GUEST ARTISTS
Messiah Highlights 2019
Clara Hurtado Lee, soprano
Clara Hurtado Lee's warm and brilliant soprano voice and skilled dramatic interpretations shine on opera, oratorio, recital, and musical theater stages throughout the Intermountain Region and abroad in Italy.
Some recent oratorio performances include solo work in; Brahms' Requiem and Britten's Te Deum with the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra at Temple Square, Dan Forrest's Lux: Dawn from on High, Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Bach's St Matthew Passion and Haydn's Creation with Salt Lake Choral Artists, Berlioz' Romeo and Juliet with the Utah Symphony, and Handel's Messiah with The Oratorio Society of Utah.
Clara enjoys an ongoing collaboration with tenor, Isaac Hurtado and Italian pianist, Antonio D'Abramo. In October the trio performed on the Temple Square Concert Series. In 2018 they performed concerts for the Pergolesi and Rossini societies in Italy.
Some of Clara's opera roles include; Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Mimi and Musetta in La Boheme, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Gilda in Rigoletto, Pamina in The Magic Flute, and Micaela in Carmen.
Clara has Bachelor and Master degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. She is currently on a leave of absence from her Doctoral degree in Music and from her Adjunct Professorship at UVU. Clara resides in Draper, Utah with her husband and four children. She serves in the Tabernacle Choir and teaches voice lessons.
Aubrey Adams-McMillan, mezzo-soprano
Aubrey Adams-McMillan is a Utah native with an active performance and teaching career. Hailed for her artistry and beautifully balanced tone, she enjoys a career in opera, art song, early music, chamber music, musical theater, and oratorio. Aubrey teaches at Westminster College in Salt Lake City and recently accepted the position of Assistant Choral Director. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Master of Music from the University of Utah.
Brian Stucki, tenor
Quickly distinguishing himself with a voice that the Salt Lake Tribune declares is “heaven sent,” Brian Stucki joins Florentine Opera for his first performances of Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and the Phoenix Symphony for Mozart’s Requiem in the 2016-17 season. He also joins the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for Beethoven’s rarely performed dramatic oratorio Christus am Ölberge. Last season, he made debuts with the San Francisco Symphony singing Handel’s Messiah and the Houston Symphony in Schumann’s Der Rose Pilgerfahrt. He also sang his first performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Handel’s Judas Maccabeus with Boise Baroque.
Among his other recent engagements is his international debut as Ferrando in Così fan tutte with New Israeli Opera; Glass’ The Fall of the House of Usher with Polish National Opera; Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Compañía Nacional de Opera at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City and in Tijuana, and Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Opera Fuoco. He has also sung Nadir in Les pêcheur de perles with Seattle Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Utah Opera and Syracuse Opera; Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Colorado and Arizona Opera; Ramiro in La Cenerentola with Pacific Opera Victoria, Michigan Opera Theater, and North Carolina Opera; Lindoro in L’italiana in Algeri with Utah Opera; Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Princeton Festival; Roméo in Roméo et Juliette with Arizona Opera and the Bar Harbor Music Festival; the Chevalier in Dialogues of the Carmelites; Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Piedmont Opera; and Der Geliebte von Morgen in Weill’s Royal Palace at the Bard Music Festival.
An accomplished oratorio soloist as well, Mr. Stucki’s recent performances on the concert stage include Haydn’s Creation with Boston Baroque and Utah Symphony, Mozart’s Mass in C Requiem, and Mass in C minor with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and his Avery Fisher Hall debut as Achicham in Hiller’s The Destruction of Jerusalem as well as his Carnegie Hall debut singing Spohr’s Die letzten Dinge and Fanny Mendelssohn’s Musik Für die Toten der Cholera-Epidemie with the American Symphony Orchestra and sang Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Milwaukee Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, and Acadiana Symphony in Louisiana. He has previously joined the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Handel and Haydn Society, Virginia Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic, and Mormon Tabernacle Choir for Handel’s Messiah; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Bruch’s Flight into Egypt with Pacific Symphony, and Music in a Sacred Space for Mozart’s Requiem, Utah Symphony and Mormon Tabernacle Choir for Evangelist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Handel’s Utrecht Jubilate and Holst’s Psalm 86 at the Deer Valley Music Festival; and both the Waukegan Symphony and Bach Chorale Singers for Mozart’s Requiem. While at Indiana University, he joined the Chamber Orchestra and Choir for both Lukas in Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten and Uriel in Die Schöpfung.
Mr. Stucki holds a Master of Music from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music from Brigham Young University. Additionally, he is a former member of the Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artists Program. Also an accomplished cellist, he has released a recording of Rachmaninoff works on the Tantara label.
Robert Brandt, baritone
Robert Brandt is Assistant Professor of voice at Brigham Young University where he teaches Vocal Pedagogy and French Diction. He earned both a BM and MM in Vocal performance at BYU followed by a doctorate in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. While at IU he studied with renowned soprano and teacher, Costanza Cuccaro. Prior to joining the BYU faculty in August of 2014, he taught for 7 years at the University of Delaware.
His special love as a performer is the art song repertoire. He was a finalist in the 2014 Mary Trueman Art Song competition, winning the Pierre Bernac prize for best French song performance. Other performances include Schubert’s Winterreise with pianist Roger Vignoles, a recital of Mendelssohn and Schumann lieder at Mendelssohn’s former home in Leipzig, Germany, an all-French recital, a recital featuring American song composers, and several performances with the Serafin String Quartet.
In addition to his work as a recitalist, Robert has had success performing both opera and oratorio. Operatic credits include Michele in Il Tabarro, Demetrius in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Mandryka in Richard Strauss’s Arabella.
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Dr. Brandt’s students have consistently performed well at NATS chapter and regional auditions, are consistently accepted into prestigious summer and graduate programs, and have had professional success on operatic, concert, and Broadway stages. He delights in helping aspiring singers realize their potential and discover how their unique gifts can create value for others.
Messiah Highlights 2022
Melissa Heath, soprano
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Soprano Melissa Heath enjoys a varied career in opera, concert and recital work. Hailed as a “soaring, sparkling soprano” with “vivacious stage presence”, past roles include Amy in Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Marianne in Tartuffe, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, and First Lady in The Magic Flute. Ms. Heath has also frequented the concert stage as the soprano soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ German Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42, Howells’ Hymnus Paradisi and in the Fauré and Rutter Requiems. Ms. Heath has been a state finalist and district winner in the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions. In 2012 and 2014, she was a regional finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s biennial art song competition.
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In 2010, Ms. Heath was the soprano soloist in Ballet West’s production of Carmina Burana, John Rutter’s Mass of the Children with the Salt Lake Choral Artists and in Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata with the Salt Lake Symphony. In 2011, Ms. Heath sang the title role in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea with the University of Utah’s Lyric Opera Ensemble, and Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto with La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy. She also performed Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock with clarinetist Robert Walzel and pianist Jeffrey Price as part of the Sundays@7 concert series at the University of Utah. 2012 performances include Carmina Burana with the Alpine Masterworks festival, Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras with the University of Utah’s Performing Dance Company, the title role in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah with the University of Utah’s Lyric Opera Ensemble, soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 with the Lyceum Philharmonic and Sterling Singers, and a solo performance with the Orchestra at Temple Square. In 2013, Ms. Heath’s performances included Mendelssohn’s Psalm no. 42 with the Alpine Masterworks festival, a solo performance with the Salt Lake Symphony, the role of Nanetta in Verdi’s Falstaff with the University of Utah’s Lyric Opera Ensemble, and her premiere performance with the Utah Symphony, under Maestro Thierry Fischer, in Nielsen’s Symphony no. 3. Performances in 2014 have included Micaëla in a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen with Concerts at the Presidio in San Francisco, Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Utah Valley Symphony and Wasatch Chorale, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra, and Handel’s Messiah with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and also with the Utah Symphony. Upcoming performances include Mozart’s Requiem with the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra and Haydn’s Creation with the Salt Lake Symphony.
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Ms. Heath, whose singing has been described as “gorgeous, wonderfully expressive, lyrical and infused with feeling,” received her Bachelor’s degree in voice from Brigham Young University, where she studied with Drs Rebecca Wilberg and Lila Stuart-Bachelder, and sang for four years with BYU Singers. She holds an MM and a DMA in voice from the University of Utah, where she studied with Dr. Robert Breault. She currently teaches at Utah Valley University.
Macey Quigley, mezzo-soprano
Macey Lou Quigley is a recent graduate of Weber State University’s Vocal Performance Program, where she was classically trained for six years. Macey has a passion for singing. She has performed in many opera scenes, two full-length operas at Weber State University (Le Nozze de Figaro and Dialogues of the Carmelites), as well as a performance of Into the Woods. Macey is thrilled to be sharing her voice in this production of Messiah.
Cliff Sharp, tenor
Cliff Sharp has been singing in community productions of Handel's Messiah since he was in 7th grade in Montezuma Creek, Utah. His mother would take him and his brother to rehearsals in Blanding on Sunday evenings – driving 40 miles each way. Cliff was then left to stumble through the hardest music he had ever seen. This continued until he graduated from Whitehorse High School and moved to Delta, Utah. Now living in Morgan – and having sung at least 15 more Messiah performances in Idaho Falls, Logan, Delta and Ogden since then – Cliff counts his time spent learning and practicing this masterwork as a continuously defining event in his life.
Cliff has been a resident of Morgan for more than seven years and is excited to be able to participate in the presentation of this musical masterpiece as a soloist for the Morgan Valley Arts Council this year. He studied instrumental and vocal music at UVSC (now UVU) and Utah State University, and he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics from Utah State. Cliff has performed with the Utah State Choral Ensemble, Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, Idaho Falls Sounds Summer Musicals and Sounds Choir, the Millard County Oratorio Society, and the Sun Valley Chamber Singers in Sun Valley, Idaho.
He is currently a member of the WSU Alumni Singers in Ogden, Utah. Cliff shares a love of all things music with his beautiful wife Sarah and their four children, Nadia, Brandon, Ben, and Caleb.
Bill Wiser, bass
Growing up in Bountiful, Utah, Bill Wiser found his love for singing in his early teenage years when he began to develop a rich bass voice. Recognizing his talent and
commitment to the art, his supportive parents were more than willing to pay for private voice lessons during his years at Bountiful Junior High, Viewmont High School and Weber State University.
During Bill’s time at Viewmont High, he developed a love for classical music and opera through his participation in State Solo and Ensemble – earning superior ratings all three years. Bill also enjoyed singing Broadway and contemporary styles in the VHS choral and theater departments. Bill was also a soloist in a musical production about the life of Joseph Smith, performing at the Pages Lane Theater in Centerville, in which he sang the part of the Prophet.
Upon graduation from Viewmont High, Bill was awarded a vocal scholarship at Weber State University. Performing in both the Concert and Chamber choirs, Bill continued to develop his voice with various vocal coaches including Evelyn Harris, Jane Fjeldsted, Kenneth Jones, and Greg Duffin. The years spent in the music program at Weber State were truly a great educational experience and continued to help Bill progress as a singer.
Upon finishing a business degree in Information Systems Bill started work at Focus Services, a local company located in Ogden, Utah, Bill was made aware of an opportunity to join a new choir, created by retired WSU professor Evelyn Harris, named the Weber State Alumni Singers. Bill has been singing with this choir for over 20 years, and he continues to appreciate the opportunity to keep music active in his life.
Now living in Hooper, Utah, with his amazing and supportive wife Lisi and their four children, Bill continues to work in the IT field for Focus Services where he is currently filling the role of CTO. Having always loved opportunities to accept new challenges, Bill continues to perform whenever possible. Most recently he was invited to be the baritone soloist in Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah, performed at the Ogden Tabernacle.
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Bill will forever be grateful for the many teachers, directors, friends, and family that have spent time encouraging, supporting, and enjoying music with him.
Lamb of God Highlights 2023
Morgan Poll
Martha
Morgan is a mother of two beautiful girls. She loves music in many different forms but especially enjoys musical theater and classical styles. She learned to love choral music in chamber choir at Bonneville High School and met her husband singing in Choralaires at the LDS Institute of Weber State University. Some of her favorite musical experiences have been performing at The Church Administration Building and singing the national anthem at various sporting events. She has called Mountain Green home for 6 years and is delighted to be a member of the Morgan Valley Chamber Singers.
Chris Toone
Peter, the Apostle
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Christopher (Chris) Toone came to singing quite naturally. His mom is a professional musician and his dad is a fine singer. Music was always heard in his home, and the radio was on in his car. His grandparents also instilled in him a love for music.
Just after high school, Christopher was accepted as a performance missionary at the church’s historic site in Nauvoo. There, his talent grew as he performed in the musicals and plays presented to the visitors. He loved being able to share his testimony through song. Christopher has studied voice with Tory Beck and is currently with Nancy Hansen.
He has sung the National Anthem several times at the Utah Jazz Games and at the Olympic Speed Skating Nationals. He has sung many times for community events and won 2nd place at Bountiful’s Got Talent. But his favorite performances have been singing in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in semi-professional productions of Lamb of God, where he has sung the part of John once, Thomas three times, and Peter twice.
Christopher is married to Amanda Young, and they have two young daughters. They currently live in Centerville and are happily close to family. His cousin, Amber Farmer, is also singing as Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in this production of Lamb of God.
Amber Farmer
Mary, mother of Jesus
My maiden name is Toone, so naturally, our family was musical, including my extended family. I grew up surrounded by music - my parents were always involved with choirs, bands and musicals. The extended Toone family sang any time we were together. I have played the piano for almost 40 years and have been singing that entire time, mostly along with the radio! I am thankful that my love of music has been passed on to my 3 children. Nothing makes me happier than watching them perform!
Kelti Palmer
Mary Magdalene
Kelti has sung in choirs throughout her life starting in Middle school. She was the soloist in her high school chamber choir as well as the Utah chamber voices. Mostly, she performs for her five kids as she serenades them in the car on the way to their many activities.
Abby Beattie
Concert Master
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Abby Beattie is a violinist and string educator in Morgan Valley, Utah. She earned a bachelor's degree in string education from BYU-Idaho in 2004 where she studied with Ted Ashton and Monte Belknap. Since then Abby has taught privately and is the owner of Mountain Green Strings Studio. She is a founding member and has been a violinist with the Chamber Orchestra Ogden since 2012. Abby has also performed as a featured soloist with the MVCO and the Vivace Ensemble.
In 2013, Abby joined the Morgan Valley Chamber Orchestra as their conductor and music director and has been instrumental in its growth from 15 musicians to three full community string ensembles that perform regularly in the valley. In 2015, she became the program director of the newly-formed Morgan Valley Strings Program, a nonprofit bringing string education to Morgan’s middle schools. Since then the MVSP has grown into a successful four-year afterschool program.
Abby loves to compose and arrange music for her beginning to advanced groups, and these ensembles have performed many of her works over the years. In 2021, she published the Dynamic Strings Method Book and has used it successfully in her private studio as well as with the MVSP.
Abby is the mother of five children, ages 7-17. She also loves hiking, home improvement projects, reading, board games, and lemon meringue pie.
Doug Ball
Solo Cellist, role of the Savior
Doug was born and raised in Boise Idaho. His father, a music teacher, introduced him to the cello and the love of music as a child. He majored in cello performance at Boise State University before changing to mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University. He continued to play cello throughout college, soloing with the BYU chamber orchestra; after graduation, he performed solos with several community orchestras as well as playing in the Orchestra at Temple Square for nine years. Doug finds the most profound and expressive cello music, and an outlet for the things of the soul, are the works of Chopin (Sonata in G Minor), Shostakovich (Concerto #1), and Ernest Bloch (Schelomo; a Hebraique Rhapsody). Performing Come Thou Font of Every Blessing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was one of the most moving musical and spiritual experiences in which he's participated-- it brought the Savior's love alive.
Lisa Largent Wright
Narrator
Lisa Largent Wright has been a resident of Morgan Valley since February 1988. Lisa’s love of music was kindled early by her parents and their vast, eclectic record collection. She grew up listening to everything from Jazz, Big Band and Broadway Show-tunes to an assortment of Classical music. Many nights while growing up Lisa would crank up the stereo, put on a Broadway original cast recording and sing her heart out. Lisa’s sister and only sibling Cathy was her primary musical inspiration. Even though they are 10 years and 1,000 miles apart, Cathy and Lisa are the best of friends. In high school and college, Cathy would let Lisa tag along with her to musical theater and choir rehearsals. She inspired Lisa to study piano and voice early on. Lisa is married to Kelly Wright and the two of them enjoy playing the piano and flute together, especially if it’s just the two of them at home.
Karl Reeder
Narrator
I began my musical experience taking piano lessons from my grandmother Louie Ada Freeman Reeder. The next experience was in seventh grade at South Ogden Junior High school. I joined the band playing the alto saxophone under the direction of Mr. Evans and Mr. Doctor. I attended T. H. Bell Junior High school for eighth and ninth grade still playing the alto saxophone under the direction of Mr. Jessop. I attended high school at Bonneville High school and again under the direction of Mr. Evans and Dr. Doctor. I was asked to play the bassoon which I declined. They then asked me to play the alto clarinet and I accepted. I continued to play the alto saxophone in the pep band, marching band, and the jazz band. In my senior year I tried out for the concert choir and to my surprise passed the audition and sang baritone. I was still in the band. I went on a mission. I came home and my younger brother was singing the Mormon Youth Chorus and I joined before Christmas and was invited to sing in the Christmas program. My audition took place in January and I was singing bass under the direction of Dr. Jay Welsh. I have sung with various ward and stake choirs and was in the choir for the dedication of the Ogden Temple. When Emily Pfeifer moved into the Rosehill Ward she asked me to be a narrator and has used me in that capacity from time to time.
Messiah Highlights 2023
Lamb of God Highlights 2024
Cassidy Bunker
Martha
Bio coming soon!
Mandi Bloxham
Mary Magdalene
Mandi is extremely honored to be singing with Morgan Valley Singers and so excited to be able to perform music that is very near and dear to her heart! Her past credits have been primarily in musical theatre, with some of her favorite projects including Into the Woods (Cinderella), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), and The Phantom of the Opera (Meg Giry). She is now living out her lifelong dream of making magic at Walt Disney World. Mandi would like to take this opportunity to thank her family for all of their love and support! Love y’all bunches!
Messiah Highlights 2024
Tiana Shelley
soprano
Bio coming soon!
Kate Becker
soprano
Kate Becker is a fake opera singer. By fake I mean her audience consists of two snoring dogs and her symphonic accompaniment is directed by YouTube karaoke. She shamelessly used a vocal scholarship to pay for her bachelor’s in Mathematics and Data Analytics (she had to pay out of pocket for her Master’s). Degrees which were much more conducive to her career in Federal and County Government. On weekends you can find Kate FaceTiming with her sons and granddaughters, working on her laptop, keeping her mutts in the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed, and attempting yoga.
She moved to Morgan in January when appointed Morgan County’s Administrative Manager. She absolutely loves her County Team and is grateful they tolerate her quirks.
Kate hopes you enjoy this amazing community ensemble and all the work that went into tonight’s performance. Especially, Wayne Miller from the Enterprise Ward who took such good care of us.
Kinsey Hales
soprano
Kinsey Hales, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Morgan with her husband, a Morgan native, and their two daughters. Although she graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, singing and performing have always been her true passion. A six-time member of the Kentucky All-State Choir, Kinsey also took on prominent roles in musicals, most notably as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She was named one of the New Voices playwrights for the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville for her short play, Seven Steps to the Guy of Your Dreams. Kinsey later served as a Nauvoo Performing Missionary in 2016 and, in 2022, sang with a choir of Nauvoo Performing Returned Missionaries for The Promise of Christmas, a production by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kinsey is truly honored to be a featured soloist in this year’s production of The Messiah and hopes it becomes an annual tradition.
Lamb of God Highlights 2025
Jessica & Danny Kilgore
Narrators
Bio coming soon!
Doug Wilkinson
Judas
Bio coming soon!
Taylor Smith
Thomas, the Apostle
Bio and picture coming soon!
Bobby McConnell
False Accuser of Jesus
Bio coming soon!
McKell Hadlock
Damsel, Witness against Peter
Bio coming soon!
Elizabeth Redding
Maid, Witness against Peter
Bio coming soon!
Messiah Highlights 2025
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Larry Evans
baritone
Originally from Concord, California. Relocated to Morgan from Pine Valley, Utah/ Las Vegas, Nevada in 2021. Began playing the piano by ear at the age of three with much love and encouragement from my parents and eventually also gained a passion for vocal art. I feel truly blessed for my musical journey. Currently studying voice with the accomplished Tony award winner Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller. Studied voice at BYU with Margaret Woodward. Performed with BYU Acapella Choir under the direction of Ralph Woodward. Performed with the Mormon Youth Chorus. Currently a member of the American Festival Chorus under the direction of Craig Jessop. I’ve been fortunate to have been involved with many musical events through the years with one of the most memorable being chosen for a back up choir for Andrea Bocelli. I retired from American Airlines as a Flight Attendant after 35 years of service. I’m grateful to my spouse Kevin who has always been my greatest supporter and blessing in life.
Janelle Franke
mezzo-soprano
Janell Franke was born and raised in Sherwood, Arkansas. She has always had a love of music and singing. She took piano lessons when she was young, band and choir in junior and high school, and she graduated from University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree to teach elementary music. Though she only taught for a few short years in the public school, she is currently teaching piano lessons, which she enjoys very much. While watching the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on the screen many years ago, she had a sudden thought that had never occurred to her before. She immediately leaned over to a friend and said, “One day you just might see me singing up there.” She wasn’t living in Utah at the time, but that opportunity came and she was accepted into the Choir in 2010. In 2012, a gentleman came along and swept her off her feet, became her husband, and moved her to Pocatello, Idaho. Her choir experience was halted for a time, but they were able to move back to Utah and she was accepted back into the choir in 2022 and is still currently serving in the choir. She loves being able to sing to her 9 year old daughter, and teach her daughter piano lessons and music theory.
Mattie Heiner
soprano
Music has always been a meaningful part of Mattie Heiner’s life. Classically trained and a longtime choir member, she has recently rekindled her love for performing and found immense joy in returning to the music that has always felt like home.
When she’s not singing, Mattie enjoys spending time with her family and running her crochet business, Harry&Frankie Designs, where she creates handmade pieces inspired by love, laughter, and creativity. She’s thrilled to be part of this year’s performance of Handel’s Messiah and grateful for the chance to share such timeless music with the community.
Lamb of God Highlights 2026
Brandon Lindley
Cello Soloist (Voice of the Savior)
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Bio coming soon
Jessica & Danny Kilgore
Narrators
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Bio coming soon
Larry Evans
Pharisee
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Originally from Concord, California. Relocated to Morgan from Pine Valley, Utah/ Las Vegas, Nevada in 2021. Began playing the piano by ear at the age of three with much love and encouragement from my parents and eventually also gained a passion for vocal art. I feel truly blessed for my musical journey. Currently studying voice with the accomplished Tony award winner Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller. Studied voice at BYU with Margaret Woodward. Performed with BYU Acapella Choir under the direction of Ralph Woodward. Performed with the Mormon Youth Chorus. Currently a member of the American Festival Chorus under the direction of Craig Jessop. I’ve been fortunate to have been involved with many musical events through the years with one of the most memorable being chosen for a back up choir for Andrea Bocelli. I retired from American Airlines as a Flight Attendant after 35 years of service. I’m grateful to my spouse Kevin who has always been my greatest supporter and blessing in life.
Taylor Smith
Thomas, the Apostle
​Taylor was born into a musical family. His mother taught him how to sing 3 part harmonies with his siblings at very young ages and he began studying classical piano at age 5. He is a multi-instrumentalist and enjoys various diverse genres, but classical/sacred work will always be his first love. Singing the part of Thomas has been a dream since he first saw Rob Gardner conduct the Utah Symphony and Spire Chorus with the original cast at the Ogden premiere in 2011.
Cliff Sharp
John, the Apostle
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Cliff Sharp has been singing in community productions of Handel's Messiah since he was in 7th grade in Montezuma Creek, Utah. His mother would take him and his brother to rehearsals in Blanding on Sunday evenings – driving 40 miles each way. Cliff was then left to stumble through the hardest music he had ever seen. This continued until he graduated from Whitehorse High School and moved to Delta, Utah. Now living in Morgan – and having sung at least 15 more Messiah performances in Idaho Falls, Logan, Delta and Ogden since then – Cliff counts his time spent learning and practicing this masterwork as a continuously defining event in his life.
Cliff has been a resident of Morgan for more than seven years and is excited to be able to participate in the presentation of this musical masterpiece as a soloist for the Morgan Valley Arts Council this year. He studied instrumental and vocal music at UVSC (now UVU) and Utah State University, and he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics from Utah State. Cliff has performed with the Utah State Choral Ensemble, Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, Idaho Falls Sounds Summer Musicals and Sounds Choir, the Millard County Oratorio Society, and the Sun Valley Chamber Singers in Sun Valley, Idaho.
He is currently a member of the WSU Alumni Singers in Ogden, Utah. Cliff shares a love of all things music with his beautiful wife Sarah and their four children, Nadia, Brandon, Ben, and Caleb.
Dugan Brunker
Peter, the Apostle
​Dugan is honored to have the opportunity to sing as Peter in this production of Lamb of God. Though he is more often found on the stage doing song and dance in more mainstream musical theater, he is blessed and overjoyed to bear testimony through such a beautiful score as we celebrate the story of our Savior. Some of his more temporally favorite credits include Bob Wallace in White Christmas, the title role in Jekyll & Hyde, Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Donkey in Shrek the Musical.
A graduate of Weber State University with a degree in Music Education, Dugan has dedicated over 15 years to vocal study. He finds great fulfillment in applying his expertise both through his own performances and by mentoring students in his private voice studio. Dugan is especially grateful to his amazing wife, and he thanks her and his family for their unwavering support through rehearsals and his endless supply of jokes—both good and bad.
Kinsey Hales
Martha, Sister of Lazarus
​Kinsey Hales, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Morgan with her husband, a Morgan native, and their three daughters. Although she graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, singing and performing have always been her true passion. A six-time member of the Kentucky All State Choir, Kinsey also took on prominent roles in musicals, most notably as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She was named one of the New Voices playwrights for the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville for her short play, Seven Steps to the Guy of Your Dreams. Kinsey later served as a Nauvoo Performing Missionary in 2016 and, in 2022, sang with a choir of Nauvoo Performing Returned Missionaries for The Promise of Christmas, a production by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kinsey has participated in the Morgan Chamber Choir’s production of The Messiah as a featured soloist as well as last year’s production of Lamb of God as Mary, Mother of Jesus. Kinsey is truly honored to be a featured soloist in this year’s production of Lamb of God.
Elizabeth Redding
Martha, Sister of Lazarus
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Elizabeth Redding has lived in Morgan Valley for the past six years with her husband and four children. Music has always been part of her life—she played clarinet in middle through high school and has always loved to sing. Recently, she has been embracing her love of singing more by participating in the Morgan Valley Chamber Singers and her church choir. Singing about the Savior makes Him feel more real to her and helps her to better understand His love for us all.
Doug Wilkinson
Judas
​Doug Wilkinson returns as Judas in Lamb of God, marking his second time, performing this role and his third opportunity to be part of the sacred work. Although portraying the betrayer of the Lord is emotionally challenging, he feels grateful for the chance to help tell a story that turns hearts towards Jesus Christ.
Doug and his wife Michele have had the blessing of being born and raised in Morgan County. They are grateful for an amazing community that helped raise their four wonderful kids.
Doug loves the opportunity to be able to use his talents, especially to testify of Jesus Christ.
Jennifer Hatt
Mary, Mother of Jesus
​Jennifer Hatt is honored to be cast as Mary, the Mother of Jesus in this production of The Lamb of God. She has eight years of formal training in voice and piano and has sung with Morgan Valley Chamber Singers for the last four years. Her previous credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, and the Morgan Utah Stake production of Legacy of Faith. Outside of music, Jennifer stays busy with her beautiful family, including her four children, two bonus children, and three beloved grandchildren. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her testimony through music tonight.
Bobby McConnell
False Accuser of Jesus
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Bio coming soon
Mattie Heiner
Damsel, Witness against Peter
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Mattie Heiner is honored to return to Lamb of God after singing in last year’s choir and falling in love with its powerful message. She feels privileged to once again join this production and share that message. Among her previous sacred music experiences, she appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Morgan Chamber Choir and Orchestra. She is grateful for opportunities to participate in music that strengthens faith and brings light.
Ailene Herrick
Maid, Witness against Peter
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Ailene Herrick’s voice was a miracle before it was a melody. Despite high risk of prematurity or death due to pregnancy complications, Ailene's mother defied the odds to carry Ailene to full-term. Ailene was born with strong lungs and her "roar" could be heard clear down the hospital hallways. (She hasn't been quiet since).
Her earliest childhood memories include recording Christmas songs a capella on cassette tape with her mother, and sitting in a bubble bath while singing the ingredients on the back of the shampoo bottle.
Ailene captivated audiences with her stage presence and powerful voice as she performed in musical theater from elementary through high school. She took a break from formal musical performance to raise her young family, but could still be heard serenading the house from the shower, singing gentle songs at bedtime, and belting unhinged karaoke (at any time of day) with her children.
Ailene now returns to Lamb of God for her first featured solo performance in over 20 years.
Professionally, Ailene coordinates cardiology pharmaceutical trials at Intermountain Healthcare while lip syncing her favorite songs at her desk. In her free time, she can be found being present and goofy with her children, lifting weights, cleaning or organizing something, or by herself in deep and tranquil thoughts about life.
Mikayla Richins
Mary Magdalene
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Mikayla Richins is delighted to perform with the Morgan Chambers Singers in their presentation of Lamb of God. Her previous stage credits include Kelsey in High School Musical and the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods at North Summit High School. In 2025, she also had the joy of portraying Cinderella in NS Unites’ production of Cinderella.
Mikayla recently earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Utah Valley University, where she performed with the Utah Valley Institute Singers. Additional highlights include serving as a Nauvoo Performing Missionary and appearing in Savior of the World on Temple Square.
Mikayla is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of music and testimony of Jesus Christ through this meaningful performance.