Soloists for the 2009 Sing-Along Messiah

	Lyric soprano and choral conductor Carol Menke began her musical studies at the piano with her mother at age five, and at age eight started flute lessons. She entered college with aspirations of a career as a flautist. However, participation in a voice class led to recognition of her superb vocal gifts. Study with Professor Gwen Curatilo nurtured Carol's appreciation of the glorious lieder repertoire. Following graduation from CSU, attendance at the Franz Schubert Institute in Baden bei Wien, Austria, confirmed her passion for the Art Song genre. The young singer was heard in performance many times at the Schuberthaus in Vienna during this period of study with Elly Ameling, Jorg Demus and Norman Shelter. Miss Menke later completed her Master's Degree in Vocal Performance. She studied with Alden Gilchrist for many years and credits her cherished mentor with her extensive knowledge of the Art Song repertoire. Her performances have won the accolades of music critics and orchestral conductors who have commented on her "silvery bright... illuminating voice" and "appealing sweetness of tone." Her repertoire is vast, covering works extending from medieval times to the present; and her expertise in performing difficult, diversified repertoire has made her the soloist of choice for many composers and conductors. Upon hearing her perform one of his newly composed chamber works, the renowned composer Alan Hovhaness acknowledged and praised her "perfect musicianship." Carol maintains a full schedule as teacher and choral conductor in addition to fulfilling her illustrious solo engagements. At Santa Rosa Junior College she teaches voice and music theory classes. The Santa Rosa Children's Chorus has thrived and achieved high praise during Miss Menke's tenure as Artistic Director. Her leadership of the choir at the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa as well as Cantiamo, a distinguished chamber choral ensemble, has served to enrich the musical environment of the area.
	Mezzo-soprano Denise Rich, a Sonoma County resident since age 15, has performed extensively in opera and oratorio, as well as in chamber and solo recitals throughout Northern California. She has performed with Marin Opera, West Bay Opera, North Bay Opera, Sonoma City Opera and others. Some of her roles include Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, Baba in The Medium, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Augusta Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Charlotte in Werther. She has performed solos in Verdi's Requiem, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, St. Matthew's Passion, and St. John's Passion. Denise studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and received private vocal instruction from Carolyn Lewis, San Francisco Opera Principal Donna Petersen, and Robert Delaney. She has a son, Jonathan in the U.S. Marine Corps and a daughter, Corinne who is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. Denise feels blessed to be singing once again after a 7 year absence from the solo stage.
	Tenor Joseph Greaves is thrilled to be home! Having grown up in Santa Rosa and having sung with the Santa Rosa High School Chamber Singers (1995-98) and the Santa Rosa Children's Chorus (1987-1993), Joseph is especially thrilled to be performing the Messiah with two influential musical mentors: R. Daniel Earl and Carol Menke. After graduating from Santa Rosa High, Joseph continued his formal music education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (studying with Richard Miller) and Chautauqua School of Music (studying with Marlena Malas), where he appeared in numerous operas, recitals, and opera scenes programs. Since returning to the Bay Area in 2005, he has performed with Pocket Opera, Opera non Troppo, and as a member of Les Choristes, the professional quartet of Notre Dame des Victoires in San Francisco. Recent performance credits include Handel's Acis and Galatea (Acis), Mozart's Coronation Mass (tenor soloist), and Charpentier's Messe di Minuit (tenor soloist). Joseph lives in San Francisco with his husband (and fellow Chamber Singers alumnus) Benjamin Pither.
	Baritone Eric Westby is delighted to be returning to his hometown for this performance, some 25 years after he first sang under Dan Earl at Santa Rosa High School. Eric has sung with Voices of Ascension, the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, among others. He has performed extensively as an oratorio soloist, including Messiah performances with The Brookline Chorus and the Dunster House Music Society at Harvard University. Recent engagements include Simeon in Debussy's L'enfant prodigue and the Traveler in Britten's Cantata Misericordium with St. Alban's Choir in Los Angeles, as well as bass soloist in Bach's St. John Passion and Handel's Israel in Egypt at Boston University's Marsh Chapel. Currently the bass soloist at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, Eric is also a Senior Producer at KQED, San Francisco's public television and radio station.
	Angel Mariah Thompson is an 11 year-old sixth grader who attends Sequoia Elementary School. She has been a member of the Santa Rosa Children's Chorus under the direction of Carol Menke for almost five years. She also plays the alto saxophone in her school band, marching band, and jazz band. In addition to her love of music, Mariah enjoys basketball, Girl Scouts, acting, spending time with her friends and family, and serving as vice president in her school's student council. She is thrilled to be singing in the Sing-Along Messiah for a second year.
	Angel Lauren Yee is a seventh grade honor student at Rincon Valley Middle School. She has been under the direction of the Santa Rosa Children's Chorus music director, Carol Menke, since the age of six. In addition to singing, Lauren's fine art talents include playing the piano and flute, acting and drawing. She also participates in the Oak Park Otters swim team, school math club, Girl Scouts and church events. She loves the outdoors, cooking, making crafts and spending time with her family, friends and dogs.