Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “Impressive,” native South African baritone, Christian Bester has resided in the United States since 2006. In South Africa, Christian made his professional debut as Schaunard in La Bohème for Pro Musica Theater. His European debut and engagements include Zaremba in Polin Blut for the Americke Jaro Festival in the Czech Republic, Papageno and Armed Man both for the Amalfi Coast Festival in Italy. Additional critical acclaimed roles include: Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva, Belcore, Enrico, Marcello, Germont, Aeneas, Bob (Old Maid and the Thief), Guglielmo, Escamillo, Prince Moritz Popolescu, Basil (Der Graf von Luxemburg), Dr. Malatesta, Robert Schumann (Clara), Major (Doctor Miracle), King Pellinore, Gent and Dauber (The Cradle will Rock), King (Transformations) and Gianni Schicchi. Recent orchestra engagements include: Fort Worth Symphony, Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic, Manitowoc Symphony, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Allen Philharmonic, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. As featured soloist, Christian recently partook in the prestigious Van Cliburn Foundation Concert Series in Fort Worth, and Songfest in Los Angeles. A recent winner of Hawaii Public Radio’s International Art Song Contest, Christian is a sought-after recitalist with regular performances throughout the United States, Australia, Wales, and South Africa.

Luke Honeck is a tenor from Anchorage, Alaska. He was a member of the Alaska Chamber Singers, has performed in the Anchorage Opera Chorus, and has been a soloist and choir member for the Alaska Concert Chorus’ Annual Handel’s Messiah performances. Luke also enjoys playing viola, having performed with the Anchorage Opera pit orchestra, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Civic Orchestra, and the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. He is in his junior year at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, where he studies vocal performance. In his time there, he has been featured as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, as Uriel in Haydn’s The Creation, as Tenor in Phillip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox, and most recently as Count Ory in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory. Recent accomplishments include receiving the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for the Wisconsin district. After his first appearance with the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra two years ago in Henry Purcell’s Rejoice in the Lord Alway, he is excited to perform with this amazing orchestra again.

Dr. Rachel Ware Carlton is an award-winning soprano on the operatic and concert stage. Dr. Ware Carlton made her European debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni with the Operafestival di Roma.  Other opera roles include: Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia, Drusilla in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Mrs. Fiorentino in Street Scene and Anne Page in the Merry Wives of Windsor.  Her concert works include Bach’s Cantata 140, Cantata 90 and Magnificat, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri.  Dr. Ware Carlton has appeared on the Minnesota Public Radio the program, “Classical Music with Allison Young.”  She has performed with the New Music Ensemble at the University of Minnesota singing pieces by Miriam Gideon, Lloyd Ultan and Arnold Schoenberg.  An active recitalist, Dr. Ware Carlton has appeared on many programs in the Midwest which have featured both traditional repertoire and new works by contemporary composers.

Dr. Ware Carlton has taught vocalists at the collegiate, secondary, and elementary levels. Her articles on vocal pedagogy, private studio management, and other topics have appeared in national publications including the Journal of Singing and Classical Singer Magazine. Her research has centered on the use of science and imagery within the voice studio in the United States and Canada. She has presented at conferences and meetings including the Wisconsin Music Educators Association Annual Conference, Michibago Music Teachers Association Professional Meetings, Andover Educators Biennial Conference, The Voice Foundation’s Annual Symposium, The College Music Society’s Regional and National Conferences, and the Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium in Newfoundland, Canada. Dr. Ware Carlton is a licensed Andover Educator and teaches the course “What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body.” This course provides musicians with accurate information about the body with the goal of guiding the body into movements that match its design to both promote facility and prevent injury.  Dr. Ware Carlton teaches this course and gives lectures on Body Mapping throughout the Midwest. Dr. Ware Carlton received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Luther College. Dr. Ware Carlton currently serves as the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Director of Graduate Music at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI.