Page 29 - NWS January 2025 Digital Playbill

EVAN K. BROWN Don José
Hailed for his “unfailingly vigorous” tenor voice, Evan
K. Brown, a native of Texas, has been rapidly gaining
prominence in the opera world. Commencing his career in
humble roles at Austin Opera, such as Amelia’s servant in Un
Ballo in Maschera, Ed Mavole in Kevin Puts’ The Manchurian
Candidate, and the Notary in La Fille du Regiment, Brown
has since evolved into tackling more demanding lead roles.
Notably, he graced the stage as Luigi in Il Tabarro with Angels
Vocal Art before embarking on his 2020 apprenticeship with
Sarasota Opera. There, he impressed audiences with his
performances as Benvolio in Romeo et Juliette after he was
entrusted with covering and performing the role.

JOHN ALLEN NELSON Escamillo
Irish-American baritone John Allen Nelson is known
for his “deliciously hearty sound” with “uniformity
from top to bottom” paired with his clean musicality.
His “full body approach” to acting always makes
him an audience favorite. In 2024, Nelson debuted
with Bel Cantanti Opera in Washington, DC as
Simone in Gianni Schicchi and in the title role of
Aleko. Later in the season he debuted in his home
state of Minnesota at Duluth Superior Symphony
Orchestra as the bass soloist in Mozart’s Vespers and returned to Pacific Symphony
as Schaunard in La bohème.

PEPPERDINE CHAMBER CHOIR
DR. RYAN BOARD Director
The Pepperdine Chamber Choir is Pepperdine
University’s top-tier vocal ensemble. This
auditioned group of music and non-music
majors performs demanding vocal ensemble
repertoires of diverse styles and presents
concerts locally, nationally and internationally.
Often featured at important campus events, the Pepperdine Chamber Choir
regularly tours the US and abroad. Recent domestic tours include California,
Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. The Chamber Choir has also toured
Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic, and is regularly a featured group at the
Prague Choral Festival.

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