The Bell Choir member names in order from left to right are:
Karen Barrow, Carol Weinhardt, Judith Glen, Joy Stouder, Dee Carr, Bonnie McKeon, Linda Westlin, Joyce Bethune, Penny Beers, Debbie Wych
CHANCEL CHOIR & HANDBELL CHOIR
The emotional power of music is a vital and moving aid to our worship. Music, quite apart from an associated text, is capable of evoking powerful emotions. Hearts are stirred and feet set to tapping by a rousing gospel number, while another melody can move people to tears. Singing lends dignity and grace to sacred actions and has the greatest value in kindling in our hearts an eagerness to pray. From joyful organ music, beautiful choral music comprised of members of the congregation and choral music interns from Northern Arizona University, and the ringing of the handbells and chimes, opportunities for all ages abound! The Church of the Red Rocks is blessed to have a Steinway concert grand piano and a Moller and Rodgers pipe organ with 89 ranks and a computer for additional voicings.
The Chancel Choir has approximately 30 members and 8 NAU Choral Music Interns. This choir rehearses on Sunday mornings from 8:30 am to 9:15 am throughout the year prior to the 9:30 am worship service.
The Church of the Red Rocks is fortunate to have a Handbell Choir which consists of five octaves of hand bells and chimes. The choir performs once a month for church services, plus special music at Christmas and Easter. The ensemble rehearses every Thursday (September through May) from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining one of our ensembles, which are open to all!
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Church of the Red Rocks is fortunate to be able to hire choral music interns from Northern Arizona University to help support the church's weekly musical activities. These undergraduate students provide musical leadership and occasionally sing solos during the worship services.
2024-2025 Choral Music Interns
Adara Knelange is a junior studying choral education at NAU. She is a participant in Shrine of the Ages concert choir and the High Altitude vocal jazz choir. Adara also studied piano for 7 years, and enjoys playing for fun and accompanying herself while singing. She previously worked at School of Rock, teaching voice and keyboard lessons to children, and she looks forward to continuing to teach in the future. When not at school or working, Adara enjoys going to concerts, hiking, camping, and spending time with friends.
Adele Cora Schreiber is a junior choral music education major at Northern Arizona University. She is from Mesa, Arizona, and has been involved in music since before she was born. Adele enjoys singing soprano in a variety of ensembles including The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, NAU’s Shrine of the Ages, and High-Altitude Vocal Jazz. Along with her presence in a number of choirs, Adele is a member of the Arizona Choral Director’s Association, a student chapter focused on the importance of choral music education. In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, crochet, sew, and spend time outdoors.
2024-2025 Interns
Left to Right: Adara Knelange, Adela Schreiber, Kyle Larsen, Mia Murray,
Logan Willson, Dakota Warren, Jake Fagone, Katelyn Mason
Kyle Larsen is a third-year music education major at Northern Arizona University, where he sings in the Shrine of the Ages choir and the vocal jazz ensemble High Altitude. Before attending NAU, he was a student at Mesa Community College, where he performed with their concert and jazz ensembles, as well as with the Canto Vivo Chorale, Solis, Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, and Rob Gardner's Cinematic Pop Orchestra. Kyle was the winner of the 2023 Sonoran Desert Chorale Scholarship and had the opportunity to perform as their soloist this past spring. He has also been seen on the stage at Mesa Community College in productions of "Sweeny Todd," "The Addams Family," and "Something Rotten." Along with singing and performing, he also loves to play the piano. He last worked as a music coordinator and pianist for the Unity Church of Mesa, where he was able to collaborate with many artists around the valley. Kyle is excited to be part of the community here at the Church of the Red Rocks.
Mia Murray is a soprano originally from Glendale, Arizona studying Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance at Northern Arizona University. They are going into their third year of voice lessons with Christine Graham. Mia is so thankful for Christine’s dedication to helping them find their voice as a performer. Mia performs with collegiate ensembles such as High Altitude Vocal Jazz, Shrine of the Ages and serves as a section leader in Vox Astra. They are also a part of the Lyric Opera Theatre program, performing most recently in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Mia is passionate about contemporary a cappella music and sings with the mixed-voice group on campus, NAU Elevation. In their 3 years in the group, they have served on the board as a choreographer, attire coordinator and now serves as the Executive Music Director. Outside of music, they love to cook vegetarian recipes and spend time with their cat, Apollo.
Logan Willson is a bass in his junior year at Northern Arizona University studying Choral Education. He has received many accolades as a performer, including as a recipient of the Young Artist Scholarship from The Prescott Chorale, as a performer in the Western ACDA conference, and as a soloist and choir member in several world premieres. As a composer, Logan has received many opportunities, notably having a premiere with The Nightingale Opera Theatre alongside Jake Heggie's If I Were You. Currently, he enjoys his time as the music director of the Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Xi chapter and as an intern at The Church of the Red Rocks. Logan participated in numerous ensembles including Shrine of The Ages, The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, High Altitude, Vocal Jazz, and the Harold M. Marter Memorial Handbell Choir. Outside of music you can find him racing bicycles as a hobby.
Dakota Warren (he/him) is a Junior Choral Ed Major, Special Events and Co-director of NSU ACDA carolers. He is in Shrine of the Ages, Box Montes, and Highanders A Cappella. Dakota is also a part of the NSU spikeball club. Fun Fact - he has a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Jake Fagone (he/him) is a Sophomore at Northern Arizona University studying Music Education and Vocal Performance. He is from Las Vagas, Nevada, where he started his musical career. He enjoys playing piano, drums, and most importantly, handbells. He is a tenor singing in Shrine of the Ages, High Altitude, and is excited to now sing with The Church of the Red Rocks. In his free time, he likes DJing, Voice Acting, and playing Hockey.
Katelyn Mason is a senior choral music education major at Northern Arizona University. Katelyn grew up in Las Cruces, NM where she participated in community and school orchestras and choirs throughout her childhood. She enjoys being an active member of the NAU Choral Program, having previously participated in Vox Astra and University Singers and various leadership positions. Currently, she is a member of Vox Astra and The Shrine of the Ages Choir, and serves as the Shrine of the Ages Council Secretary, Vox Astra Student Conductor, NAU ACDA Student Chapter President, and Jazz Madrigal Student Coordinator. Besides music, Katelyn spends her time cooking and baking. She loves finding new recipes and making dinners for her friends.
