Come join four marvelous singers perform the greatest hits from those Christmas Specials from the 60s, 70s and 80s. A sing-a-long is a required part of putting us in the holiday spirit. A silent auction and raffle drawing will also be held. Great fun and definitely family friendly. Features complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Thank you to Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series for sponsoring this event!
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Tickets are sold out. We hope to see you next year!
Tickets are also available at the door.
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Rachel Policar
Versatile Soprano Rachel Policar has been described as ”spectacular” (LA Times), “arresting” (SF Classical Voice), and “a natural comedienne” (Broadway World) for her recent performances. Rachel is a skilled vocalist across many genres, and this season she will star as Leah in the NY premiere of Lori Laitman’s Uncovered with City Lyric Opera and debut as Marzelline in Fidelio with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Her 2021/22 performances included Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Scalia/Ginsburg with Penn Square Music Festival, Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank with Opera In the Pines, and Bettina in Don Procopio with Pacific Opera Project. She is an accomplished crossover singer, currently working on musicals in development and singing concerts of Jewish composers in Broadway and Jazz. She also utilizes her love of comedy to write and produce parody songs, creating custom parodies, music videos, and #InappropriatelyOperatic pop covers with her voice, ukulele and piano. Rachel has previously been seen with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, Penn Square Music Festival, Anchorage Opera, Opera on the James, Knoxville Opera, Dayton Opera, Asheville Lyric Opera, American Lyric Theatre, St Petersburg Opera, Light Opera of New York, Sanibel Music Festival, and more! Rachel is a 2-time winner at the American Traditions competition and a proud member of AEA. Follow her @Rachel.policar or her coffee adventures @BrewishAmericanPrincess.
Madolynn Pessin
Blake Friedman
Blake Friedman has been cited by the New York Times for the “plummy fullness and dusky hue” of his voice and by the New York Classical Review for his voice’s “buttery top.” His notable performances include featured sextet tenor in the world premiere of A Nation of Others by Paul Moravec at Carnegie Hall – Stern Hall, his feature on the New York City Ballet 2021 Spring Gala Film directed by Academy Award Winning Director Sofia Coppola, his Chicago Opera Theater Debut singing the role of Marc in the World Premiere of Freedom Ride by Dan Shore, and his Chautauqua Opera debut singing the role of Almaviva in both Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini and Ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano. Opera News praised his “romantic and funny” portrayal of Almaviva saying the canzonetta “Se il mio nome proved a highlight.” Other notable performances include his critically acclaimed portrayal of Irving Tashman in the New York City Premiere of Morning Star by Ricky Ian Gordon with On Site Opera, his Carnegie Hall – Stern Auditorium debut singing Anatol in the quintet from Barber’s Vanessa conducted by Leonard Slatkin and Iago in Rossini’s Otello with LoftOpera. Other companies Blake has performed with include Dallas Opera, St. Pete Opera, Bel Canto at Caramoor and Ash Lawn Opera. A champion of new American music, Blake served as the resident tenor for American Opera Projects Composer’s and the Voice Symposium from 2015-2018. He made his Prototype Opera Festival debut as Jimmy Smith in the reading of Stinney: An American Execution by Frances Pollock. On the concert stage, he has performed soloist engagements with New York Choral Society, New York City Ballet, Ensemble for the Romantic Century, Canterbury Choral Society of New York, Key Chorale, Choral Artists of Sarasota and York Symphony.
Luke Harnish
Praised for his “luxuriant baritone,” Luke Harnish is quickly establishing himself as a nuanced performer of opera, oratorio, and recital repertoire. A current Resident Artist at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, his roles there have included Zuniga in Carmen, Dottore Grenvil in La Traviata, and King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors. This past summer, Harnish was a studio artist with Chautauqua Opera, singing the roles of Jailer in Tosca and Henry B in The Mother of Us All. Previous repertoire highlights include Papageno in Die Zauberflöte and the title role in Eugene Onegin, both with Opera Neo. Mr. Harnish has also performed on the stages of Nashville Opera and Opera Kansas, the latter with which he created the roles of Walter Beech and Roy McPhetridge in the World Premiere of Staggerwing. Concert credits include Jesus in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, the title role in Elijah, and the Baritone Soloist in Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music. In recital, he has presented full performances of Dichterliebe and Schwanengesang. Harnish earned degrees from Vanderbilt University and Wichita State University. He is a district winner of the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.
Cheryl Braun
Cheryl Faul Braun is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, serving on the faculties of Elizabethtown College and Lancaster Country Day School. She is Immediate Past President of Lancaster Music Teachers Association and the recipient of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association’s 2010 Teacher of the Year award. Mrs. Braun is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she was coach-accompanist in The Opera Studio and where her collaborative recitals were recognized “with distinction” by the faculty. She has a passion for mentoring teachers and collaborative pianists.