Bios for Boynton Beach Nativity Website
See final version here... www.boyntonbeachnativity.com
This webpage is to finalize text for the public website.
This webpage is to finalize text for the public website.
2017 Performers
FRIDAY PERFORMERS
• DICKEN'S CAROLIERS (THIRD ROW CENTER) • SOPRANO ARIANA JOYNER, SOLOIST AND FLUTE • JOYNER TRIO WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE JESSICA WHITING, VOCAL SOLOIST • JENNIFER HURLEY, VOCAL SOLOIST • LUCY BRADFORD, VOCAL SOLOIST • NELLY MARRERO, CELLO • SARAH DAVILA, VIOLIN • ANNE JOYNER, PIANIST • BECKI PAPENFUSS, PIANIST • LARINDA WILSON, ORGANIST • BEAR LEHENBAUER, NARRATOR OR DANY SHAPER, NARRATOR? • JESSICA EATON, NARRATOR • RASHAD HENDERSON, NARRATOR |
SATURDAY PERFORMERS
• BOYNTON BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS • STARLIGHT SINGERS, ENSEMBLE • JESSICA EATON, VOCAL SOLOIST • MACKENZI GILMORE, VOCAL SOLOIST • JENNIFER HURLEY, VOCAL SOLOIST • LUCY BRADFORD, VOCAL SOLOIST • NELLY MARRERO, CELLO • ARIANA JOYNER, FLUTE • SARAH DAVILA, VIOLIN • TRACIE FROST, PIANIST • BECKI PAPENFUSS, PIANIST • LARINDA WILSON, ORGANIST • BEAR LEHENBAUER, NARRATOR OR DONALD KELLY, NARRATOR? • DEBORA GILMORE, NARRATOR • ANDREW LOPEZ, NARRATOR |
SUNDAY PERFORMERS
• VALDEZ VOICE STUDIO • WELLINGTON COLLEGIATE ACADEMY ADVANCED ENSEMBLE •ALAN HAWKSHAW, COMPOSER • SOPRANO JESSICA VALDEZ, SOLOIST • SOPRANO ERIN PHILEO, VOCAL DUET • MACKENZI GILMORE, VOCAL SOLOIST • SHELLEY LARHZAL, VOCAL SOLOIST • LUCY BRADFORD, VOCAL SOLOIST • NELLY MARRERO, CELLO • JENNIFER HURLEY, FLUTE • SARAH DAVILA, VIOLIN • ANNA OAKS, PIANIST • BECKI PAPENFUSS, PIANIST • LARINDA WILSON, ORGANIST • BEAR LEHENBAUER, NARRATOR OR KEITH HANSEN, NARRATOR? • JESSICA EATON, NARRATOR • CHRIS HAWKSHAW, NARRATOR |
INSTRUMENTAL & ENSEMBLES
SEE DETAILS BELOW FOR PERFORMANCE DATES AND BIOS...
SEE DETAILS BELOW FOR PERFORMANCE DATES AND BIOS...
SPECIAL GUEST SOLOISTS (In Alphabetical Order)
• SOPRANO ARIANA JOYNER IS A VOICE, PIANO, FLUTE, COMPOSITION AND THEATRE INSTRUCTOR IN BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE ON SATURDAY'S CONCERT. SHE HAS A BMOF THEATRE DEGREE FROM STETSON UNIVERSITY, AND HAS PERFORMED AS VOCALIST FOR A TELEVISED ORLANDO CONCERT BAND FOURTH OF JULY PERFORMANCE, AS WELL AS MULTIPLE VETERAN'S DAY PERFORMANCES. SHE ALSO PERFORMED LEADING ROLES IN THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE, A THEATRE PERFORMING GROUP IN BOCA RATON. SHE WILL BE JOINED BY HER MOTHER, ANNE JOYNER, AND RACHAEL JOYNER FOR A CHRISTMAS TRIO.
• SOPRANO JESSICA VALDEZ Jessica Valdez is a Miami Florida resident, that has performed in numerous concerts and recitals in the South Florida area. She has also performed in various productions with the Florida Grand Opera and with the New World School of the Arts Opera Theater Ensemble under the direction of Joy Davidson and private teacher Birgit Fioravante. Jessica Valdez has been teaching for 8 years. In the summer of 2016 her students performed an opera concert at Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Her students have been accepted to prestigious music programs and music conservatories such as the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Her students have also participated in summer opera programs and received multiple music scholarships. Most recently she is the Co-director of the Valeo Summer Opera Program. (Sunday Evening Performances)
• COMPOSER / ACCOMPANIST ALAN HAWKSHAW: AWARDED THE BEST ARRANGEMENT AWARD FOR I HONESTLY LOVE YOU (OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN). HIS SKILLS AS A KEYBOARD PLAYER/ARRANGER ARE NOW WELL KNOWN AND HE HAS WORKED WITH MANY INTERNATIONAL STARS, INCLUDING TOM JONES, ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINK, SHIRLEY BASSEY., DUSTY SPRINGFIELD , BARBRA STREISAND AND A HOST OF OTHERS. HE HAS WON NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR HIS COMPOSITIONS, INCLUDING THE IVOR NOVELLO AWARD, THE GOLD BADGE AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE INDUSTRY, AND OTHERS. HE ALSO COMPOSED THE PRESTIGIOUS CHANNEL 4 NEWS THEME IN LONDON, THE FAMOUS COUNTDOWN THEME AND CLOCK MUSIC, THE GRANGE HILL THEME, THE DAVE ALLEN THEME. A FELLOW OF THE LEEDS COLLEGE OF MUSIC, HAWKSHAW WAS CONFERRED A DOCTOR OF MUSIC (HONORIS CAUSA) BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL IN JULY 2016. (Sunday Performances)
CONDUCTOR AND COMMUNITY GROUP PERFORMERS
• CONDUCTOR CANDACE LEHENBAUER AND THE LEHENBAUER FAMILY HAVE BEEN PERFORMING AS A FAMILY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THEY PERFORMED “SIMPLE GIFTS” AT THE BOYNTON BEACH STAKE BIRTHDAY PARTY IN 2015, AND HAVE PERFORMED AT COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN BOCA RATON, FLORIDA. CANDACE AND HER HUSBAND EUGENE “BEAR” WERE EACH IN MADRIGAL CHOIRS, AND THEY SHARE THE JOY OF SINGING WITH THEIR SIX CHILDREN. CANDACE HAS DIRECTED CHURCH AND SCHOOL CHOIRS, AND IS AS AN ORGANIST FOR HER LOCAL CONGREGATION.
(In Alphabetical Order)
• DICKENS CAROLIERS – Third Row Center is a local A Cappella vocal ensemble, which has played the Palm Beach Area since 2008. The group creates beautiful 4 to 8-part harmony, with emotion and dynamics, using only their voices. Their Victorian costumes add a great touch to the Christmas holiday season. www.thirdrowcentersingers.net (Friday Performance)
• BOYNTON BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS. ONE OF THE FAN-FAVORITES FROM LAST YEAR'S LIVE NATIVITY. THIS AWARD-WINNING, FAMED CHOIR IS DIRECTED BY MR. STERLING FREDERICK. (Saturday Evening Performance
• WELLINGTON COLLEGIATE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR. WELLINGTON COLLEGIATE ACADEMY IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN WESTERN PALM BEACH COUNTY. THEIR MISSION IS TO ACCELERATE LEARNING AND ACADEMICADVANCEMENT FOR DEDICATED STUDENTS IN A NURTURING, FAITH-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. THEY SPECIALIZE IN MUSIC AND ART.WWW.GOWCA.ORG. SCHOOL DIRECTOR ANNA OAKES. CHORAL DIRECTOR JESSICA VALDEZ.
INSTRUMENTALS AND SOLOISTS (In Alphabetical Order)
• ANNE JOYNER, PIANO SOLOIST. Anne Joyner has been a piano teacher for twenty years and has played in church and accompanied school choirs and soloists as well. She has also been singing as a soloist, and in ensembles and church choirs for 35 years, as well as leading numerous choirs. Her love of music has been her inspiration since she began playing piano at the age of 5 and she continues to inspire children today to love music! (Sunday Evening)
• BECKI PAPENFUSS, PIANIST. Becki Papenfuss has been a Piano Teacher for over 30 years. She has accompanied several church and school choirs and soloists over the years. She currently is organist for her church congregation and pianist for her church choir. She still teaches locally and has loved bringing music into others lives. (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening and Sunday Evening)
• JENNIFER HURLEY, FLUTE. Jennifer Hurley- Played flute all through junior high school and high school in Performing Arts High Schools as well receiving additional music instruction at CAL State L.A's Music Conservatory. She also sings which is her first passion and putting her vocal talents to use singing with bands and churches. She believes that music is a special gift that we have all been given and that it's a special way to inspire and communicate to others. There is always a special message and emotion that can be deliver through music.
• JESSICA EATON, VOCAL SOLOIST. Jessica Eaton was born and raised in Vernal, Utah as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has spent the last five years in Buena Vista, Virginia. She recently received her BA in Theatre from Southern Virginia University in 2015. She currently is studying as a Graduate Student in the Theatre Department at Florida Atlantic University, and her most recent performance was as Edith Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, most recently performed at FAU.
• LARINDA WILSON, ORGANIST / PIANIST. Larinda enjoys playing the piano and organ for church and other musical events.
• MACKENZI GILMORE, VOCAL SOLOIST.
• SARAH DAVILA, VIOLIN. Sarah Davila is a Junior at Santaluces Community High School, and has been playing the violin for 12 years. She has played in her local congregation, school orchestras, and youth orchestras. She has previously received a scholarship for a music institution, performed on television, and has traveled to participate in the National Orchestra Competition.
SHELLEY LYNNE LARHZAL, VOCAL SOLORIST. Throughout Shelley’s life, she has performed, choreographed and taught ballroom and social dance for various studios, schools, non-profits, religious organizations, civil groups and private individuals, including BYU's Ballroom Dance Team. She also choreographs dances for weddings. Shelley was a featured vocalist with Bob Noval’s Big Band in Los Angeles prior to moving to south Florida. Shelley sings locally with Arlen Matthewz, entertaining at Senior and Assisted Living Centers. Shelley graduated with a BA, Honors, from Baker College; she attends Concord Law School where she is working on her EJD. She resides in Boca Raton, and is the mother of 31-year-old daughter, Rachel, and a 14 year-old son, Ameer. She is from Michigan.
STARLIGHT SINGERS, WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE. Directed by Ariana Joyner, Accompanist Tracie Frost. Community Women's ensemble that meets once a week, with high school students from FAU High school, and Home Education students. Located in Boca Raton, FL.
• Jessica Whiting, Vocal Soloist.
• Lucy Bradford, Vocal Soloist.
NOT IN PROGRAM THIS YEAR:
**ENSEMBLE: Adam Bradford + Tate Lehenbauer + Bear Lehenbauer (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening)
**YOUTH ENSEMBLE: The de Souza family, The Lehenbauer family, Asher with soloist Linnea de Souza (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening and Sunday Evening)
• NICOLE SUAREZ, FRENCH HORN. Nicole Suarez is a horn player who is currently studying music education at Florida Atlantic University. She performs in multiple chamber groups such as 8 Bit Wave and the Prelude Horns and teaches in the South Florida area. (Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Evening solos.) (Sunday Evening)
• KEON WALTERS, PIANO DUET ACCOMPANIMENT. Keon is an accomplished student of Becki Papenfuss. (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening)
• KENDALL CONDIE, PIANO SOLOIST. Kendall Condie has been singing in choirs over 30 years. Music, specifically rhythms, have helped him in his career as a horse jockey. He has performed in many musicals, cantatas and dance recitals. His love of music has helped him in teaching children and horses. (Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Evening)
• JENNA BRIXIUS, FLUTE. (Sunday Evening)
• SOPRANO EMILY THORNE HAS APPEARED WITH THE UTAH SYMPHONY CHORUS AS WELL AS WITH A PLETHORA OF A CAPPELLA ORGANIZATIONS. SHE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE SINGING FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN UTAH, OREGON, AND FLORIDA WHERE SHE NOT ONLY PARTICIPATED IN DOZENS OF CHORAL PERFORMANCES, BUT ALSO IMPRESSED AS A SOLOIST IN PRODUCTIONS OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH. IN 2010 MS. THORNE LENT HER TALENTS TO THE WORLD PREMIER OF HOSANNA, AN ORATORIO BY ACCLAIMED PIANIST AND COMPOSER LEX DE AZEVEDO. SHE IS A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRETT KARLIN. (NOT THIS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE.)
• SOPRANO LARA GIOVANA A native to Florida, Lara Giovana was raised in Sao Paolo, Brasil where she studied private voice for 4 years. Lara Giovana performed in multiple recitals and community functions. Soon after, Lara moved back to South Florida to continue her vocal studies and to prepare for opera program college auditions. Lara Giovana is currently under the tutelage of opera singer Jessica Valdez. In June of 2016, Lara Giovana participated in a summer opera program with the Valeo Opera Theater singers under the direction of Erin Philleo and Jessica Valdez in which she prepared and performed a live opera concert at Disney Springs in Lake Buena, FL. PERFORMING WITH COMPOSER ALAN HAWKSHAW.
• BECKI PAPENFUSS, PIANIST. Becki Papenfuss has been a Piano Teacher for over 30 years. She has accompanied several church and school choirs and soloists over the years. She currently is organist for her church congregation and pianist for her church choir. She still teaches locally and has loved bringing music into others lives. (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening and Sunday Evening)
• JENNIFER HURLEY, FLUTE. Jennifer Hurley- Played flute all through junior high school and high school in Performing Arts High Schools as well receiving additional music instruction at CAL State L.A's Music Conservatory. She also sings which is her first passion and putting her vocal talents to use singing with bands and churches. She believes that music is a special gift that we have all been given and that it's a special way to inspire and communicate to others. There is always a special message and emotion that can be deliver through music.
• JESSICA EATON, VOCAL SOLOIST. Jessica Eaton was born and raised in Vernal, Utah as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has spent the last five years in Buena Vista, Virginia. She recently received her BA in Theatre from Southern Virginia University in 2015. She currently is studying as a Graduate Student in the Theatre Department at Florida Atlantic University, and her most recent performance was as Edith Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, most recently performed at FAU.
• LARINDA WILSON, ORGANIST / PIANIST. Larinda enjoys playing the piano and organ for church and other musical events.
• MACKENZI GILMORE, VOCAL SOLOIST.
• SARAH DAVILA, VIOLIN. Sarah Davila is a Junior at Santaluces Community High School, and has been playing the violin for 12 years. She has played in her local congregation, school orchestras, and youth orchestras. She has previously received a scholarship for a music institution, performed on television, and has traveled to participate in the National Orchestra Competition.
SHELLEY LYNNE LARHZAL, VOCAL SOLORIST. Throughout Shelley’s life, she has performed, choreographed and taught ballroom and social dance for various studios, schools, non-profits, religious organizations, civil groups and private individuals, including BYU's Ballroom Dance Team. She also choreographs dances for weddings. Shelley was a featured vocalist with Bob Noval’s Big Band in Los Angeles prior to moving to south Florida. Shelley sings locally with Arlen Matthewz, entertaining at Senior and Assisted Living Centers. Shelley graduated with a BA, Honors, from Baker College; she attends Concord Law School where she is working on her EJD. She resides in Boca Raton, and is the mother of 31-year-old daughter, Rachel, and a 14 year-old son, Ameer. She is from Michigan.
STARLIGHT SINGERS, WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE. Directed by Ariana Joyner, Accompanist Tracie Frost. Community Women's ensemble that meets once a week, with high school students from FAU High school, and Home Education students. Located in Boca Raton, FL.
• Jessica Whiting, Vocal Soloist.
• Lucy Bradford, Vocal Soloist.
NOT IN PROGRAM THIS YEAR:
**ENSEMBLE: Adam Bradford + Tate Lehenbauer + Bear Lehenbauer (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening)
**YOUTH ENSEMBLE: The de Souza family, The Lehenbauer family, Asher with soloist Linnea de Souza (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening and Sunday Evening)
• NICOLE SUAREZ, FRENCH HORN. Nicole Suarez is a horn player who is currently studying music education at Florida Atlantic University. She performs in multiple chamber groups such as 8 Bit Wave and the Prelude Horns and teaches in the South Florida area. (Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Evening solos.) (Sunday Evening)
• KEON WALTERS, PIANO DUET ACCOMPANIMENT. Keon is an accomplished student of Becki Papenfuss. (Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening)
• KENDALL CONDIE, PIANO SOLOIST. Kendall Condie has been singing in choirs over 30 years. Music, specifically rhythms, have helped him in his career as a horse jockey. He has performed in many musicals, cantatas and dance recitals. His love of music has helped him in teaching children and horses. (Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Evening)
• JENNA BRIXIUS, FLUTE. (Sunday Evening)
• SOPRANO EMILY THORNE HAS APPEARED WITH THE UTAH SYMPHONY CHORUS AS WELL AS WITH A PLETHORA OF A CAPPELLA ORGANIZATIONS. SHE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE SINGING FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN UTAH, OREGON, AND FLORIDA WHERE SHE NOT ONLY PARTICIPATED IN DOZENS OF CHORAL PERFORMANCES, BUT ALSO IMPRESSED AS A SOLOIST IN PRODUCTIONS OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH. IN 2010 MS. THORNE LENT HER TALENTS TO THE WORLD PREMIER OF HOSANNA, AN ORATORIO BY ACCLAIMED PIANIST AND COMPOSER LEX DE AZEVEDO. SHE IS A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRETT KARLIN. (NOT THIS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE.)
• SOPRANO LARA GIOVANA A native to Florida, Lara Giovana was raised in Sao Paolo, Brasil where she studied private voice for 4 years. Lara Giovana performed in multiple recitals and community functions. Soon after, Lara moved back to South Florida to continue her vocal studies and to prepare for opera program college auditions. Lara Giovana is currently under the tutelage of opera singer Jessica Valdez. In June of 2016, Lara Giovana participated in a summer opera program with the Valeo Opera Theater singers under the direction of Erin Philleo and Jessica Valdez in which she prepared and performed a live opera concert at Disney Springs in Lake Buena, FL. PERFORMING WITH COMPOSER ALAN HAWKSHAW.
Thank you!
Many thanks to all of our Soloists and Performers for donating their time and talents to this event! Thank you!