SINGERS
Please note that all singers do not sing all concerts.
KRISTIN BALL
ALTO
BM in Vocal Performance from Baylor University; MS in Arts Administration from Boston University.
Operations Manager for Virginia Chorale.
Currently a member of the choir, women's ensemble, and select ensembles Vox Caeli and Quartetto at Great Bridge United Methodist Church in Chesapeake.
Served as alto section leader and soloist at International Protestant Church in Zurich, Switzerland.
Has sung with the female ensemble Schwung (Zurich) and the Rocktown Consort (Harrisonburg, VA).
Mother of three awesome children.
Operations Manager for Virginia Chorale.
Currently a member of the choir, women's ensemble, and select ensembles Vox Caeli and Quartetto at Great Bridge United Methodist Church in Chesapeake.
Served as alto section leader and soloist at International Protestant Church in Zurich, Switzerland.
Has sung with the female ensemble Schwung (Zurich) and the Rocktown Consort (Harrisonburg, VA).
Mother of three awesome children.
RANDALL BALL
TENOR
DMA in Vocal Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature from James Madison University, MM and BM in Vocal Performance from Baylor University.
Director of Worship Music and Arts at Great Bridge United Methodist Church.
Currently an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Virginia Wesleyan University, Adjunct Instructor of Voice at University of Virginia (2012-2016), and Applied Vocal Instructor at James Madison University (2009-2011).
On staff as a voice teacher at the Governor's School for the Arts since 2020.
Has sung with Ft. Worth Opera, Waco Lyric Opera, Opera North, Santa Fe Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, and Luzerner Theater.
Director of Worship Music and Arts at Great Bridge United Methodist Church.
Currently an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Virginia Wesleyan University, Adjunct Instructor of Voice at University of Virginia (2012-2016), and Applied Vocal Instructor at James Madison University (2009-2011).
On staff as a voice teacher at the Governor's School for the Arts since 2020.
Has sung with Ft. Worth Opera, Waco Lyric Opera, Opera North, Santa Fe Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, and Luzerner Theater.
CHRISTINA BARTHOLOMEW
SOPRANO
BA in Vocal Performance from East Carolina University; MME from Old Dominion University.
Associate conductor for the Craven Community Chorus and rehearsal conductor for the Eastern Carolina Heritage Chorale (2014-15). Recent solo engagements of note include Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Coronation Mass, Rutter's Requiem, Mrs. Gobineau (Menotti's The Medium), and Belinda (Purcell's Dido and Aeneas).
Chorus Manager and Young Singers Project Coordinator for Virginia Chorale and adjunct music professor at Old Dominion University and College of the Albemarle.
Associate conductor for the Craven Community Chorus and rehearsal conductor for the Eastern Carolina Heritage Chorale (2014-15). Recent solo engagements of note include Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Coronation Mass, Rutter's Requiem, Mrs. Gobineau (Menotti's The Medium), and Belinda (Purcell's Dido and Aeneas).
Chorus Manager and Young Singers Project Coordinator for Virginia Chorale and adjunct music professor at Old Dominion University and College of the Albemarle.
KELLI BLY
ALTO
- BM in Music Education from SUNY College at Fredonia; MME in Music Education Applied Voice from Old Dominion University.
- Current Doctoral Student at Liberty University working towards a DME in Music Education.
- Currently an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University.
- Core alto at Freemason Street Baptist Church, Virginia Symphony Chorus and has performed in the chorus of several productions with Virginia Opera.
CHRISTOPHER BURNETTE
TENOR
BM in Vocal Performance from Lamar University.
Participated in the Chorale's Young Singers Project from 2006-07.
Finalist in the Greater Houston National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 2011.
Chorister at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk.
Participated in the Chorale's Young Singers Project from 2006-07.
Finalist in the Greater Houston National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 2011.
Chorister at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk.
AJEE CHURCH
TENOR
BA in Music Education from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Current Choral Director at Granby High School.
Toured with the Wesleyan Singers and Wesleyan Chorale in 2014 to sing in Carnegie Hall.
Tenor Section Leader and soloist at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk.
Current Choral Director at Granby High School.
Toured with the Wesleyan Singers and Wesleyan Chorale in 2014 to sing in Carnegie Hall.
Tenor Section Leader and soloist at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk.
JULIA COBERLY
ALTO
BS in Music Education from Baylor University; MS in Counseling Psychology from Kansas University.
Has sung with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Cantata Chorus, the Norfolk Chamber Consort, the Camerata Choristers, and the Virginia Chorale.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk, and is a school counselor in Chesapeake.
Has sung with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Cantata Chorus, the Norfolk Chamber Consort, the Camerata Choristers, and the Virginia Chorale.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk, and is a school counselor in Chesapeake.
BRADLEY FIELDING
BASS
BM in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University.
Has performed principal roles with the Tidewater Opera Initiative in The Marriage of Figaro, The Old Maid and the Thief, and The Medium.
2015 graduate of the Governor’s School for the Arts, Norfolk.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk.
Grammar school teacher in Smithfield at Hampton Roads Classical.
Has performed principal roles with the Tidewater Opera Initiative in The Marriage of Figaro, The Old Maid and the Thief, and The Medium.
2015 graduate of the Governor’s School for the Arts, Norfolk.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk.
Grammar school teacher in Smithfield at Hampton Roads Classical.
JOHN IRVING
BASS
DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas; MM in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College of Rider University; BM in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Director of Choral Studies at Christopher Newport University.
Artistic Director of the Ad Astra Music Festival in Kansas.
Previously served as choral music teacher at Fordham High School for the Arts in New York City, founding choral workshop director of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute Count Me In program, and interim music director of the Denton Bach Society.
The New York Times praised his choirs in performance as "not just exuberant but polished and precise."
Director of Choral Studies at Christopher Newport University.
Artistic Director of the Ad Astra Music Festival in Kansas.
Previously served as choral music teacher at Fordham High School for the Arts in New York City, founding choral workshop director of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute Count Me In program, and interim music director of the Denton Bach Society.
The New York Times praised his choirs in performance as "not just exuberant but polished and precise."
KATHRYN KELLY
ALTO
BM in Vocal Performance and MM in Vocal Pedagogy & Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.
Recently made her professional operatic debut in Opera Roanoke's production of Rossini's La Cenerentola.
Co-founder of Tidewater Opera Initiative, where she has performed the roles of Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte and Lauretta in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.
Has covered roles and performed in the chorus with Virginia Opera, and spent a summer as a Professional Artist at SongFest in Los Angeles.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk, as their soprano soloist.
Recently made her professional operatic debut in Opera Roanoke's production of Rossini's La Cenerentola.
Co-founder of Tidewater Opera Initiative, where she has performed the roles of Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte and Lauretta in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.
Has covered roles and performed in the chorus with Virginia Opera, and spent a summer as a Professional Artist at SongFest in Los Angeles.
Currently sings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk, as their soprano soloist.
LYNN KOTRADY
ALTO
Solo Credits include Bach's Mass in B-minor, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Mendelssohn's Elijah.
Frequent soloist at "Centenary Classics," an early music event in Richmond.
Alto soloist for Richmond's St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth Ahabah.
Frequent soloist at "Centenary Classics," an early music event in Richmond.
Alto soloist for Richmond's St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth Ahabah.
MICHAEL KOTRADY
BASS
Childhood musical studies with violinist/conductor Jorge Gardos, himself a student of Zoltán Kodály.
Bachelors degree from the University of Richmond, vocal and choral studies with the late James Erb.
Over three decades of experience as a soloist and chorister with numerous ensembles, including the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Chorale, and Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Serves as a staff singer at Richmond's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Congregation Beth Ahabah.
Currently studying voice with Dr. Jennifer Cable.
Employed since 1997 by wine importer Kysela Père et Fils.
Bachelors degree from the University of Richmond, vocal and choral studies with the late James Erb.
Over three decades of experience as a soloist and chorister with numerous ensembles, including the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Chorale, and Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Serves as a staff singer at Richmond's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Congregation Beth Ahabah.
Currently studying voice with Dr. Jennifer Cable.
Employed since 1997 by wine importer Kysela Père et Fils.
BONNIE LAMBERT-BAXTER
ALTO
Has sung with the Virginia Chorale, Symphonicity, the Williamsburg Symphonia, and Virginia Musical Theater.
Has served as soprano/alto soloist at Larchmont United Methodist Church, Norfolk, First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg, Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk, and as Director of Music at First Christian Church, Norfolk.
Currently a speech/language pathologist for Norfolk Public Schools, private piano teacher, and mother of two fantastic children.
Has served as soprano/alto soloist at Larchmont United Methodist Church, Norfolk, First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg, Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk, and as Director of Music at First Christian Church, Norfolk.
Currently a speech/language pathologist for Norfolk Public Schools, private piano teacher, and mother of two fantastic children.
MICHAEL LEONA
BASS
- BA in Vocal Performance from Central Connecticut State University.
- As a student, performed overseas in Spain, France, China, and Japan.
- Sang professionally with Hyannis Sound, an all male identifying contemporary a cappella group based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts for 2 summers.
- Currently works as a Registered Nurse at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk.
ANDREW LUSHER
BASS
Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Hanns Eisler Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, Germany.
Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College.
Teaches choral music for the Virginia Beach Public Schools at the Old Donation School for the Intellectually Gifted.
Numerous international conducting engagements including the Grammy winning RIAS Kammerchor, the Mendoza University Choir from Argentina, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, concerts for the American Embassy and German government, and a special program featuring music of the earliest members of the Bach family for a German national radio broadcast.
Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College.
Teaches choral music for the Virginia Beach Public Schools at the Old Donation School for the Intellectually Gifted.
Numerous international conducting engagements including the Grammy winning RIAS Kammerchor, the Mendoza University Choir from Argentina, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, concerts for the American Embassy and German government, and a special program featuring music of the earliest members of the Bach family for a German national radio broadcast.
GARY MONTGOMERY
TENOR
Obtained a BM in Vocal Performance from Christopher Newport University.
Sings in the professional cores of the Virginia Symphony Chorus and the adult choir at Freemason Street Baptist Church (Norfolk), where he is a frequent soloist.
Currently in his fifth season with the Virginia Chorale and is a frequent soloist in the Hampton Roads area and throughout Virginia.
Premiered the opera KEPT: a ghost story with the Virginia Arts Festival.
Has been seen on the opera stage as Don Basilio (Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro), Toby (Menotti's The Medium), Ivan (Strauss' Die Fledermaus), Arnalta (Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea), Belcore (Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore), and many more.
Sings in the professional cores of the Virginia Symphony Chorus and the adult choir at Freemason Street Baptist Church (Norfolk), where he is a frequent soloist.
Currently in his fifth season with the Virginia Chorale and is a frequent soloist in the Hampton Roads area and throughout Virginia.
Premiered the opera KEPT: a ghost story with the Virginia Arts Festival.
Has been seen on the opera stage as Don Basilio (Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro), Toby (Menotti's The Medium), Ivan (Strauss' Die Fledermaus), Arnalta (Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea), Belcore (Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore), and many more.
KIMBERLY NICKERSON
SOPRANO
BS in Vocal Performance from Western Washington University (Bellingham, WA).
Has performed with Virginia Musical Theatre in roles including Julie Jordan in Carousel and Laurey in Oklahoma; and with Virginia Opera, as Barberina in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, and in the chorus and as a cover for operas including The Merry Widow, Romeo et Juliette, Carmen, and La Traviata.
Has taught at the Governor's School for the Arts and currently maintains a private voice studio.
Currently serves as Assistant Director of Music and is a frequent soloist at First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach.
Mom of two amazing and supportive children.
Has performed with Virginia Musical Theatre in roles including Julie Jordan in Carousel and Laurey in Oklahoma; and with Virginia Opera, as Barberina in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, and in the chorus and as a cover for operas including The Merry Widow, Romeo et Juliette, Carmen, and La Traviata.
Has taught at the Governor's School for the Arts and currently maintains a private voice studio.
Currently serves as Assistant Director of Music and is a frequent soloist at First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach.
Mom of two amazing and supportive children.
ABBY OUTLAW
SOPRANO
BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Has performed with Capital Opera Richmond, the Richmond Symphony, Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, the Eckhart Ensemble, and Richmond Choral Society.
Currently sings with the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
Has performed with Capital Opera Richmond, the Richmond Symphony, Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, the Eckhart Ensemble, and Richmond Choral Society.
Currently sings with the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
CORBIN PINTO
SOPRANO
MM from Virginia Commonwealth University; graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University with a BM in Music Education.
National Board Certified teacher and the Choral Director for the Visual and Performing Arts academy at Salem High school in Virginia Beach.
Directs the children's choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk .
Sung as a soloist in numerous venues across Hampton Roads, including Handel's Messiah with Symphonicity.
An active and accomplished music educator, her choirs have performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and were selected to host a masterclass by the world-renowned vocal ensemble Chanticleer in 2011.
National Board Certified teacher and the Choral Director for the Visual and Performing Arts academy at Salem High school in Virginia Beach.
Directs the children's choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Norfolk .
Sung as a soloist in numerous venues across Hampton Roads, including Handel's Messiah with Symphonicity.
An active and accomplished music educator, her choirs have performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and were selected to host a masterclass by the world-renowned vocal ensemble Chanticleer in 2011.
JOHN PRITCHARD
TENOR
DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of South Carolina; MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Florida; MM in Music Theory from the University of Michigan; BM in Bassoon and Organ Performance from Columbus State University.
Currently adjunct faculty at Christopher Newport University and a staff chorister at Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk.
Currently adjunct faculty at Christopher Newport University and a staff chorister at Christ and St. Luke’s, Norfolk.
MARSHALL SEVERIN
BASS
BM in Vocal Performance from Christopher Newport University.
Has sung in the chorus and covered multiple roles with Virginia Opera, and has performed with Tidewater Opera Initiative as Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosí fan tutte and Marco in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.
Has sung in the chorus and covered multiple roles with Virginia Opera, and has performed with Tidewater Opera Initiative as Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosí fan tutte and Marco in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.
SERENA SMITH
SOPRANO
BMA in Applied Music with a concentration in Choral/Vocal Music from Virginia Wesleyan University, summa cum laude.
Previous member and soloist in the Virginia Chorale’s Young Singers’ Project (2017).
Studied voice with Billye Brown Youmans at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Has performed in choirs and as a soloist with the Williamsburg and Virginia Symphonies, and has done solo work for various churches throughout Hampton Roads.
Composed and premiered original works and arrangements with the Virginia Wesleyan University choirs.
Adjunct faculty at Virginia Wesleyan University (Fall 2021), leading Bravura and Vox Vera, two of the university’s three vocal ensembles.
Currently pursuing a MAEd degree from Virginia Wesleyan University.
Previous member and soloist in the Virginia Chorale’s Young Singers’ Project (2017).
Studied voice with Billye Brown Youmans at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Has performed in choirs and as a soloist with the Williamsburg and Virginia Symphonies, and has done solo work for various churches throughout Hampton Roads.
Composed and premiered original works and arrangements with the Virginia Wesleyan University choirs.
Adjunct faculty at Virginia Wesleyan University (Fall 2021), leading Bravura and Vox Vera, two of the university’s three vocal ensembles.
Currently pursuing a MAEd degree from Virginia Wesleyan University.
DANIEL STIPE
BASS
Earned a Bachelor's degrees in organ and piano performance from the University of North Texas, and a Master's degree in organ performance from Westminster Choir College in 2012.
Equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator and arranger on both the piano and organ.
Serves as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University and maintains an active concert schedule with recent performances in Richmond, Roanoke, Dallas, Tulsa, and Princeton.
Prize winner in the William Hall Pipe Organ Competition in San Antonio, the Tulsa Crescendo Music Awards, the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition, and the AGO/Quimby Region VII Competition for Young Organists.
Founding member of Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, and sings with the Schola Cantorum of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
Enjoys road cycling, hiking, role-playing games and good literature in his spare time.
Equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator and arranger on both the piano and organ.
Serves as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University and maintains an active concert schedule with recent performances in Richmond, Roanoke, Dallas, Tulsa, and Princeton.
Prize winner in the William Hall Pipe Organ Competition in San Antonio, the Tulsa Crescendo Music Awards, the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition, and the AGO/Quimby Region VII Competition for Young Organists.
Founding member of Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, and sings with the Schola Cantorum of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
Enjoys road cycling, hiking, role-playing games and good literature in his spare time.
NERISSA THOMPSON
ALTO
Attended Westminster Choir College as a candidate for a Bachelor's in Music Education.
Has performed with the Virginia Opera for four seasons; past productions include Samson and Delilah, Turandot, and Carmen.
Previously sang with Tidewater Opera Initiative as a mainstage performer in Dido and Aeneas and The Medium.
Served as Music Director for several local theater productions including the Williamsburg Player's 2016 Jekyll and Hyde and LTN's 2018 local premiere of First Date.
Holds a position as the alto Section Leader and soloist at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk.
Has performed with the Virginia Opera for four seasons; past productions include Samson and Delilah, Turandot, and Carmen.
Previously sang with Tidewater Opera Initiative as a mainstage performer in Dido and Aeneas and The Medium.
Served as Music Director for several local theater productions including the Williamsburg Player's 2016 Jekyll and Hyde and LTN's 2018 local premiere of First Date.
Holds a position as the alto Section Leader and soloist at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk.
AARON TODD
TENOR
B.M. in Choral Music Education from James Madison University
Choral Director, Brookland Middle School (Henrico County Public Schools)
Tenor Section Leader, Richmond Symphony Chorus & Chamber Choir
Previously sang, played piano, and conducted in church music ministry, primarily at Christ Church Episcopal, Glen Allen.
As a spirited music educator and choral singer, he has sung in workshops and performances under such conductors as Axel Theimer, Scott Tucker, Bruce Chamberlain, Joe Miller, Charles Bruffy, Nigel Short, and Rodney Eichenberger.
Choral Director, Brookland Middle School (Henrico County Public Schools)
Tenor Section Leader, Richmond Symphony Chorus & Chamber Choir
Previously sang, played piano, and conducted in church music ministry, primarily at Christ Church Episcopal, Glen Allen.
As a spirited music educator and choral singer, he has sung in workshops and performances under such conductors as Axel Theimer, Scott Tucker, Bruce Chamberlain, Joe Miller, Charles Bruffy, Nigel Short, and Rodney Eichenberger.
LAUREN TOMPKINS
SOPRANO
- BA in International Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Singing fellow of Yale's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival in 2018, as part of its Chamber Choir and Choral Conducting Workshop, under the direction of Simon Carrington.
Studied voice with Nancy Zylstra and Penelope Jensen at Oberlin Conservatory's Baroque Performance Institute.
Won second prize in the adult category at the Virginia National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 2017.
Currently sings as a cantor and soprano section leader at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.
JOHN TYNDALL
BASS
BA in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Made his professional operatic debut as Barone Douphol in Verdi's La Traviata with the Bronx Opera Company.
Performed at Carnegie Hall with Musica Sacra under the direction of Kent Tritle and as soloist with the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble for Beck's Song Reader album, of which two recordings were featured on National Public Radio.
John is a highly sought-after ensemble singer and soloist in the Greater Richmond Area. He serves as the staff bass section leader and soloist at Richmond's St. James Episcopal Church. He also sings regularly as a bass section leader at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Richmond).
Made his professional operatic debut as Barone Douphol in Verdi's La Traviata with the Bronx Opera Company.
Performed at Carnegie Hall with Musica Sacra under the direction of Kent Tritle and as soloist with the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble for Beck's Song Reader album, of which two recordings were featured on National Public Radio.
John is a highly sought-after ensemble singer and soloist in the Greater Richmond Area. He serves as the staff bass section leader and soloist at Richmond's St. James Episcopal Church. He also sings regularly as a bass section leader at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Richmond).
KEATON WHITEHURST
SOPRANO
BA in Music (Vocal Performance) from Shenandoah University’s Conservatory of Music.
MME from Old Dominion University.
Former member of Virginia Chorale: Young Singer’s Project.
Has sung with the City Choir of Washington and the Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Section Leader at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk.
Currently working with the Virginia Children's Chorus and the Academy of Music.
MME from Old Dominion University.
Former member of Virginia Chorale: Young Singer’s Project.
Has sung with the City Choir of Washington and the Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Section Leader at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk.
Currently working with the Virginia Children's Chorus and the Academy of Music.