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Versatile mezzo-soprano, Sarah Ponder, obtained her Certificate in Spanish/Translation summa cum laude from University of Nebraska (2003); her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Voice Performance summa cum laude from University of Nebraska (2003); her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance summa cum laude from Northwestern University (2005); and her Certificate in Voice Performance summa cum laude from Northwestern University (2006). She is Recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumna Award - University of Nebraska.
Sarah Ponder enjoys a busy career as a soloist and ensemble singer with Lyric Opera of Chicago (since 2012), Grant Park Chorus (since 2008; Supplemental: 2005-2006), Chicago Symphony Chorus (Member since 2009; Associate Member: 2007-2009; current 2017-2019 section-leader, 2014-2015), Chicago a cappella, Music of the Baroque, Chicago (Director: Jane Glover), and many others around the country in genres from opera to oratorio, a cappella to contemporary. Hailed as “Deeply expressive” (Chicago Sun Times) and a “first-class soloist” (Chicago Classical Review), some of Sarah’s favorite performances include two featured solo appearances with the Grant Park Music Festival, playing Julia Child in performances of Lee Hoiby’s one-woman opera, Bon Appetit! and a rousing rendition of Row, Row Your Boat with Yo-Yo Ma at Children’s Memorial Hospital as part of her ongoing work with the Citizen Musician Initiative. Upcoming performances include various oratorio and opera appearances around Chicago and the country.
Through her outreach at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sarah Ponder has also “beguilingly” (Chicago Tribune) performed several solo concerts with famed Maestro Riccardo Muti at the piano, bringing opera to new audie. This work inspired by Riccardo Muti’s vision of this project, spreading music to all - “even prisons” - has been featured in both the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times. The partnership between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Storycatcher’s Theatre, and IYC Warrenville has helped to foster an appreciation of classical music and given marginalized youth a chance to work with and perform alongside talented teaching artists. In addition to being featured in these performances, she has also helped to bring opera and classical music to new audiences, appearing with Opera for the Young (2009-2010), the Opera Divas, Lyric Unlimited (2014), and recitals through the Musicians Club of Women.
A dedicated teacher and member of the National Association of the Teachers of Singing, Sarah Ponder serves as Adjunct Professor of Voice at Loyola University (since 2013). In addition to training voices, she has coached many young composers through workshops at Merit School of Music and Chicago Academy for the Arts, providing specialized feedback and instruction. She recently finished recording another set of works from Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project partnered with the CSO Negaunee Music Institute, assisting young parents to create original lullabies. Last June, she performed one of these lullabies with Yo-Yo Ma at his first Concert for Peace at St. Sabina in Chicago. This spring and summer she will perform original song compositions in a new joint project between Purpose Over Pain, The Negaunee Institute and the Irene Taylor Trust, both honoring and calling attention to victims of gun violence. Her work as a technique model is also featured in the award-winning pedagogy book by Dr. Julia Davids, Vocal Technique: A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers. She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. |
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Michael D. Costello |
Alto |
[CV-1] (2020, Video): BWV 178 [1st recording]
[C51-6] (2022, Video): BWV 178 [2nd recording]
GLC-BCV [C53-1] (2023, Video): BWV 148
GLC-BCV [C53-2] (2023, Video): BWV 109
GLC-BCV [C52-6] (2023, Video): BWV 244
GLC-BCV [C53-3] (2023, Video): BWV 70 [2nd recording]
GLC-BCV [C53-4] (2024, Video): BWV 81
GLC-BCV [C53-7] (2024, Video): BWV 12
[V-3] (2015-2016, Audio): BWV 248/1,6 |
