Soprano Angela Zawada is a Chicagoland native, having grown up in the near-West suburb of Elmhurst. She received her Master of Music degree from Roosevelt University, and holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, she sang the title role in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and at Roosevelt she performed the role of Miss Pinkerton in Menotti's The Old Maid and The Thief. With Chicago's Millennium Chamber Players, she portrayed Amaranta in the U.S. premiere of Cimarosa's L'infedeltà fedele and Marcellina in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. In addition to operatic performances, Angela has been the soprano soloist in various masses and oratorios, including Handel's Messiah and Dubois' The Seven Last Words of Christ. She is also a founding member and performer with Chicago's VOX 3 vocal collective.

Mr. Gylys is a life long resident of Lemont, IL. This is his first season with New Classic Singers. Julius has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, and is currently a substitute teachers and a middle school basketball coach. While at Augustana, Julius sang with the Augustana Choir where he was able to gain a multitude of opportunities and friendships while making beautiful music. Mr. Gylys also loves to play the piano and speaks fluent Lithuanian. He has been enjoying his premiere season with New Classic Singers due to the interesting and challenging repertoire, as well as the friendly and easy-going choir members.

Ben began singing with New Classic Singers four years ago. He graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Marketing and is a Purchasing Manager for the Chicago Bulls. Mr. Adair began singing with choirs at eight years of age, after his parents told him he could sing. One of Ben’s greatest musical memories is singing with his son in the production of “The Beggar’s Opera” with DuPage Opera Theatre. He continues to sing with New Classic Singers because he loves the diverse musical selection, and being a part of the group allows him to express his deep love of music.

Mr. Loughrige has been a baritone in the New Classic Singers for three years. He has his Masters of Music Educations from Vandercook College of Music, Scott is currently the General Music and Choir Director at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook. Mr. Loughrige feels that Lee Kesselman’s selection of musical literature is always incredibly refreshing, challenging, and enlightening, and this is the main reason he loves singing with New Classic Singers. Also, through New Classic Singers he was introduced to the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, which has given him the opportunity to teach music to some outstanding children.

Ms. Grisolia is a graduate of Roosevelt University with a Masters of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. She is a private voice and piano teacher, vocalist, and accompanist. One of her favorite musical experiences was singing at the Harris Theater with New Classic Singers and the Kronos Quartet, performing Terry Riley’s “Sun Rings”. Ms. Grisolia had a solo, which she describes as both thrilling and terrifying.

This is Julie’s fifth season singing with the New Classic Singers Alto section. She is currently a music/choir/theatre junior high teacher at Neal Math and Science Academy in North Chicago. Ms. Dee began singing when she was very little. Being a child of musical parents, her gifts were discovered very early. Julie loves singing with New Classic Singers because she is constantly introduced to new composers and gets to collaborate with other vocalists and music educators on a weekly basis.