17th Annual Messiah Sing Along

American soprano Mary Anne Kruger graduated with a Master of Music degree from Indiana University where she studied voice with world-renowned voice teacher Margaret Harshaw.  She then went to Germany where she established an impressive repertoire of over 40 major operatic and concert roles.  Her repertoire spans in vocal range from Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) to Salome, and in stylistic range from Poppea (L’Incornazione di Poppea) to Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), as well as some world and German premieres. Among innumerable accolades, Opernwelt called her Contessa (“Le Nozze di Figaro”) “dazzling”, and Orfeus International declared her Salome to be “worthy of the greatest houses.” She built her repertoire primarily as a member of the Hessisches Staatstheater Darmstadt, but she has performed in over 20 European theaters including the Bayerische Staatsoper- Nationaltheater in Munich, Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Latvian National Opera and Theater Basel.

Her prizes include a nomination in the category “Best Singer” in the Opernwelt Jahrbuch for her portrayal of Alcina.  She was awarded the role of Donna Elvira in the Don Giovanni production  at the Athens Concert Hall directed by Ruggiero Raimondi and conducted by Gustav Kühn. The “Sonderpreis der Wiener Staats-und Volksoper” at the Belvedere Competition secured for her a performance as Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) at the Wiener Volksoper.  She was also awarded a DAAD scholarship (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdient) to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich.  She currently lives in Satellite Beach with her husband and two dogs.

Mezzo soprano Jacquelyn Pileckas is a frequent performer throughout the Central Florida area, appearing in productions with Opera Tampa, Opera Orlando, and Central Florida Vocal Arts. Recently, Jacquelyn has appeared as Ruth Bader Ginsberg in Opera del Sol’s production of Scalia/Ginsburg, Jo March in Harrower Summer Opera’s production of Little Women, and as Alisa with Opera Williamsburg in Lucia di Lammermoor.  In addition to opera, Jacquelyn is a section leader at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke’s in Orlando. She is a frequent guest at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Gainesville, FL, having appeared as a soloist in The Messiah, The Mozart Requiem, The St. John’s Passion, and The Ellingboe Requiem. Jacquelyn completed a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Florida. She received a Bachelor of Music from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA.

Jacquelyn looks forward to appearing as the alto soloist in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church’s Messiah in May as well as joining St. Pete Opera as an Emerging Artist for their production of Carmen in June.

Jacob Pence has been hailed by Ken Herman of the San Diego Story for his “robust and colorful” singing and described by performing arts writer Tom Alvarez as “showing finesse...” in his blog On the Aisle.  ​The past year has been a busy one as October 2022 marked Jacob's debut as Boy Chapel in the world premier of Nathan Felix's new opera, No. 5, Chanel. August 2022 saw Jacob's portrayal of the sinister Gauleiter Herr Zeller in the Central Florida Vocal Arts production of The Sound of Music while during May and April of 2022 Jacob performed the roles of Le Corporal and Maestro Spinelloccio in St. Petersburg Opera's La fille du Regiment and Opera Tampa’s performance of Gianni Schicchi respectively.

Jacob's pervious performances include the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 2021 Orlando premier of War Brides by Nathan Felix, Sid in The Girl of the Golden West with Opera Orlando in February 2020, the role of Pish-Tush in The Mikado with Central Florida Vocal Arts in 2019, and the roles of Dax and The Client in Robert Patterson’s contemporary opera Three Way during the 2018 Orlando Fringe Festival.

Jacob has performed in productions with the St. Petersburg Opera Company, Opera Tampa, Kentucky Opera, and Indianapolis Opera, appearing as an Emerging Artist with The Crested Butte Music Festival, Music by the Lake at Aurora University, Columbus Opera, The Lexington Opera Society, OperaNeo, and the Martina Arroyo Foundation. Jacob has prepared and performed over 20 roles encompassing the familiar personae of the Operatic Repertoire alongside the colorful characters of Operetta and the Musical Theatre genres.

Jacob is a frequent concert soloist, familiar with many sacred compositions including: F.J. Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and “The Creation,” J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 61 and Christmas Oratorio, W.A. Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and Coronation Mass, G.F. Händel’s Messiah, G. Rossini’s Petite Solemn Mass, and the Requiem Masses of Duruflé, Fauré, and Schumann. He is at home with modern compositions, frequently working alongside composers premiering new work or introducing enthusiastic audiences to the less performed musical selections of the past century.

A native of Crestwood, Kentucky, Jacob is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the University of Evansville, residing in Orlando, Florida. He performs regularly as a soloist and bass section leader at All-Saint’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida.

Bryan Hayes is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer, with a background ranging many genres including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and more.  In 2013 he received bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in the studies of Classical voice and in Jazz Studies, primary instrument voice.  He has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts, he has performed major roles in numerous operas, oratorios and theatrical productions, and has toured with different groups in many different countries, including but not limited to; the University of North Florida and University of British Columbia Opera ensembles in two separate productions in the Czech Republic, the University of North Florida Chorale 2010 tour of Italy, the St. John’s Cathedral Choir of Jacksonville 2014 tour of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2014, and numerous shows with the Orlando Philharmonic and Opera Orlando.

He has performed onstage with such noted artists and ensembles, including but not limited to; The Royal Symphony of England, Reggie Wooten, Coolio, Ben Folds and Andrea Bocelli.  In 2015 Bryan released his first original album entitled “This Is Me”.  Bryan aspires to continue a career of performance and composition.