highlights include performing the Elgar Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations as the winner of ISU's Concert of Soloist competition.

Dr. Park was recently appointed as the cello faculty at Glendale Community College. He received his Doctorate in Cello Performance at Arizona State University, where he served as teaching assistant to Tom Landschoot and wrote his dissertation on the efficacy of Skype lessons through quantitative analysis. He received his MM in Cello Performance at Arizona State University and was the recipient of the Atsumi Cello Scholarship. He received his BM magna cum laude at Iowa State University, where he studied with George Work of the Ames Piano Quartet. Previous teachers include Dr. Julie McGinnis Sturm, Hans Jørgen Jensen, Stephen Geber, and Yehuda Hanani.

Outside of music, Dr. Park enjoys marathon training, cooking, baking and occasionally drawing on his Etch-a-Sketch.