AN ADVANCED PROGRAM FOR EMERGING CLASSICAL SINGERS
Vocal Fellows Program
Bach Charlotte Vocal Fellows is an advanced program for emerging classical singers with interest in Baroque music and Historically Informed Performance Practice.
Our Vocal Fellows Program brings to Charlotte young professional singers who are looking to develop their careers with highly specialized training and collaborating with leading artists in the field of Baroque music. At the Charlotte Bach Festival, Vocal Fellows have the opportunity to experience high-level coaching with our artistic leadership team, to benefit from mentorship from seasoned singers, and to perform the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries as chamber singers and as soloists in a historically-informed setting. This specialized training provided for Vocal Fellows comes free-of-cost for the singers, thanks to the generous support of the Maurer Family Foundation.
Meet the 2026 Vocal Fellows
Zoë Chessa, Soprano
Zoë Chessa is a soprano based in Baltimore, MD. She is an enthusiastic interpreter of early music, opera, and Jewish music. Her recent operatic performances include the role of Dorinda in the modern world premiere of Reutter’s Dafne with Amherst Early Music Festival, Satirino in Cavalli’s La Calisto with Peabody Opera at the Baltimore Theater Project, Mercury in The Judgement of Paris at Shenandoah Bach Festival, Cleonilla in Vivaldi’s Ottone in Villa at Carnegie Mellon University, and the First Spirit in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Pittsburgh Opera.
An avid ensemble singer, Zoë sings with the Peabody Camerata, NEXT ensemble, Peabody Renaissance Ensemble, and DUALIS ensemble. Zoë holds an M.M. in Historical Performance in Voice from the Peabody Institute, where she studied with Randall Scarlata, and a B.F.A. in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University under Sari Gruber. When she is not singing, Zoë loves spending time learning languages, reading, and playing with her two orange kittens.
Bryce Zimmerman, Countertenor
Atlanta native Bryce Elliot Zimmerman is a countertenor celebrated for a voice described as “warm as a plum,” equally at home in the ethereal upper reaches of the countertenor range and a remarkably resonant lower register. A versatile artist, he balances a distinguished career in historical performance with a robust commitment to contemporary music, having premiered fifteen new works to date.
Bryce’s 2024–26 seasons feature significant role and solo debuts, including Nerone in Monteverdi's
L'incoronazione di Poppea with Chicago Summer Opera and alto soloist in Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri with Jacobs Concentus. Recent highlights include Handel’s Dixit Dominus with the Toronto Consort, Bach Cantatas BWV 100 and BWV 42 with the Bloomington Bach Cantata Project and Baltimore Baroque Band, and the role of Cupid in John Blow's Venus and Adonis. Bryce is currently completing a Master of Music in Historical Performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Cameron Falby, Tenor
Tenor Cameron Falby is a Baltimore-based composer and vocalist specializing in choral, early, and sacred musics. Raised by two choir directors in central Maryland, they went on to study at Manhattan School of Music and then the Peabody Conservatory.
They regularly perform with local ensembles including the Emmanuel Choir, Mind on Fire, The Thirteen, the National Cathedral Choir, and the Washington Master Chorale; and ensembles abroad including Elevation, Apollo’s Fire, and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. As a soloist Cameron has appeared with the Emmanuel Choir, Bach in Baltimore, and on the University of Maryland Bach Cantata Series.
Cameron is a founding member of the Baltimore-based vocal quartet Anchorites. They have served as a fellow at the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, Yale’s Norfolk Festival, the American Bach Academy, and with Tenet Vocal Artists. In 2026 they will appear as a fellow with VOCES8 and at the Charlotte Bach Festival.
Matthew Houston, Bass
Matthew Houston is a baritone and music educator from Sadieville, KY. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Louisville, he holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance. He has performed with ensembles including the Spoleto Festival Chorus, Ex Cathedra, Epiphoni Consort, and the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers, touring across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
In 2026, he worked with Tenet Vocal Artists through the Tenet Trailblazers program and sang with the JSB Ensemble at the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart in Germany. In 2023–24, he was selected as a U.S. Scholar with VOCES8, performing and recording with the ensemble.
Locally, Matthew sings with the Louisville Chamber Choir and Kentucky Bach Choir and serves as assistant music director at the Shrine of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Louisville.
Funding for the Vocal Fellows Program has been generously provided by:
Previous Vocal Fellows
2025
Charli Mills, Soprano
Jordan Gascoigne, Alto
Wesley Saunders, Tenor
Rozime Lindsey, Bass
2024
Sea Han, Soprano
Meghan Ryan, Alto
David Pelino, Tenor
T.J. Callahan, Bass/Baritone
2023
Casey Willassen Kunmann, Soprano
Scottie Rogers, Counter-tenor
Derrick Miller, Tenor
Jared Swope, Bass
2022
Addy Sterrett, Soprano
Eliana Barwinski, Alto
David Morales, Tenor
Christopher Talbot, Baritone
2019
Chelsea Helm, Soprano
Molly McGuire, Mezzo-soprano
Aaron Cates, Tenor
Harrison Hintzsche, Baritone
2018
Olivia Miller, Soprano
Lauren Russell, Mezzo-soprano
Blake Beckemeyer, Tenor
William Marshall, Baritone