Video: The SsAM Choral Scholars sang William Byrd’s “Ave verum corpus” on Sunday, February 21, 2010.
Choral Scholars at SsAM
Under the direction of David Christopher, The SsAM Choral Scholars are a group of professional singers who not only serve as the core for the SsAM Adult Choir, but make up an exceptional vocal ensemble -- one of the finest groups of it's kind in the region. Frequently featured in worship at SsAM as well as in concert settings, the Choral Scholars perform a wide range of music including Gregorian Chant, Renaissance Motets, Madrigals and Chansons as well as selections from the contemporary and world music repertoire.
ANGELYN ROBINSON, Soprano - Angelyn has been a Choral Scholar and vocal soloist at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Mathew in Wilmington, Delaware since the fall of 1999. While at the University of Delaware she performed the following roles, “The Wife” in the Music shop by R. Wargo, “Lady Billows” in Albert Herring by B. Britten, and “Roselinda” in Die Fledermouse by J. Strauss. Her professional opera career began in Graz, Austira in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. She most recently performed in Opera Delaware’s productions of Aida, Tosca, Porgy and Bess and Die Fledermous. Angelyn has also performed in the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s productions of Porgy Bess, Margret Garner and Norma. Angelyn’s solo performances have been with The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, Delaware Valley Chorale, Newark Symphany Orchestra, University of Delaware Orchestra and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Angelyn’s honors include First place in the Eastern Regional NATS competition, and finalist in the Kennet Symphony vocal competition. She currently studies with David Christopher of Wilmington, Delaware.
KIMBERLY DOUCETTE, Soprano - Kimberly Doucette is an active singer and educator in the Wilmington area. She has sung professionally throughout the region, most notably with OperaDelaware, Delaware Valley Chorale, The Chesnut Hill Orchestra, and the DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. Past roles in opera and operetta include Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Casilda in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, Frasquita in Carmen, the Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte and Amore in Gluck's Orfeo. Concert and oratorio credits include the soprano solos in Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, Mozart's Grand Mass in C Minor, Carissimi's Jepthe, Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, Fauré's Requiem, and Ellington's Best of the Sacred Concerts. Kimberly received her Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Delaware and holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University, where she graduated as Class Marshal for the College of Arts and Architecture. She was part of the prestigious Schreyer Honors College and the recipient of the John W. White Fellowship for Graduate Study. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Wilmington Children's Chorus and the Assistant Choral Director at the Tatnall School. She also maintains a private vocal studio at her home in Wilmington, Delaware.
TINA BETZ, Contralto - Prior to her appointment in 2001 as Mayor James Baker's Cultural Affairs Director, Tina was a full-time actor/singer who performed in concerts, plays, and musical theater. As Cultural Affairs Director, Tina's responsibilities for the City of Wilmington include arts and cultural liaison, tourism development, arts education initiatives, and special events coordination. Tina is a member of the Choral Scholars, a professional octet in residence at the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew. Tina is an alumna of Boston University where she majored in psychology with a minor in performing arts. Tina also attended classes in musical theater at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts and at H. B. Studios in New York City.
SUZETTE BURGESS, Mezzo-Soprano - Suzette Scheffler Burgess travels from Elkton, Maryland, for the privilege of singing with the Choral Scholars. Originally from Hagerstown, she graduated from Western Maryland College with a BA in Music Education, and received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Chester University. A music teacher for the Cecil County (Maryland) public school system, Suzette currently teaches vocal/choral music at North East High School. Outside of her day job, Suzette has performed with the Delaware Valley Chorale, Chorale Delaware, the Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir, and NewArk Chorale. She is especially fond of musical theatre, and has served as music director and/or performed on stage with the Wilmington Drama League, Three Little Bakers Theatre, Covered Bridge Theatre, The Tidewater Players, The Players Club of Swarthmore, and The Brandywiners.. Suzette lives with the other musicians in her family: her three children, Emily, Keith, and Alison, and her husband, Matt.
DAVID ANDERSON, Tenor - David is in his second season with the SsAM Choral Scholars. This past summer, David was heard in recital in Wilmington, DE, Tucson, AZ, and Reno, NV. David appears professionally with the Opera Delaware Chorus and The Delaware Valley Chorale. He has also performed with several community choruses most recently with The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware and Orpheus Male Chorus in Phoenix, AZ. He studied voice with Elliot Jones and currently studies with David Christopher.
DARRIN PETERS, Tenor - Darrin Peters, a native Delawarean, is pleased to be singing under the direction of David Christopher as a Choral Scholar at SsAM. Darrin has a BS in Music Education from West Chester University and has been teaching music for the last fourteen years. He is currently the choral director at Pennsville Memorial HS in New Jersey and the conductor of The Brandywiners Chorale. After college, Darrin pursued a professional theatre career. During that time, he performed in such theatres as: The Bucks County Playhouse, The Millbrook Playhouse, The Pocono Playhouse, The Milton Dinner Theatre, The Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, The New Candlelight Dinner Theatre, and The Media Theatre. After performing in the Media Theatre's "My Fair Lady", he was the choreographer/assistant director for the 1995-1996 season. Currently, Darrin serves as the resident choreographer for Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore, PA. Darrin has enjoyed teaching students of various ages at YPTW for over fifteen years. Some of Darrin's favorite roles onstage include Bill in "Me and My Girl", Frankie in "Forever Plaid", Bobby in "Crazy for You", George M. Cohan in "George M.", Danny in "Baby", Jesus in "Godspell", and Don Lockwood in "Singin' in the Rain".
JEFFREY CARR, Baritone - A native of the Philadelphia suburbs, Jeffrey has been singing throughout the tri-state area for numerous years. His career has included performances in China, England, and many locations throughout the U.S. Previous roles include Schaunard (La Boheme), Dandini (La Cenerentola), Betto di Signa (Gianni Schicchi), Fiorello (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Vicomte Cascada (The Merry Widow), and Gideon March (Little Women), as well as numerous roles in the Gilbert & Sullivan canon. He has performed with outstanding musical ensembles like the Opera Company of Philadelphia, OperaDelaware and the Philly Pops with Peter Nero.
LUKE WILLIAMS - Bass-Baritone - Luke Williams is a Senior Voice Major at the University of Delaware. A Delaware native, he has been singing with church choirs for as long as he can remember. While attending the University of Delaware, Luke has been featured in three full-length opera productions and performed with the University of Delaware Chorale for concerts of Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's 9^th Symphony, and the Carmina Burana with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, along with numerous tours in the U.S. and oversees in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, and most recently China. Luke is in his second year with SsAM and finding it to be a wonderful experience.