Guest Artists
Many concerts feature local and world-renowned musicians. The guest artists below were featured in recent concerts.
Amy Frostman, Soprano
Amy Frostman grew up in Moretown, Vermont, where she attended Harwood Union High School. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education she returned to Vermont and began her career teaching general music at Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington, where she can still be found sharing her love of music with children. She has sung with numerous local groups including Counterpoint, Simple Gifts, Oriana, the VSO Chorus, South County Chorus and In Accord. Amy has appeared as a featured soloist with the Hinesburg Artist Series, the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the VSO Pops. For over a decade Amy has enjoyed singing the alto arias in the Rutland Area Chorus’ annual “Messiah”.
Becky Bass, Vocalist, Steel Drummer and Actor
Becky Bass, who hails from the beautiful island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island, is a two-time New England Urban Music Award winner. Her beautiful, angelic voice and mesmerizing steel drum playing can be heard with several bands, including Lion Eye Music, Natural Element and Mystic Jammers, and as a solo artist. She lends her musical talents to RPM Voices of Rhode Island, a cross-cultural, multi-generational gospel choir led by Dr. Clarice Thompson. After graduating from Brown University, Becky was a guest steel pan artist on numerous recordings. She recently debuted her first solo album, My Love Is Real, as lead vocalist. For more about Becky and to hear a sample of her music, click here.
Emily Taubl, Cellist
Ms. Taubl has attracted attention for her expressive playing and uncommon poise. She has been called “an outstanding cellist with a bright future” by the Hartford Courant. She appeared as a concerto soloist with the Hartford Symphony, Boston Virtuosi, Granite State Symphony, Nashua Chamber Orchestra, New England String Ensemble and the Juilliard PreCollege Symphony. She has been featured as a soloist at the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles, on the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Prelude Concert Series, and for The Colors of Claude Debussy: A 150th Birthday Celebration on Boston’s WGBH that was broadcast internationally. In addition, she has been recognized as the top prizewinner in the Van Rooy Competition. Emily studied at Juilliard, Yale School of Music, and the New England Conservatory. She lives in Burlington and teaches at the University of Vermont and privately.
Laurel Ann Maurer, Flutist
Ms. Maurer began her musical studies in Seattle, Washington under the direction of Dorothy Bjarnason. She continued her education in New York City, studying with Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser and Samuel Baron. Her principal teacher, Mr. Baker, has stated that she is “One of our outstanding and gifted flutists.” As an award winner from such organizations as the National Association of Composers-USA, the National Flute Association, the National Orchestra of New York, the Chautauqua Institute and the Utah Arts Council, Ms. Maurer has appeared as flute soloist throughout the United States and Europe. Laurel is based in Barre, Vermont and enjoys her dual roles as performer and teacher.
Gary Moreau, Bass
Gary Moreau, a native of Burlington, received his B.S. in Music Education, and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instructional Development from the University of Vermont. He studied voice with Ms. Shari Fleming at UVM and Mr. Raymond Murcell and Mr. Charles Bressler of New York City. Mr. Moreau is very much in demand as a soloist throughout Vermont. He has performed locally with the Vermont Mozart Festival, Oriana Singers, North Country Chorus, South Burlington Community Chorus, South County Chorus and In Accord, among others. Gary has been a guest soloist on several occasions. His dedication to music education in Vermont and support of his fellow musicians is greatly appreciated.
Dan Frostman, Oboe
Dan Frostman attended the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Sara Bloom and Mark Ostoich. After receiving his degree in Oboe Performance he attended the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT, earning his Masters of Oboe Performance. Dan is Circulation Services Manager at Middlebury College for the campus libraries.
Amy Patrick, Alto
Amy was an education major at Plymouth State University in NH where she studied voice with Eva Negorka. Growing up in a musical family she sang in the Champlain Valley Union High School Chorus and Madrigal Singers and played the french horn, performing in the All-State and New England Music Festivals. She has been a soloist for the Joyful Noise concert in NH and VT and was a member of the solo quartet for the Hinesburg Artist Series performances of the Mozart “Requiem” in 2006 and 2016.
Jim Boccia, Trumpet
Jim Boccia, a highly accomplished teacher and performer, trained at the New England Conservatory where he studied under some of the finest teachers in the world. He has performed with the Vermont Symphony, Concert Pops of Long Island, Long Island Philharmonic, New Hampshire Philharmonic, and Vermont Symphony Brass Quintet. Jim has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Vermont, Plymouth State University and Keene State College. He is an active freelance performer in the Boston area, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Sarah Cullins, Soprano
After graduating from the New England Conservatory/Tufts University double-degree program Sarah, a Burlington High School graduate, spent a year in Mannes College of Music’s Professional Studies Program and then moved to Bogota, Columbia. While living there, Sarah won the country’s national voice competition in 2004 and appeared regularly with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Bogota and Medellin as well as the National Symphonic Orchestra of Columbia, performing a wide variety of standard oratorio and concert repertoire as well as 20th century compositions. In 2006 she was invited by the Universidad Central to design and implement its first voice department. Graduates as well as current students of the program have appeared with important orchestras and opera companies in Colombia and the U.S, have won all categories of Columbia’s national voice competition, and have been granted full scholarships to Master’s degree programs in the U.S. Sarah now makes her home in Burlington and continues to travel and appear in festivals in the U.S.
Grace Cloutier, Harpist
Known for her expressive musicality and rich, warm sound, the concert harpist Grace Cloutier trained at Julliard, Yale, and in France. She gave her solo debut and an encore solo recital at Carnegie Hall in addition to numerous chamber and orchestral appearances at the infamous hall. She performs nationally and internationally at the major concert halls.
Miss Cloutier regularly performs for the American Harp Society, the World Harp Congress and for the Ukrainian National Music Festival. An active proponent for increased public awareness concerning the intrinsic value of music for all people at every stage of life, Grace Cloutier regularly gives workshops for the young and has received the Gluck Fellowship from Julliard for her work with victims of AIDS, the elderly and children. In addition, she has been honored with a Presidential Point of Light Award for her musical contributions to Hospice.
Toni Dolce, Soprano
Based in New York City, soprano Toni Dolce enjoys singing a vast array of music including classical, musical theater, and adult contemporary works.
As a working member of the New York Choral Artists, Ms. Dolce regularly performs with the NY Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, and the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center. Past performances have included My Fair Lady starring Kelsey Grammar and Kelly O’Hara, Grendel, directed by Julie Taymor, Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum at Carnegie Hall, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Handel’s Messiah and Elijah, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, and many other large choral works.
Amy Frostman, Soprano
Amy Frostman grew up in Moretown, Vermont, where she attended Harwood Union High School. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education she returned to Vermont and began her career teaching general music at Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington, where she can still be found sharing her love of music with children. She has sung with numerous local groups including Counterpoint, Simple Gifts, Oriana, the VSO Chorus, South County Chorus and In Accord. Amy has appeared as a featured soloist with the Hinesburg Artist Series, the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the VSO Pops. For over a decade Amy has enjoyed singing the alto arias in the Rutland Area Chorus’ annual “Messiah”.
Becky Bass, Vocalist, Steel Drummer and Actor
Becky Bass, who hails from the beautiful island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island, is a two-time New England Urban Music Award winner. Her beautiful, angelic voice and mesmerizing steel drum playing can be heard with several bands, including Lion Eye Music, Natural Element and Mystic Jammers, and as a solo artist. She lends her musical talents to RPM Voices of Rhode Island, a cross-cultural, multi-generational gospel choir led by Dr. Clarice Thompson. After graduating from Brown University, Becky was a guest steel pan artist on numerous recordings. She recently debuted her first solo album, My Love Is Real, as lead vocalist. For more about Becky and to hear a sample of her music, click here.
Emily Taubl, Cellist
Ms. Taubl has attracted attention for her expressive playing and uncommon poise. She has been called “an outstanding cellist with a bright future” by the Hartford Courant. She appeared as a concerto soloist with the Hartford Symphony, Boston Virtuosi, Granite State Symphony, Nashua Chamber Orchestra, New England String Ensemble and the Juilliard PreCollege Symphony. She has been featured as a soloist at the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles, on the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Prelude Concert Series, and for The Colors of Claude Debussy: A 150th Birthday Celebration on Boston’s WGBH that was broadcast internationally. In addition, she has been recognized as the top prizewinner in the Van Rooy Competition. Emily studied at Juilliard, Yale School of Music, and the New England Conservatory. She lives in Burlington and teaches at the University of Vermont and privately.
Laurel Ann Maurer, Flutist
Ms. Maurer began her musical studies in Seattle, Washington under the direction of Dorothy Bjarnason. She continued her education in New York City, studying with Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser and Samuel Baron. Her principal teacher, Mr. Baker, has stated that she is “One of our outstanding and gifted flutists.” As an award winner from such organizations as the National Association of Composers-USA, the National Flute Association, the National Orchestra of New York, the Chautauqua Institute and the Utah Arts Council, Ms. Maurer has appeared as flute soloist throughout the United States and Europe. Laurel is based in Barre, Vermont and enjoys her dual roles as performer and teacher.
Gary Moreau, Bass
Gary Moreau, a native of Burlington, received his B.S. in Music Education, and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instructional Development from the University of Vermont. He studied voice with Ms. Shari Fleming at UVM and Mr. Raymond Murcell and Mr. Charles Bressler of New York City. Mr. Moreau is very much in demand as a soloist throughout Vermont. He has performed locally with the Vermont Mozart Festival, Oriana Singers, North Country Chorus, South Burlington Community Chorus, South County Chorus and In Accord, among others. Gary has been a guest soloist on several occasions. His dedication to music education in Vermont and support of his fellow musicians is greatly appreciated.
Dan Frostman, Oboe
Dan Frostman attended the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Sara Bloom and Mark Ostoich. After receiving his degree in Oboe Performance he attended the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT, earning his Masters of Oboe Performance. Dan is Circulation Services Manager at Middlebury College for the campus libraries.
Amy Patrick, Alto
Amy was an education major at Plymouth State University in NH where she studied voice with Eva Negorka. Growing up in a musical family she sang in the Champlain Valley Union High School Chorus and Madrigal Singers and played the french horn, performing in the All-State and New England Music Festivals. She has been a soloist for the Joyful Noise concert in NH and VT and was a member of the solo quartet for the Hinesburg Artist Series performances of the Mozart “Requiem” in 2006 and 2016.
Jim Boccia, Trumpet
Jim Boccia, a highly accomplished teacher and performer, trained at the New England Conservatory where he studied under some of the finest teachers in the world. He has performed with the Vermont Symphony, Concert Pops of Long Island, Long Island Philharmonic, New Hampshire Philharmonic, and Vermont Symphony Brass Quintet. Jim has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Vermont, Plymouth State University and Keene State College. He is an active freelance performer in the Boston area, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Sarah Cullins, Soprano
After graduating from the New England Conservatory/Tufts University double-degree program Sarah, a Burlington High School graduate, spent a year in Mannes College of Music’s Professional Studies Program and then moved to Bogota, Columbia. While living there, Sarah won the country’s national voice competition in 2004 and appeared regularly with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Bogota and Medellin as well as the National Symphonic Orchestra of Columbia, performing a wide variety of standard oratorio and concert repertoire as well as 20th century compositions. In 2006 she was invited by the Universidad Central to design and implement its first voice department. Graduates as well as current students of the program have appeared with important orchestras and opera companies in Colombia and the U.S, have won all categories of Columbia’s national voice competition, and have been granted full scholarships to Master’s degree programs in the U.S. Sarah now makes her home in Burlington and continues to travel and appear in festivals in the U.S.
Grace Cloutier, Harpist
Known for her expressive musicality and rich, warm sound, the concert harpist Grace Cloutier trained at Julliard, Yale, and in France. She gave her solo debut and an encore solo recital at Carnegie Hall in addition to numerous chamber and orchestral appearances at the infamous hall. She performs nationally and internationally at the major concert halls.
Miss Cloutier regularly performs for the American Harp Society, the World Harp Congress and for the Ukrainian National Music Festival. An active proponent for increased public awareness concerning the intrinsic value of music for all people at every stage of life, Grace Cloutier regularly gives workshops for the young and has received the Gluck Fellowship from Julliard for her work with victims of AIDS, the elderly and children. In addition, she has been honored with a Presidential Point of Light Award for her musical contributions to Hospice.
Toni Dolce, Soprano
Based in New York City, soprano Toni Dolce enjoys singing a vast array of music including classical, musical theater, and adult contemporary works.
As a working member of the New York Choral Artists, Ms. Dolce regularly performs with the NY Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, and the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center. Past performances have included My Fair Lady starring Kelsey Grammar and Kelly O’Hara, Grendel, directed by Julie Taymor, Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum at Carnegie Hall, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Handel’s Messiah and Elijah, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, and many other large choral works.