Meet the Masters
The Graduate Music Theatre Students with Linda Madonia, piano
Yu-Mei Chang, piano
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Campbell Student Union
program and biographies
Nobody’s Heart Rodgers and Hart from By Jupiter
Jingyi Huo, soprano
Jingyi Huo earned her undergraduate in music education, and recently completed her master’s degree in musical theatre. She is currently earning teacher licensure in the accelerated certification for teachers program. Jingyi is fluent in Chinese, Russian and English. She has a passion for music and also enjoys music teaching. Jingyi was a Top 6 finalist in the Miss Universe China Competition.
Isn’t It a Trial
Sheik and Sater from Alice By Heart
AnnaMarie Cobb, mezzo-soprano
AnnaMarie is from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in theatre. She enjoys performing, baking and writing. AnnaMarie’s upcoming performances include Martha in the Lakeside Players production of Heathers.
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again/Think of Me Andrew Lloyd Webber From The Phantom Of The Opera
Monica Fegans, soprano
Monica is thrilled to be performing in Meet the Masters for the second time. A lifelong lover of music, Monica has been singing since the age of two and continues to enjoy performing in local theatre productions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Choral and General Music Education and currently teaches choir at Bradford High School and Bullen Middle School in Kenosha. She has music directed "Honk, Jr!" at Lakeside Players, and is currently directing the upcoming signature spotlight concert at the Racine Theatre Guild, "Women of Soul."
Not My Father’s Son
Cindy Lauper from Kinky Boots
Joshua Heinlein, tenor
Joshua, originally from El Paso, Texas, is honored to call himself a Chicago actor and founding member of Broken Watch Theater. He received his education in Kentucky with a BA in Theater and Music Performance and had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of Blackbird Dance Theater during his years there. He is an avid board gamer, proud husband, choreographer, and father.
Everything To Win Ahrens and Flaherty from Anastasia
Miao Zhang, mezzo soprano
Miao Zhang earned her BA and MFA degree from the prestigious Peking University, focusing on Chinese Opera, Film and TV Research and Performance. She enjoys performing, and has previously worked on Xanadu as costume crew. Miao recently was a featured presenter at the Estill Voice World Symposium in Chicago, where she shared research about Chinese music theatre clubs.
All That Matters Kennedy and Barlow from Finding Neverland
Keyi Zhang, soprano
Keyi Zhang earned her undergraduate degree in popular music from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. She recently earned first prize in the 7th National College Students Arts Festival and has performed with the Hubei Musicians Choral Society.
Start A Fire Hurwitz and Legend from La La Land
Yingcheng Dou, baritenor
Yingcheng “Charlie” Dou received his bachelor’s degree from Nanjing School of the Arts. He has played leading roles in several original Chinese musicals, including A Drop In The Ocean, Hidden Light, and The Sparkling Red Star.
With You Stewart and Ballard from Ghost
Marissa Fisher, soprano
Marissa Fisher is a first-year graduate student working towards her MM in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy. She graduated from St. Norbert College in 2022 with a degree in K-12 Choral/ General Music Education, and has three years of classroom experience, first in Indiana and then in Wisconsin.
Monticello Pasek and Paul from Edges
Aaron Kahn, tenor
Aaron is so excited to be back for his second year at Carthage. He is a vocal coach and music director based in Chicago. Aaron's previous Music Direction credits include: Fugitive Songs (Stagedoor Manor) The Marvelous Wonderettes (Oil Lamp Theatre) Cowboy Joe (the iO) Spongebob the Musical (Stagedoor Manor) Little Night Music (Theo Ubique) and The Producers (Music Theatre Works).
program and biographies
When Did I Fall In Love Harnick and Bock from Fiorello!
Zhenyi Wang, soprano
Zhenyi “Jenny” Wang earned her undergraduate degree from the prestigious Shanghai Conservator of Music. She was nominated for the 2024 Musical Theatre Award at the Shanxi Grand Theatre, and was awarded the First Prize at the Beijing 8th Asia International Art Festival.
Run Away With Me Kerrigan and Lowdermilk from The Mad Ones
Yi Wei, tenor
Wei is from Jiangsu Province in China and received his undergraduate degree in musical theatre from Nanjing University of the Arts.
Dragon Lady Kalyn Harewood Kalyn Harewood, voice
Kalyn Harewood is a Barbadian American creative with a background in vocal performance and a Master’s in composition. Her emotionally rich music spans film, podcasts, dance, and self-released albums. Known for her skill in melody, harmony, and sound design, Kalyn uses music as a tool for storytelling and social change.
Poisonous Love Powell & Brown from Rio 2
Qingchen Yao, soprano
Qingchen “Gloria” Yao is a musical theatre performer and educator with nearly 10 years of experience. She is a core member of the Musical Drama Creation and Rehearsal Research of the Ministry of Education in China and was an author of the secondary school drama textbook for musical education.
Moving Too Fast Jason Robert Brown from The Last Five Years
Dan Klimczak, tenor
Dan Klimczak is originally from Chicago and graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in dance. Dan has performed roles across the United States, including a recent contract in Alaska. IG: @daniel.klimczak Website: Danklimczak.com
How Did We Come To This
Andrew Lippa from The Wild Party
Mengyan Zhang, soprano
Mengyan “Catherine” Zhang is passionate about exploring the art of musical theatre performance and vocal teaching. Catherine has over eight years of professional performance experience in China, including performances in the Sound Of Music, Cinderella, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. She has been part of several original Chinese musical premiers, and is a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Turn The Page
Drew Gasparini from We Aren’t Kids Anymore
Jessica Deskin, soprano
Jessica Deskin is an American vocalist, pianist, and songwriter who blends jazz, classical, and commercial music influences, bringing rich musicality to her work as a performer, teacher and session vocalist. A passionate educator and collaborator, Jessica teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago and recently premiered the original song cycle “The Nature of Life” across the Northeast.
Pianist Linda Madonia has been a music director, conductor, pianist, and coach in the Chicago area for the past 35 years. Linda has collaborated with many companies including Mercury Theatre Chicago, Music Theater Works, Chamber Opera Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and Broadway in Chicago. Linda serves as the Chicago Federation of Musicians contractor for Porchlight Music Theatre, and Music Theatre Works. In addition to serving as the graduate coach at Carthage College, Linda owns American Eagle Productions, an educational company that teaches theatre classes to kids in the Chicago area.
Pianist Yu-Mei Chang is a music director and pianist active on theater stages both in the United States, Taiwan and China. A multi-instrumentalist and singer, she earned her undergraduate degree in piano from the Taipei National University of Arts, and completed her master’s degree in music theatre vocal pedagogy at Carthage College. Yu-Mei has worked professionally in China on productions such as MAMMA MIA!, AVENUE Q, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, LAUNDRY, THRILL ME, DADDY LONG LEGS, MURDER BALLAD, and JEKYLL AND HYDE. She has been a sub-keyboardist with the international tour of THE PHANTON OF THE OPERA, and has worked in the United States on productions with the Mercury Theatre. At Carthage College, she has music directed mainstage and workshop musicals. This year, she is music directing JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and BRIGHT STAR on the Carthage mainstage.
upcoming events
Performing Arts Series: Trio Celeste
Thursday, October 23 • 7:30 p.m.
H.F. Johnson Recital Hall
Tickets Required. Visit www.carthage.edu/tickets for ticket information
New Play Initiative presents: Blue Bird
October 24, 25, 30, 31, November 1• 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 26 • 3:00 p.m.
Wartburg Theatre
Tickets Required. Visit www.carthage.edu/tickets for ticket information
Performing Arts Series: Austin Pancner
Friday, October 24 • 7:30 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Tickets Required. Visit www.carthage.edu/tickets for ticket information
John Cargille: With a Whimper or a Bang?, Student Recital
Sunday, October 26 • 1:00 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Annaliese Ruhs, Student Recital
Saturday, November 1 • 1:00 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Madison Edge, Student Recital
Saturday, November 1 • 4:00 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Andre'a Santoyo, Student Recital
Saturday, November 1 • 7:30 p.m.
H. F. Johnson Recital Hall
Fine Arts at Carthage acknowledges that the land on which our building stands is part of the traditional Potawatomi, Sioux, Peoria, Kickapoo, and Miami peoples past, present, and future. These homelands reside along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong, andthis calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
tickets required
Get tickets 24/7 at carthage.edu/tickets or
noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday