SOPRANO 1
Shannon Rae is a graduate of Brigham Young University with 2 degrees, including a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Shannon has performed extensively as a concert artist, with the early music ensemble Musica Reservata and currently as a resident artist with St. George Opera. Her opera experience includes lead roles as Adele in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Hero in Berlioz’ Beatrice et Benedict, and Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Shannon is an Authorized Vocology in Practice Instructor, long time member of NATS and as a Professor of Voice, has taught at BYU, USU and currently stands with the voice faculty at SUU and DSU. As owner of Shannon Rae Vocal Studio, she is celebrating her 30th year of teaching and is passionate about coaching singers in Southern Utah and internationally. Shannon is thrilled to be a part of the St. George Chamber Singers family.
Rachel Cox has spent her life pursuing beautiful music. She holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from BYU with a minor in Choral Conducting and sang with BYU Singers for 7 years. She then completed post-graduate opera studies at the AIMS Institute in Graz, Austria. Upon returning to St George, UT, she helped found the St George Chamber Singers and, later, the St George Children’s Choir- a 40 voice classical children’s choir which she conducts. Rachel is an active classical soloist, voice teacher and recording artist. She can also frequently be seen on musical theater stages at Tuacahn Amphitheater, St George Musical Theater and Kayenta Center for the Arts. Rachel is married to tenor, BJ Cox, and together they have four children who only occasionally cover their ears and shout, “Stop practicing!”
Laura Snow has a master’s degree in vocal performance and pedagogy from Brigham Young University where she was the 2011 Female Singer of the Year and the 2012 Concerto Competition Winner in voice. While there, she also appeared as The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Héro in Béatrice et Bénédict, and Josephine in HMS Pinafore. At the Atlantic Music Festival in Maine, she played Konstanze in Die Enführung aus dem Serail, Gilda in Rigoletto, the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, and was the soloist in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since moving to St. George, Laura appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with The Southwest Symphony, Sister Margaretta and Maria in The Sound of Music with St. George Musical Theater, Madame Herz in The Impressario with St. George Opera, and various other solo recitals and performances.
Kari Van Sickle has loved singing her whole life. She sang in children’s choirs when she was little, went to Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan when she was a middle and high schooler, and received a degree in Music with an emphasis in voice from Brigham Young University where she was in the operas and sang in the choirs. Since graduating she has sung professionally with the Utah Opera as a member of the chorus, and has sung with the Cantorum Chamber Singers, the Lux Choir, and the Deseret Chamber Singers. She also has always liked school, and so she double majored during her undergrad, and also has a degree in Statistics and received a Masters of Public Policy from Brigham Young University. Finally, for good measure, she received her Juris Doctorate degree from the J. Ruben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Kari loves her husband, is grateful for his support, and is thrilled to be a part of the St. George Chamber Singers family.
SOPRANO 2
Mindy Bird enjoys playing the piano and guitar, and began voice lessons in adulthood. She discovered her love of choral singing in the 9th grade and has sung in women’s chorus, concert choir, chamber, and a trios throughout high school and college. She has been a member of St. George Chamber Singers since 2017. She has taught children’s music in her church and sang multiple musical numbers for her congregation. She has a wonderful husband and 5 active children, with whom she goes mountain biking, hiking, pickleball-ing, and swimming.
Corinne Beard is a returning member to St. George Chamber Singers and is thrilled to be back creating beautiful music with them. She received her Bachelor’s of Music degree from Dixie State University with an emphasis in piano performance where she performed as a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, and collaborator, while also singing as a member of chamber and concert choirs. She has also played as a keyboardist in pit orchestras at Tuacahn Amphitheater and Dixie State University. As a pianist, she has been teaching private piano lessons in Southern Utah for over ten years and lovers inspiring young musicians to experience the beauty and fulfillment that music can bring into their lives. Outside of music, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, exercising, reading, and caring for her three children alongside her husband.
Natasha Johnson joined the St. George Chamber Singers at the beginning of 2020. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Snow College with an emphasis in Commercial Music, as well as a Master of Music in Music Technology degree from Southern Utah University. Natasha enjoys singing a variety of genres. During her time at the university, she had the opportunity to perform in operas, jazz combos, a rock ensemble, and of course, various choirs. While she finds working as a soloist offers lots of new and exciting challenges, choir will always be her first love. Some of the more “exotic” choir gigs she has had the opportunity to participate in include performing at “Comic Con” and “Star Wars: Live” concerts in Salt Lake City and singing with Josh Groban’s backup choir in his 2013 “In the Round” and 2016 “Stages” tours.
Mary Wilde has been a member of the St. George Chamber Singers since it’s second season. She previously sang with the Minnesota Chorale (the symphonic chorus of the Minnesota Orchestra), World Voices, and the Radio Choir for NPR. She has had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of projects and professional productions, such as Verdi’s Aida, Mahler’s Symphonies, and world premier pieces composed and conducted by Eric Whitacre. Wilde has also done solo performances and recordings, including a series at Grace Episcopal Church benefiting the local soup kitchen. She is the president & co-founder of the St. George Children’s Choir. She and her husband are parents to 8 sons, who also enjoy and actively participate in music. Professionally, Dr. Wilde is a pediatrician and owner of Imagine Pediatrics, a consulting practice focused on child behavioral issues.
ALTO 1
Ann Hatch grew up in a home brimming with music and has loved singing since she was little. She was taught voice lessons while growing up by her mother, who taught voice for over 30 years, then continued taking lessons from others as an adult. She has played the flute and piano since elementary school. Ann sang in her high school’s choirs in Salt Lake City, then sang for 4 years under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred with the University of Utah Singers, soloing as well. With that choir, she went on 3 month-long tours through Europe for international choral competitions. After moving to St. George, Ann was a soloist in the Southwest Symphony’s production of The Messiah. Ann has taught voice lessons at home, and enjoys sharing a love of music with her husband and three kids.
Amelia Gull began studying music at the age of 6, when she began private piano lessons in Knoxville, TN and continued her piano studies under Lucinda Duncan and JoAnn Jones in Cedar City, UT. Throughout her K-12 years, she participated in the National Federation of Music Festivals and received the 5th (Grand) Cup in Piano Solo and 4 Superior Cups in Piano Duet. In high school, she won 2nd place in the State NFMC Stillman Kelley Piano Competition. During her Music Minor in college, she performed with the SUU Concert Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphony. She has taught piano to students ages 3 to 72 and has been involved with music extensively at her church, as both a chorister and as an accompanist on the piano and organ. She has been a member of the St. George Chamber Singers since Fall 2019.
Linda Heikkila has been teaching choir in the Washington County School District for 10 years. She currently teaches at Crimson Cliffs High School, Washington Fields Intermediate School and prior to that, Fossil Ridge Intermediate. Linda has a background that includes dance, theater and music and has played piano from the age of 5. She holds a Bachelors Degree of Theater Education from BYU, a Bachelors Degree of Music from DSU and a Masters Degree from Western Governors University. Linda has sung in the BYU Women’s Choir, the DSU Chamber Choir, the Vocal Jazz Project, and the Lieto Community Choir. She was also a member of the BYU Ballroom Dance team, which toured Europe. Linda has 6 children and 15 grandchildren. She is thrilled to be a member of the St. George Chamber Singers.
ALTO 2
Mindi Barker has been extensively involved in music for over 35 years. She began composing piano music when she was 12 years old and has written over 30 pieces. She was a member of Alta High School’s Jazz Choir and Madrigals, participated in All State Choir, was an MC and soloist in a school district performing group and performed in multiple school plays. She has been a piano teacher, school music teacher, organist, and accompanist. She was a member of “We Also Sing!” and “We Also Sing South” Choirs under the direction of Merrilee Webb and her defining moment was singing a solo of “Savior, Redeemer of my Soul” in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. She has been happily married for 25 years and has six children. She loves hiking, running Ragnars, reading, playing basketball, exercising, skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and watching BYU football!
Miranda Evans has a bachelor’s degree in choral music education, and graduated from BYU in 2019. While at BYU, she was actively involved in the choirs, and took several years of voice lessons, as well as taught occasional voice lessons. She began conducting the choir for A Voice for Good, an auditioned community-based choir in Provo, Utah. She was the music director for A Voice for Good for 4 years before moving down to St George. Although it was hard to leave, she’s very excited to be part of the St George chamber singers and to continue in this next musical adventure. While choirs are her main passion, they are not her only musical interest. Miranda also plays the flute and a bit of the trumpet and clarinet. She and her husband, Sam, met in the marching band at BYU, where she played the piccolo.
Melissa Hinton is a Southern Utah local, raised in Cedar City. She plays piano, violin, sings, and has performed in musical theater since childhood. Melissa has conducted choirs, has been a musical director for local theatres and has recorded with Utah’s Clive Romney for the Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts. She has been a soloist throughout Utah and the surrounding states for multiple featured performances, including countless choral works. She has been with the St. George Chamber Singers since its inception. Melissa is a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner in specialty practices of Pain and Addiction, Family, and experience in Pulmonary Medicine. Melissa and her husband, Shawn, have lived in St. George for almost 30 years. They have 5 talented children and 5 1/2 grandchildren.
Amy Warby began performing as a child when her dad took her with him to an audition. Her passion is musical theater with favorite roles inlcuding Donna (Taffetas) & Momma Flinders (Saturday’s Warrior). She is both conductor and performer and has been involved with over 20 musical theater productions throughout her life. Amy loves to work with children and has taught music to children in many capacities. She has always enjoyed participating in band, choir, and voice lessons and truly loves singing each week with St. George Chamber Singers. Amy and her husband Nathan have 4 children and one daughter-in-law and work together caring for children at their home daycare.
TENOR 1
Jon Brinton grew up playing the cello and developed a great love for classical music. As a boy he participated in the Utah Symphony Youth Guild and attended the symphony regularly. As a teenager he enjoyed playing in the Utah Youth Symphony Orchestra and singing in his high school choirs. While an undergraduate, he sang for four years as a tenor in the Harvard University Choir. As a choir member, he toured Europe, recorded several CDs, and performed sacred choral music and hymns every Sunday during worship services at the Harvard Memorial Church. Jon loves listening to all kinds of choral and classical music. He especially likes organ music (particularly anything by Bach) and enjoys playing hymns on the organ.
BJ Cox is a dentist practicing in St. George. He has sung and soloed with fine chamber choirs including BYU Singers, Deseret Chamber Singers, Lexington Chamber Chorale, and the St George Chamber Singers. Versatile in many styles, BJ has competed in the International Collegiate Barbershop Competition and with Kentucky Vocal Union. Favorite musical theater credits include: Peter (Lamb of God), Robin Hood (Robin Hood), The Baker (Into the Woods), Curly (Oklahoma!), and Billy (Carousel). However, BJ loves singing with his wife, Rachel, most of all.
Jim Laudie grew up in a musical family, learning piano and violin from an early age. Studying with Nancy Allred and Paul Pollei, piano became a serious focus through high school: a highlight was competing in the 1996 Gina Bachaeur and winning the Piano Teams division. He is always looking for a Messiah or Lamb of God production to accompany on violin. While pursuing an engineering degree at BYU, the choirs were his outlet. Jim sang in the BYU Men’s Chorus under Mack Wilberg and Rosalind Hall, and met his wife Emilie while singing in the BYU Concert Choir. Jim plays the organ, has led church musical groups, and is grateful to sing with the St Chamber Singers.
Chris Leonard is a conductor, composer, soloist and teacher. He holds a BA in Music Education and runs the choral programs at both Snow Canyon High School and Middle School. An active composer, Chris’s arrangements and original compositions have been performed across the state. A long time Barbershop fan, Chris is also the conductor of the Southern Utah chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
TENOR 2
Jared Davis has loved music his entire life. At an early age he learned to play violin and piano and enjoys music in a wide range of styles. A sought-after musician, Jared has conducted choirs, accompanied soloists and groups and has been featured in over 30 musical theater productions. Jared serves on the Chamber Singers board as the Technical Specialist and has enjoyed the opportunity to expand his musical interests as a member of the St George Chamber Singers.
Roger Hale (Assistant Conductor) joined the faculty at Dixie State University in August of 2014. He received a Bachelor of Music Education (2001) and Masters of Choral Conducting (2006) from the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education and Conducting from Florida State University (2009). Dr. Hale studied closely with John Cooksey, André Thomas, Kevin Fenton, and Clifford Madsen. Dr. Hale is Director of Choral Activities at DSU where he conducts the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Men’s Chorus. He is a sought-after clinician and guest conductor. His research interests include using technology in the classroom for a more engaged rehearsal. His teaching load includes Advanced Choral Conducting and Choral Literature. He enjoys living in the St. George area with his wife KayDe and their five children.
Andy Powell was invited by a music mentor to sing in church at the age of thirteen. His soul was stirred and he has been singing ever since. He has studied privately and been in choirs at every level of school and eventually earned a vocal performance degree from Brigham Young University. He has soloed with Southwest Symphony and been in productions with St George Musical Theatre. He is currently enjoying singing with the St George Chamber Singers. Andy is married to Jann Madsen Powell and is the father of three amazing children, Ben, Katie and Anna.
Matthew Tenney enjoyed several musical avenues growing up, including private piano and viola lessons, performing with the Utah Youth Symphony, the Orchestra at Temple Square, the American West Symphony and Chorus, and his high school madrigal choir. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Brigham Young University and a masters degree in arts Administration at the University of Cincinnati. He has led church musical groups for many years, including conducting a full production of the Messiah. He is grateful for the opportunity to sing with the St George Chamber Singers.
BASS 1
Bryndon Hatch has been in the Saint George Chamber Singers for 3 years and featured as a soloist multiple times. Bryndon loves to sing with his wife, Ann, in the choir. They have been singing together for nearly 15 years, including as part of the University of Utah Singers when the choir won the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in 2006 in Telosa, Spain. Bryndon received a minor in vocal performance from the University of Utah. He has held lead roles in multiple musicals, including Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Bernardo in West Side Story. He was sad to miss his debut as Judas in The Lamb of God this year due to the pandemic. Bryndon and Ann have three children. Bryndon practices as a physician in Saint George, specializing in physical medicine & rehabilitation.
Dan Sadler began singing in children’s choirs at the age of 8, in his hometown, Pittsburgh. Dan played trombone for twelve years in school concert and jazz bands, brass choirs and orchestras. Friends introduced him to the St. George Chamber Singers and he immediately recognized the quality and dedication of the St George Chamber Singers. He hopes to help more people discover and hear the choir, so that there will be even more eager supporters.
Ronnie Williams, aka “the Ronster,” was recently hailed by IFCM (International Federation for Choral Musicians) as the leading vocalist of his generation. Soaring beautiful tenor notes with powerful baritone notes is only one feature of Ronnie’s vast talent. If asked, he will rap any nursery rhyme on the spot with a beat so sick you’ll go home with the flu. In quieter moments, Ronnie can be caught busting a dance move in his trademark bright silver baseball pants. He loves visiting Knott’s Berry Farm in California where a deep love of Westerns was cultivated into his soul. Ronnie works at Buffalo Wings, where because of his trademark personality, they decided to change the name to Buffalo Wild Wings. He’s currently involved heavily in musical theatre in the Southern Utah area because Broadway shut down. He’s been in Best of Broadway 2, The Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Spongebob: The Musical. You can catch Ronnie on the flipside because that’s how this homie rolls.
Mark Robertson, co-founder of St George Chamber Singers, has been a life-long singer and supporter of the Arts. His participation in the Arts includes membership in the BYU Oratorio Choir and the Southwest Symphonic Chorale as well as many performances with the St. George Musical Theater including leading roles such as George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, and the Stage Manager in Our Town. Prior to founding St George Chamber Singers, Mark sang with Lieto Voices for 10 years and served as both president and board member for the organization. Mark has performed in Carnegie Hall under esteemed director John Rutter and has assisted local youth choruses for over ten years.
BASS 2
Nate Holman has always loved music and performing. He attended undergraduate school on a performance scholarship with Southern Utah University’s premier performance group Acclamation. In one year he performed in over 100 shows across the country and internationally. His junior and senior year he performed at Carnegie Hall with SUU’s chamber choir Opus. He attended medical school at the University of Utah and made time to be involved in a barbershop quartet and conducted choirs at church. He enjoys playing the piano and is currently studying the violin. This is his third year singing with the St. George Chamber Singers.
Clint Jarvis discovered his love for singing when he started performing with the Sunshine Generation Kids at the age of 5. Since then, he has participated in dozens of choirs and small groups including show choirs, jazz ensembles, musicals, boy bands, quartets and collegiate chamber groups. He also grew up playing the violin and was able to compete in the national fiddlers contest. One of his favorite musical highlights include recording a CD with group of missionaries and performing musical firesides throughout Southern California. His favorite activities include canyoneering, hiking and jumping on the trampoline with his kids.
Nathan Warby has loved music and singing from childhood. His musical mother encouraged him and through middle and high school he loved participating in bands and choirs. He has enjoyed being part of musical theater from high school, through college, and beyond. Some of his favorite roles include Coline (La Boheme), Smudge (Forever Plaid), and Papa Flinders (Saturday’s Warrior). He spent years as part of the a cappella group “Uncalled Four” and loved the many performance opportunities this afforded. He has enjoyed being part of chamber choirs at SUU and BYU, and is grateful for the experience of singing with SGCS. He currently attends the preschool and daycare run by his lovely wife, Amy.