The Redwood Empire Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing
Presents
The 2025 Singing Festival Recital
Saturday, March 8th @ 7PM
Schroeder Hall inside of the Green Music Center
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
Recital Program
Introduction and Welcome from our president, Cris Walker and board member Larissa Lorenz Waldie.
Congratulations to all the finalists—and to EVERYONE who sang today!
Studying voice and performing in public takes incredible courage and dedication, and each of you should be proud of the hard work you put into preparing and sharing your music.
A heartfelt thank you to Sonoma State University, its faculty, and staff for collaborating with our NATS chapter to make this festival possible.
Huge thanks to our incredible collaborative pianists, whose artistry and support elevated each performance.
We also extend our gratitude to the teachers and volunteers of this chapter for their dedication, and to our adjudicators for sharing their time and expertise.
Today was truly a labor of love, a celebration of music, and a testament to the importance of keeping the arts alive.
Finalists Sing
- John Cassidy – Bright is the Ring of Words
- Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Lyricist: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Work: Songs of Travel (Song Cycle)
- Charlie Giesker – Voi che sapete
- Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Librettist: Lorenzo Da Ponte
- Work: Le nozze di Figaro (Opera)
- Laura Sandoval – Breathe
- Composer & Lyricist: Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Work: In the Heights (Musical)
- Sam Martin – Ideale
- Composer: Paolo Tosti
- Lyricist: Carmelo Errico
- Work: Standalone Art Song
- Ryan Woodard – Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Composer & Lyricist: James Taylor
- Work: Standalone Popular Song
- Whitney Lawson – Monica's Waltz
- Composer & Librettist: Gian Carlo Menotti
- Work: The Medium (Opera)
- Nathaneal Koross – Talking to the Moon
- Composers & Lyricists: Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Albert Winkler, and Jeff Bhasker
- Work: Doo-Wops & Hooligans (Album)
- Kevin Ruiz – La fleur que tu m'avais jetée
- Composer: Georges Bizet
- Librettists: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
- Work: Carmen (Opera)
- Elliot Choate – If I Sing
- Composer: Stephen Flaherty
- Lyricist: Lynn Ahrens
- Work: Closer Than Ever (Musical)
- Gabriel Adelman – Out There
- Composer: Alan Menken
- Lyricist: Stephen Schwartz
- Work: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Musical)
- Pualena Hale – Back to Black
- Composers & Lyricists: Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson
- Work: Back to Black (Album)
- Aidan Cumming – Vainement, ma bien-aimée
- Composer: Édouard Lalo
- Librettist: Louis Gallet
- Work: Le roi d'Ys (Opera)
Guest Performance by the Petaluma Women's Chorus
Director, Sadie Sonntag
Assistant Director, (and tonight's conductor) Mary Jo Teplitz
Accompanist, Lorelei Sikorski
Assistant Director, (and tonight's conductor) Mary Jo Teplitz
Accompanist, Lorelei Sikorski
The Petaluma Women's Chorus brings together women with a broad range of musical experience and skill to learn and perform music that showcases the beauty and strength of women’s voices singing as one. The PWC believes that music plays a vital role in building community and aims to expand access to the musical arts for performers and listeners. By sharing the joy of singing, chorus members demonstrate the power of music to bring people together. PetalumaWomensChorus.org
Presentation of the Scholarship Awards
Scholarship Awards Available
Thelma Dare Ahner Award
Thelma Dare Ahner, a founding member of the Redwood Empire Chapter in 1995, served as its first president for six years. Since then she has served on the board every year, in a variety of roles. Her strength and commitment to this organization is never-ending.
This NATS scholarship was first awarded in 2019.
This NATS scholarship was first awarded in 2019.
Vaida Falconbridge Award
Vaida Falconbridge was the president of the Redwood Empire Chapter from 2010-2018. During that time she did exceptionally important work in inspiring and encouraging voice students and teachers within the organization, managing to keep us always moving forward as a community. This NATS scholarship was first awarded in 1029.
Jean and Jack Sutter Award
Jean Sutter, and the late Jake Sutter, were long-term music supporters in the communities in which they lived. Their lives have epitomized the joy of supporting young people. This scholarship honors their lives. Jean is the sister of NATS member Linda Evans Manuilow. This NATS scholarship was fisrt awarded in 2019.
Penny Pawl Award
Penelope Pawl, a singer and lover of vocal music, has for many years honored student performing artists with academic scholarships in the Napa Valley. With this scholarship, she has expanded her generosity into the North Bay area.
Music to My Ears Award
Music to My Ears, a local music and theater arts education center, is proud to donate two scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional communication skills and a genuine joy in their singing and performance. Committed to enriching both individuals and the community through the arts, Music to My Ears provides quality education in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Learn more at FunMusicLessons.com.
Learn more at FunMusicLessons.com.
Finalist Scholarships
All finalists for this evening's scholarship awards will receive a certificate and scholarship in recognition of their achievement.
If you would like to contribute to these awards or create a new one in honor of someone who has been a beacon of musical inspiration, donate on our website or contact us.
NATSRedwoodEmpire.org
[email protected]
NATSRedwoodEmpire.org
[email protected]
If today's experience inspired you, please consider making a donation to our NATS chapter. Your support helps us continue fostering and uplifting our singing community.
Redwood Empire NATS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 68-0372418.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Please make checks payable to Redwood Empire NATS.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Please make checks payable to Redwood Empire NATS.