Artists
Philip Bauman, conductor
Recognized by critics as offering “tremendously sensitive direction” and being “a gifted and spirited conductor,” Philip Bauman also serves as Music Director of the South Holland Master Chorale. Known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium he is frequently hailed for his innovative programs and consistently captivating performances. Mr. Bauman recently concluded a 24-year tenure as Music Director of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.
December 2015 marked Mr. Bauman’s inaugural performance as the Music Director of the Michigan City Messiah. Maestro Bauman was selected to carry on the traditional faithfully conducted by Dan McNabb for 50 years. The 58th season continues a new era in the community’s celebration of this grand and popular tradition.
Kimberly Jones, soprano
Kimberly Eileen Jones is a native Chicagoan, born on the lower South Side around Sox Park. At a young age, she began piano lessons. It was during this time she also became fascinated with singing, listening and trying to imitate the sounds of Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Dionne Warwick among others.
To work with conductors such as Riccardo Muti and Leonard Bernstein was a dream come true. She was amazed watching the soloists and it was there she began to wonder if she could perhaps be at the front of the stage instead of part of the group!
Kristen Gornstein, mezzo-soprano
Praised as “a fine actress with a deep, spacious sound” [Parterre], American mezzo-soprano Kristin Gornstein brings her “rich-voiced mezzo-soprano” and “lines of an uncannily silky legato” [New York Times] to her work, ranging from the traditional to the edgy and imaginative. She was lauded for her recent portrayal of Ramiro in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera in a co-production by On Site Opera and Atlanta Opera, a role she reprised in 2018 at Caramoor.
Matthew Daniel, tenor
Matthew Daniel, tenor, is in his twelfth season with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s chorus. As a soloist, he has performed many opera roles, some of which include Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Rodolfo in La Boheme, Hoffmann in Tales of Hoffmann, Nemorino in L’Elisir d’amore,The Duke in Rigoletto, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Canio in I Pagliacci, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with David Aiken tours. Opera companies Matthew has worked with include Opera Grand Rapids, Harrisburg Opera, Indiana Opera North, Opera!Lenawee, Aspen Opera Theater, and most recently Harbor Country Opera.
Bill McMurray, baritone
With more than forty operatic roles to his credit, baritone Bill McMurray has been described as “a baritone with warm, rich tones and superb stage presence” by the Durham Herald Sun. Such roles include “Figaro” in Il Baribiere di Sivigila, “Count Almaviva” in Le nozze di Figaro and “Escamillo” in Carmen. Walter Marini of the New Buffalo Times is quoted as saying his portrayal of “Marcello” in Puccini’s La Boheme as “a powerful actor who brings great elegance to the role. His singing is as fine as anything being heard in major opera houses today.”