P R I S M C H O R U S P R E S E N T S A SEASONAL SPECTACULAR OF MUSIC YOU KNOW & LOVE
DECEMBER 21, 2024 | 8:00PM
Our Mission
PRISM is a volunteer, non-profit, performing arts organization whose mission is to provide an inclusive and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. We achieve this by fostering a creative space through music, building community, and promoting equity through performance and outreach.
Our Vision
PRISM envisions a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals are valued, protected and celebrated. We will achieve this through the production of quality and entertaining performances where all people are empowered to live their lives authentically PRISM seeks to impact the local and national community by enriching lives through community service, philanthropy, and scholarship
Our Values
Inclusivity | Creativity | Community
Equity | Excellence | Philanthropy
We Need Your Feedback
Audience feedback fuels growth and inspires change. In the vibrant world of art your feedback is an invaluable tool that not only measures the success of a performance but also guides future endeavors and aids us in securing grants Please take a few minutes following the performance to complete our survey
A Message from the Artistic Director
Good Evening & Welcome!
We are thrilled to have you here for PRISM’s Winter performance, Holiday Hits Then & Now. This evening, we celebrate the magic of the season by weaving together timeless classics and fresh holiday favorites, brought to life by this incredible ensemble
My name is Darin DeWeese, and I am honored to serve as Artistic Director of PRISM in my eighth season. Tonight’s performers include both familiar faces and the exciting debut of our newest members, all of whom have poured their hearts into creating this musical spectacular. From our singers to instrumentalists, dancers, and production crew, the energy and passion they’ve brought to this performance will warm your heart and brighten your holiday season.
This performance concludes an exciting year for PRISM. This past July, PRISM embarked on its first-ever journey to the GALA Festival in Minneapolis, where LGBTQIA+ choruses from around the globe came together to celebrate the power of music and community We were proud to represent Metro Detroit on the national stage.
Tonight, through Holiday Hits Then and Now, we reflect on the traditions that bring us together and explore how they’ve evolved to embrace the diverse voices of today. Together, we’ll travel through beloved holiday classics and reimagine festive hits with a PRISM twist Get ready to reminisce, sing along, and create new memories with us this evening!
From all of us at PRISM, thank you for your unwavering support. Let’s celebrate the joy, the music, and the holiday spirit together!
With Warmest Regards,
Darin DeWeese Artistic Director
Board of Directors
Shane Dunbar Chairman Gerald Ashby, Jr. Vice-Chairman
Board Members At Large
A Message from the Chairman of the Board
Thank you to our patrons and members for continuing to be a crucial part of PRISM’s mission. Over the last year we have grown not only our membership, but our community give back through outreach and fundraising PRISM has evolved through great leadership and outstanding member support.
My hope is to continue supporting PRISM and for us to propel ourselves to be one of Michigan’s elite not for profit community choruses I want to personally thank our artistic director, Darin for his continued support and embodiment of our mission.
I would also like to thank our board of directors, section leaders, committee members, donors, sponsors and everyone in between. Please know that every dollar donated, or hour given does not go unrecognized I am grateful A special thank you to my Husband John for allowing me to continue to spend countless hours away from home and supporting the cause I love
Shane Dunbar Chairman of the Board of Directors
Learn More @ PRISMChorus org
Jeff Foust Treasurer
Jantz Black Secretary
Allen Stock Governance
Scott Felkey Community Outreach
Bill LeAnnais Programming
John Joanette Fund Development
Darin DeWeese Artistic Director
Artistic Staff
A Michigan native, Darin grew up in historic Marshall, Michigan where he was involved with music from an early age With an immense love for choral music, Darin followed his passion for singing to Michigan State University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Education in 2010 Following his time at MSU Darin served as the Director of Vocal Music at Tecumseh High School where he taught for seven years During his time in Tecumseh, his choirs performed both locally and regionally, receiving numerous awards including being selected to perform at the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival in 2017 Following his time in Tecumseh, Darin served as the Artistic Director of the Out Loud Chorus in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 2019-2021
As a singer, Darin has performed at major venues in the United States and abroad including Carnegie Hall, The Detroit Opera House, the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Miami, and has performed contracts with Celebrity Cruises Darin currently sings on staff at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills and recently served in residence at Exeter Cathedral and the University of Exeter, England in 2019
An Adrian based multi-instrumentalist, music director, and arranger who is thrilled to be working with PRISM Originally from Detroit, Dave studied music at Adrian College and has a second home over the past 20 years at Croswell Opera House in Adrian while being involved with nearly 150 musical theatre productions. Dave has worked with Darin for many years dating back to serving together at Tecumseh High School for 5 years Dave currently serves as the Director of Music for his Adrian based Lutheran Church and lives with his wife of 26 years, Brooke
Dave Rains Principal Accompanist
Depot Town Big Band
Christopher Balk [Managing Directo
Bob Lyons
Nathan Addison
Ben Kessler [Musical Director]
David Barrett
Neil McKay
Pelham Barron
Oliver Barron
Joe Barden
Cody Cooper
Larry Hutchinson Bass
Alan Warmanen Drums
Fiona Linn Vocalist
PRISM Band
Andrew Toering Guitar
Rocco Popielarski Bass
Adam James Drumset
Jonathan Peters Synthesizer
Artistic Staff
Zoe VanSlooten Choreographer
A dancer from childhood, Zoe danced with Dance Dimensions in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she first had the opportunity to assistant teach and fell in love with sharing the art form with students She moved to Ann Arbor in 2016 to pursue her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from the University of Michigan, during which time she began choreographing for and performing in musical theatre productions across Metro Detroit Post graduation, Zoe relocated to Royal Oak, Michigan
When she is not dancing, Zoe works as an Account Manager for a technology company and enjoys singing, reading and practicing calligraphy
MEN OF STEP
Generously Supported By: MC Personnel LLC.
Renzo Arnold
Patrick Ballnik
Stephen Bell
Kenneth Blair
Ryan Cochran
Jason Mapile
Bradley Smith
Jeffrey Cash | Dance Captain
DANCING DADDIES
John Bruning
Joe Bryant
Irby Cox
Ken Ehart
Scott Felkey
Michael Fitzpatrick
Gary Olkowski
Mark Ortwine
Brendon Pollard
Robert Wilson
Tenor 1
Gerardo Aponte-Safe
Renzo Arnold
Patrick Ballnik
Robert Beckley
Kenneth Blair
Michael Champagne*
Heather Covell
Randy Gilchrist
Blake Gronlund
Levi Hall
Paul Jonte-Crane
Alex Joslin
Bryce Longenberger
Jake McClory*
Asili Mugei
Steph Newman
Michael Oberstadt
Katya Powder
Robert Savel
Ryan Turinsky
Marquis Warren
Leon Wilborn
Jacob Wilkes
Ean Williams
Tenor 2
Jantz Black
Jg Bryant
CHORUS
Baritone
Jonatan Ascarruz-Asencios
Gerald A Ashby, Jr
Evan Bushman
Ryan Cochran
Luke DeVantier
Shane Dunbar
Joel Eifert
Jason Eklund
Kirk Erickson
Brad Foucher
Jeff Foust
August Gorman
Bill Ketchum
James P Leija
Joseph Lentine
Jason Mapile
Jacob Martinez
Joey Noce
Gary Olkowski
Brendon Pollard*
Anthony Russell
John Sheffield
Josh Simpson
Joel Sobieray*
Michael Tew
Quinn Upton
Robert Wilson
George Micah Woods
Josh Zimmerman
Tyler Barron
Robert Becker
Doug Beckwith
David Bonsky
John Bruning
Justin Cheong
Irby Cox
Aaron Denk*
Scott Felkey
Michael Fitzpatrick
Charles B Hardwick
Jon Hoffman
Paul Kesman
Michael King
Matthew Kiser
J. Jacob Krause*
Stephen Lyons
Mark Ortwine
Steven Pejuan
Christopher Schildgen
Bradley Smith
Richard Smith
Matthew Solomon
Brad Tata
Mathew Thompson
Daniel Toole
Jake Zinke
MEN OF NOTE
Tenor 1
Robert Beckley
Michael Champagne
Jake McClory
Katya Powder
Jacob Wilkes
Ean Williams
Tenor 2
Brad Foucher
Jeff Foust
August Gorman
James P. Leija
Joey Noce
Joel Sobieray
Baritone
Tyler Barron
Aaron Denk
J. Jacob Krause
Matt Solomon
Brad Tata
Mathew Thompson
*Denotes Section Leader
Jim Alger-Hortelano
Brenden Bell
Stephen Bell
Adam Bernard
Lawrence Budzinski
Bashhar Byrouthy
Jeffrey Cash
Trey Cudlip
Peter Durak
Kenneth R. Ehart
Rolando Fajardo
Jonathan Gibson
John Joanette*
Paul Johnson IV*
Bill LeAnnais
Eric Martin
Mark D. Messersmith
Jakub Monforton
Sylvester Nadar
Conor Nicholl
Eric Nikkila
Ivan Slaughter
Allen Stock
Scott Watson
Bass
Jonathan Gibson
Paul Johnson
Bill LeAnnais
Mark Messersmith
Sylvester Nadar
Ivan Slaughter
Acknowledgements & Recognitions
Special Thanks to our FY25 Donors and Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors
Visionary Sponsors [$7,500+]
MC Personnel LLC
The Harold and Iris T. Abel Foundation
Macomb Center of the Performing Arts
Pioneer Sponsors [$5,000+]
SOHO | 215West
Advocate Sponsors [$2,500+]
Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church
Ally Sponsors [$1,000+]
Express Employment
Greko Printing
Corktown Health
Individual Donors
Guardian [$1,200+]
The Dunbar Family
Ambassador [$750+]
Supporter [$500+]
Lori Kunze
Friend [$250+]
J. Jacob Krause
Scott Felkey
Allen Stock
Eric Nikkila
Jeff Foust
Josh Zimmerman
Stephen Lyons
Cj Loney
Candace Monforton
John Joanette
Jeffrey Dunbar
Ron Northup
Irby Cox
Honorable Mentions
Margaret Carpenter
David Monforton
Jasmine Smart
Jenny McGee
Tia Gronlund
William & Suzanne Gifford
Juliann Binienda
Lea Thompson
Clarica Stanish
Mark Gregory Vasquez
Holiday Hits Then & Now ACT 1
Pre-Show Performance
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
Step Into Christmas
This Christmas
Depot Town Big Band
Bing Crosby Arr. Mark Hayes
Elton John
Arr. Mac Huff
Donny Hathaway Arr David Maddux
Jason Mapile, Soloist
Welcome
Shane Dunbar, Chairman of the Board
Turkey Lurkey Time
Jing-A-Ling
Men of Note | Men of Step
Men of Note | James P Leija, Soloist
Burt Bacharach Arr Patrick Sinozich
Jingle Bell Rock
Merry Christmas, Darling
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Dancing Daddies
J Jacob Krause, Soloist
The Andrews Sisters
Arr Bob Gunn
Bobby Helms
Arr. Tim Sarsany
The Carpenters
Arr Mac Huff
Darlene Love Arr. Tim Sarsany
Ean Williams, Soloist
Holiday Hits Then & Now ACT 2
Last Christmas Wham! Arr. Tim Sarsany
Blake Gronlund, Soloist
Santa, Can’t You Hear Me
Acknowledgements
Jantz Black, Secretary
My Only Wish (This Year)
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays)
Raffles & Prizes
Gerald Ashby Jr. & Bill LeAnnais
Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande Arr. Tim Sarsany
Britney Spears
Arr. Steve Milloy
Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton Arr. Mac Huff
*NSYNC
Arr Tim Sarsany
Men of Note | Michael Champagne, Soloist
Love is Christmas
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Jake McClory, Soloist
Spirit of PRISM Presentation
Jeffrey Cash
Sara Bareiles Arr. Tim Sarsany
Mariah Carey Arr David Maddux
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