Sopranos

Sharon  Cooke has been singing with the Alaska Chamber Singers off and on since  2005. Growing up in Arizona, Sharon fell in love with music at an early age and joined a school choir as soon as she was old enough to be allowed in. She continued on to study Choral Music  Education at Northern Arizona University. Currently she teaches middle  school choir, ukulele and home ec. When she in not doing musical endeavors, she likes to spend as much time in the  outdoors as possible.

Kathy Jin Hagen (*soprano section leader) is the ACS accompanist. A private piano instructor, she was a piano major and voice student at George Fox College and received additional training at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. Kathy is active as an ensemble singer, having performed with the Portland Symphonic Choir, Portland State University Singers, Anchorage Opera, and Anchorage Festival of Music. She has appeared as a soloist with the Alaska Chamber Singers and Anchorage Concert Chorus. Her voice can be heard on the children's CD Wee Sing Around the World, part of the internationally popular Wee Sing series.  

Kimberly Hayes moved to Alaska from Arkansas in September of 2016. She currently teaches at Bear Valley Elementary School in the Anchorage School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a vocal emphasis from John Brown University and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education from Harding University both which are located in Arkansas. During her spare time she works for Alaska Missions and Retreats doing mission work around the state of Alaska. Kimberly grew up in a very musical family and music has always been one of the joys in life. She loves to hike, fish, hunt, and enjoy the beauty of Alaska.

Kimberly Martin has been singing as part of the Alaska Chamber Singers since 2000. She enjoys the fulfillment her garden and flower beds provide during the beautiful Alaskan summers. Along with her bachelor’s in education from Eastern Mennonite University, she completed a minor in Music. Kimberley performed with the university’s Chamber Singers for four years under the directorship of Kenneth Nafziger. Currently Kimberly is teaching 2nd grade at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage.  

Gabrielle Pierle is a St. Louis, Missouri native and moved to Alaska in 2016. Gabrielle was encouraged by her music teacher to begin singing with the St. Louis Children’s Choirs in 3rd grade and was instantly hooked. She went on to receive her Bachelors in Music in music education at Murray State University in Western Kentucky where she also conducted the Paducah Youth Symphony Chorus. She is in her fourth year as the choral director at Romig Middle School and West Anchorage High School. She lives in Alaska with her husband, Sam, and their spoiled dog, Archer. 

Meredith Rude was born and raised in Anchorage and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor's degree in music education. She teaches choir and beginning band at Begich Middle School, gives private music instruction and serves as accompanist and youth director at her church. Meredith is an accomplished trumpeter and pianist, and has a knack for learning how to play new instruments. When she's not singing, strumming or blowing her horn she enjoys hiking, running, skiing, and playing with power tools. 

Megan Sandone grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and received her early musical education from Janet Stotts while singing with the Alaska Children's Choir for thirteen years. She received a degree in vocal performance from the University of Puget Sound, and sang as a member of the Anchorage Opera chorus for several years after graduating from UPS. She has been singing with the Anchorage Concert Chorus since 1996. Megan is an attorney and lives in Anchorage with her husband and daughter.  

Emilee Smith started her choir journey right here in Anchorage at West High School. At West, Emilee was very involved with choir and performing in musicals. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Colorado State University and is now very excited to be the choir director at Service High School! When she’s not singing or teaching, Emilee enjoys reading or hanging out with her family and her four dogs.

Stephanie Williams​ sings with the Anchorage Concert Chorus, Alaska Chamber Singers and has recently started her own performance group "Next In Line Productions."  Some of her more challenging solo opportunities have been as the soprano soloist in Poulenc's Gloria with the Anchorage Youth Symphony, as the Queen of the Night with UAA Opera Ensemble and as Geraldine in Barber's A Hand of Bridge with the Anchorage Opera.  Born and raised in Anchorage, she has studied voice at Chapman University in Southern California and locally, at UAA and with Kate Egan.  Though she enjoys operatic roll greatly, her favorite music is that from the Renaissance and Baroque Periods by composers such as Josquin, Palestrina and Bach.  She and her husband James have two funny little girls, Isabella and Brighton.  

Elizabeth Astle grew up in Los Angeles and has lived in seven states and four countries. After saying goodbye to the military she is now proud to call Alaska home for years to come. From Broadway to Barbershop to Opera Chorus to Oratorios she has dabbled in and enjoyed all kinds of singing groups. One very memorable experience includes singing Mahler's 8th symphony with over six hundred musicians including a children's chorus, two separate eight-part choruses and a double-sized orchestra. Elizabeth is now happy to be creating chamber music. She has a degree in music from Brigham Young University and a Master's in International Relations from Georgetown which she uses to teach her four children Spanish and piano and to conduct her church choir. 

Mary Britton arrived in Anchorage in January 2014, welcomed by a display of Northern Lights, quite a sight for someone who had always lived in the Midwest and had never seen them before.  A piano teacher, music therapist, singer and conductor in her past life, Mary is thrilled to have an opportunity to again participate in musical excellence in this, her first season with ACS.  When not making music, Mary can be found volunteering at a mobile food bank and her church, reading, and exploring Alaska with her newly retired husband.  

Ann McDonald Cherrier is thrilled to be joining the Alaska Chamber Singers this year as a new member.  A 20-year teacher in Anchorage, Ann teaches mathematics and coaches running at Wendler Middle School.  Her love of singing and music began in the 4th grade, inspiring her to play the flute through high school. She was a member of the Anchorage Youth Symphony, sang with the Adelphian Choir at the University of Puget Sound, was a student conductor for the Tacoma Children's Choir, and has sung the National Anthem for the University of Alaska, Anchorage for over 25 years. Ann earned her private pilot's license this summer and can be found sharing her love of flying with family and friends in the beautiful state of Alaska.  

Liesl Davenport-Wheeler is a music educator with training in voice, piano and French horn. She studied music at the University of Oregon and received a master's degree in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of Good Dog, a duo performing original songs for kids. Liesl's fondest musical memory is performing in the opera chorus of Carmen at the University of Southern Mississippi with Denyse Graves as Carmen. Liesl is currently teaching music at Trailside Elementary. 

Andrea Gardner, (*alto section leader)  a native Oregonian, was born and raised in Portland. She attended Oregon State University where she received both her Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees. While at OSU, Andrea studied choral conducting, vocal performance, and piano performance and was employed as a collaborative pianist for the music department. After graduating, Andrea taught choir at Ridgeview High School in Redmond, OR and elementary choir with the Youth Choirs of Central Oregon for two years before she made the move to Alaska in the summer of 2016.  She currently teaches choir at Dimond High School in the Anchorage School District. Outside of the classroom, Andrea enjoys playing with her dogs, Coda and Forte. 

Mary Klebs started singing with the Chamber Singers in 1995, shortly after moving to Alaska.  She took a 10-year hiatus while her children were small, but rejoined Chamber singers in the 2015-16 season.  Mary grew up singing – at home, at church, in school – and enjoyed many high school and college performances, tours and competitions.  Singing with the Chamber Singers has been the most rewarding musical experience for her.  Mary’s heart is her family – daughters Alli and Lexi, and her church family.  Mary works in the commercial HVAC industry and is currently attending school for massage therapy. Mary enjoys spending time with her daughters, traveling, gardening, hitting the gym, and taking scenic walks.

Amanda Myers moved to Alaska in August 2021 from Hangzhou, China, where she taught Elementary Music and Drama at Hangzhou International School. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Amanda began her singing career in John Day, Oregon, singing in church and participating in the Grant Union High School and All-State Honor choirs. She went on to attain her Bachelor of Music from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, specializing in Voice with a minor in Theatre. As a section leader in the EOU Chamber Choir, she was able to tour both nationally and internationally. She began teaching the Union County Children's Choir in 2008 and has taught voice ever since. Amanda lives with her husband, Matthew Baxter, and their beautiful daughter. Amanda enjoys adventuring to new places with her family, and otherwise making her life a musical. 

Jeremy Austin grew up in Southeast Alaska in a largish family of classical and folk musicians, studied music pedagogy in British Columbia, and taught privately until 2018 in the Interior of Alaska. French horn, piano, voice, and arranging are particular passions. His second career as a senior network engineer at Alaska Communications still leaves him time to enjoy singing, supported by his wife and two musical teenagers.

Musically, Jack Britton considers himself primarily a cellist with vocalist inclinations. He has played cello in the Columbus, Mississippi Symphony and the Indiana University Southeast Orchestra, holding the principle position for 8 years. Vocally, he was privileged to participate with the Columbus, MS Madrigal Singers as well as the Louisville Thoroughbred Chorus Barbershop chorus, being a participant for 3 medals in International competition.   His professional work includes 20 years as an AF pilot having flown the RF-4 and C-130 and 24 years of international flying with UPS. Jack and his wife, Mary, moved to Anchorage in 2013 after 30+ years in Louisville, KY. 

Mark Iverson is a charter member of the Alaska Chamber Singers.  His 53 years of choral singing began in his mother's church choir and includes the USAF Academy Cadet Chorale, which he joined so he could stand at ease for a few hours each week.  He has also performed with the Anchorage Opera, the basically Bach Festivals, Anchorage Summer Music Festivals and the 25th Statehood Anniversary Russian Choir.  He recently retired as an IT project manager after having been employed within the Alaska oil industry for 39 years.  

Dustin Jorgensen has been singing as long as he can remember. He grew up in Wyoming, where he participated in his high school Jazz, Contemporary and Chorale Ensembles. After four years in the Navy, Dustin moved to Washington State, where he sang with the South Puget Sound Community College chorus, in which he met his wife Lauren. He has lived in Alaska for over 10 years, the last six of which have been in Anchorage. Dustin has sung locally with the UAA Opera Ensemble, the Anchorage Opera chorus and the Midnight Sons A Capella Chorus. Dustin has performed in numerous musical theater productions; highlights include Dickon in The Secret Garden, Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof and soloist/ensemble member in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Forbidden Broadway.

Jim Powell (*tenor section leader) is one of the few remaining Chamber Singers who sang our first concert. His singing began in high school, continued at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) and through law school in Ann Arbor. His Alaska singing debut was in Fairbanks with the Messiah tenor solos in 1964. He then continued with those solos for the next 20 years in Anchorage. He practiced civil trial law for 40 years in Anchorage, and now runs a B&B in Turnagain. He is frequently seen on his bike or flying his Cessna at Merrill Field.

Bardon Simons grew up in Seattle where he received his early musical training-playing violin in school orchestras. Seeking new outlets for musical expression while at Whitman College, he joined the college madrigal and concert choirs and performed as a chorus member in college opera productions. Since moving to Anchorage in 1985, he has sung with the Anchorage Concert Chorus, Anchorage Festival of Music, Anchorage Opera, and National Symphony Orchestra during its 1992 Alaska tour. Bardon enjoys gardening and reading history and biographies when taking a break from his job as business manager for a commercial real estate development firm. 

Mark Skrade was born in Anchorage, grew up in Ireland, and moved home to Alaska in 2010. An interest in singing began while he was attending Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and is now an avocation in Anchorage. In addition to the Alaska Chamber Singers, Mark has performed with the Anchorage Opera Chorus in four productions, with Cyrano’s Theatre Company in one musical, and sang in his first Community Messiah right after the 2018 earthquake. He is grateful for these experiences and for the opportunity to learn in Kate Egan's studio. Mark is a cantor at Holy Family Cathedral and is proud to work for Matson at the Port of Alaska. 

Mark S. Bledsoe (*bass section leader) has been a fixture in the Alaska Chamber Singers’ bass section since 1996.  He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Willamette University College of Music, where he majored in organ performance.  Mark performed with many of the musical ensembles there.  He has become a familiar face in the Alaska choral music scene, having sung over the years with not only the Alaska Chamber Singers, but also with the New Madrigal Singers, Basically Bach Chorus, the Anchorage Opera Chorus and the Anchorage Concert Chorus.  We recently asked Mark what he thought about Bach and the Baroque.  He thought for a minute and looked up from his bowl of soup.  He stated that he enjoys Bach’s music, and didn’t think it was broke.  It just has too many notes, so he usually leaves some out, he said.  Then he returned to his soup.

Ken grew  up in rural upstate New York and began musical training at an early age.  He received his education first at a local community college, and then  at the New England Conservatory  of Music in Boston majoring in vocal performance. Ken has had the good  fortune to perform with The Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Pops  Orchestra, The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at The Casals Festival, and  in various New England music festivals. He  later obtained both his degree in biological anthropology with honors  and his law degree while in New England. He joined the Alaska Chamber  Singers in August 2020 and has been a member of the Anchorage Concert  Chorus since 2017. Ken has lived in Anchorage  for over 25 years where he has practiced law, has five children (ages  16-30), and is an avid outdoor person who really enjoys fishing,  hunting, gardening, and continuing to learn new things.

Tim Fosket has been singing all his life and can't seem to stop; he has performed in 46 states and five Canadian Provinces. In Anchorage he has been a member of the Alaska Heritage A Cappella Choir, Batteries Not Included, Anchorage Concert Chorus, the Russian American Colony Singers, Anchorage Opera, Next in Line Productions and now, after a long break, is returning to Alaska Chamber Singers. He moved to Alaska from Seattle where he sang with the Seattle Men's Chorus and Esoterics; prior to that he sang with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in Boston. It all started in high school when a music teacher told him to let go of the cello and join the choir. Secretly he still misses that cello.

Andrew Gonzalez is an Alaska transplant from the midwest who has been involved with music nearly his entire life playing the piano, french horn, and singing. He began voice lessons in high school and sang in the Iowa All-State Chorus and Dubuque Julien Chamber Choir. He went to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he sang in the Nordic Choir under Dr. Allen Hightower touring the British Isles. Since college he picked up the ukulele, mandolin, spoons, and a little melodica. He is loving Alaska and is thrilled to be a member of the Alaska Chamber Singers. Andrew is a researcher at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Lyndon Harder has been immersed in choral music since his grade school years. He sang in his high school varsity chorale, college choir in England, and his university's glee club. Numerous church choirs around the country have counted Lyndon as a member. Lyndon has soloed at US government, military, and college events, as well as at weddings and smaller functions. Prior to returning to Alaska in 2004, Lyndon sang with the Augusta Choral Society, Georgia. Lyndon is an analyst with the U.S. government. This follows a U.S. Army career, after which Lyndon and his wife returned to Alaska to make it their permanent home. In addition to singing, Lyndon enjoys photography and high performance computer design and building. 

Jon Rippe grew up in Northern Virginia and started singing at a very young age.  He discovered chamber music in high school, and had the pleasure of touring Europe with The Sound of America Honor Band & Chorus after graduating in 2004.  From his late teens into his early 20's, he sang with over a dozen different choirs and musical ensembles ranging from jazz quartets to 100+ voice chorales.  After enlisting in the Air Force, Jon took a 6 year hiatus from singing, but is glad to be back on the scene with Alaska Chamber Singers.  On his free time, Jon likes to rock climb, mountain bike, and run up mountains.  He plans on staying in Alaska indefinitely and is looking forward to experiencing everything the state has to offer. 

Guy Schwartz is a transplant from the prairies of North Dakota where he learned to appreciate music under the watchful eye of a very musical family.  His mother is an accomplished pianist/choral director who insisted on piano, band and voice lessons for a young "guy" who just wanted to play football or wrestle.  He grew up singing in countless church choirs, high school choirs, as well as many weddings and funerals.  After graduating with an engineering degree from the University of North Dakota he moved to Alaska over 30 years ago and didn't look back.  Guy has been a long-time member of the Anchorage Concert Chorus and Russian American Colony Singers (RACS) and is looking forward to singing with Alaska Chamber Singers after hearing many of their spectacular performances over the years.