BrieAnne Welch, Soprano, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Clarinet and Voice, as well as a Masters Degree in Voice Performance at California State University in Sacramento.  She currently trains with internationally renowned vocal technician and director, Andrea DelGuidice in New York City.  She has performed in numerous roles in multiple operas, both here in the United States and in Italy.  She has also taught vocal classes at Sierra College in California.

BrieAnne and her family moved from Sacramento to Meridian five years ago.  She is the co-owner and development director of Gemma Arts, a regionally recognized company that provides a career bridge and catalyst for opera artists, and educates the public in performer development and appreciation of classical music and singing by presenting concerts in under-resourced areas such as Garden City, Star, Rexburg and Caldwell.  Its annual event, Opera by The River, has been made possible through collaboration with the Star Park, Arts, and Beautification Committee.

Last year, BrieAnne began a Messiah Sing Along at the College of Idaho, which she directed.  She was also a featured artist at the event.  Again this year, she will be directing the annual Messiah Sing Along at the College of Idaho, in partnership with the Canyon County Symphony.

When not involved in numerous music activities, BrieAnne and her husband are active parents of four very active boys.  She relaxes by growing multiple varieties of flowers and planning her summer vegetable garden.

Katie Clark, Violinist, did much of her early musical training in the Treasure Valley. After being away for 15 years, Katie was happy to return to the Boise area and become a member of the Boise Philharmonic in 2019. She received performance and education degrees from Utah State University and Arizona State University. She has soloed with the Treasure Valley Symphony, Magic Valley Symphony, Utah State University Symphony and with Hymns of Thanksgiving.  Katie taught orchestra for three years in the public schools in Gilbert, Arizona.   She has been a member of the American Festival Choir and Orchestra, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater, Symphony of the Southwest, and currently plays with the McCall Mountain Symphony each summer.  Katie and her husband, David, have 5 great children.

Del Parkinson, piano, is distinguished professor (the first professor in the arts to receive this award) of piano as well as keyboard chair at Boise State University. He was previously keyboard chair at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he taught piano. He holds a doctor of music degree from Indiana University and a postgraduate diploma from The Julliard School. He was the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays grant for graduate study in London.

Del has performed in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout the United States. His London debut recital was on the American Bicentennial Series, and his New York debut recital in the Carnegie Recital Hall was sponsored by the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

He has soloed with the Guadalajara Symphony, Indiana University Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Boise Philharmonic, and the Utah Symphony. He is on the international roster of Steinway artists and is featured on four compact disc recordings. He is a recipient of the Idaho Commission on the Arts fellowship award and the Idaho Governor’s Award for excellence in the arts.

Probably one of the most honored and beloved musicians in all Idaho, he has appeared as a guest soloist for every Hymns of Thanksgiving concerts.