Rise Up Chorus Presents "Meet the Musicians‪"‬ hosted by Matthew LaPine

In this 15th episode of "Meet the Musicians", guest host Helen Kernizan (Rise Up Chorus's Youth Chorus Director) interviews Brittney Boykin. Composer and Concert Pianist Brittney Boykin (B.E. Boykin) is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating from Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Ms. Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She continued to compose music during her time at Westminster and was awarded the R & R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating. In May of 2013, Ms. Boykin graduated from Westminster Choir College with a M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies.

Among her professional endeavors, Ms. Boykin has also been featured as the conductor/composer-in-residence for the 2017 Harry T. Burleigh Commemorative Spiritual Festival at Tennessee State University. Ms. Boykin’s instrumental and choral works are currently being published and distributed through her own publishing company, Klavia Press. She is currently pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in Music Education from Georgia State University.

"Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

In this episode, Helen Kernizan, the Youth Chorus Director of Rise Up Chorus, guest hosts "Meet the Musicians". This is the 14th episode of "Meet the Musicians" and the fourth episode in our series that delves into issues surrounding race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. In this episode, Helen interviews the Brandon Waddles, a vibrant musician who is a respected singer, conductor, and composer.

Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements have been published and performed by choral ensembles around the world, including the Morehouse College and University of Michigan Glee Clubs, Oakwood Aeolians, Westminster Choir, Brigham Young University Singers and the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir. In 2019, he was awarded as the inaugural recipient of the ACDA Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant. In addition, he has worked as a transcriber of Black gospel music for numerous choral octavos, hymnals and hymnal supplements published by GIA, including his recent work as a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism hymnal. Brandon recently released Just In Case You’ve Forgotten, the first selected compendium of works by the late Thomas Whitfield, the subject of his dissertation.

Brandon has been blessed to work with a diverse array of musicians including Dalton Baldwin, Martin Katz, Angela Brown, George Shirley, Donnie Ray Albert, Vinson Cole, Fred Hammond, Kathy Taylor, Anita Wilson and Chrystal Rucker. Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi, he has collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple occasions, including her Nina & Me concert series and LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE show-run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Dr. Waddles holds professional memberships with the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.

In this 13th episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, host Matthew LaPine has an energetic conversation with musician, Diane Bruce. Violinist Diane Bruce performs regularly at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center with the American Symphony, American Composers Orchestra and American Ballet Theater, among others. She spends her summers playing with the Chautauqua Symphony where she is Principal Second Violin. She has played for many Broadway shows, including Les Mis, An American in Paris and The King and I, as well as the  the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and  Encores at City Center.

Diane received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from the Juilliard School.

She maintains a teaching studio in Metuchen, NJ, where she teaches violin and the Alexander Technique, https://www.dianebruce-alexandertechnique.com.

When not performing or teaching Diane enjoys swimming and biking, gardening, meditation and playing fetch with her indefatigable Whippet.

"Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

We again welcome our guest host Helen Kernizan, the Youth Chorus Director of Rise Up Chorus, to "Meet the Musicians". This is the 12th episode of "Meet the Musicians" and the third episode in our series that delves into issues surrounding race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. In this episode, Helen interviews the incredible Elisabeth (Lis) Stevens, a classically-trained singer and educator.
 
Elisabeth “Lis” Stevens @iamlisastefani, founder and Principal teaching artist at Studio LIS Voice brings a combined level of knowledge and experience that few can boast. Her performance credits include the Metropolitan Opera, Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Teatro Verdi di Sassari, and other world stages in Italy, France, China, Austria and across the US.
 
 2020 saw the launch of her innovative Quarantine Sing! Program @studiolisvoice to support singing artists in cultivating a calm mind, a peaceful spirit and renewed energy and commitment to the voice and career through the pandemic and beyond. The program offers singers the opportunity to study intensely and perform for international audiences through digital platforms, while also singing in masterclasses for industry professionals including artist managers, conductors, and opera administrators.
 
 In addition to teaching and singing, Ms. Stevens is the author of Perfect Practice: A Journal for Singers (@perfect.practice.singing on Instagram), published in 2020 . This exciting tool will help singers develop and maintain healthy practice habits that will advance their technique and artistry beyond the studio, making them independent, consistent, confident artists. Order your copy of Perfect Practice at http://perfectpractice.studiolisvoice.com @perfect.practice.singing on Instagram.

Learn more about Studio LIS’s programs and apply for upcoming opportunities at www.studiolisvoice.com

"Meet the Musicians" is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

In this eleventh episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, host Matthew LaPine has an energetic conversation with musician, Markos Kandilis. Markos is a multi-faceted performer, native Jersey Boy, and proud Greek-Italian American. The endless support of his family and community led him to an early entrance into the world of professional performance as a chorus member of the Metropolitan Opera House of New York City at the age of ten.

His love and skill in performing were developed by participating in every choir, play, and musical available to him throughout his time in high school and at Westminster Choir College. He earned numerous accolades and leading roles, catching the attention of Royal Caribbean Productions who cast him as a Featured Soloist, Vocal Captain, and Headliner for their renowned fleet of shows.

After seven years of performing at sea, Markos returned ashore to progress his career and life on land. He regularly trains with experts in the realms of voice, acting, and movement to sharpen his skills and enhance his performances in the booth and on the stage.

You can learn more about Markos or collaborate with him through his website, markoskandilis.com.

"Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

In this tenth episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, our host Matthew LaPine again welcomes our guest host, Helen Kernizan, who continues our series of conversations discussing the issues of race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. Helen is Rise Up Chorus’s Youth Chorus Director, and she teaches music at the Township of Ocean Intermediate School in Ocean Township, NJ.

Born in Southern California and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Carrie Compere attended Trenton public schools and graduated from Trenton Central High School. She briefly attended Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ.

She began acting professionally in 2010 and has both stage and TV/Film experience. A few productions include:
Broadway:The Color PurpleHoller If Ya Hear MeOff-Broadway:DaddySistas the Musical.1st National Tour:The Color PurpleShrek the MusicalFilm/TV“Many Saints of Newark” (2020)“Dead Men Tell No Lies” (2020)“The Crew” (Netflix)“City On A Hill” (Showtime)“Manifest” (NBC)“New Amsterdam” (NBC)“Seven Seconds” (Netflix)“NYC 22” (CBS)“Show Boat: Live at Lincoln Center” (PBS)Carrie is a wife of 22 years to her husband, Jerry, and a mother of their two children, Isaiah and Pneuma. Carrie continues to work as an actor but her most important job and commitment remains that of a wife and mother.

Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.