A Very SoNA Christmas SoNA
Additional Bios
Saturday, December 6, 2025 — 2PM & 7:30 PM
Baum Walker Hall / Walton Arts Center
Jack Cleghorn, Guest Conductor
Nathan Ma
Violin
Nathan Ma, a senior at Haas Hall Academy, is a dedicated violinist who has developed a deep passion for music through years of study and performance. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Meyerson Symphony Center as a member of the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) and served as the 2025 Arkansas All-State First Chair Violinist. Nathan is a three-time All-Region and two-time All-State honoree. He has performed in the Arkansas Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and now plays with the University of Arkansas Chamber Orchestra, continuing to refine his craft as a musician.
Beyond performance, Nathan leads a nonprofit organization that brings live music to memory care centers, combining compassion with creativity. He also enjoys discovering new restaurants and volunteering with nonprofits, hospitals, and his church. Nathan expresses heartfelt thanks to Er-Gene Kahng, Holly Smardo, Traci Hall, his parents, and everyone who has supported his musical journey.
Molly
Rawn
Narrator
Molly Rawn is the Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Since taking office earlier this year, she has prioritized aligning city operations with community needs, empowering staff expertise, and improving how residents engage with local government. Mayor Rawn continues to emphasize the importance of intentional growth and the essential role of infrastructure. She is committed to a hands-on, people-centered approach to making Fayetteville more accessible to everyone.
Terry Hicks
SoNA Singers Director
Terry Hicks is in his thirty-fourth year as Director of Choirs for Bentonville Public Schools, his seventeenth year directing the choir at First Christian Church, Bentonville, and his fourteenth year as director of the SoNA Singers. He also teaches AP Music Theory and has guided his choirs on numerous award-winning tours throughout the United States and Europe.
Hicks currently serves at the President of the Arkansas chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, and has been recognized with the ArkCDA Distinguished Director Award in 2001, 2005, and 2015. As a soughtafter clinician, he continues to share his expertise with choirs across the region.
He resides in Bella Vista, AR, with his wife, Peggy, and their dog, Albus. They have two children, Katie and John, a daughter-in-law, Kaitlyn, and a grandson, Ian.
Sarah Pearson
Assistant Conductor
Sarah Pearson has emerged as a dynamic presence on the podium with a distinctive blend of passion, precision, and personal warmth. Her artistry and leadership have earned her recognition as one of Tennessee’s most inspiring young conductors and arts advocates.
A Virginia native, she began studying piano, voice, and flute at age five. Her academic experience includes Tennessee Temple University, Lee University School of Music, and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Pearson serves as a Professor of String Orchestras at Chattanooga School of Liberal Arts and Adjunct Professor of Music at Cleveland State Community College, fostering new generations of musicians through mentorship, outreach, and her advocacy for new music and arts in education. She currently serves as Music Director and Founder of The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus of Tennessee, Music Director of The Cleveland Pops, and Assistant Conductor of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA).
Away from the podium, Pearson enjoys exploring history, reading, running, cooking, and spending time with her family. Her career reflects a life dedicated to artistry, education, and the transformative power of music.
Caroline
Spurlin Soprano
Caroline Spurlin is a Fayetteville native who is currently seeking a Bachelor of Music in voice performance at the University of Oklahoma under the tutelage of Valerie Bernhardt. She has an extensive background in Anglican choral music having served as staff singer at several Episcopal churches in Arizona, Oklahoma, and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Spurlin has earned several awards from the Royal School of Church Music. She will be appearing as Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito at the University of Oklahoma in February 2026. She is thrilled to be making her debut with SoNA for this Fayetteville holiday tradition.
Christmas Overture “side by side” players
First Violin
Kate Peterson 12th grade - Rogers HS
Leonardo Zhang 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Ashtyn Le ........................................... 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Daniel Clements 12th grade - Rogers HS
Jackson Brent 12th grade - Rogers Heritage HS
Second Violin
Rick Mize 12th grade - Bentonville West HS
Kailey Johnson ....................................... 12th grade - Bentonville West HS
Ali Boone 11th grade - Rogers HS
Lana Rudzinski 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Viola
Macy Brummal ....................................... 11th grade - Rogers Heritage HS
Bri Bonilla ........................................... 11th grade - Bentonville West HS
Ricky Alvarez 12th grade - Rogers HS
Cello
Sarah Boulton 12th grade - Rogers HS
Robert Waddoups .................................... 12th grade - Rogers HS
Javier Martinez....................................... 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Bass
Samuel Ross 10th grade - Bentonville West HS
Calvin McClure 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Flute
Ava Schoeller 12th grade - Rogers Heritage HS
Oboe
Annabeth Jones ...................................... 12th grade - Springdale Har-Ber HS
Clarinet
Anthony Walle ....................................... 12th grade - Fayetteville HS
Horn
Addi Jones .......................................... 12th grade - Rogers HS
Alex Condray 10th grade - Fayetteville HS
Trombone
Matthew Orr 11th grade - Rogers HS
The BHS Chamber Choir
Soprano
Aubrey Bush, 11
Teagan Callahan, 12
Vicky Huang, 12
Katherine Lewis, 12
Khloe McPherson, 12
Kate Miller, 11
Sai Pragna Avadhanam, 12
Natalie Schroeder, 12
Lily Smallwood, 11
Alto
Lyndia Bingham, 11
Audrey Callahan, 12
Hannah Hoang, 11
Catharyn Nell, 12
Claire Rekus, 12
Albany Sears, 12
Julianne Senter, 12
Elsa Wiseman, 12
Tenor
Kade Bench, 12
George Chariton, 11
Lydia Christiansen, 11
Eli Roest Foust, 12
Tucker Renfroe, 11
Henry Sayre, 12
Isaac Sides, 12
Bass
Malachi Bright, 12
Kadyn Claborn, 12
Dane Hatch, 12
Adam Keogh, 11
Caden Miller, 12
Rodrigo Ortiz, 11
Garrett Platz, 12
Sullivan Primm, 11