Free Classical Christmas concert sponsored by St. James Episcopal Church, Wilmington, NC A Safe Place
The video of our concert is up for 2023! Thanks for supporting our concert and our mission. We raised $747 for A Safe Place this year. Thanks also to Hans Westermark for editing the video.
St. James Episcopal Church is proud to present “A Classical Christmas,” featuring St. James’ own celebrated professional singers on a program of Christmas ca...
I’m so grateful that I get to perform with such talented musicians!! Tanya Hanano James Taylor Hans Graham Westermark, John Sullivan and Spencer Deschenes with special guest Nilin Pavate, treble. What a joy it was to perform with my son. My heart is full. Thank you to everyone who came and helped us raise money for A Safe Place.
Are you ready? Just four days until your favorite Classical Christmas Concert at St. James Episcopal Church! Friday, December 22, 2023 at 7:30 pm. Featuring Sara Westermark, soprano; Tanya Hanano, mezzo soprano; James Taylor, tenor; and introducing Hans Graham Westermark, baritone; and Nilin Pavate, treble; with the talent of John Sullivan, piano.
What are your favorite Christmas Carols? Are they the light bouncy ones, or the somber modal ones? My favorite Christmas Carol is “Lo, how a Rose Ere Blooming”—mostly because it was my father’s favorite.
Christmas with my father was full of mystery, wonder, and joy. On our way home from holiday choir practice in our wood-paneled station wagon, my father would talk to me about his Christmas memories and about his faith. He grew up poor- the youngest of 4 siblings-in a house with only one bedroom. His father died young from alcoholism, and my Nana raised all the kids by herself on a drugstore clerk’s salary. Despite his difficult childhood, my father believed in hard work and in miracles.
He made Christmas Magical with his enthusiasm for all things Christmas. Each year he decorated two trees-one with white lights and one with colored lights, made cookies (this is when I learned to bake), wrapped beautiful presents tied with red velvet bows, decorated the church, sang in the choir, and burst into song at any moment. Although he’s been gone for 19 years, I still feel him near me in my heart-and especially at Christmas.
Christmas time is a bright light in the middle of winter. It is hope in the darkness. Christmas is the triumph of Love for all humanity. It is my favorite time of year.
I hope that you will come and join us for this year’s Classical Christmas Concert next Friday evening 12/22/2023 at 7:30pm at St.James Episcopal Church.
Sincerely,
Sara Westermark
I heartily invite you to the 3rd annual Classical Christmas Concert featuring such talented musicians as James Taylor, Tanya Hanano, John Sullivan, Spencer Deschenes, myself and introducing my son Hans Graham Westermark, and treble Nilin Pavate. Please join us for this free concert, and if the spirit moves you, we will collect donation for A Safe Place. I’d be so grateful and honored if you attended and shared this post. Hans Westermark.
Our concert is possible due to the talent and support of John Sullivan— St James’ Episcopal Church resident organist and choir master. John’s talent and effervescent energy inspire all to work together to create music.
John Sullivan, piano, is a vocalist, pianist, organist, choir director, and teacher. A cradle Episcopalian, he spent his formative years as a boy chorister in the Choir of Men and Boys at Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he started piano lessons at the age of 5. He has played piano for musical theater productions since junior high school and continues to play in the orchestra pit in Wilmington’s historic Thalian Hall.
In addition to serving as the director of music at St. James Episcopal Church, John is a tenor in the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina’s Schola Cantorum, and is organist and occasional choir director at Temple of Israel. John has previously served the faculty of Cape Fear Community College where he directed the choir and taught voice. John sang for 12 years with the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys in San Francisco, and has also sung with the San Francisco Symphony and Symphony Chorus under Michael Tilson Thomas and Donald Runnicles.
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.
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 cm 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”.
Introducing our youngest member of our merry band of singers, Hans Graham Westermark. At the tender age of 17 Hans Graham shows great maturity holding his own with well established singers. His strong and clear baritone voice balances well with the ensemble.
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. He sang for two years as a boy soprano with the Wilmington Boys Choir and sang the Messiah Choruses for two years under the direction of Angela Burns. As a junior at Hoggard High School, Hans Graham, sings with Voyagers under the direction of Benjamin Horrell. 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 was a soloist on the Voyagers concert this Fall. He studies voice with his mother, Sara Westermark and piano with Martha Hayes. Hans Graham is active with the St. James Youth Group.
We are thrilled to introduce the talent of Tanya Hanano, our newest member of the St. James Choir as a section leader. Tanya has a rich mezzo soprano voice that both warms and thrills the heart.
Tanya Hanano, mezzo soprano, made her sixth appearance as an ensemble member with Opera Wilmington in this past summer’s production of La Traviata, having made her professional debut as an ensemble member in Rigoletto in 2015. In October, 2023, she was an ensemble member for NC Opera's production of Verdi’s La Traviata. In 2022 she performed the role of Mercédès in Bizet's Carmen with Varna International and the Muzika! Grand Strand Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Hanano received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance at UNCW and studied with Nancy King. 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.
We are so excited to have James Taylor join us for this very special concert. James possesses an extraordinary lush tenor voice with an engaging stage presence. His talent, timbre, and generous countenance will be sure to make you feel the Christmas spirit!
About James Taylor
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. While at East Carolina University, James sang with the critically acclaimed ECU Chamber Singers, performed with the ECU Opera Theater, and studied voice with Grammy®-nominated tenor Dr. Daniel Shirley.
James is a well-known soloist and collaborative artist in Eastern North Carolina, and is an active and enthusiastic choral musician, having performed with The Raleigh Bach Soloists, Carolina Choral Artists, The Rocky Mount Chamber Singers, and Wilmington Voices. James also serves as a Choral Scholar at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.
As a choral musician, James competed in the 13th International Maribor Choral Competition Gallus (Maribor, Slovenia) as well as the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (Varna, Bulgaria). In addition to his choral experience, he performs regionally in a variety of solo & oratorio performances, and has been professionally contracted by the North Carolina Opera and Opera Wilmington. Most recently, James performed with the New England Symphonic Ensemble in New York City at Carnegie Hall.
When not performing, James can be found in the Cultural Arts Department at UNCW, where he serves as the Business Services Coordinator for the Kenan Auditorium Office of the Arts. In his free time, James enjoys visiting family, spending time at the beach, and taking care of his house plants.
Happy Hanukkah to all our friends who celebrate this Holiday!
St. James Episcopal Church is proud to present “A Classical Christmas,” on Friday, December 22nd, at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church located at 25 S. Third Street. Featuring St. James’ own celebrated professional singers, this program of Christmas carols and songs 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 students from the Westermark Voice Studio—Nilin Pavate and Ozzy Davidson as trebles.
Donations go to “A Safe Place” to aid victims of commercial s*xual exploitation and domestic s*x trafficking. For more informationnon A Safe Place please visit their website: https://www.endslaverynow.org/a-safe-place. Most of us know love and safety, but it is our duty to look out for those who need protection and a safe place. Everyone, regardless of belief system, is invited to attend. The love of God knows no boundaries.
Admission is free and open to the public.
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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 cm 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, made her sixth appearance as an ensemble member with Opera Wilmington in this past summer’s production of La Traviata, having made her professional debut as an ensemble member in Rigoletto in 2015. In October, 2023, she was an ensemble member for NC Opera's production of Verdi’s La Traviata. In 2022 she performed the role of Mercédès in Bizet's Carmen with Varna International and the Muzika! Grand Strand Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC. Hanano received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance at UNCW and studied with Nancy King. 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. While at East Carolina University, James sang with the critically acclaimed ECU Chamber Singers, performed with the ECU Opera Theater, and studied voice with Grammy®-nominated tenor Dr. Daniel Shirley.
James is a well-known soloist and collaborative artist in Eastern North Carolina, and is an active and enthusiastic choral musician, having performed with The Raleigh Bach Soloists, Carolina Choral Artists, The Rocky Mount Chamber Singers, and Wilmington Voices. James also serves as a Choral Scholar at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.
As a choral musician, James competed in the 13th International Maribor Choral Competition Gallus (Maribor, Slovenia) as well as the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (Varna, Bulgaria). In addition to his choral experience, he performs regionally in a variety of solo & oratorio performances, and has been professionally contracted by the North Carolina Opera and Opera Wilmington. Most recently, James performed with the New England Symphonic Ensemble in New York City at Carnegie Hall.
When not performing, James can be found in the Cultural Arts Department at UNCW, where he serves as the Business Services Coordinator for the Kenan Auditorium Office of the Arts. In his free time, James enjoys visiting family, spending time at the beach, and taking care of his house plants.
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. He sang for two years as a boy soprano with the Wilmington Boys Choir and sang the Messiah Choruses for two years under the direction of Angela Burns. As a junior at Hoggard High School, Hans Graham, sings with Voyagers under the direction of Benjamin Horrell. 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 was a soloist on the Voyagers concert this Fall. 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. A cradle Episcopalian, he spent his formative years as a boy chorister in the Choir of Men and Boys at Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he started piano lessons at the age of 5. He has played piano for musical theater productions since junior high school and continues to play in the orchestra pit in Wilmington’s historic Thalian Hall.
In addition to serving as the director of music at St. James Episcopal Church, John is a tenor in the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina’s Schola Cantorum, and is organist and occasional choir director at Temple of Israel. John has previously served the faculty of Cape Fear Community College where he directed the choir and taught voice. John sang for 12 years with the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys in San Francisco, and has also sung with the San Francisco Symphony and Symphony Chorus under Michael Tilson Thomas and Donald Runnicles.
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.
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Reserve the date for your favorite Classical Christmas Concert.
If you missed the performance, or want to listen to it again, watch the recorded live stream!
Live stream from St. James Parish in Wilmington, NCCOPYRIGHTS: The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Edu...
Thank you to all who joined us for a beautiful evening! We raised $1397 for A Safe Place!
Are you ready? Tonight 12/19/22 at 7:30pm St. James Episcopal Church presents A Classical Christmas. Be ready to sit back and let your favorite carols transport you to Christmas past, create new memories, or wash away the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Come on home. It’s Christmas.
Live stream will be available of A Classical Christmas Concert. Tune in Monday, December 19th at 7:30 EST!!
St. James Parish invites all people to know and receive the infinite grace of God in Christ, and together grow in love of God and neighbor through service, ...
Are you ready? Monday, December 19th at 7:30 pm come listen to classical Christmas songs and carols sung by our favorite soloists to bring you joy and reprieve from this busy holiday season. Lucy Baker, Steven Thomason, Bob Workmon, Sara Westermark, Grace Puckett, Aparna Dhulipala, Caroline Braza, with John Sullivan on piano. Free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged and go to A Safe Place.
Ten Days until A Classical Christmas Concert!
Aparna Dhulipala is a sophomore at Hoggard High School in the IB program. She has studied voice with Sara Westermark for the past two years. Most notably Aparna has appeared as a soloist on studio recitals and has sung in the Women’s Ensemble at Hoggard. She aspires to pursue music in the future.
7:30 pm Monday, December 19th at St. James Episcopal church, join us for “A Classical Christmas Concert”!! Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. All donations will go toward “A Safe Place” which helps victims of s*x trafficking.
Caroline Braza, a homeschooled seventh grader, has studied with Sara Westermark since she was age 6. Caroline has been passionate about music since she was very little. Caroline has performed on student recitals, last year’s Christmas concert, and gave a solo recital at her grandfather’s retirement community.
John Sullivan, piano, is a vocalist, pianist, organist, choir director, and teacher. A cradle Episcopalian, he spent his formative years as a boy chorister in the Choir of Men and Boys at Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he started piano lessons at the age of 5. He has played piano for musical theater productions since junior high school and continues to play in the orchestra pit in Wilmington’s historic Thalian Hall.
In addition to serving as the director of music at St. James Episcopal Church, John is a tenor in the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina’s Schola Cantorum, and is organist and occasional choir director at Temple of Israel. John has previously served the faculty of Cape Fear Community College where he directed the choir and taught voice. John sang for 12 years with the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys in San Francisco, and has also sung with the San Francisco Symphony and Symphony Chorus under Michael Tilson Thomas and Donald Runnicles.
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.
Grace Puckett, soprano, is a sophomore at Hoggard High School where she is enrolled in the IB Program. She has studied with Sara Westermark since she was 7. Grace has performed as a soloist at studio recitals and school choir concerts.
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 cm 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”.
Steven Thomason, baritone, has been singing for his entire life. His parents, both of whom are musicians, immersed him in music from a very early age. Steven grew up in Cary, NC, where he developed his love of music through visits to Memorial Auditorium and NC Symphony concerts in Meymandi Concert Hall. He would later perform in these same spaces as a teenager and young adult, first in Meymandi as part of the All-State Baptist Youth Choir, and then at Memorial where he sang the part of “The Beast” in the NC Ballet’s original production of “Beauty and the Beast” by Karl Moraski.
Mr. Thomason maintains an active schedule as a performer in churches and venues in Central and Eastern North Carolina. Recent engagements have included performances with the Campbell University Divinity School Quartet and leading a musical performance for the NSCDA-NC’s 125th anniversary in Brunswick County. He also was a founding member of the professional choir, “Carolina Choral Artists.” During his college career, Steven competed in the Classical NC NATS vocal competition and placed second in his category. He was also chosen to sing the baritone solos for a performance of the Cary Community Messiah in a process that auditioned students from several local universities. He reprised this role the following year in performances with both that group and the Campbell University Choir in 2015.
Steven currently serves First Baptist Church, Wilmington as the Minister of Traditional Worship, where he oversees a comprehensive music ministry, including the fully orchestrated annual production of “Christmas at First Baptist.” He studied vocal performance under John Kramer at East Carolina University and later under Dr. Philip Morrow at Campbell University. He earned a B.A. in Church Music and a Master of Arts in Divinity, both from Campbell University.
Merry Christmas! Mark your Calendars because we have set the date for Monday, December 19th 2022 for our second Classical Christmas concert!! John Sullivan and I will be busy planning music in January.
The generous donations came in today and we raised $1713 for A Safe Place from our Classical Christmas Concert!!! Way to go Wilmington!!!
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