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(Link to Previous Soloists)
JEANNE
EREKSON, Soprano
Jeanne Erekson, a native of Virginia, began
singing at the age of fourteen with a Northern Virginia youth choir, “Voices of
a New Day”. She sang with this choir for four years—the last two of which she
sang solos in the spring concerts. After studying voice privately, Jeanne
auditioned for the music program at George Mason University, where she had
multiple performance opportunities. In May 2007 she graduated with a Bachelor
of Music in Vocal Performance with highest honors. After graduation, Jeanne performed
with the family cast in the Nauvoo Pageant in Nauvoo, Illinois. In October 2007
she had her most memorable performance as she sang at a memorial service held
at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. Jeanne recently
moved to Utah to further her vocal career.
HEATHER
ARMSTRONG, Soprano
Heather
has studied classical and belt vocal techniques with Katie Hill and Mary
Driggs. She has an undergraduate degree in art from the University of Utah, and
a graduate degree in communications from Westminster College. She currently
works as the Senior Graphic Designer for Children’s Miracle Network, a
non-profit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals.
www.heatherarmstrongdesign.com
KAREN BARKER,
Mezzo-Soprano
Karen Barker cherishes her experiences in the Cottonwood Heights Messiah
and will always be grateful to Elizabeth Palmer for the opportunity and the encouragement for "regular choir people"
to be soloists. Karen's vocal training has mainly taken place while singing in choirs. She has learned from many great conductors
through the years, both in church and in school, and presently sings Alto in The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Karen would like
to thank her family for being willing participants in the Cottonwood Heights Messiah. Her husband, Dave, and sons,
Ammon, Dallin, and Kimball have all been in the choir while her daughter, Jana, has played flute in the orchestra. One more
daughter, Kira, will one day be apart of this wonderful experience.
Dave Palmer is Chief of
Otolaryngology at St Mark's Hospital since 1996 and maintains an active ENT
practice. His special interests include care of the professional
voice. He has been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir since 1998. He
played trombone in numerous bands and orchestras for many years before he began
his medical training, including playing 1st trombone in the 23rd Army
Band. He is married to Elizabeth Palmer and has five children and three
grandchildren.
Mark holds music
minor degree from Utah State University in instrumental music. He played low brass
instruments in the USU Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band and participated in the
USU Alumni Band until a move out of state. Mark was a member of the USU Choral
and Sounds of Zion at Utah State. He also was a member of the Utah Chamber
Artists for six years. Music has provided the opportunity for Mark to travel to
Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Israel, and many places in the United States. He has
enjoyed participating in several small vocal groups – singing all types of
music. Mark holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in
Instructional Technology from Utah State. He is the husband of Jan Atkinson
Bradley and the father of two children, Alylaura and Ian.
ERIN
MORLEY, Soprano
Soprano Erin Morley, originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, joined the
Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program for the 2007-08 season, and
made her Met Opera debut in Manon Lescaut
and Peter Grimes in February 2008. She
returns this season to sing Masha in The
Queen of Spades, and to cover Woglinde and Waldvogel in the Ring Cycle. Ms.
Morley studies voice with Edith Bers.
September
2006 marked Ms. Morley’s debut with the New York City Opera; as Sophie in the
Trio from Der Rosenkavalier for the
2006 Gala Benefit, and as Giannetta in L’Elisir d’Amore. During the
summer of 2007, Ms. Morley sang Laoula in Chabrier’s L’Étoile with Wolf Trap Opera Company, and returned in summer 2008 to
sing Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos.
Ms.
Morley has performed in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall;
and has been featured as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago
Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s,
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Utah Symphony, and Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
She won 1st Place in the Licia Albanese - Puccini Competition of
2006.
BRENDA PETRU, Mezzo-Soprano
Brenda Petru sang in choirs throughout
high school, including twice in the All State Choir for Idaho, and once for All Northwest Choir. An actress at heart, she
played Marian in "The Music Man" and Eliza R. Snow in "Zion". She began writing music at age 17, and at age 19, with her father's
encouragement, she produced an album of original Christian Contemporary songs. She traveled around Utah and Idaho speaking
and singing at youth firesides until she left on a mission for the LDS Church. Her touring included singing at Abravanel Hall
in Salt Lake City for the LDS Booksellers Association Convention. When she returned from her mission, Ms. Petru married and
started a family. "It has been a very long time since I have sung for more than just my babies, but I am excited to be back
in the thick of it," she says. Her first solo in the Messiah Oratorio is this 2008 performance.
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