Featured Artists

Edward Benyas, Conductor

Edward Benyas is the Emeritus Professor of Oboe and Conducting at SIU Carbondale, Music Director of the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra—with which he made his European conducting debut—Executive Director of the Cascade Symphony, and founder and Artistic Director of the Southern Illinois Music Festival, which presents three-dozen concerts annually each June. The Illinois Council of Orchestras named him “Conductor of the Year” in 2005, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce presented him the inaugural “Keeping the Arts in Business” Award in 2007, the Southern Business Journal named him a “Leader Among Us” in 2012, he received the Legacy Award from Carbondale Community Arts in 2015, the Carbondale Lions Club gave him the David Kenney Award in 2017, and he was named the Southern Illinois University College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Scholar in 2018. A student of Ray Still, Robert Morgan, Victor Yampolsky, and the late Charles Bruck and Georg Tintner, Mr. Benyas holds graduate degrees in Orchestral Conducting and Oboe Performance from Northwestern University, as well as Bachelor and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Michigan. He has conducted orchestras and opera companies throughout North America and in Europe and China. After conducting Mozart’s Magic Flute, Opera Wire wrote, “Edward Benyas indeed worked some ‘magic’ in the pit with his assured baton eliciting stylish results from a sizable orchestra. It is to Maestro Benyas’ great credit that the musical execution was of a very high order throughout.” His conducted repertoire includes nearly 400 works, including a dozen world premieres and several dozen complete operas and ballets. Mr. Benyas also enjoys an active career as an oboe and English horn player, having performed with the Chicago Symphony under Daniel Barenboim, the Lyric Opera under Zubin Mehta, the Milwaukee and Grant Park Symphonies, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, at the Spoleto and Banff summer music festivals, as Principal Oboe of the Des Moines Metro Opera for six seasons and for Andrea Bocelli’s National Tour. He is a member of the state bar of Illinois and has been elected to the Jackson County Board and the Carbondale Elementary School District Board of Education.

Sarah Baer, Choreographer

Sarah Baer began dancing at Sherry’s School of Dance in Herrin, Illinois in the fall of 2002, eventually moving to Susan Barnes Dance Studio in Carbondale, Illinois in 2009 where she focused on ballet and modern. Sarah has also taken jazz, contemporary, character, tap, ballroom, hip hop, African, and vogueing classes. In 2015, Sarah had the honor to begin studying under Alexandra Zaharias at the Alexandra Ballet in Chesterfield, Missouri, where she trained classically in ballet. Sarah has performed in the Southern Illinois Music Festival’s productions of The Nutcracker, Firebird, Petruchka, Swan Lake, Carmen, Mozart in Motion, and Raymonda. She has been a featured dancer in Adam Stone’s short films “Janet: A Silent Ballet,” “Summer Friend: A Ballet Film,” and “Do Not Forget the Lost.”

Heather Bailey, Principal Dancer

Heather Bailey is native to Mystic, Connecticut, receiving her early training at Mystic Ballet and Eastern Connecticut Ballet. Additionally, she studied summers on scholarship at North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ballet Met and Richmond Ballet. Later she graduated Butler University with BFA in dance performance and mathematics minor. Heather has danced with Alabama Ballet for over a decade under the leadership of Tracey Alvey and most recently, Christopher Stuart. She performed a wide variety of leading roles in classical and contemporary works with the company including roles created on her by resident choreographer Roger Van Fleteren. She has also performed masterworks by Agnes de Mille, Dennis Nehat, Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. Heather is delighted to return to Southern Illinois Music Festival as a principal guest artist.

Michael Barta, Violin

Violinist, Michael Barta, studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary and received his degree with highest honors. He was chosen concertmaster of the World Youth Orchestra in 1971 under Karel Ancerl. In 1973, he won the 2nd prize at the Joseph Szigeti International Competition in Budapest and the Gold Medal of the Ysaye Society in Brussels, Belgium. In 1974 he received a prize as Finalist of the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, Russia. He held the title Soloist of the National Philhamonia in Hungary and was first violinist of the Kodály String Quartet. In the United States he became professor of violin at Central Michigan University. Since 1985 he serves as Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Mr. Barta has performed in 32 countries, including most of Europe, China, and Japan. He performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in the United States, Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Radio France in Paris, and many others. He recorded on the Hungaroton, Serenus and Melodia labels and at the Scottish BBC in Edinburgh, Radio France, Radio Bremen, Sender Freies Berlin, Südwestfunk, and Radio Bartók Budapest. He served on the summer faculty of the Central Catalonia Music Festival and Academy and the Festival of the Pyrenees in Spain and regularly teaches masterclasses at conservatories in Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Malta, Latvia and Austria. He is co-founder of the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society, and also performers as the Assistant Concertmaster of the Illinois Symphony and Chamber Orchestra and as Concertmaster of Sinfonia de Camera in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois under the direction of Maestro Ian Hobson.

Liam Battle, Cello

Liam Battle is a cellist, curator and composer based in Cleveland who focuses heavily on the study and performance of contemporary classical music. Liam’s work is focused on illuminating modern aesthetics. Most of this work takes place through performance and artistic direction with the Antigone Music Collective. Through the Antigone Music Collective, Liam regularly performs and curates modern music at nontraditional concert locations. The work of the AMC is dedicated to showing the importance of live modern classical music, creating social concert experiences, and putting the work of living composers in dialogue with great composers of the 20th century. Outside of the performance Liam enjoys writing music, writing about music, and talking about music. He also likes to read. 

Jim Beers, Percussion

Jim Beers, percussion, is thrilled to return for his 16th season with the Southern Illinois Music Festival. A native of Chester, IL, Jim moved to Carbondale to study at Southern Illinois University where he earned both his M.M. (2014) and B.M. (2010) in Percussion Performance. He currently teaches drum set at Southeast Missouri State University, percussion at Rend Lake College and John A. Logan College, and works with the local drum line at Carbondale Middle School. Jim works as a freelance percussionist throughout the Southern Illinois region and, in addition to serving as principal percussionist of the Southern Illinois Symphony, is a member of SIU’s faculty jazz group the New Arts Jazztet. He maintains a busy schedule performing with multiple ensembles spanning a variety of genres including orchestral, musical theater, blues, country, jazz, rock, soul/funk, cajun/zydeco, and traditional West-African drumming.

AJ Bernal, Horn

AJ Bernal is an adventurous horn player and teacher. In July of 2023, he made his international debut at the International Horn Symposium in Montréal, performing a rediscovered work by Latin American composer Fulvio Villalobos-Sandoval. AJ also serves as second horn for CityMusic, Cleveland where he has had the opportunity to work with premiere performers from across the country. As a teacher, AJ holds a Part-Time Instructor of Horn position at the University of Kentucky and teaches private horn lessons and chamber horns at the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) in Lexington, KY. In May 2024, AJ will graduate with a D.M.A in horn performance and Music Theory Pedagogy certificate from the University of Kentucky. He holds an M.M. from Southern Illinois University and a B.M.E. from Indiana State University. AJ is excited to be back in Carbondale for his fifth Southern Illinois Music Festival!

Alexandra Billhartz, Soprano

An artist with a love of opera and Baroque music, soprano Alexandra Billhartz is a native of New Baden, IL. She is thrilled to return to SIFest this year as a Young Artist covering Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and singing Gilda in the Rigoletto Quartet! Recent operatic roles include Georgette/Lisette Cover (La Rondine), Apparition (Macbeth), Bianca (La Rondine), Fiametta (The Gondoliers), Gretel (Hansel und Gretel), Cercatrice Prima Sorella (Suor Angelica), Norina (Don Pasquale), Musetta (La Bohème), and Despina (Così fan tutte). Ms. Billhartz also performs choral repertoire with the Bach Society of St. Louis and the American Chamber Chorale (ACC) and is a regular soloist with the ACC. Broadway World recently said she “has the very face of a G&S maiden: lofted delicate brows that express a perpetual delighted surprise.” Ms. Billhartz earned her BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Evansville in 2016, graduating summa cum laude, and her MM in Vocal Performance from Ball State University in 2019. Upcoming performances include singing Zerlina (Don Giovanni) with Opera al Mare and the International Belcanto Academy and singing Apollo (Il Parnaso confuso) with Opera Seme.

Nyghél Byrd, Baritone

Nyghél J. Byrd received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with extensive training in Music Education from Berea College in Berea, KY, and his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting with extensive training in Opera and Musical Theater Performance from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Byrd comes from a very musical family and has sung, played, and taught in various capacities. He has sung many roles in operas and musicals including Gustavo (Guglielmo) in ‘COVID [Cosi] fan tutte’, Tinman in ‘Oz: A Staged Concert,’ Father (Peter) in ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ Betto in ‘Gianni Schicci’, Father in the musical ‘Children of Eden’, and Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the musical ‘Ragtime’. Byrd is an Instructor of Musical Theater Voice with the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University and is a music instructor and clinician throughout the Southern Illinois area.

Rossana Cauti, Viola

Italian-Brazilian violist and conductor Dr. Rossana Cauti is an active soloist and chamber musician who performs across Europe, Latin America and the United States. She is the Assistant Professor of Practice (viola) and Director of String Orchestras at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Cauti is the Assistant Principal Viola of the Pensacola Symphony and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Cauti is the founder and director of the International Chamber Music Festival “Suoni d’Abruzzo” in Italy and the Chair of the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society. In 2024 Dr. Cauti started performing for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and will be presenting two lecture recitals at the International Viola Congress in Sāo Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Cauti has a Doctorate in Music from Florida State University, Masters in Music from SIUC, Conservatorio “L. d’Annunzio” in Italy and Lugano Conservatory in Switzerland, a Bachelors in Business and Economics from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome and Artist Diplomas from Accademia Internazionale di Musica di Roma and Accademia del Garda in Italy.

Kurt Civilette, Horn

Kurt Civilette is a freelance performer and teacher based in Lansing, Michigan. He serves as principal horn with the South Bend and the Midland Symphonies and 3rd horn with the Flint and Ann Arbor Symphonies. He has performed with Chicago, Detroit, Saint Louis, Utah, North Carolina, Grant Park, Jacksonville and Santa Fe Symphonies, with Lyric Opera Chicago, Michigan, Opera Theater and Santa Fe Opera, and as guest principal with the Ann Arbor, Flint, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Windsor, and West Michigan Symphonies and Michigan Opera Theater. He is the horn instructor at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University’s Community Music School. For 15 years from 1995-2010, Kurt was full-time 3rd horn/associate principal with New Mexico Symphony in Albuquerque, substitution as interim principal horn for the entire 2001-02 season. Before winning the permanent job in New Mexico, he held temporary positions as principal horn with Charleston, Savannah and Honolulu Symphonies, and played many jingles and recording sessions. During the summers, Kurt plays principal horn with the Southern Illinois Music Festival and Baroque on Beaver Island Festival. He has appeared in various US and international summer festivals including Spoleto Festival in USA and Italy, the Assisi Festival in Italy, the Kumamoto Festival in Japan, and Music from Angel Fire.

Armando Contreras, Baritone

Praised for the “easy caramel syrup of his voice” (Opera Today), Mexican American baritone Armando Contreras is quickly becoming a standout in the world of opera. Recently, Mr. Contreras stepped in for American baritone, Nathan Gunn to sing the title role of Santiago in the workplace performance of The Old Man and the Sea with the Beth Morrison Projects. This season he was a soloist for The Colorado Chamber Orchestra and Opera Fort Collins. Upcoming engagements include Moncada in Zorro with Arizona Opera, Baritone soloist in the Brahms Requiem with The Omaha Symphony and Older Thompson in Glory Denied as a Guest Artist with the Cleveland Institute of Music. In the 2022/2023 season, Mr. Contreras began the year singing the role of Cesar Chavez in the workshop of Dolores with West Edge Opera. He later performed his fifth Dandini in Kentucky Opera’s production of La Cenerentola. He returned to Salt Marsh Opera for the third time, performing the role of Papageno in their production of The Magic Flute.

Jesse Cunningham, Piano

Jesse Cunningham, a versatile pianist, vocal coach, and conductor, boasts an extensive repertoire and a history of collaboration with institutions such as Opera Theatre Saint Louis, SIFest, and Indianapolis Opera. Holding staff positions at schools like the University of Notre Dame, she achieved a milestone with her 2019 Carnegie Hall debut. Currently serving as Chorus Master and Collaborative Pianist at Winter Opera St. Louis, she manages a piano studio in Urbana, IL. Jesse's academic journey mirrors her dedication to music and technology. She holds a Doctoral degree in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, complemented by Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Piano Performance from Florida International University. Notably, she earned an Associate in Computer Science specializing in Data Systems and Development from Parkland College in 2023. Jesse's commitment to excellence extends beyond rehearsals, as she thrives on problem-solving in all her endeavors.

David Dillard, Baritone

David Dillard, Professor of Voice and Director of Graduate Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, teaches voice, voice pedagogy, and opera history. He has performed at Union Avenue Opera, Winter Opera St. Louis, Florida Grand Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Lake George Opera, Dicapo Opera Theater, the San Diego Opera Ensemble and the Tanglewood Music Center. In 2023, he portrayed Robert Kincade in Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Bridges of Madison County. As a scholar, his interests include voice science, song and operatic literature. His article on La solita forma appeared in the NATS Journal of Singing. He presented in Vienna, Austria at ICVT and at several NATS and College Music Society regional conferences. His arrangements of operatic arias with obbligato instruments are available from Classical Vocal Reprints. He was a participant in the NATS Intern Program and was a semi-finalist in the New York Oratorio Society’s Aria Contest.

Grace Yukiko Fisher, Soprano

Japanese-American soprano Grace Yukiko Fisher is a St. Louis native that has performed extensively in the metro-region for over a decade. She has performed with Union Avenue Opera, Winter Opera St. Louis, and Opera Edwardsville in their festival seasons as well as concertizing and performing for private events. Ms. Fisher holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, vocal performance, from Mckendree University and a Master of Music in vocal performance along with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in vocal pedagogy from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Ms. Fisher has served as a teaching assistant at SIUE and as an adjunct professor of voice at Blackburn College where she was awarded the E. Ann Reichmann Outstanding Adjunct Award in 2022. She currently serves as an adjunct professor of voice at St. Louis University and as the Director of Opera and Musical Theater Workshop at St. Charles Community College.

Mel Goot, Jive with Jazz

Pianist Mel Goot was born in San Diego, and spent his early years in Mexico City. Self-taught, he was still a teen when he played his first professional job and record date with the Teddy Picou Quartet. Mel later attended San Diego State University, where, for four years, he was the top pianist with the award-winning SDSU Jazz Ensemble. Following college, he gave jazz history presentations and jazz improvisation clinics at schools under the auspices of the National Endowment for the Arts.Mel Goot has appeared at various national and international festivals, including Monterey, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Reno, San Felipe, Borrego Springs, Cairo, and Tijuana. He has performed with artists such as Charles McPherson, Mark Dresser, Nathan East, Hollis Gentry III, Daniel Jackson, Luis Gasca, Cal Tjader, Poncho Sanchez, John Heard, Carol Kaye, Dee Dee McNeil, Kevyn Lettau, Peter Sprague, Jaime Valle, Abraham Laboriel, Leon Pettis, Bobby Shew, and Dave Valentin. Mel has also performed with big bands behind Solomon Burke, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Steve Allen. In 1995, Mel began playing piano with the New Arts Jazztet, an SIUC faculty group, and is currently on “tenured reserve player” status for them. He remains active performing solo as well as with various groups and artists. From schools throughout the region, he is honored to assemble the youth jazz groups for the “Jive with Jazz” concerts of the SIMFest.

Liz Hartman, Bass

Cryptic sightings of multi-genre bassist Liz Hartman (MLIS, CA) have been reported in Southern Illinois since 2014. Hartman has been seen serving as Principal Bass of Southern Illinois Music Festival and Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing in chamber, jazz, noise, and fusion groups. Most sightings originate from musical pits throughout the Heartland; some eyewitness statements even recount the cryptic attempting to sing, most notable as a member of the progressive rock trio Porch Fire. It is rumored that Hartman hails from the Hoosierland where, as the legend goes, they played with orchestras in state competitions before moving to Illinois for graduate studies. By day, some say they’ve seen the cryptic masquerading as a Librarian at Carbondale Public Library.

Diana Higbee, Soprano

Diana Higbee is considered to be one of the most convincing Mozart singers of her generation.  She has sung Donna Anna - Don Giovanni, Contessa - Nozze di Figaro, Pamina - Magic Flute, Fiordiligi - Cosi fan Tutte… A native French speaker she specializes in the French repertoire: Micaela in Carmen, Gabrielle or Metella - La Vie Parisienne, Thaïs by Massenet or Pelléas et Mélisande by Debussy. In 2016 she founded the MUSICA Opera Festival and became a Cultural Ambassador for Le Mans. She is the first opera singer to sing the French National Anthem for the 24 hours of Le Mans car race for an audience of 250,000 and broadcast worldwide for 18 Million viewers. In March 2024, Diana premiered the first ClipMe Video on the blockchain which received Best Innovative Artificial Intelligence Music Video. Diana Higbee is invited to Opera houses in Montpellier, Toulon, Rouen, Rennes, Massy, Avignon, Besançon, Marseille, Nancy. In Europe at the Vienna Musikverein,  Konzertgebouw Brugge, Den Nye Oper Norway, the Stadthalle Bayreuth, the Margräfliches Opernhaus, the Komische Oper de Berlin, Wiener Kammeroper, the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, Gulbekian Foundation in Portugal and Aix-en-Provence, Lourdes, Ambronay, Utrecht Festivals. She has also toured extensively all over China. 

Emily Hughes, Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-Soprano Emily Hughes’ recent performances include her debut at Carnegie Hall as the alto soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria, the title role of La Cenerentola with Bel Cantanti Opera, La Suora Zelatrice in Suor Angelica with Opera on the James, a staging of Jake Heggie’s song cycle Camille Claudel: Into the Fire with New Camerata Opera, Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Long Island Lyric Opera, and Musette in Leoncavallo’s La Bohème with Teatro Grattacielo, for which Opera News called her “delightful and coquettish Musette” a performance of “particular note.” Other roles include Ruggiero in Alcina, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and the title role of Handel’s Teseo. Emily has been a young artist with Teatro Nuovo, Opera on the James, and Charlottesville Opera. A versatile performer, Ms. Hughes has sung with early music groups such as Artek and has also premiered many works, including Lingbo Ma’s The Pile at National Sawdust.

Anita Hutton, Piano

Anita Hutton came to SIU to pursue a Master’s degree in Music and she never left. She held several positions on campus and maintained an active schedule accompanying students, faculty, and guest artists for the School of Music. She is the organist/pianist at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale and continues to share her talents in the southern Illinois area, much of the time in the pit, playing for various musicals. Anita has participated and coached at several chamber music workshops in the US, Germany, and England. She earned her B.M.E. at Idaho State University and her M.M. at SIU.

David Katz, Violin

David Katz is an active performer and teacher of violin and viola for over 40 years in the Chicagoland area and Hilton Head, South Carolina. In the South, David performs regularly with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic and Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. He performed solo violin in the shows Evita and American in Paris at the Performing Arts Center on Hilton Head Island. He also performs regularly with the Chicago Sinfonietta. Recently, he traveled to New York City to perform at the Lincoln Center with the Joffrey Ballet. David has also been a substitute for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Lyric Opera and Grant Park Music Festival. He also performed with the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Opera Company and the Pennsylvania Ballet Company. David has performed with the San Francisco Ballet and The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in Chicago. For many of these orchestras, Davis has stepped in as Concertmaster. David has also been all over the globe performing and touring with orchestras such as Orchestra Sinfonica de Galicia (Spain), Caracas (Venezuela), Philharmonic (Principal 2nd Violin), The Princeton (N.J.) Chamber Orchestra (in Egypt and Jordan), and many years with the Spoleto (Italy) Music Festival. He toured East Germany just before the “Wall” came down (1988) with the Chicago Chamber Orhcestra, and many tours with the Chicago Sinsfonietta in Germany, Switzerland, the Canary Islands, and Southern California. On the other side of the performing spectrum, David has performed for many top performers such as Frank Sinatra Sr., Natalie Cole, and Smokey Robinson to Led Zeppelin, Chicago, The Who and Styz, to name a few. David studied with Jascha Brodsky at the New School of music in Philadelphia. David is a certified teacher in the Suzuki method. David has two adult children who also play violin, and he is happily together with his sweetheart Karen who played principal flute with her high school band.

Eunice Koh, Cello

A versatile cellist from Singapore, Eunice Koh believes in sharing memorable and diverse experiences with a global audience through the curation of engaging programs and cross-cultural collaborations. She is also passionate about sharing her experiences through maintaining extensive chamber music activities and performing with different musical genres locally and internationally. Eunice was invited to perform in a recital at the South Carolina Chamber Music Festival, and premiered a newly commissioned work, Festivals: from Sounds of Singapore by Chee-Hang See. Eunice is a firm believer of exploring various styles and genres of performing. As an avid advocate for world music, she regularly curates solo and chamber programs that represent different heritages. Eunice is a member of fusion ensembles, Stringwerkz, a Chinese string quintet, and Open Score Project, a syncretic ensemble that uniquely converges different music cultures in Singapore. She is also the cellist of Some Strings Attached, an ensemble that values creativity, flexibility, and diversity in their music programming, juxtaposing classical and popular styles. She graduated from University of South Carolina (DMA), Southern Illinois University (MM), and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore - Royal College of Music, London (BM). Her teachers include Claire Bryant, Eric Lenz, Zhao You Er, Amanda Truelove, and Chen Yang Guang.

Amelia Korbitz, Violin

Amelia Korbitz is an American violinist with a passion for new music and collaboration through chamber music. She is the executive director and founder of the Antigone Music Collective, an organization committed to performing music by underrepresented composers and making classical music accessible to modern audiences. Amelia’s solo performance highlights include Vivalid’s le Quattro Stagioni: Primavera with the West Suburban Symphony, L’Inverno with the Southern Illinois Music Festival Orchestra and Piazzolla’s Los Cuatros Estaciones Porteñas with the CCM Philharmonia Orchestra. She has also performed in the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Southern Illinois Music Festival, and Musica Le Mans in France. Amelia earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Won-Bin Yim with a Spanish language minor from the University of Cincinnati. She will begin her Master of Music studies in the Fall at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Dr. Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler.

Kiril Laskarov, Violin

Kirik Laskarov is in his 25th season as Concertmaster of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. A native of Bulgaria, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State Academy of Music in Sofia and a Master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he studied with Michael Barta. Laskarov has appeared as a soloist with the Arkansas Symphony, Las Vegas (NV) Philharmonic, Monroe (LA) Symphony, Southern Illinois Symphony, Abilene (TX) Philharmonic, Symphony Irvine (CA), and Texarkana (TX) Symphony and also as a guest concertmaster with the Arkansas Philharmonic, Monroe (LA) Symphony, Texarkana (TX) Symphony, and McCall (ID) Festival Orchestra. He is scheduled to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Southern Illinois Festival Orchestra in June 2024.

Chris Leverenz, Bass

Chris Leverenz is a 2006 Southern Illinois University graduate currently living in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from SIU Chris attended the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati where he earned his Masters and Doctorate in double bass performance. Chris has performed with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Springfield (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Arts Festival and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. While living in Virginia he served as Adjunct Professor of Double Bass at Christopher Newport University teaching bass, string masterclass, string pedagogy, jazz combo, and directed the jazz big band. Chris spent four years living in Germany performing with the Deutsche Philharmonie Merck and Heidelberger Kantanenorchestre. Chris is currently attending the University of Kentucky, GoBigBlue, pursing a degree in Music Education. Chris has always enjoyed returning to Southern Illinois and has performed with the Southern Illinois Music Festival in ten prior seasons including the inaugural SIFest of 2005. Chris looks forward to hiking in Giant City, eating Quatro’s pizza, and making beautiful music with the Southern Illinois Music Festival once again.

Robert Morgan, Oboe

Robert Morgan recently completed a long tenure as solo English Horn and Assistant Principal Oboist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is a founding member of Rembrandt Chamber Musicians . An active teacher as well as performer, Mr Morgan is Senior Lecturer in Oboe Performance and Chamber Music at Northwestern University Beinen School of Music and maintains a private studio. Morgan has been featured soloist with many local musical organizations including Music of the Baroque, Chicago String Ensemble, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and American Chamber Symphony performing concertos of Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Strauss, Vaughn Williams, Joan Tower and the world premiere of Jon Polifrone’s Oboe Concerto. At the invitation of Sandor Salgo, he was Principal Oboe of the Carmel Bach Festival for three seasons. In addition, Mr. Morgan served as Acting Associate Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Acting Assistant Principal Oboe of the St Louis Symphony, and performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia and on their regular subscription concerts. He has performed under noted conductors, Carlo Maria Giulini, Sir Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, Erich Leinsdorf, Sir Mark Elder, Sir Andrew Davis and many others. He has also performed with the Guarnieri Quartet. An avid supporter of new music, Morgan has commissioned and performed works by David Schrader, Jon Polifrone, Sebastian Huydts, Howard Levy and Ilja Hurnik. Robert Morgan received his BM and Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University. He studied with Ray Still privately and at Northwestern University, John Mack for several years, Marc Lifschey when at home in California, Arnold Jacobs and wind master teacher, Keith Underwood. He also studied Alexander Technique with John Henes.

Javi Ojeda, Bass

Javi Ojeda is from Edwardsville, Illinois and is a student at SIUE where he is studying Classical Vocal Performance. He studies with Dr. Marc Schapman and formerly studied with Dr. Emily Truckenbrod. Javi is grateful for the opportunities that SIUE has offered him as a student and the connections he has made during his studies. He has participated in and received high marks at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions including a second-place finish in the Central Region competition. Javi recently participated in the Interharmony music festival in Acqui Terme, Italy. Javi’s roles include Uberto from La Sera Padrona, Il Maggiordomo from La Rondine, and L’Oste from Manon Lescaut. He has sung in the choruses of Manon Lescaut, Macbeth, La Rondine, Ernani, Ragtime, and The Desert Song. Javi has also featured as a soloist in Faure’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis where he is a member of the Schola Cantorum.

Matthew Oliphant, Horn

Hornist Matthew Oliphant is a new music and chamber music specialist living in Chicago, IL. Oliphant is known as an adventurous and courageous young player. As solo hornist with new music group Ensemble Dal Niente, he performs the music of our time by established and emerging composers, as well as classics of the new music repertoire. Oliphant is also a member of the Grossman Ensemble, part of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition (CCCC). In residence at the University of Chicago, the ensemble presents 12 world premieres a year. Composers have included luminaries like Shulamit Ran, David Rokowski, Tania Leon, and Kate Soper. In demand as a freelance chamber musician, he has performed with Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Access Contemporary Music, Present Music, the New Millennium Woodwind Quintet, and on the Rush Hour concert series. Also an orchestra player he regularly plays with the Lyric Opera (Chicago), Grant Park Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony, and has served as guest principal horn of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra Prometheus. Oliphant is a faculty member at Midwest Young Artists, coaching talented middle and high school students in chamber music. As a member of Axiom Brass from 2007-2014, he traveled the country performing for and engaging with audiences through music. Far from being constrained by the classical tradition, he regularly performs with experimental ensemble a.pe.ri.od.ic, and performed as a member of the free jazz/classical/improv hybrid ensemble the Tomorrow Music Orchestra.

Alisha Owner, Viola

Alisha Owner is a violist, violinist, and high school orchestra director in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Baylor University in Waco, TX and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Alisha has held the position of principal violist in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Waco Symphony, and section viola in the Richmond Symphony. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, and most recently the Fort Smith Symphony. Alisha just finished her thirteenth year of teaching orchestra in the Texas public school system, and she is married to her husband Tim, a trombonist. They have two beautiful daughters, ages 8 and 5, and have recently begun taking family camping/road trips, which they have all enjoyed very much.

Preston Patterson, Principal Dancer

Preston Andrew Patterson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia where he began his training with Ballethnic Academy of Dance. At 14, Preston enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and at age 19 he completed his dance training with The National Ballet School of Canada. Preston joined Ballet Austin as an apprentice before joining the full company, where he was a member from 2008-2022. In his time at Ballet Austin, he danced works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, and Pam Tanowitz.

David Peshlakai, Cello

David Peshlakai was born and educated in Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University and his Master of Music from the University of Michigan. David Peshlakai was Principal Cellist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2017 where he held the Diether Haenicke Principal Cello Chair. Mr. Peshlakai is also in great demand as an extra cellist with several regional orchestras throughout Michigan, including performing as principal cellist with the Battle Creek, Flint, Jackson, and Lansing Symphonies. He has performed in many chamber recitals and festivals throughout Michigan and the Midwest. His coaches have included members of the Juilliard, Alban Berg, Concord, Vermeer, Emerson, Muir, and Kronos String Quartets. Mr. Peshlakai has been teaching cello at Hillsdale College since 1992. In 2010 he was invited to teach at Kalamazoo College as well. he previously taught at Albion and Alma Colleges and Grand Valley State University.

Vladislav Petrachev, Trombone

Vladislav Petrachev was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. His musical journey began at the age of 8 when he started learning the trombone. Balancing dual education, he attended both a music school and a medical school until the age of 16, ultimately choosing to pursue his passion for music. In 2011, he enrolled at the Rimsky-Korsakov Music College, laying the groundwork for his professional career. In 2015, Vladislav's dedication led him to the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he honed his skills and graduated in 2020. During his time in Russia, he held significant positions, serving as Associate Principal in the Saint-Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra from 2016 to 2018, and later securing the role of Principal Trombone at the Mikhailovsky Theatre until 2022. Following political events in 2022, Vladislav made the pivotal decision to leave his homeland and relocate to the United States. He embarked on a Master of Music program at SIU, later transferring to the University of Kentucky in the summer of 2023. Vladislav's talent garnered recognition on an international scale. In the summer of the same year, he achieved the position of runner-up in the audition for Principal Trombone at the Columbus Symphony in Ohio. His performances have graced esteemed orchestras such as the Cincinnati Symphony, Princeton Symphony, and Columbus Symphony. Vladislav plays an S.E. Shires trombone.

Megan Potter, Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Megan Potter has been hailed by the LA Times for her “rich mezzo-soprano” and “wondrously convincing theatrical flair” as well as by Opera Today for her “plummy mezzo-soprano that can convey the sound of pain absorbed.” Her rich vocal quality and powerful stage presence have earned her roles including the title role of Carmen, Herodias (Salome), Azucena (Il trovatore), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Romeo (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), and Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel). In recent seasons, she has performed roles at regional companies across the United States including Livermore Valley Opera, Central City Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Emerald City Opera, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and Mid-Ohio Civic Opera. Her concert repertoire has boasted a wide array of musical tastes such as the mezzo-soprano solo in Rossini’s Messa di Gloria, the soloist in Berio’s Folk Songs, and as Carmen in the Carmen Symphony. Upcoming for Ms. Potter is a return to Dorabella with the Mendocino Music Festival this summer.

Kristin Sarvela, Oboe

A native of Southern Illinois, Kristin Sarvela joined the faculty of Sam Houston State University as Assistant Professor of Oboe and Music Theory in 2021. Previous appointments include Professor of Oboe and Music Theory at Eastern Illinois University and Instructor of Oboe at the University of Illinois at Springfield. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from the University of Illinois with a Minor in Mathematics, a Master of Music in Oboe Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University with a Masters Minor in Music History, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Oboe Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois with a Cognate in Musicology. Dr. Sarvela has an active performing career and has held many positions in orchestras around the Midwest, including principal oboe of the Danville Symphony Orchestra, second oboe in the Sinfonia da Camera, English horn in the Heartland Festival Orchestra, and oboe and English horn in the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra. She has participated in Le Domaine Forget, Ad Astra, Outside the Box, Madeline Island, and Southern Illinois Music Festivals and has performed with such artists as Menahem Pressler, Emmanuel Ax, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. She has performed in such halls as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and Carnegie Hall.

Charles Shapera, Bassoon

Charles Shapera is a musician of many talents. Primarily a bassoonist, Charles also enjoys playing piano, flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, and trombone. When not dreaming of playing an all Saint-Saëns & Poulenc recital on flute, clarinet, oboe, & bassoon, Charles is the Executive Director of Temple Har Zion, in River Forest, IL. A founding member of the Oak Street Winds and NCCO Wind Quintet (along with maestro Benyas,) Charles and the quintet will premiere a Benyas arrangement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #1 for piano solo and wind quintet in June 2024 at Har Zion. If you are in Chicago on June 11, please plan to join us. Charles will be joined at this year’s festival by his wife Zoe, daughter Arza, and son Micah (who will be helping with the SIFest stage crew.)

Abby Simoneau, Flute

Dr. Abby Simoneau, a New Hampshire native, received her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is on faculty at Alamance Community College, Guilford College, and Central Carolina Community College. Abby earned her Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire. She also performs regularly with the Western Piedmont Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, Piedmont Wind Symphony, Hickory Choral Society, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, and the North Carolina Symphony. Abby is thrilled to be back for her 12th season with SIFest!

Juan Carlos Siviero, Viola

Juan Carlos Siviero was born in Argentina. He studied viola with several teachers in Buenos Aires before moving to Chicago to pursue advanced degrees. He received a Master in Viola Performance from Roosevelt University under the tutelage of Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s violist Richard Ferrin. Juan Carlos also earned a Performance Certificate at DePaul University where he studied with Rami Solomonof, former principal viola of the Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestra. Juan Carlos has been a member of several ensembles: National Symphony of Argentina, 1st Latinoamerican Youth Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Tucuman, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, South Bend Symphony, Rockford Symphony and many others in the American Midwest. Currently, Juan Carlos is a member of the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, The Gainesville Orchestra and many other groups in and around Central Florida. Juan Carlos enjoys teaching viola and violin as well as playing chamber music.

James Smock, Trumpet

Trumpeter James Smock has enjoyed a varied career playing for symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, Elvis tribute artists, and rodeo bands. He is currently the principal trumpeter of the Oregon East Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, and Yakima Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Smock has toured internationally with the award winning Elvis tribute artist Justin Shandor, and can also be heard serenading oxen and wild horses every year at the Happy Canyon Night Show during the famous Pendleton Round-Up. James lives outside Longview, Washington with his beloved wife Rebekah and the savage feline Zuul.

Brooklyn Snow, Soprano

Praised for her “remarkably beautiful soprano voice and stunning combination of vocal athleticism and theatrical smarts,” soprano Brooklyn Snow has delighted audiences with her exceptional performances in both opera and musical theater. She is thrilled to be singing Susanna with SIFest. Following this performance, Ms. Snow will sing Cinderella in Into the Woods with Union Avenue Opera. Most recently, she sang Adele in Die Fledermaus with Eugene Opera, Musetta in Eugene Opera’s La Bohème, Clara in The Light In the Piazza with Opera Santa Barbara, and debuted at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall as the Soprano Soloist for the premiere of Dan Forrest’s choral piece, Jubilate Deo. Ms. Snow has performed a variety of roles including: Cunegonde from Candide, Anne in A Little Night Music, Nannetta in Falstaff, Maria in West Side Story, and all three heroines in The Tales of Hoffmann. Ms. Snow and her husband live in Newberg, Oregon with their 18-month old daughter, London.

Kelly Sulick, Flute

Flutist Kelly Sulick currently teaches at the University of Virginia and at Longwood University, and serves as Principal Flute in the Charlottesville Symphony. She earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Peabody Conservatory, her Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, where she graduated with highest honors and was name a James B. Angelo Scholar for her academic achievements. A champion of new music, she has commissioned and recorded dozens of works for solo flute with electronics, and has premiered several additional works for solo flute and chamber ensemble. She can be heard on the Centaur, Equilibrium, Other Minds, Naxos, and Ravello record labels, including on William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience under Leonard Slatkin, a Naxos release that received four Grammy awards including Best Classical Album. Her CD of American works for flute and piano, recorded with pianist John Maywood, was recently released on Centaur Records.

Thomas Taylor, Tenor

Thomas M. Taylor IV is a Tenor known for his comedic demeanor, vocal power, and vibrant stage presence. Recently, Thomas performed his debut with Winter Opera St. Louis as Edmondo in the St. Louis premiere of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. His performance was hailed by critics as “charming” and “…a rousing way to start the opera.” Thomas also covered the role of Ruggero in SIFest’s production of La Rondine and as Samuel in MiOpera’s production of Pirates of Penzance in 2023. Thomas has also performed such roles as Gobin in La Rondine (2022), Flavio in Norma (2019) in which critics said he “shined as Pollione’s companion,” Chevalier de le Force in Sialogues of the Carmelites (2018), and Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (2016). Thomas also performed as the Tenor Soloist for Handel’s Messiah at Greenville University (2019), and placed 2nd in the NATS advanced men’s division (2017).

David Tuttle, Clarinet

David Tuttle is an active freelance musician who has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Honolulu Symphony, Ars Viva Chicago, and the Lake Forest Symphony. He has been performing as an extra player with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 50 years! He can be heard on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s recordings of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, Wagner’s Prelude and Love Death, and Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite. In addition to his extensive freelancing, David currently serves as principal clarinetist in the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Light Opera Works, and the Southern Illinois Music Festival, for which he is also personnel manager. He is the founder and director of Chicago Winds, Inc., which has presented more than 2,000 programs in Chicago Public Schools. Tuttle has been on the roster of Vandoren Performing Artists since 2011.

Linda Veleckis, Violin

Violinst/violist, teacher, and conductor Linda Veleckis has performed as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician throughout the United States and Europe. In recent recitals, she has performed the complete sonatas of Beethoven and Brahms, composers of the Baltic diaspora and several programs commemorating composers lost in the Holocaust. During her varied and colorful career, Linda has performed with many orchestras in the Chicago area, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, New Philharmonic and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. In 2020, she curated a performance of Beethoven’s first and last string quartet as first violinist of the Fermi String Quartet, in honor of the composer’s 250th birthday! A dedicated teacher, Linda serves as Director of Orchestras at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois, where she conducts three orchestras serving young musicians. She also serves as the Chair of the Honors All State Orchestra during the Illinois Music Educators Conference, and operational role which has her taking care of conductors, young musicians, tons of music and solving every type of imaginable issue. During the summer, she performs at the Southern Illinois Festival, the International Academy of Music (Italy), Burgos Music Festival (Spain) and Summit Music Festival (New York). When not making, teaching or thinking about music, Linda enjoys travel, yoga and obsessing about opera.

Joe Walczyk, Trumpet

Joe Walczyk is an active trumpet player in both the classical and commercial music scenes. After receiving his master's degree from Southern Illinois University in 2020, Joe moved to northern Virginia where he taught and regularly. While maintaining his playing and teaching career, Joe also acted as operations manager and DJ for Summit Events from 2021-2023. Joe's recording career includes soundtracks for Novel Effect, multiple rock bands, projects for classical composers, and the virtual ensemble Cinematic Brass, who recorded the Big Ten Saturday Night theme for NBC. He is currently working on his D.M.A in trumpet performance at West Virginia University where he teaches trumpet and chamber music. Joe is excited to return for his fourth year with the Southern Illinois Music Festival!

Robert Weiss, trombone

Robert Weiss is Professor Emeritus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he taught for 29 years, the last 13 of which he was Director of the School of Music. Prior to that he taught in the public schools of Puerto Rico and Quincy, Illinois. Bob is currently (and for 44 years) Director of Music of First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, Illinois, and remains active as a performing trombonist. He has Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Featured Dancers

Mary Barnstable

Mary Barnstable has been dancing for 14 years, and first began her training at Susan Barnes Dance (now Arabesque Studios) in Carbondale, Illinois. Mary has taken classes in ballet and modern, and this is her first year competing in lyrical and jazz with Arabesque Dance Studios. Under the instruction of Ms. Susan Barnes, Mary performed in Hansel and Gretal on the SIUC campus. She has also performed the roles of a Lamb, a Snow Sprite, and the Spanish variation in The Nutcracker.

AnnaKate Brown

AnnaKate Brown began ballet with Toni Intravaia in Carbondale, Illinois in 2014 when she was four years old, and remained there until 2018. She then took a break for a few years and restarted with Arabesque Dance Studio in 2021, uncovering a true love for ballet! She has now been dancing for a total of 7 years. AnnaKate has recently performed in the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet in 2023 and looks forward to enjoying many more years of dance and participating in many more ballet productions.

Allison Dyer

Allison Dyer has done ballet for nine and half years and has done tap for eight and a half years. She has done The Nutcracker twice and has done many tap performances and recitals. Allison has also participated in the Murphysboro High School’s productions of Mamma Mia and Newsies. The roles Allison has been cast for Swan Lake are the hardest and also the most fun dancer she has ever done. She wants to thank her dancer teacher Ms. Sarah Baer for giving her the opportunity to dance such iconic roles and teaching her how to get the most out of the dances in Swan Lake. Allison hopes that everyone enjoys the ballet, and she encourages anyone to give dance a try.

Jovie Erwin

Jovie Erwin began dancing at Arabesque Dance Studio in Carterville, Illinois on her third birthday. This is her 11th year dancing with Arabesque. Jovie has trained in tap, jazz and musical theater and continues to train in ballet and contemporary styles. Jovie has danced with the Moscow Ballet 5 times in their touring productions of The Nutcracker. Jovie began her pointe training with Ms. Sarah Baer in November of 2022. Jovie began dancing competitively as part of the Arabesque Competition Team in 2017. In 2020, her solo, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, won a national championship. Then in 2022, her contemporary small group,“False Confidence” was a Top 10 World Champion Finalist out of over 10,000 routines worldwide. Jovie looks forward to continuing her training with Arabesque Dance Studio and hopes to perform on pointe competitively in the future.

William Heisner

William Heisner (Advanced Ballet/Variations) a native southern Illinoisan whose formal training is in classical ballet and acrobatics. He has danced in the Southern Illinois Music Festival’s productions of The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Coppélia, Giselle, Firebird, Petrushka, Swan Lake, Mozart in Motion, and Raymonda. Favorite roles include Mistoffelees in Cats, the Rug in Beauty and the Beast, Bobby in A Chorus Line, and Von Rothbart in Swan Lake. As faculty of Arabesque, he has also had the privilege of being co-director of choreography and rehearsals with The Moscow Ballet’s/Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. Some of his favorite moments as a teacher include taking students to compete at YAGP and learning former students have been accepted to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Southeast Missouri State’s dance program, and Joffrey Ballet Academy. He has taught for Arabesque since 2012. When not teaching or performing Will works as Director of Nursing for a Nursing/Rehab Facility.

Kaila Kiechler

Kaila Kiechler has been dancing since the age of three. She joined Arabesque Dance Studio in 2022, where she began taking ballet. She recently started pointe training in 2023. She has also learned several styles of dance in her years including jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, lyrical, and contemporary. Kaila has been a featured dancer in Kre8ive’s “Matilda” (2019), “Sponge Bob” (2022), and “Beauty and the Beast” (2022). She recently had the role of a Snow Maiden in “The Nutcracker” (2023).

Hannah Murray

Hannah Murray is a senior dancer at Arabesque Dance Studio, having taken classes for fifteen years. Along with ballet, Hannah has pursued competitive dance in the styles of jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre. She has previously performed as the Spanish Variation in The Nutcracker. Hannah is thrilled to perform for the last time in Swan Lake!

Abby Partain

Abby Partain has trained at Arabesque Dance for 8 years in ballet and other disciplines. She also attended these summer intensives: Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas, Pre-Professional Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, New York City and Dallas, TX. Theater performances include Chinese pointe variation with the Moscow’s Nutcracker, the Clay Cooper Theater in Branson, and several local shows like Footloose at SIU. She traveled with national dance companies: Inferno, Platinum National Dance and IAX as a teaching assistant and ambassador. In 2023 she won Imagine’s National Improv ambassador and is a four-time national advanced solo champion. She has been teaching for 5 years in gymnastics, dance techniques and choreography. In May, she completed her second year of professional dance training at Joffrey Ballet School in Dallas, TX. She was recently named the choreographer and dance captain of the Thrillette’s at Mtn Dew Park, home of the Thrillbillies Baseball team.

Callie Renn

Callie Renn started dancing at Dailyn Darr’s Dance at two years old, before moving to Arabesque Dance Studio in 2017. Callie has been a competitive dancer for 15 years now competing in the categories contemporary, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She’s also performed in The Nutcracker two times for the Moscow Ballet and participated in SIUC Showcase. Alongside that, Callie has taken ballet classes with her lovely ballet teachers at Arabesque Dance Studio.

Sydnie Staley

Sydnie Staley began dancing at Arabesque in 2010. A member of Kinfigure in Kansas City, Kre8ive Fine Arts and ArtStarts in Southern Illinois. Focusing on contemporary, acro and ballet with experience in many other genres. At Arabesque, she has danced as Lumiére- Beauty and the Beast and Alice-Alice In Wonderland. Syd has been part of two National Titles and 2019 WorldChampionship winning team “Survivor”. She has enjoyed dancing both Slavic and Chinese variations with the Great Russian Nutcracker, Giselle and Diana at YAGP and Don Quixote. Feature dancing in over 15 theater productions, including SIU’s Footloose and Odette in Anastasia. As a gymnast with SIGA, she is a lvl 8 State champion. Sydnie is an honor student at Carbondale H.S., dance team captain and first sectional qualifier for the gymnastics team. She hopes to dual major in dance and kinesiology becoming a physical therapist while keeping dance in her life.

Marissa Tuthill

Marissa Tuthill first began dancing at the age of 3 with Affton’s Dance Academy in 2010. After the studio closed three years later, Marissa took a four-year-long break before continuing her training with High Image Dance in Energy, Illinois. She moved studios in 2019 to Arabesque Dance Studio and Remedy Dance Studio in 2021, where she has continued to further her focus on ballet. In her career, she has also taken several jazz and tap classes. Marissa has performed in many studio-specific recitals and the Moscow Ballet’s 2023 production of The Nutcracker with Arabesque Dance Studio.

Katelyn Wallen

Katelyn Wallen began dancing at Arabesque Dance Studio in Carterville at the age of 3 and has continued taking classes since. She joined the Arabesque Dance Studio competition dance team at age 6. While Katelyn’s training mainly consists of jazz, contemporary, and ballet, she has also taken lyrical and musical theater. Her favorite styles include jazz and musical theater. In the 2022 season, Katelyn had the opportunity to travel to New York with the Arabesque competition to compete at Star Alliance’s World Dance Competition which involved different countries across the world. Her group “False Confidence” placed top 10 in the novice division. Katelyn was also involved in the dance documentary “One Family” by Untapped in 2017.

Ryleigh Walters

Ryleigh Walters began dancing at All Star Dance when she was nine years old, and came to Arabesque Dance Studio when she was twelve years old. She has been a competitive dancer for four years, and has taken classes in ballet and tap.

Jayla Ware

Jayla Ware began ballet under the instruction of Mrs. Toni Intravaia in 2006. At this time, she frequently participated in performances with the Susan Barnes Dance Company. In 2020, she started dancing full time with the studio, as it transitioned to Arabesque Dance Studio. Jayla has had the privilege of dancing under the instruction of Darryl Clark during the 2017 Nutcracker performance. Performances to date include: Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Mozart in Motion, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, and Petrushka.