Camp VOICE Program Artists Colin Aikins (baritone) Meet Colin Aikins, the 16-year old baritone from Pittsburgh whose dream is to become an Opera star. Colin is a sophomore at Central Catholic High School. Colin is also a member of the Central Catholic Crew Team, the Swim Team, Honors Chamber Chorus, and the Liturgical Music Ministry. Colin started to sing at the age of 13, when he asked to take vocal lessons. It was an interesting request, as no one from his family even knew he could sing. His father told him he would entertain his plea for music lessons, but first he wanted to hear Colin sing. He announced that he would sing a song called Nessun Dorma. His parents were brought to tears, and agreed that he needed vocal lessons. Colin was fortunate to start his formal training at the age of 15 under the direction of Maria Spacagna who is currently Chair of the Vocal Music Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Colin is her youngest student. Colin has performed on stage for local events, fundraisers, and at his high school as soloist in his Christmas and Spring Choral concerts. He was even asked to perform for the Pittsburgh Opera as a guest at their board meeting. Colin was selected to attend VOICE Experience under the direction of legendary Metropolitan Opera baritone, Sherill Milnes. He achieved “First Place” in the prestigious Schmidt Vocal Competition and the “Most Promising Sophomore” award at the National Opera Center in New York City. Recently, Colin performed a solo of Do You Hear What I Hear with the River City Brass Band at Carnegie Hall. He was chosen by Smokey Robinson as the winner of the Pittsburgh First Night Sing Off and performed The Prayer at the Benedum on New Year’s Eve. Colin was the only vocalist to win the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Competition by adjudicator, Fred Bronstein, Dean of the Peabody Institute. Colin was selected to participate in the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s High School Opera Singers Intensive Program this February in NYC. He was also a Regional finalist in the Classical Singer Vocal Competition and will compete in the final round in Boston. Colin looks forward to many more opportunities to develop his talent and share his gift on stage. Keaton Brown (baritone) Keaton Brown is a junior at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He has studied voice intensively with Wayne Ashley for three years. He recently participated in the Metropolitan Opera High School Intensive, a week-long program of workshops and masterclasses culminating with a recital at Lincoln Center. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Royal School of Church Music Gold Medal, which he was one of seven people to achieve in 2014. In the same year, Keaton made his stage debut in the role of Franz in HSPVA`s production of The Sound of Music. Keaton has earned positions in multiple state and national honor choirs including the 2015 TMEA All-State Mixed Choir, in which he received first chair, the 2015 ACDA National Honor Choir in Salt Lake City and the 2014 TMEA All-State Men`s Choir. Keaton has attended summer music programs such as the Oberlin Vocal Academy for High School Students and the Royal School of Church Music Tulsa Course. A member of the St. Paul`s Choral Scholars, Keaton has sung with the group since 2013 and is a frequent cantor and soloist. Keaton also sings with the St. Paul`s Choir and will be traveling with the group to Edinburgh, Scotland to complete a week-long residency at St. Mary`s Cathedral. At HSPVA, Keaton sings with the HSPVA Madrigal Singers, the HSPVA Chorale, and he appears regularly in solo recitals and masterclasses. In addition to voice studies, Keaton studies piano with Sergei

Savitski. Keaton hopes to attend a music school or conservatory to pursue a career in vocal performance and opera. Gavin Clark (tenor) Gavin Lambert Clarke is a junior in High school at the Saint Paul Conservatory for the Performing Artists. Gavin began singing and acting in 3 rd grade. Gavin’s credits include a professional production of !Oliver with the Light Opera Works in Chicago, IL, a dancer in Buddy Holly at the History Theater, Saint Paul, and most recently played the role of Fredric in Pirates of Penzance directed by David Walsh of the University of Minnesota. Gavin has been in over 14 short and feature films in and around Chicago IL and Detroit MI with IMDb credit, and countless local musical productions. Gavin began studying classical voice 5 years ago, and won a full scholarship from Monday Musical Club of Southwest Michigan to attend Western Michigan’s Seminar Choral program, and was a Vocal Soloist for the Saint Joseph Municipal Band. He currently studies with Audrey Stottler from Minneapolis. Gavin was nominated for the 2015 Michigan Youth Arts Festival for his solo and ensemble performance. Gavin plans to attend college to pursue Vocal Performance. Megan Cumming (soprano) Megan Cumming, soprano, recently performed the role of Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and Laurey in Oklahoma! on stage at The Hanover Theatre. Other roles include Wendy in Peter Pan and Annie in Annie, to critical acclaim, with the Gilbert Players. In addition, she recently received a TAMY award nomination for the role of Mrs. Tottendale in Wachusett Regional High School’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Megan has participated in summer vocal programs at Boston Conservatory and Westminster Choir College at Ryder University. She is currently a member of The New England Conservatory Youth Chorale and their select Camerata vocal ensemble as well as her high school's Honors Chamber Choir. She was also recently selected for the Massachusetts’ All-State Festival Chorus. Megan will again represent Massachusetts as a first-round finalist in both the high school-aged classical and musical theater divisions of the 2016 Classical Singer Vocal Competition in Boston, MA this spring. She is a student of soprano Jane Shivick and a junior at Wachusett Regional High School. Emily Damasco (mezzosoprano) Mezzo-soprano Emily Rose Damasco, age 15, is a 10th-grade student at Bayard Rustin High School in West Chester, Pa. She has been studying voice since the age of 6 and currently takes vocal lessons from Margaret Caldwell-Blanchard. At age 8 she performed in La Bohème with the Atlantic Coast Opera Festival in the children's chorus with a small solo. Emily has performed in lead roles in Opera Delaware, including the role of Martha in Charlotte's Web and Cousin Hebe in HMS Pinafore. Other performances include Violet in High School Musical 2, Lumière in Beauty and the Beast, and the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz–all performed as a member of the Stetson Middle School Drama Club. Emily placed 1st place in the Tri-County Youth Festival, 1st place in NATS ( Philadelphia Region), 1st and 2nd round in Classical Singer Competition and currently placed in Districts in the PMEA Competitoin in High School. Emily also studies piano and dance. Her dream is to perform someday at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Gabriela Hernandez (soprano) Gabriela was Born and raised in Colombia, were she went to Colegio Bolivar and started singing in their choir in fifth grade, when she was only 9 years old. At school she participated in al musicals and art performances. Soon afterwards she asked for private singing lessons during her summer, winter and spring vacations, which she had the opportunity to take with Sandra Rivera, at Weston, Florida. In autumn 2014 Gabriela meets Carlos Rojas, lyric baritone, which became her teacher and makes her passionate about classical singing. In June 2015 She decided to continue her high school in Idyllwild Arts Academy, California USA, as it has a major in classical voice. She presently is finishing 10th grade and has been training with Lori Stinson in her school, were she has had several solo performances, and hopefully will spend her junior and senior year also at the academy.

Sophie Horn (soprano) Sophie Amelia Horn, soprano, is a 16-year-old currently living in Fredericksburg, VA. She is a junior at Chancellor High School and enjoys acting, singing, dancing, and playing piano in her free time. Sophie has participated in many musical theatre productions, both with her school and Christian Youth Theater. Some of her favorite roles include Cosette in Les Misérables, Sandra Bloom in Big Fish, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Sophie studies privately with Shaina Kuhn and participates in the top vocal ensemble at her high school. She has been recognized in ACDA district, state, and national choirs, as well as being awarded the Top Vocalist in FFPA’s Young Artist Competition.

Catherine Lynch (soprano) Catherine is a 17 year old Soprano from Savannah, GA. She currently studies with Jillian PashkeDurant at the Savannah Voice Coop. She is a cantor at St. James the Less Catholic Church, and is also a member of their choir. Catherine also cantors at funerals and other church services and events. In addition to voice studies, Catherine studies violin. She is a student of Kerri Sellman at Savannah Suzuki Studio. She assists Mrs. Sellman with the younger students and is a violinist in the Armstrong University Youth Orchestra program.

Jocelyn Purcell (soprano) Jocelyn Purcell is an accomplished soprano vocalist with over a decade of singing and performing experience. At 17 years old, her extensive repertoire includes Classical, Vocal Chamber, Art Songs, Folksongs, and Musical Theatre. A rising high school senior, Jocelyn is a featured soloist in the Chamber Singers and Bel Canto choirs at Campolindo High School. She will sing with her choir in the 2016 Choirs of America Festival this April in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Jocelyn has been a featured soloist in pre-professional youth performing programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jocelyn’s college plans include pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Music Therapy.

Madeline E. Schrock (soprano) Madeline Schrock - 17, is a junior at SJHS. She has been studying voice for 10 years and loves the theatre and opera. She has performed the leading roles of Ariel in Southwestern Michigan College's production of Little Mermaid; Ghost of Christmas Past, A Christmas Carol, First United Methodist Church; Marie/Fairy Godmother, SJHS production of Cinderella; Laurey, in DownState Left's production of Oklahoma, Cinderella in Southwestern Michigan College's production of Into the Woods, Millie Dillmount SJHS production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cosette in Children's Music Workshop production of Les Miserables, Christine in DownState Left's production of Phantom of the Opera, Gertrude McFuzz in SJHS production of Seussical, Gabriella in Twin City Player's production of And a Child Shall Lead and Patrice in 13 A New Musical. She also performed the Pie Jesu from the Faure' Requiem with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She has just given her first Full Length Recital at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, performed "Mein Glaubiges Herz" at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, performed "Bist du bei Mir" at the Kalamazoo Bach Festival and "Pie Jesu" Faure Requiem with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. She has been a member of the SJHS Choir since 2010 and is Women's Ensemble leader and is in the Show Choir . She is an honor student at SJHS and is a past winner of Monday Musical Club scholarship competition. She has been accepted into VOICE EXPERIENCE Camp Voice, Savannah, Georgia 2015, was a master class subject of Sara Gartshore and Jonathan Beyer. Has attended Seminar Music Camp at Western Michigan University. She has studied voice with Mrs. Lorie Kraus for 10 years and Mr. Nicholas Loren for 3 years.

Erich Schuett (cambiata) Erich Schuett www.erichschuett.com (Friedrich) Broadway National Tour, The Long Walk (Martin) Opera Saratoga, Tosca (Shepherd Boy) Chelsea Opera, Amahl, Opera North Thank you to all who have worked and trained me, Ron Raines, Rachel Elizabeth De Trejo, Badiene Magaziner, Craig Wich, Trapper Felides, Thommie Retter, Cindy Kessler, Michael Soper, Jody Prusan/CTC, Terry Barber, Mom and Dad I Love You!

Isabelle Evangeline Scott (soprano) Isabelle at sixteen has received recognition as a capable and inspiring young artist. Her skills at both harp and voice have enhanced her musicianship and strengthened her performing base. Isabelle has been a member in long standing of the Gainesville Youth Chorus where she has been tapped to be soloist in both concert performances and Broadway revues. She is classically trained as a coloratura soprano and loves to perform, welcoming opportunities to compete as well as audition for musical productions. She has been cast as a Ward in Admiralty in The Pirates of Penzance (2014), an Ancestor in The Addams Family (2015) and a Southern lady in Lucky Stiff (2015) at the Orange Park (FL) Community Theater. Isabelle serves as harpist with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Jacksonville University Orchestra. She plans to double major in harp and voice. Beyond the demands of school, family and music, when time allows, Isabelle competes as a Premier Scottish kilted dancer at Highland games.

Benjamin A. Scott (baritone) Benjamin Scott at eighteen is an enthusiast for singing and theater. As a developing baritone, he has been studying classical voice along with being coached in musical theater. Ben has been recognized and selected as a soloist from his choir, the Gainesville Youth Chorus, to perform in concerts and Broadway revues. Since spring of 2014, he has auditioned for and been cast as a pirate in the Pirates of Penzance, an ancestor in The Addams Family, and as bellhop and waiter in Lucky Stiff at the Orange Park (FL) Community Theater. In order to broaden and improve his musicianship skills, Ben began to take pedal harp lessons in spring 2014. His future plans include continuing to study voice and theater craft in preparation for opportunities to take to the stage. One of the most important influences Ben has had on his youth outside of church and family has been his involvement in Boy Scouting in which he has achieved its highest award, Eagle Scout.

Zachary Sebek (tenor) Zachary is in his Junior year of High School and is looking to create a career involving music for the future. Zachary is very invested in the many music activities his High School has and is involved in many other outside programs and groups as well. He also teaches children in the Middle School and Elementary school how to play the saxophone. He has primary been focused on singing in his Church Choir as a Tenor as well as being Tenor in the NJ Allstate Choir and in the Nutley High School Chamber Singers. He also was involved in the Jazz House Kids program and plays his saxophone for small bands in town as well at the Nutley High school Jazz Lab and Big Band. Zach also was the primary soloist for the Nutley Raider Marching band in there show RA where he played the Soprano Saxophone and was also the Saxophone Section Leader. He also was a lead vocalist for a band known as the Newman’s and preformed around his town. Lastly Zach has performed as Anthony in a recent production of Sweeney Todd and as Twimble in a production of How to Succeed In Business without really trying. Zach loves music and all the joy it brings people and hopes to share his talent with the world one day.

Joanna Sellman (soprano) Joanna is a homeschooled junior in high school who is taking dual enrollment classes. She has studied voice for three years and attended Camp VOICE of the Savannah VOICE Festival for the past two summers. She has studied violin since the age of 4 and is a member of Suzuki Strings of Augusta, and Armstrong Youth Orchestra Program, and she also plays viola. Joanna performs in a violin trio with her family members, sings in her church choir, makes hypoallergenic earrings and studies piano. She loves opera, reading, knitting, spending time with friends and family , playing board games and giving attention to her cats. She enjoys watching operas and was hired to perform in Georgia Southern University’s orchestra for their performance of The Marriage of Figaro in April 2016. For the 2016 summer Joanna was accepted and given a scholarship to INterlochen Fine Arts Camp for voice and she is on the waiting list for Brevard Music Center for voice.

Hanna Suddath (soprano) Hanna is a homeschooled junior with The American School. She is an alumnus of the Savannah Children’s Choir, where she had the wonderful experience of singing and touring with the choir for six years, as well as being a camp intern for three years. She is one of the original members of the choir. She also auditioned and participated in the Georgia All-State Chorus from 2011-2013. Hanna is finishing her second year of private voice lessons and was given the opportunity to attend the TeenVOICE Workshop with the Savannah Voice Festival in August of 2014. She was awarded a scholarship from the SFOM organization to attend a summer music camp at Charleston Southern University in June of 2014. She was again awarded a scholarship from the SFOM and the Exchange Club of Richmond Hill to attend the CampVOICE 2015. Hanna auditioned in October of 2014 for the Savannah Music Festival/Savannah VOICE Festival’s production of the operas “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi”, and was cast as a nun in the chorus and as Gherardino, a seven year old boy. These productions took place in March of 2015 at the Lucas Theatre. Hanna will also be singing in the “An Evening of Baroque: Handel, Bach & Vivaldi” with the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra/Chorus and the Savannah Children’s Choir as a special guest alumni soloist in the Vivaldi Gloria on November 19th 2015. In addition to being a vocalist, Hanna is a gifted pianist and has been taking lessons for ten years. During that time, she has received awards for performance and for original compositions and she was able to perform her newest composition at the GMEA Conference in January of 2015. Hanna was also hired as the interim music minister in summer of 2014 at Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill and was an interim music minister recently at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Savannah. She plans to attend Charleston Southern College and major in music ministry.