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. In his free time, he enjoys reading comics, composing music, voice acting, and playing guitar and piano.

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. Although originally from the Pocono mountains in Pennsylvania, Rachel now lives in Greenville, South Carolina where she enjoys teaching voice lessons and singing locally.

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. His hobbies include the game of chess, gardening, and taking his wife on dates.

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).

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.

Kathy Estel

Script Writer/Arranger

Because she is passionate about her love for Jesus, Kathy Estel wrote the first draft of "Journey to the Cross" over fifteen years ago. After teaching the lesson to various groups and revising the script from time to time, the ministry that you are seeing today developed. Along with several years of teaching in secondary schools, Kathy also volunteers by teaching ladies' Bible studies, directing children's church camps, and serving with Daughter of the King Ministries since it's inception.

John & Kathy Winkler

Creative & Music Directors

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!

Ian Morley

Production Manager

Ian has worked in live production for ~15 years across concerts, festivals, theater, and corporate events, averaging 200+ performances a year. He is a Production Manager at Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, NC, while continuing to do freelance work.

Jennifer Gillum

Stage Manager

Jennifer has an impressive and diverse skill set when it comes to theater! As the Tech Director for The Lion King and Stage Manager for Journey to the Cross, she's played a key role in making those productions run smoothly. Being a Stage Manager requires a lot of organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate all the moving parts of a production, which she does well given her background. Her vocal degree from Prairie Bible College adds another layer to her expertise, and she is excited to be using her strong musical background as she participates on-stage as part of the chorus. She thrives balancing both behind-the-scenes and on-stage work.

Deb Mullens

Producer/Sponsor

Deb Mullens is the founder and president of Daughter of the King Ministries, Inc. She has a heart to serve God and a passion for others to have the same. She is a leader and Christian role model to her family and community. Deb and her husband Rick have 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters.