Alvy Powell, one of the world's best-known interpreters of the role of Porgy, has won acclaim for his performances both at home and abroad. Having performed the role more than 2,500 times, Powell has recreated Porgy with such companies as La Scala, New York City Opera, Live at Lincoln Center PBS, San Francisco Opera, Cape Town Opera, Sydney Opera, and Houston Grand Opera, to name a few.

As a result of his performance with the Houston Grand Opera, USA Today called him "incredibly magnetic," describing him as the "center of gravity." Il Giornale declared, "A triumph at La Scala, Alvy Powell is Porgy, a perfect interpreter." Il Sole wrote, "The Porgy of Alvy Powell was intense, human and vibrant…a triumph."

Powell was the bass soloist in Verdi's Requiem with the Rome Opera, commemorating the centennial of Giuseppe Verdi's death, sponsored by the Vatican.

Combining his military career with his independent vocal performances, Sergeant First Class (ret.) Alvy Powell was a soloist with the United States Army Chorus. He has sung at the White House on several occasions and first came to national prominence singing The Star-Spangled Banner at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush. Powell was also the featured performer at the 60th wedding anniversary of George and Barbara Bush at the White House. A favorite of the Ford family, he was asked to sing at the funerals of President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford.

Mark Epperson, a former pastor of First Presbyterian Church, is an incredible talent in music, Broadway musicals, and television. He has appeared in numerous musicals, including The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia, South Pacific, and many others. A skilled actor, he has had supporting roles in shows such as Madam Secretary as a TV host, Succession (CBS) as a news anchor (recurring), Festival of Lights (HBO) as an INS agent, SP Films (directed by Shundell Prasad), and Perry Street as Ryan Thomas (NYFA Films, directed by Antonio Padovan). Mark is back home this year with the Christmas Joy family, lending his superb vocal abilities once again to our show.

Chris is the Classic Worship Director at First Pres, where he leads the Classic Worship staff and Big Blue with a deep commitment to vibrant, Christ-centered worship. With more than 19 years of experience as a worship leader and choir director, Chris has shared his musical talents at several churches in the Atlanta area, including Eastminster Presbyterian and Hillside Church. His expertise in composing and arranging music for choirs, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and worship bands is matched by his passion for reimagining classic hymns for worship. Chris's journey to faith began early when he decided to follow Jesus as a child at New Covenant Church. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and Creative Music Technology from LaGrange College and a Master of Music in Music Composition from Georgia State University. Chris and his wife live in Colorado Springs with their three children: Abby, Emma, and Ben. Outside of his musical endeavors, Chris enjoys fishing, cooking, and traveling with his family.

Adam Haas is an accomplished pianist, educator, and collaborator, currently serving as the Assistant Classic Worship Director at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs. He is also the Program Director at the Colorado Springs Conservatory.

A passionate teacher and performer, Dr. Haas has previously taught at Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance. His performance career includes appearances as soloist with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, the Loveland Orchestra, and the Colorado State University Orchestra. He has presented lectures at numerous national and state conferences and performed extensively across the United States as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Dr. Haas has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including violinist Byron Hitchcock for the Englewood Performing Arts Series, trombonists Tom Burge and Justin Isenhour, flutists Tadeu Coelho, John Barcellona, and Kristin Grant, the Anasazi String Quartet, and the Chinook Winds. He has also studied and performed at the Aspen Music Festival and the New Orleans Piano Institute, holding additional degrees from Indiana University and Colorado State University. His principal piano teachers include Andrew Cooperstock, Edward Auer, Janet Landreth, and Anton Nel, and he has studied organ with Joe Galema.

Based in the Pikes Peak region, Dr. Haas is an active performer and frequent collaborator with local musicians and ensembles. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the great Colorado outdoors and spending time with his family.

Judith Meyer returns to Christmas Joy for a fifth season with First Pres Big Blue. Judith has spent more than 25 years singing as a classical vocalist and teaching private voice. Prior to moving to the area, Judith proudly served 12 years in the military as a bandsman in the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus at Ft. Meade, Maryland. She served her unit as a soloist, chorister, and section leader, touring 49 states, and performing for over 600,000 audience members annually. Judith represented Oklahoma Rotary District 5770 as an Ambassadorial Scholar to Italy and was an ensemble artist with the Opera Theater of St. Louis. Judith holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Kent State University, and a Master and Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University and Oklahoma Baptist University, respectively. Judith teaches K-5 Music at Ranch Creek Elementary in Academy District 20 and directs the Mustang Choir, an extracurricular 4th and 5th grade choir.

Scott currently serves as the Classic Worship Manager and Percussionist at First Pres. Scott started playing officially as the Sanctuary Percussionist in February of 2004 and in 2017, Jim DeJarnette asked him to join the music office staff. One of Scott's greatest Joys is supporting and taking care of our very own Big Blue choir, and he especially enjoys serving as the production manager and performing for our major concerts including Christmas Joy and Of Thee I Sing. Scott uses the experience and relationships he garnered by spending 30 years as a member of the United States Air Force Academy Band to assist him in his current role. His military service took him all over the United States and many locations overseas. Scott was honored to perform for five U.S. Presidents and the Pope. Scott is a Colorado Springs native, graduated from Air Academy High School and holds a BA in Music from Regis University. Diane and Scott have been married since 1986, and they have two grown daughters, an amazing son-in-law and two granddaughters who they spoil religiously! In his spare time, Scott enjoys playing drums with several local bands, attending concerts in many musical genres and traveling whenever possible.

Wayne Wilkinson is a headliner guitarist that performs and tours across the country and internationally. Throughout his over four-decade career, Wayne has shared the stage with iconic jazz musicians, world class performers and a President of the United States. Recent performances have included the London, Tel Aviv, and Vail Jazz Festivals, a United Kingdom Tour, and a Hawaii Tour.

Wilkinson, an artist with Benedetto guitars and GHS Strings, is known for his high-octane melodic playing which jazz trombone legend Bill Watrous said, "is the greatest guitar playing I've ever heard." Carol Banks Weber, Jazz Music Examiner wrote, "Considered by many musicians to be one of the best, most underrated jazz guitarists in the country, if not the world, Wilkinson turns any song, no matter the style, into his own personal signature."

Wayne has played at the White House, Carnegie Hall and at major jazz and music festivals with the premier Air Force Jazz Ensembles "The Airmen of Note" in Washington, D.C. and the "Falconaires" in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Bobby Wolfe, a native of Altus, Oklahoma, graduated from Altus High School in 2009. He went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2013. In 2014 he began work on his Master's degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Central Oklahoma. Before finishing his Master's degree he left to join the Army as an active duty bandsmen playing clarinet and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed in 2017 with the 1st Cavalry Division Band to Afghanistan where he would travel the country performing for deployed troops. In 2019 Wolfe separated from the Army and joined the Air Force Band of the West in San Antonio as a guitarist. He performed in the Dimensions of Blue ensemble, Warhawk, and the Concert Band. He was also a featured soloist in their 2019 Christmas Concert, "Holiday in Blue". In 2021 he auditioned as a guitarist to be a member of the United States Air Force Academy Band. He currently performs in Wild Blue Country, the Concert Band, and as a solo guitarist for protocol events. In his spare time, Bobby likes to explore Colorado Springs and spend time with his family. He has studied guitar with Dr. Robert Chambers, Matthew Denman, Danny Vaughan, and the Romero Guitar Quartet.

Rachel West studied Music Industry and Education at Middle Tennessee State University and completed her degree in Worship Imagination and the Arts at Williamson Christian College. She serves as the Classic Worship Coordinator and Co-Director of the Light & Life Children's Choir at First Presbyterian Church.

A vocalist, pianist, composer, and dedicated music educator, Rachel has a deep passion for helping others discover the joy of making music. She is committed to nurturing confident, expressive musicians and inspiring a lifelong love of music—both in her church community and through her private teaching studio.

Vera Skar is a current freshman at UCCS studying for a Bachelor's degree in English in hopes to become a journalist. She works at First Pres as a teacher for the Light & Life kids choir and has sung with Big Blue for three years. In high school, Vera was accepted to sing in the Colorado All State Choir both her Junior and Senior year and was part of an extracurricular a cappella group called the Blue Notes.

For 49 seasons, the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale has helped young people discover their voices—and share them with the world. Serving every corner of the Pikes Peak region, the Chorale is celebrated for performances that sparkle with energy, precision, and heart. Whether on local stages or international tours, these young singers represent Colorado Springs with artistry and joy.

Their excellence has been recognized on some of the world's most prestigious stages—including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall—and with top honors from international festivals. The Children's Chorale has also been celebrated here at home with the El Pomar Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities, the Mayor's International Award for International Outreach, and multiple awards from the Pikes Peak Arts Council.

Beyond the spotlight, the Chorale strengthens our community through outreach programs, school workshops, regional festivals, and a satellite choir that expands access for young singers in Southern Colorado. Every program reflects their mission: to inspire, connect, and uplift through the power of song.

JOIN • HIRE • SUPPORT at kidssing.org | 719-633-3562 | P.O. Box 7841, Colorado Springs, CO 80933

Jake is the director of vocal music at Challenger Middle School in Colorado Springs. He has been active in the Colorado Springs choral community for over 15 years. Jake received an Associate of Arts at Pikes Peak State College, a Bachelor of Music Education at The University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Messiah University (PA). He has performed in multiple community theatre productions with Village Arts of Colorado Springs. Jake is an alumnus of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and believes in their mission of using music and singing to build leadership skills and foster kindness.

Wes Sparkes is excited to rejoin the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale family! He has previously directed and accompanied for the Raise the Roof Festival and was the director of CSCC's Elevation Tenor-Bass ensemble. Wes studied piano and trumpet at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music before moving to Colorado to pursue his Master of Arts in Teaching at Colorado College. Wes taught choir at Eagleview Middle School for 12 years where groups performed at Carnegie Hall, CMEA, and throughout Colorado. Wes also co-founded the District 20 Honor Choir and was a two-time quarterfinalist for GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year! Wes currently performs as a freelance pianist and trumpeter in town, volunteers with the USAFA Cadet Chorale, and enjoys trail running, biking, camping, and spending time with his dog, Biscuit.

Chris Cullins is a songwriter at heart, passionate about telling the story of the gospel through music with beauty, honesty, and clarity. He began classical piano at age four, growing up in a musical family that nurtured his early creativity. As he started composing, he also developed a hunger to play any instrument he could get his hands on—fueling a lifelong love for making music in many forms.

Chris has worked as a session musician, producer, and recording and mastering engineer in Houston, Nashville, and Colorado, focusing primarily on sacred and modern worship music, including orchestral projects. A worship leader for 25 years, he now serves as the Modern Worship and Production Director at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs.

He also enjoys capturing God's creation through photography, often while exploring the mountains with his family—moments that inspire the music he creates to draw people toward Jesus.