2026-2027 CHORAL FELLOWS

Anthony Martini is a pre-service educator, vocalist, aspiring conductor, and arranger of music. He is presently in his senior year of study at the University of Connecticut, completing a 5-year, triple-degree program in music education and studying voice in the studio of Dr. Spencer Reese. He is a tenor section leader of the UConn Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, with whom he has previously performed at Carnegie Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and with Jacob Collier. Recent vocal engagements include serving as a section leader with Prism Chorus in the Barbershop Harmony Society International Chorus Competition placing 13th in the world, and the role of Jupiter in Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers with UConn Voice Opera. Mr. Martini currently holds choral fellowships with The Vernon Chorale in Vernon, CT, St. Mark’s Episcopal Chapel in Storrs, CT, and served as the 2025 ensemble manager for the UConn Festival Chorus in Storrs, CT, under the direction of Dr. Ellen Gilson Voth. He has previously served on the executive boards of UConn Choirs and UConn Music Student Advisory Council, as well as the university chapters of both the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He has completed arrangements for UConn’s A Completely Different Note A Cappella, UConn’s Composer Ensemble Collaboration, and most recently arranged for the UConn Chamber Singers’ performance at the 2026 UConn School of Fine Arts Commencement Ceremony. Mr. Martini is a proud alumnus of A Completely Different Note A Cappella serving as a new member mentor, and of Trumbull High School in Trumbull, CT, where he sang in three choirs under the direction of Dr. Christopher Wasko (Vernon Chorale Conducting Fellow, 2012-2015). Sempre scegli di amare.

Brayden Kramer is a sophomore music education major at the University of Connecticut, where he studies classical voice under Mark Womack. He is a baritone section leader for UConn Concert Choir and a member of the university’s Chamber Singers, with whom he has performed alongside several musical professionals, the most recent of which was Jacob Collier. Notably, Brayden has also participated in numerous vocal workshops, including those led by members of Chanticleer. In addition to his performance endeavors, Mr. Kramer continuously serves as The Music Director of the UConn Conn-Men A Cappella group and as a Choral Fellow with the Vernon Chorale. He is an active member of ACDA and NATS, regularly attending and performing at regional conferences. To Brayden, music thrives in moments when words fail, and he hopes to one day imbue a love for musicianship in his students.

Stephanie Lupo is a junior music education student at the University of Connecticut, where she studies classical voice under Dr. Constance Rock. Stephanie has been performing as long as she can remember and is thrilled to join the Vernon Chorale as a Choral Fellow. She is a member of the UConn Concert Choir and Collegium Musicum and currently serves as the UConn American Choral Directors Association Student Chapter president. Stephanie also performs as a choral scholar for St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel in Storrs, CT. Recent engagements include Die Fledermaus with UConn Opera (Ida) and Vivaldi’s Gloria in D with UConn Collegium Musicum (Soprano Soloist). Upcoming productions: Viardot’s Cendrillon (Fairy Godmother). Stephanie would like to extend her thanks to her family, friends, and past and present instructors for their everlasting support.

Gracelyn Pare is a sophomore Music Education major, studying voice with Dr. Constance Rock. She sings with UConn's Collegium Musicum and Concert Choir. In December of 2025, Gracelyn performed in an honor choir with Grammy award winning A Capella group Pentatonix for their Christmas in the City tour stop in New York. Most recently she sang in UConn’s Opera Scenes performance and the UConn voice department’s Spring Songfest. Gracelyn currently serves on UConn’s Choir Board as Fundraising Chair. She is also PR Chair of UConn's ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Student Chapter and treasurer of UConn SNATS (Student National Association of Teachers of Singing). She recently started working with the Consonare Choral Community, under the direction of Sarah Kaufold, as a Music Education intern. She is a graduate of Edwin O. Smith High School where she sang under the direction of Amanda Hanzlik. Gracelyn is passionate about choral music and is excited to join the Vernon Chorale as a Choral Fellow. She is grateful to her family, friends, and teachers for all of their support in her musical journey.

PAST CHORAL FELLOWS

Maggie Murray (Choral Fellow 2024-2026) is a junior at the University of Connecticut pursuing dual degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance, where she studies with Meredith Ziegler. Maggie sings with the UConn Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and serves as President of UConn Choirs and the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing. She was recently appointed as the inaugural Collegiate Liaison for the Connecticut chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and previously led the UConn ACDA Student Chapter. Maggie also performs as a choral scholar with Storrs Congregational Church, and was most recently featured in UConn's American Songbook Songfest Recital. This past summer, she was one of 25 singers worldwide selected to participate in the Florence Choral Course, an international program focused on the Italian Renaissance choral tradition. A graduate of Scituate High School (MA), Maggie is passionate about fostering inclusive, inspiring musical experiences and is grateful for her teachers, mentors, and family.

Grace Michalowski is from East Hampton, Connecticut. She is currently a student at Eastern Connecticut State University pursuing a BA in Music with a double concentration in Vocal Performance, Music Industry and Leadership, as well as a minor in Theater. Grace is a proud member of multiple ensembles at Eastern, including Eastern Concert Chorale, Eastern Chamber Singers, and Eastern’s 3 o’ clock Jazz Combo. She also supports the music department as vocal department assistant. Grace will be participating in Eastern’s production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ in the Spring of 2023. Grace is a student of Dr. Emily Riggs and Dr. Rebecca Barko Grace is so thankful to be able to take part in Vernon Chorale this semester as she is eager to make music with as many talented musicians as possible.

Kianna Mitchner is a Senior at Eastern Connecticut State University. She is currently pursuing a degree in music with a concentration in vocal performance. Kianna is a member of multiple ensembles at Eastern, including Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop and Concert Chorale. In
spring of 2022, Kianna was in the ECSU Opera Workshop production of Hansel and Gretel as a part of the Gingerbread Chorus, along with various roles from scenes such as Elisetta from Il Matrimonio Segreto and Mrs. Jones from Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. This past summer she attended a 6 week “Audition Boot-Camp” at the Music and Mentoring House in New York. During this time she had the privilege of working with established classical musicians such as Lauren Flannigan and Elizabeth Blancke Biggs, as well as attending masterclasses run by Mannes School of Music’s Chris Frisco. Kianna is a student of Dr. Emily Riggs and Dr. Lisa Williamson.

Aidan O'Connor is a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University majoring in music performance with a minor in psychology with plans to work in music therapy after graduating. In high school he participated in the Connecticut’s Northern Region High School auditioned chorus, worked with Hartford’s own professional Chamber Ensemble, VOCE, alongside renown composer Paul Mealor. He now sings in both the Eastern Concert Chorale and Eastern Chamber Singers at ECSU.  Aidan is grateful  to be awarded his second Choral Fellowship with The Vernon Chorale this season.