Bluffton University's music department has announced the soloists for its 114th performance of Handel's Messiah to be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in Founders Hall.
The soloists for this years' performance are Crystal Sellers, soprano; Julia Szabo, alto; David Sawatzky, tenor; and Calvin Griffin, bass. The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken.
Dr. Crystal Sellers
Dr. Crystal Sellers, visiting assistant professor of music at Bluffton University, is the soprano soloist. She began her vocal studies at Fort Hayes Arts and Academics High School in Columbus, Ohio, and continued her studies in music at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor's of music degree in voice performance.
Sellers received her doctor of musical arts degree in voice performance at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, this fall. There, she was the first doctoral student to complete the Singing Health Specialist Interdisciplinary graduate specialization, and her doctoral dissertation titled "I Sing Because I'm Free: Developing a Systematic Vocal Pedagogy for the Modern Gospel Singer" is the first of its kind in the country to develop a methodology for teaching gospel singing.
Julia Szabo
Julia Szabo, director of alumni relations and annual giving at Bluffton University, was a professional singer in New York City for 25 years. Her work there included singing in many professional choral ensembles, along with solo appearances at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, and roles with a number of opera companies.
Her work in various vocal ensembles led to a spot backing up Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Later this year, Szabo will appear at Carnegie Hall to sing the Soprano II solos in Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor.
David Sawatzky
David Sawatzky, assistant professor of music at Bluffton University, teaches aural skills integrated arts, and music ministry courses. He has conducted the women's choir, Bel Canto and currently conducts the men's choir, Accent!.
He is also the music director of Bluffton's annual May Day musical. He received his undergraduate degrees from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now Canadian Mennonite University) and the University of Manitoba, and his master's degree from the University of Alberta. He has completed doctoral studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., where he taught choral conducting and directed the University Chorus.
Calvin Griffin
Calvin Griffin, the bass soloist for the performance, is a native of Columbus, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Woliver. Last summer, Griffin made his Brevard Music Center debut with the roles of Coppelius/Dr. Miracle in Les Contes D'Hoffmann and Simone in Gianni Schicchi.
