The Vocal Scholar program for 2026 represents 20 auditioned collegiate vocalists who will receive a free-of-charge opportunity to sing with BCI and study with faculty inclusive of room and board, tuition, travel expenses and music fees. This program focuses on opportunities for tenor and bass voices, however we are glad to welcome SATB voices for our a cappella program in Beverly, MA. BCI is grateful for designated donor funding to support this educational program.
Paul L. Anderson II is a passionate musician, educator, speaker, and conductor. A native North Carolinian, he is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Missouri School of Music (Mizzou), where he is pursuing a PhD in Music Education. At Mizzou, his appointments have included: director of Hitt Street Harmony, an auditioned ensemble specializing in vocal jazz and contemporary a cappella; assistant conductor of University Singers and Concert Chorale; and instructor of several courses. In 2024, he was honored with the prestigious Mizzou 18 award, and in 2026, he was recognized by the College of Arts and Science with the Green Chalk Teaching Assistant Award. Beyond academia, Mr. Anderson also serves as director of Traditional Worship and the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, and is the founding director of the Deep River Singers, a North Carolina–based vocal ensemble dedicated to the preservation and education of the Spirituals. He holds degrees in music education and choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Emma Cooke is a first-year graduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting under the direction of Dr. Lindsay Pope. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Plymouth State University, Emma taught choir and theater at Lebanon High School. During her time there, the department was recognized with the 2024 and 2025 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education Award. She was also nominated for the 2024 New Hampshire ACDA Choral Director of the Year. As a performer, Emma is a longstanding member of the New Hampshire Master Chorale and the Upper Valley Community Choir. She also performed with the Handel Society of Dartmouth during their 2022 fall season. In her free time, she enjoys solo performances with the East Bay Jazz Ensemble.
Hector Duran, baritone, is a Music Education student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), graduating in Spring 2027. He has performed with the UTRGV Master Chorale, the UTRGV Chamber Singers, the Valley Symphony Orchestra Chorale, the Highland Park Chorale, and the Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Brownsville. At FUMC Brownsville, he serves as Hymn Leader and is honored to be a recipient of both the Lourdes Lara Simmons Scholarship and the Pace Music Scholarship. Hector has appeared in UTRGV Opera Theatre productions, performing the roles of David in Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, the Usher in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, and Dr. Neville Craven in Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon’s The Secret Garden. After graduation, he plans to teach secondary choral music in Texas and continue developing his work as a vocalist and conductor. An avid naturalist in his free time, Hector enjoys wildlife photography, identifying butterflies, and especially birding.
Devin Embrich is the Director of Choirs at Jupiter Middle School and Conductor of the Men’s Choir at the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches. Devin holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Vocal Concentration from Westminster Choir College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. During his time at Westminster, he was a member of the Westminster Choir, Symphonic Choir, and Concert Handbell Choir. Devin also served as the president of Westminster’s ACDA collegiate chapter for two consecutive years. As a Countertenor, Devin most recently has been featured on two albums: The 30th Anniversary of the Westminster Evening of Readings and Carols, and the 100th anniversary recording of the Westminster Choir, A Serenity of Soul, under the direction of Dr. James Jordan. Most recently, Devin participated as a Full Conductor of the Westminster Choir in the Choral Institute at Oxford, UK. Over the past few Summers, he has been a conductor at the UNT Choral Conducting Symposium and the Interlochen Choral Conducting Institute. Last Summer, Devin toured Italy as a chorister in the Addamus Choral Interrail and conducted the international choir in Venice, Italy.
Benjamin Glick, baritone, is a rising junior studying voice performance at Westminster Choir College with Aaron Cafaro as the recipient of a full tuition voice scholarship. Past performances include El Rey in El Gato Con Botas with Westminster Opera Theater, and he is currently a member of The Westminster Choir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, and Westminster Concert Handbell Choir. He also serves as the bass section leader at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church and is the Choir Master of the Rho Kappa chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity at Westminster Choir College. Awards include 1st in category in the Westminster Voice Awards in 2025 and 1st in category in the NJ NATS Festival of Singing in 2025.
Jonathan I Gonzales (Tenor) is a dedicated vocalist pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education at UTRGV. Jonathan is an active performer, he participates with the UTRGV Master Chorale & Festival Chorus, Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley (CRGV), Valley Symphony Chorus, Berkshire Choral International (BCI), various church ensembles across South Texas, UTRGV Marching Band, and UTRGV Pep Band. He recently accomplished the role of Drum Major for the UTRGV Marching Band for the Fall 26 Season. His accolades include Semi-Finalist in Classical Category and 3rd place Finalist in Musical Theatre for the South Texas NATS, Quarterfinalist in Musical Theatre Category for the TEXOMA NATS, placement in two Texas All-State Choirs, and Most Outstanding Performer in UIL State Solo & Ensemble. Jonathan aspires to further his studies in Opera and Conducting at the graduate level.
Elliot Henderson, a native of Manhattan NY, is a second-year undergraduate student at the Schulich School of Music. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance and a Minor in Choral Conducting. Elliot studies with world renowned Canadian-Italian Baritone Brett Polegato. He is currently undergoing conducting training from various students at McGill and with renowned conductor Jean-Sébestian Vallée. Elliot’s repertoire spans a variety of composers, specializing in works by George Butterworth, Chausson, Duparc, Fauré, Hahn, G. F. Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Richard Strauss, and R. V. Williams. In addition to being a great singer, Elliot has approximately 14 years of experience on the Cello, and 5 years of Orchestral ensemble playing. Elliot attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and was also a longtime chorister at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church where he sang for 6 years.
Aaron Lynch is a tenor from Rochester, NY who studies with Todd Thomas at Westminster Choir College in NJ. A member of the Westminster Choir (directed by Dr. Donald Nally), Aaron has had the privilege of performing with groups such as the Sebastians and The Brass Project, and looks forward to performing with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir in the coming academic year. He recently was featured in the Lindsey Christiansen Art Song Festival this May, and in the new opera Speed Dating Tonight by Michael Ching. Aaron is incredibly excited to sing with Berkshire Choral International this summer as a vocal scholar for Beth Willer’s British Mavericks.
Born in Claremont, California, Zach Martin grew up singing in choruses and participating in local theatre productions. At Lewis and Clark College, he continued his vocal studies with voice teacher Sue McBerry. Zach has competed and placed top three in several local singing competitions in the past four years, including winning the college’s concerto competition to sing with the orchestra in concert in 2025. He worked as a choral scholar at St. James Lutheran church, performing in the chancel choir and providing solo performances during services. Zach has performed with multiple professional choirs, including Resonance Ensemble at the Oregon Bach festival in 2024. Earlier that year, he performed the role of Dr. Jim Pomatter in Waitress the musical, and last year gave a shared junior recital with a fellow baritone. Just this March, Zach performed his senior recital at Lewis and Clark College. Outside of singing, Zach enjoys playing guitar, piano, and making beats. He also is an accomplished swimmer on his college swim team.
Ivan J. Melendez is a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I will be student teaching soon am currently a music tutor on campus and worship team members as vocalist and bassist in my church. I have been trying to take as many chances as possible to go out and sing, teach, and learn throughout my years of college. I have been attending NATS competitions, sang in VSO (Valley Symphony Orchestra), and sang in other concerts around the state of Texas.
John Monk (he/him) is an aspiring conductor and bass-baritone from Berkeley, California. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music pursuing a master’s degree in choral conducting where he is a graduate assistant. He is a recent graduate of Biola University, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in Flute Performance. During his time at Biola, John had the opportunity to assistant conduct the Biola University Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonic Winds. An animated vocalist, John has sung with professional ensembles in Los Angeles and Cincinnati and currently sings with Choral Arts Initiative and with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir. He has a particular interest in collaborating with living composers and exploring innovative ways of creating meaningful connections through music.
William Myers-Ortiz is a choral conductor and singer in Baltimore, where his is the co-founder and artistic director of New Choir of Mount Vernon, associate conductor of Bach in Baltimore, and graduate assistant to the vocal ensembles of the Peabody Institute under Beth Willer. William has sung with Chicago’s Grant Park Chorus and Constellation Men’s Ensemble, recorded with the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul and New Muses Project, and soloed in concert with the Emmanuel Choir in Baltimore and the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers. Just as meaningful to him have been his experiences with amateur choirs, notably the Peabody Hopkins Conservatory Choir (PHCC), the University of Chicago Glee Club, and Montréal’s Les Voix Férrées, each of which inspired deep joy and commitment to a community in and around the choir. Will holds degrees from the University of Chicago, McGill University, and will begin as Peabody Institute’s first-ever DMA student in choral conducting this fall. He reads and writes poetry, is a dedicated member of his local running club, and a public transit enthusiast. Outside of choir rehearsal, he is typically found in the homey and understatedly beautiful walking radius of his home neighborhood.
Denver-based baritone and composer Justin D. Nickerson is most at home on the choral stage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Colorado Mesa University and is currently finishing his master’s degree in performance and composition at the Lamont School of Music at University of Denver. He holds the arts as the most essential keys to connecting to others, and finds his greatest community in those he performs with. As a singer, he is an enthusiastic performer, performing currently with the Colorado Chorale, the Lamont Chorale, and the Orpheus Pagan Chamber Choir. He has also previously performed with Central City Opera, Lamont Opera Theater, and several church choirs in the Denver area. As a composer, his largest inspirations are Verdi, Vaughan Williams, and Debussy. In his music, he explores the range of the human experience, ranging from basic emotions all the way to exploring concepts such as perspectives on death and our responsibility to the world around us. His music is a way for him to connect at the highest level to the art of others and explore their deepest truths.
Noah Ochieng, tenor, is thrilled to join Berkshire Choral International this summer as a first-year Vocal Scholar. A rising senior music education major at Southern Methodist University, he is passionate about student advocacy and expanding access to the arts. He is active in choral, jazz, songwriting, and worship settings; he looks forward to making music with fellow singers in Denver this summer.
Noah Padgett is a bass-baritone from Murray, KY. He has just received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Murray State University. While at Murray State, Noah studied under Christopher Mitchell and current studies with Braun Oldenkamp. Noah has won 1st place 3 times in the Mid-South region of NATS vocal competition. Also, Noah has been a semifinalist for NATS National Student Audition. Noah currently serves as an intern with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra Children’s Choir. His opera credits include Amahl in the Night Visitor(King Melchior) with Franklin Light Opera and Murray State University. He also has been Caronte in Orfeo and the Woodsman in Little Red Riding Hood Opera. He is looking forward to this experience to continuing his learning journey this summer.
Jackson Phillips, bass, is currently a fourth-year undergraduate from Texas pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Baylor University, where he studies under Dr. Jamie Van Eyck. During his time at Baylor, Jackson has been heavily involved with Baylor’s opera and choral programs. Jackson has participated in various opera productions in the Texas area, such as Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors through Music on Site, Inc., and enjoyed performing scenes from Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Jackson has also proven a valuable member of the Baylor Opera Theater in recent productions of Michael Ching’s Notes on Viardot and Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo. Jackson is continuing his involvement with Baylor Opera Theater, Baylor’s A Capella Choir, and Music On Site, Inc. as he completes his bachelor’s degree, and plans to further pursue opera as an upcoming graduate student.
Fortune Picker, Soprano, is a Sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Music Education and Vocal Performance- but she has been studying voice for 6 years in total. She made her Opera debut as Laurie in the Opera “The Tender Land” this past April at VCU! Last year Fortune was a National Semifinalist for her category in NATS. This year, she placed first overall in her category in her Region at NATS. Other than being a Vocal Scholar with Berkshire Choral International, she will also be attending Songfest as a Young Artist at Furman University.
Jackson Utz, an educator, vocalist, pianist, and organist; graduated from Arkansas Tech University in the fall of 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in keyboard/vocal music education. Throughout his time at Tech, Jackson enjoyed singing in the ATU Choral Artists and University Singers as a chorus member and as a soloist. He also enjoyed being part of the band program playing piano and euphonium. Finally, during his time in Russellville, Jackson enjoyed singing in the First United Methodist church choir, singing in the All Saint’s Episcopal church choir, and teaching private piano. Currently, he is pursuing a career in the classroom and in music ministry. In the future, Jackson wishes to go back to school to continue studying and is excited to see what crazy journey he is in for. When he is not on the bench or with his nose in a folder, Jackson enjoys watching movies, reading, and going for a drive.
Jason Yang is a third-year undergraduate pursing a Bachelor’s of Music in Choral Music at the University of Southern California(USC). Most recently, he was a participant in the Western American Choral Directors Association (WACDA) undergraduate conducting masterclass. In 2025, he was an assistant conductor for Baroque Collegium LA, working with singers from the LA Master Chorale and early musicians in LA. Jason has conducted as a part of USC’s Choral Collective, performing choral works from Renaissance to Contemporary eras. In 2024, he was a conducting apprentice for Choral Arts Initiave(CAI). Jason sings with the USC Chamber Singers, Thornton Baroque Sinfonia, and was music director for USC’s premier acapella group, the SoCal VoCals. He studies with Dr. Tram Sparks and Jennifer Kampani.