Corlyn Longer-Schreck
2826 Lowell Street
Kalamazoo, MI  49001

Phone: 381-3804

E-mail:
clongerschreck@live.com

Web site:
aspire-ensemble.org

Having performed together for many years as the Section Leader quartet at First Congregational Church, Kalamazoo, MI, Aspire Ensemble debuted in 2007 with the goal of expanding their concert work outside of the church. All four of the singers have performed extensively in the West Michigan region as professional soloists singing oratorio, opera, recitals, music theater and concert work with such groups as Opera Grand Rapids, The Kalamazoo Symphony, Camerata Singers of Muskegon, MI, The Kalamazoo Bach Festival, The Battle Creek Symphony and The Kalamazoo Civic Theater.

Sara Quinn Rivara, mezzo-soprano
Having been described as “exceptionally impressive” and possessing a strong, distinctive voice, Sara has appeared as a soloist numerous times with The Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus including Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessor, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Bach’s Magnificat. She has also been a featured soloist with the Kalamazoo College Concert Band and was a member of Camerata Singers of Muskegon, MI and currently serves on the board of The Kalamazoo Bach Festival. She holds a BA from Kalamazoo College and an MFA in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC.

Howard Tejchma, tenor
Howard has sung with the Muskegon Camerata for about 4 years and with Opera Grand Rapids for the last 9 years, most recently as “El Remendado” in Carmen. He has also soloed with the Kalamazoo Bach Festival on many occasions including Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessor, Bach’s Weinnachten Oratorio, Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. When not singing or working, he enjoys video production, composing sacred music, and playing piano and organ. He is a native of Muskegon, MI and a graduate of Kalamazoo College with a BA in Physics.

Joseph Schreck, baritone
Known for his warm lyric baritone and innate musicianship, Joseph Schreck sings frequently as a soloist in oratorio and opera in Michigan. Equally comfortable as a quartet recitalist and soloist, he has been featured with many ensembles including the San Diego (CA) Master Chorale, Opera Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, and the Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA) Metropolitan Chorale. Joe is a native of western Iowa and studied voice at The University of Northern Iowa with David Smalley and also at Western Michigan University.

Corlyn Longer-Schreck, soprano
A native of eastern Iowa, Corlyn has a Bachelor’s in Vocal Music from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University. She also studied opera and recital music at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria on full scholarship. She is a Metropolitan Opera Vocal Competition Regional Finalist and District Winner as well as a Finalist of the Bel Canto Regional Vocal Competition in Milwaukee, WI in addition to winning several competitions in Michigan. She has appeared as a soloist in opera, major choral works and music theater with The Kalamazoo Symphony, The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys, The Battle Creek Symphony, The Kalamazoo Bach Festival, The Battle Creek Community Choir, The Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra, The Cedar Falls/Waterloo Metropolitan Chorale and The Kalamazoo Civic Theater.

Availability: Year-round