A Joyful Replay: A Classical Christmas 2023

Just in case you missed it or would like to expereince the joy again, here is a replay of A Classical Christmas - December 2023.

St. James Episcopal Church is proud to present “A Classical Christmas,” featuring St. James’ own celebrated professional singers on a program of Christmas carols and songs that will brighten these long winter days and will bring peace to your heart. Soloists include: Sara Westermark, soprano; Tanya Hanano, mezzo soprano; James Taylor, tenor; and a debut by Hans Graham Westermark, baritone—accompanied by John Sullivan, piano.

This program also features upcoming talented student from the Westermark Voice Studio—Nilin Pavate as treble and former student Spencer DesChenes mezzo soprano.

Sara Westermark, lyric soprano, is a celebrated regional soloist, renowned private voice teacher, and metalsmith. Sara graduated with a Master’s in Voice Performance magna cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Music where she performed such roles as Pamina from Magic Flute, Susannah from Floyd’s Susannah, Mother Hansel and Gretel, Poppea l’incornatione di Poppea, and Susanna Le Nozze di Figaro. Sara has performed as a soloist with the Wilmington Symphony, UNCW Opera, Tallis Chamber Orchestra, Opera Wilmington, Wilmington Oratorio Society, Southeastern Oratorio Society, the Wilmington Choral Society, the Wilmington Guild of Organists, and serves as a soprano section leader for the St. James Episcopal Church Choir. Her students have won top state, regional, and national accolades and awards through the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions, the Schmidt High School Classical Voice Competition, and they have received admission and scholarships to top music conservatories and universities. Sara’s work with young singers was published in a book by Karen Brunssen, “The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Through the Lifespan”.

Tanya Hanano, mezzo soprano, received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance at UNCW. She performs locally with Cape Fear Chorale under the direction of Dr. Aaron Peisner, and she also sings with St. James Episcopal Church Choir under the direction of John Sullivan, and performs with the NC Master Chorale in Raleigh, NC under the baton of Dr. Alfred Sturgis. Hanano works full-time as an acute care physical therapist at Novant Health's Orthopedic Hospital; she obtained her master's and doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University and has been practicing in Wilmington for 21 years.

James Taylor, tenor, is a North Carolina native who currently resides in the Port City of Wilmington. James attended East Carolina University where he studied Liberal Arts and Business, and has continued his education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he is a private voice student of Dr. Nancy King.

Hans Graham Westermark, baritone, is a Junior at Hoggard High School who loves music and science. He has been singing with the St. James Episcopal Church Adult choir since he was 10 years old. This past year he won third place at State National Association of Teacher’s of Singing (NATS), and placed third at NATS Regionals while qualifying for NATS Nationals. He studies voice with his mother, Sara Westermark and piano with Martha Hayes. Hans Graham is active with the St. James Youth Group.

John Sullivan, piano, is a vocalist, pianist, organist, choir director, and teacher. John has a Bachelor of Music (Piano) from Ithaca College, a Master of Music (Choral Conducting) from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and a Master of Music in Music Education (Kodály Pedagogy) from Holy Names College in Oakland, CA. He has studied piano with Phiroze Mehta and Jeffrey Gilliam, organ with Robert Parkins and David Drinkwater, Chorale Conducting with Richard Westenburg, voice with Roland Bentley and Kathryn LaBouff. and Kodály Music Pedagogy with Ann Laskey, David Xiques, and Judit Hartyanyi.