A Merrie Olde English Christmas

Featured Artist: Laura Hengle

Laura Hengle performs throughout the region as a guest soloist, recitalist and stage performer. Recent opera experience includes Siebel in “Marguerite” (an adaptation of “Faust”), La Badessa in “Suor Angelica,” Cousin Hebe in “HMS Pinafore,” mezzo soloist in “Unplugged: Technology Detox” and Hansel in “Hansel & Gretel” all with Opera Per Tutti. Other roles include Annio in “La Clemenza di Tito,” The Mother in “Hansel & Gretel,” Edith in “Pirates of Penzance” and Allison in the NE Ohio premiere of “Suburb: The Musical.” Ms. Hengle’s recital work includes concerts at the Tremont Arts in August Festival (also with Opera Per Tutti), Fairlawn Lutheran Church and the Akron Woman’s City Club.

She received her Masters of Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College where she studied with Lindsay Christensen and coached with J.J. Penna and Dalton Baldwin. Ms. Hengle received her Bachelor of Vocal Performance degree from Baldwin-Wallace College where she studied with Sophie Ginn-Paster. She works as the Director of Marketing for Bock & Clark, an Akron-based national commercial real estate service company. She thanks her family, including husband Brian and son Nicholas, for all of their support.

Children's Choir

Christine S. Kilbane is a teacher at Chestnut Intermediate and Spruce Elementary Schools in North Olmsted, where she directs two choirs, two orchestras, two bands, and also teaches general music. She earned a B.A. in Music from Hillsdale College and an M.M.Ed. from the University of Tulsa. A National Board Certified teacher, Mrs. Kilbane has been teaching for over 32 years, 25 of those in North Olmsted. Mrs. Kilbane is the proud mother of five children. She lives in North Olmsted with her cat, Allegro, and teaches private violin lessons in her home studio.

The students in the choir performing tonight with Symphony West Orchestra are fifth and sixth grade members of the Chestnut School Eagle Choir.