Singers
A native of Holly Pond, Alabama, Meredith completed her graduate studies in Vocal Performance at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Following her teaching and studying in Florida, she moved to Kansas City and began singing with the chorale in 2007. She now considers herself a proud Midwesterner. When she isn’t singing, she enjoys being with her husband, Ben, and her three children: Gwen, Zeke and Romy.
Paula, a native of Casper, WY, joined the Chorale in 2001. She graduated from UMKC in 1995 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. Paula teaches choral music at Olathe Northwest HS, leading the sophomore girls’ choir. In January 2007, she was chosen to participate in the St. Matthew Passion under the direction of Helmuth Rilling at Carnegie Hall. Paula serves as music director at Crossroads Church. She is happily married to her husband Mike, and they have three daughters: Sonia, Risa, and Becca.
Katherine holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from St. Olaf College, where she sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong. Originally from Minnesota, she is a former member of the Ensemble Singers of VocalEssence.
Paul Davidson joined the Chorale in 1995; he was a soloist on All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff) and Passion Week (Grechaninov). He was guest cantor with the Cecilia Ensemble in Augusta, GA, for its North American premiere of Dobri Hristov’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (I), and a recent soloist locally for the William Baker Festival Singers and Musica Sacra. He works as a singer at Kantorei of Kansas City, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Joanna Ehlers completed her graduate studies in voice performance at UMKC in 2008 and has lent her voice to many of the region’s fine choral ensembles, joining the Chorale in 2019. As an emerging artist on the opera stage, Joanna recently performed with Lawrence Opera Theater (Roméo et Juliet) and Spotlight on Opera (L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, La Traviata) Joanna is a choral scholar at historic St. Mary’s Episcopal in Kansas City, MO. She resides in Independence, MO with her family.
Philip is the Choral Music Director at George Caleb Bingham Middle School in the Independence School District. Philip received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2009 from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He is the assistant director of the Young MAIster Singers and leads worship at Birchwood Baptist Church in Independence. Philip is married to Chorale photographer Jana Marie.
Frank graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. As a soloist, Frank has appeared in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Johannes-Passion (Evangelist). Frank also performs with the vocal ensemble Prometheus and serves as their webmaster. During the day, he excels as a technology professional and consultant, specializing in Macintosh computers and application development. Frank loves living in KC with his wife, fellow Chorale singer Lindsey Lang.
Baritone Patrick Graham is a Lee’s Summit, Missouri native. He completed a Bachelors in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri (Go Tigers!) and a Masters in Vocal Performance & Literature from the Eastman School of Music. He maintains a performance career in theatre and concert work, along with work as a director and arts administrator. By day, Patrick serves as the Artistic Director for First Act Theatre Arts. Patrick is a movie buff, a diehard Chiefs fan, and a lover of all dogs.
Originally from San Jose, CA, Daniel lives in Lawrence, KS and recently began studies for a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Kansas. He received his Bachelor’s in Music and Master’s in Education at Truman State University and studied under Dr. Thomas Hueber. He performed in the premier ensemble Cantoria, as well as Chamber Choir and University Singers. He is a member of Kantorei of KC and tenor section leader at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church.
Erin earned her voice performance degree from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. She joined the Chorale in 2008 and has been a featured soloist with Owen/Cox Dance Group, local opera productions, top Kansas City jazz musicians, and the top big band at University of Colorado, all while earning her master’s in music education. Her world music experience includes singing and dancing in a West African Highlife Ensemble and in the Balkan brass band Gora Gora Orkestar.
Known for her bold interpretations of early music, Lindsey performs frequently with orchestras nationwide. She sings with the ensembles Sacabuche!, Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, Voices of Prometheus, and was featured at early music events in Bloomington, Berkeley, New York, New Brunswick, and Ecuador. She earned a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri and studied at the Early Music Institute in Indiana University. She is the Director of Music at Asbury UMC.
Melanie joined the Chorale in 2005. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Univ. of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Millikin Univ. Her performing credits include Lady Psyche on the Newport Classics recording of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida, and roles with Ohio Light Opera, Knoxville Opera, and Opera New York. Melanie is the Director of Worship Arts at Leawood UMC. She lives with her husband Brian and children Caleb and Anna in Overland Park, KS.
Soprano Ariel Morris lives in Lawrence, Kansas. She earned her B.M. in Voice Performance from Indiana University and sang with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus before moving to Kansas. Ariel teaches at Americana Music Academy. She sang “Queen of the Night” in Landlocked Opera’s 2020 production of Die Zauberflöte and sang with Prometheus, a Choral Arts Association of Missouri ensemble, in 2021. Ariel has performed in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Quebec, New York, and Italy.
Bryan is an Associate Professor of Voice at Kansas State University. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from UMKC and was an Ellen Battell Stoeckell Fellow at Yale University. He served as Manager of Performance Operations and Direction for the Emmy-winning Olympic Opening Ceremonies in 2014 & 2016. Bryan performance career includes solo recitals at Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center. He was a featured soloist at the grand opening of the Kauffman Center in 2011.
Julia has performed with groups including NewEar Ensemble, KC Puccini Fest in the title roles of Tosca and Madama Butterfly, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Spire Chamber Ensemble, and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City as a principal artist and chorus member. Julia was a semifinalist in the 2005 Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. She appears as the alto soloist on the Chorale’s album Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, which Gramophone magazine described her voice as as being “the genuine article."
Bryan joined the Chorale in 1991. He is the Director of Traditional Music & Worship Arts at Liberty UMC and Founder & Artistic Director of the Liberty Community Chorus. He received a Bachelor’s in Music Education from William Jewell College and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from UMKC. Bryan performed annually with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers at Carnegie Hall and is the SWACDA Music in Worship Repertoire & Standards Chair. He and his wife Lanette have three children: Lauren, Renee, & Caleb
Originally from Sioux Falls, SD, Alyssa received her Bachelor of Arts in vocal music from Augustana University and her Master of Music from University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. When she’s not singing, she enjoys teaching voice lessons, cooking, watching The Office, and spending time with her husband Alex and two cats, Oliver and Polly.
Pamela earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. She is the Choral Music Director at Olathe Northwest High School and is on the music staff at Grace United Methodist Church. Pam is in her 26th season with the Chorale and is a featured soloist on several Chorale recordings. She also sang in the Robert Shaw Festival Singers in performances at Carnegie Hall. Pam enjoys spending time with husband Brett, and their sons, Jack, Avery, and Cole.