POWER & PASSION
THE MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The Master Chorale of South Florida is a highly select, auditioned ensemble comprised of singers from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Founded in 2003, the Chorale is thriving under Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Karlin.
The Master Chorale communicates the transformative and unifying power of choral music through a rich and varied repertoire. Since its premiere performance of Mozart’s Requiem, the Chorale has delighted South Florida audiences with classical music’s greatest works as well as concerts of Broadway favorites and commissions from America’s finest young composers.
In addition to its own concert series, the Master Chorale is in high demand as a featured guest chorus with other musical organizations, including the New World Symphony, Palm Beach Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. The Chorale has performed annually with Andrea Bocelli for more than a decade.
The Master Chorale is an avid proponent of maintaining a strong cultural fabric in South Florida and supports its community by engaging local vocal soloists, orchestra musicians and other nonprofit organizations.
Board of Directors
Ron Herron, President
Joseph Wert, Vice President
Mark Glickman, Secretary
Carolyn DeSanti, Treasurer
Emanuel Berger
Clint Bush
Gary Carlin
April Green
Artistic Staff
Brett Karlin, Artistic Director & Conductor
Brock Burbach, Associate Conductor
Samuel Sherman, Assistant Conductor
Daniel A. Kaufman
Bert Lutomski
Harriet Ottenheimer
Jason Slatkin
Holly Strawbridge
Jenna Weisberg
Edward R. Gargiulo III, Ex-Officio
Brett Karlin, Ex-Officio
Susan Dodd, Accompanist Non-Artistic Staff
Edward R. Gargiulo III, Executive Director
Kathy Sedlack, Chorus Administrator
For information on upcoming performances, venues and tickets, please visit masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org
2025-2026 ROSTER OF SINGERS
Soprano Section
Jane Andersen
Monique L. Belch
Melonie Bueno
Denise Campbell
Rachel Castillo
Miki Cayard
Deborah Christie
Sarah Crescitelli
Eva Decastelli
Johna Denis
Nicole M. Dominguez
Ruth Dunbar
Jamile Evaristo
Alto Section
Daniela Abratt-Cohen
Anna Lise Jensen Arvelo
Freshta Atiqi
Deirdre Auton
Teju Calambakkam
Lila Shoshana Chertman
Becca de la Zerda
Carolyn DeSanti
Gretchen Fasulo
Marci Gelb
Gayle Giese
Charlene Gilbert
Tenor Section
Chase Allsworth
Georgios Argyratos
Dr. Brock Burbach
Jason Campbell
Kevin DeMars
Carl Gelfand
Mark W. Glickman
Yulia Khalfina
Bass Section
Ramiro Basto
Gregory Boals
Santiago Bownés
Clint Bush
Jeff Delman
Fabián Díaz
Walter Dickey
Richard Ellis
Michael Farris
Erin Fitzpatrick
Maria Gaston
Hannah Gauthier
Gabriella Grof
Michelle B. Guerra
Kimberley Hinton
Katherine Hsiao
Christina Hutcheson
Victoria Kaufman
Marilola Márquez
Esmeyer Martinez
Mallory McKeon
Lexi Pinkston
Fran Goldenberg
Aaryn Gottesfeld
April Green
Sheila F. Greenhouse
Janet Grubel
Karen Hayes
India Hooi
Kimberly Jackson
Shavanna Jean-Jules
AJ Leigh
Francine Levin
Isabella Lombardo
Dr. Anthony Krupp
Tanya E. Low
H. Ian Novack
Scott Novack
Lisa J. O’Brien
Julio V. Rodriguez
David Rumford
Greg Scherba
Alexandre Grand-Pierre
Rod Hayes
Mark LaFontaine
Bert Lutomski
John McDiarmid
Paul Morris
Fredy Nagher
Richard Morse Price II
Stuart Rosenthal
Sarah Quick
Gina E. Robichaux
Jessica Jane Rucker
Emma Ruiz
Jennifer Sardiña
Annette Marie Sayre
Rena Shapiro
Johanna Sharp
Lori Snow
Jennifer Tiel
Daniela Treitl
Erica Williams
Michelle Williamson
Kelly McMurtrey
Mariana Murillo
Heather Osowiecki
Harriet J. Ottenheimer
Stephanie Parker
Dawn Polizzotti
Lea Rasabi
Juliana Rios
Brenda Smith
Jenna Weisberg
Dee Weisman
Anakae Wiles
Samuel Sherman
Holly Strawbridge
Ryan Strouss
Fernando Vega-Cid
Christopher W. Waite
Rita Wells
Leo Williams
Michael C. Skutt
Michael Still
Jay Stravers
David R. Thompson
Anthony Tran
Michael Waxer
Ajani Williams
Matthew Wisnoski
Brett Karlin, Artistic Director & Conductor
POWERFUL MUSIC, PASSIONATELY DELIVERED.
“Karlin inspired the best from the 120-voice chorus and instrumental forces with thunderous climaxes matched by singing of great fervor.” (Mozart’s Mass in C minor)
“Under Karlin’s tight direction, the singers sang with supple flexibility, producing glowing, soft-edged pianissimos, surging crescendos and stirring climaxes. In the final movement, an evocation of heaven so vivid that listeners could visualize puffy clouds and shafts of sunlight, female voices produced soaring, angelic tones.” (Faure’s Requiem)
“The chorus’ stellar singing was a tribute to director Brett Karlin, whose tenure with the ensemble has been transformational.” (Britten’s War Requiem)
South Florida Classical Review
“...under artistic director and conductor Brett Karlin, the Master Chorale provided one of the most satisfying classical music events I can recall in a decade of South Florida concert going.” (Verdi’s Requiem)
Palm Beach ArtsPaper
Praised for performances that are “eloquent and deeply felt,” and for leading “another milestone” in South Florida’s choral landscape (South Florida Classical Review), Brett Karlin has established himself as a conductor of remarkable versatility and depth. Under his direction, the Master Chorale of South Florida has been hailed as presenting “one of the most satisfying classical music events…in a decade of South Florida concert going” (Palm Beach ArtsPaper).
As he enters his 12th season with the Master Chorale, Karlin continues to shape the ensemble into one of the region’s premier artistic forces. The 2025-2026 season, Power & Passion, brings together majestic works by Handel and Mozart, holiday traditions, collaborations with New World Symphony, a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, and a season finale that blends art and nature in Mass for the Endangered and a world-premiere commission by Marques L. A. Garrett.
Karlin’s work has also achieved national recognition. As Assistant Conductor for Seraphic Fire, he contributed to the Grammy-nominated A Seraphic Fire Christmas and served as Assistant Chorus Master and singer for the ensemble’s recording of Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem (London version), which also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance.
Beyond his leadership with the Master Chorale, Karlin has held positions as Artistic Director of The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Music Director of the Broward Symphony Orchestra, and Chorus Master for Florida Grand Opera. He has also guest conducted a wide variety of choral, orchestral, and academic ensembles, including The Symphonia, Lynn Philharmonia, and Seraphic Fire.
Brock Burbach, Associate Conductor
Brock Burbach has lived in South Florida since 2010 when he accepted the choir director position at Broward College. He is happily married and has four children. A native of South Dakota, he is an accomplished choral director, voice and music theory teacher, and church musician. Prior to moving to South Florida, he held various college teaching and music minister positions in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Missouri, and was the outreach pastor at Grace Church in Durango, Colorado. His DMA degree is in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and his vocal performance degrees are from Oklahoma City University (MM), and Cameron University (BM) where he began as a business major on a golf scholarship.
As Associate Professor and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Broward College, he oversees the entire vocal program, directing all choirs and teaching private voice students and music theory. At UMKC, he helped prepare choirs for Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Bruckner’s Mass in E minor, Brahms’ A German Requiem, and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. Dr. Burbach has directed several chamber choirs and has conducted regional honor choirs and festivals in Colorado and Florida.
His college teaching career began in 2000 at Fort Lewis College in Durango as a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor for seven years before moving to Missouri to pursue his DMA degree. Teaching and mentoring college students continues to be his passion. Dr. Burbach was recently awarded the NISOD Excellence Award for outstanding teaching, learning, and leadership.
Dr. Burbach is an accomplished tenor having previously sung leading and supporting roles in operas and oratorios such as Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Handel’s Messiah, and various solos with symphony orchestras. He is honored to serve in the position of Associate Conductor and to be making music with this renowned choral organization.
Samuel Sherman, Assistant Conductor
Sam Sherman is currently in his third year as a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Choral Conducting at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. He serves as a graduate teaching assistant for Bella Voce, Frost’s premier treble ensemble, and is Assistant Conductor of the Master Chorale of South Florida.
Sherman holds a Master of Music in Conducting from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. While at Lamont, he served as Assistant Conductor of the Lamont Chorale, Voces Aureus, and Voces Fortes; taught conducting as a graduate assistant; guest conducted the Lamont Composers Concert Series; was a finalist in the Lamont Chamber Music Competition; and co-directed English Enchantment: Music of the 16th and 17th Centuries with the Lamont Early Music Ensemble.
He earned his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, where he was named “Vocal Student of the Year” in 2021 and received the Research Excellence Award for his Upper Division Honors Program thesis, The Voice of Androgyny: A Gender Analysis of the Countertenor within Opera.
Both conductor and performer, recent engagements include winning third place in the International Conducting Institute Competition with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra and participating in the Sarteano Choral Workshop in Italy. He appeared as a Guest Choral Clinician with New World Symphony’s BLUE Project, performed in the live taping of All Without Words, and served as Associate Conductor of the Miami Collegium Musicum.
Sherman held positions as Music Director of the United Church of Christ Choir and Handbell Choir, Co-Director of Last Note Singers, and Assistant Conductor at Opera Steamboat. As a vocalist, Sherman has performed with the Colorado Ballet, The Evans Choir, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, Opera Classika, and the UNC Alumni Choir.
Susan Dodd, Accompanist
Susan Dodd currently serves on the piano faculty of the Diane Bish Center for Music and the Arts. She is the organist at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale and serves as the principal accompanist of the Master Chorale of South Florida, where she performs choral-orchestral masterworks with the 120-voice symphony chorus.
Ms. Dodd has performed throughout Europe, Canada and the United States, as well as for many schools and churches in the area. At Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church she accompanied multiple musical productions and toured and recorded with the King’s Choir. For many years, she accompanied Forrest J. Willingham’s The Songs of Broadway Company throughout the South Florida hotel and condominium circuit.
Ms. Dodd is a member of the Broward County Music Teachers Association, the Florida State Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association and the American Guild of Organists. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Ms. Dodd is a member of the piano faculty and staff accompanist at Broward College. She has served as staff organist at various churches in the South Florida area and maintains a private piano studio. Ms. Dodd earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Piano Performance with honors from Florida Atlantic University and her Master’s degree in Accompanying from the University of Akron (Ohio).
Bringing Lifesaving Care to Haiti
Edward R. Gargiulo III, Executive Director
For 30 years, Project Medishare has provided critical healthcare for mothers, children, and families in Haiti. From safe childbirth and nutrition to mobile clinics and training local health workers, we’re building healthier communities together. Your gift can save lives!
To learn more: projectmedishare.org
Bringing more than 20 years of experience in arts administration, fundraising, and audience engagement, Ed is a strategic and collaborative leader in the nonprofit cultural sector. Known for his thoughtful, data-driven approach and steady leadership, he has helped numerous arts organizations grow in both reach and revenue.
As Executive Director of the Master Chorale of South Florida, he oversees strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and operations in partnership with the Board and Artistic Director. His focus is on ensuring the longterm sustainability of the organization while strengthening its role in the cultural fabric of South Florida.
Before joining the Chorale, he served as Operations and Development Director for New City Players, an ensemble-based professional theatre company, and held senior leadership roles at Tessitura, a global nonprofit tech company serving arts and culture institutions. There, he led international consulting teams and spearheaded operational strategies that increased revenue, refined service delivery, and deepened client impact.
Earlier in his career, he spent over a decade at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he modernized membership and marketing efforts, leading a department that generated nearly $9 million annually and supported one of the museum’s largest revenue streams.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Kathy Sedlack, Chorus Administrator
Kathy Sedlack joined Master Chorale of South Florida staff in January 2018. Prior to this, she was employed by the School Board of Broward County for 36 years as an exceptional student education teacher, school psychologist, district coordinator of preschool programs, assistant principal and principal, being one of four finalists for Broward County Principal of the Year in 2012.
The arts have always played an important role in her career, especially ensuring that children be exposed to arts experiences early in life. As a district coordinator of preschool, she worked in conjunction with Broward Center to bring the first of its kind, reading readiness through arts education program to preschool students. Upon moving to a schoolbased administrative position, she continued to support arts education by again working with Broward Center to give students the opportunity to experience musical productions during school hours as well as on weekends with their families, finding ways to continue arts education both during and after school at a time when budget constraints made this difficult. She even found a way to expand the school’s music education program to include a keyboard lab. Throughout her professional career, the arts have always been at the forefront as she volunteered for Florida Singing Sons Boychoir for over 22 years as both Choir Parent and Board Member, traveling with the tour choir nationally and internationally throughout this time.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education from Auburn University, Master of Education in School Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Helen Abdal, O.D.
Photo by Alex Markow
Where
From the Mid $300s to $1,000,000+
Hear iconic works by the composer who changed Broadway forever.
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church
Homes in Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Martin County
Single Family Homes, Townhomes, and Villas
NOVA SINGERS
50th Anniversary Season Concerts
Mass of the Children
Friday, March 13, 2026 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2026 4:00 pm Tuesday, March 17, 2026 7:30 pm
Americana, Broadway and Standards
Friday, May 15, 2026 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 17, 2026 4:00 pm
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 7:30 pm
SUPPORT THE MASTER CHORALE
Every gift—at any level—helps us bring exceptional choral music to South Florida. Your support sustains our performances, community programs, and the talented artists who make it all possible!
Deepen Your Impact
If you’re inspired to do more, consider deepening your connection and impact:
Bravo Circle
Join this circle of friends that make a powerful impact each season with annual cumulative giving of $500 or more—supporting artistic excellence and receiving special recognition throughout the year.
Ensemble Society
Provide steady, ongoing support with a monthly gift of $20, quarterly gift of $60, or annual gift of $240 or more—fueling our mission year round and joining a community of recurring donors.
Crescendo Honor Society
Pledge a planned or deferred gift through your will, trust, IRA, or life insurance— and help ensure the Chorale’s sustainability for generations to come. For more information, contact PlannedGiving@masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org.
Five Ways to Give with Purpose & Passion
Explore meaningful ways to support our mission now and in the future—many of which may offer financial benefits to you or your estate. Whether you want to reduce taxes, support causes close to your heart, or make a lasting impact, there’s a giving option that fits your goals.
Bequests: Name us in your will or trust to make a future gift without affecting your current finances.
Gifts from Retirement Accounts: If you’re 70½ or older, donate directly from your IRA to avoid taxes and satisfy your required minimum distributions (RMDs).
Appreciated Assets: Transfer stocks, bonds, or real estate directly to avoid capital gains taxes and claim a charitable deduction.
Retirement Plan Beneficiary: Designate us as a beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan to reduce estate taxes and leave more to causes you care about.
Life Insurance Gifts: Name us as a beneficiary or transfer ownership to turn a policy into a meaningful future gift.
Learn more and donate at masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org
Support for the Master Chorale of South Florida is provided by the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners; the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund, the Marlene Holder Fund for Broward, the Jan Moran Unrestricted Fund, the Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, and The Fort Lauderdale Symphony Orchestra Foundation Fund; Funding Arts Broward; the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Warten Foundation.
