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The Altos |
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Paula Brekken, mezzo –soprano, is a native of Casper, WY. Upon completion of a Music Education degree from UMKC she taught for 7 years in the Missouri and Kansas public schools at the middle and high school levels. She is the recipient of the very first Prelude Award given to exceptional music teachers from the Missouri Choral Directors Association, and the Outstanding First Year Teacher Award, given by the Missouri Teachers Association. Currently, Paula is director of music at Crossroads Church in Overland Park and has been a member of the chorale since 2001. In January 2007 Paula had the opportunity to participate in the professional choral workshop in New York through the Carnegie Hall Weill Institute of singing Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” with conductor Helmuth Rilling. She lives in Olathe, KS with husband Mike and their 2 daughters, Sonia 5, and Risa 2. |
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Elaine Carpenter, alto, has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Wichita State University, a Master's Degree of Special Education from Emporia State University, and most recently completed her Administrative Licensure requirements through Baker University. She has sung as a member of the WSU Madrigals, Concert Choir, San Diego Symphony Chorus and the Gulf Coast Chorale. She resides with her husband and three children in Olathe and is an Assistant Principal at Pioneer Trail Junior High. This is Elaine's sixth season with the Chorale. |
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Cassaundra Sutherland, mezzo soprano, is starting her first year with the Kansas City Chorale. She is currently completing her final year at UMKC with a degree in Choral Music Education. Cassaundra has performed and toured with numerous UMKC Conservatory choirs, and has also recently been a member of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus under the direction of Charles Bruffy.
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Meredith Barreth, alto, holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from Florida International University where she served as the graduate teaching assistant for the vocal area. This is her second season with the Chorale. Several roles to her credit include Filia in Jephthah, Carolina in Il Matrimonio Segreto, as well as being a featured soloist for Rutter's Requiem. Meredith taught at the all-girls school, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, F lorida for five years prior to coming to Kansas City. She and her husband Ben are proud parents of Gwen. |
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MLin Sanford, alto, is in her first year with the Kansas City Chorale. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Northern Arizona University. Lin has sung with choruses in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Denver, Arvada and Kansas City. She has done solo work with the Flagstaff Symphony and the choral group Kantorei, including their recording of "Christmas Night". Lin taught music in Denver Public Schools but her passion is early childhood music. She has been trained in Kindermusik and Musikgarten and has taught both programs for over 10 years. Lin works for the music department at Church of the Resurrection and resides in Overland Park with her husband Kelly and two children, Ryan and Lauren. |
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Barbara Meyer, contralto, is beginning her second 25 years with the Kansas City Chorale. One of the founding singers, she also has served on the Chorale Board of Directors. Barbara is employed by Hallmark Cards, is a former choir director for Antioch Community Church, and currently is co-director of Children's Choirs and section leader at Rolling Hills Church. Ms. Meyer is featured on the Chorale's Nimbus CD “Alleluia, An American Hymnal.” Meyer has been a featured soloist with the Kansas City Chorale and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and performed for several years with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. This year she and husband Michael welcomed two new grandchildren into the family. |
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