Dr John & Kathy Winkler
Dr. John Winkler recently retired from his faculty position after teaching for 39 years at the WVU School of Music. He continues to play Principal Trumpet in the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Kathy is an active piano teacher, collaborative pianist, and performer. Kathy and John just completed their 23-year tenure as directors of the Adirondack Performing Arts Fellowship in New York. Their favorite pastime is spending time with their 8 grandchildren. “Kathy and I are thrilled to be able to direct this presentation in its third year. We look forward to you joining us in this 2024 production of Journey to the Cross!
Brandon Paine
Born and raised to missionary parents overseas, Brandon Paine is a classically trained baritone now living in Lynchburg, VA. He graduated from Liberty University with a BM in Vocal Performance and an MA in Music Education: Performance Emphasis, and has played main roles in multiple operas including I Pagliacci, Le Nozze Di Figaro, and Die Fledermaus. After teaching voice lessons as a GSA at Liberty for a year, he has been the choir master for Il Barbiere di Siviglia and is currently leading worship at his church. He loves teaching voice lessons and music theory almost as much as he loves to perform and lead worship.
Rachel Christenson
Rachel Christenson, soprano, has received degrees from both Liberty University and Bob Jones University, where she studied music and trained as a classical singer. She enjoys performing in a variety of contexts from the opera, theater, and concert stages, to preparing sacred concerts for her local community and church.
David Szabo
David is a classically trained tenor currently living in Alexandria, VA with his wife Jennifer. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and is currently in his last semester of his Graduate studies at the Sid and Reva Dewberry School of Music, George Mason University. David is proud to serve as a member of the U.S. Army Chorus, “Pershing’s Own” and as the Assistant Worship Director and Audio/Visual coordinator at his local church.
Lucas James
Lucas James Meinerding, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, recently graduated from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia) with a degree in Commercial Music: Recording, Engineering, and Producing. You can find his original music, including his most recent album release "the way you made me wanna dream" under "Lucas James" on all streaming platforms.
Ellie Landes
Ellie Landes is a Mezzo Soprano from central Illinois. She recently graduated from Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Arizona) with a degree in Vocal Performance. She currently teaches youth theater and voice lessons at Music Connections Foundation in Bloomington, Illinois and has performed as part of the Adirondack Performing Arts Fellowship (New York), the MIOpera (Illinois), and at the Ethington Theater (GCU, Arizona).