Raphael/Adam: Marques Jerrell Ruff, Bass-Baritone

Marques Jerrell Ruff is an international musician and passionate music educator hailing from New England. Marques has graced the stage as a soloist with numerous organizations, including the National Chorus of Korea, Tallahassee Symphony, Charlotte Symphony & Master Chorale, and the Hartford Symphony. The Hartford Courant marveled, “Ruff has a voice that has power, clarity, and brilliant shades of color.” His unwavering commitment to the Negro spiritual has been a cornerstone of his artistic and scholarly endeavors, ensuring that this vital musical tradition continues to inspire and educate future generations. In addition to his solo career, Marques has sung with some of the most prestigious choral ensembles in the United States. His impressive roster of collaborations includes the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Kinnara, Seraphic Fire, Conspirare, Exigence, and Chanticleer. Marques earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Connecticut State University, where his passion for music flourished. He then pursued dual Master of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Missouri, further honing his skills and expanding his expertise. Marques’s dedication to music education culminated in a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Florida State University. Currently, Marques is a faculty member at Arkansas State University where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Vocal Music Education and the Associate Director of Choral Activities. Marques is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Negro Musicians, the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He can be found on all social media @marquesjruff

 

Renan Leme, Concertmaster/Orchestra Manager

Renan Leme was born in São Paulo, Brazil where he started his studies in music. He holds a Bachelor’s in violin performance from the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel – Brazil) and a Master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Missouri – Columbia (USA), where he studied with Professor Eva Szekely.  Since he moved to Columbia, MO, he has been an active musician as a violinist, teacher, arranger, and conductor. He is the Director of Orchestras at Hickman High School, a violinist with the Missouri Symphony, owner of the award winning Leme Ensemble, and a violin teacher at his private studio. Leme is a former Adjunct Professor at the Central Methodist University, former director of the Missouri Youth Orchestra, and former President of the Mid-Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMAMTA). He has conducted in the USA and overseas, with his latest international tour being in Italy, in which he was highly praised by the local critics. As a performer he has worked with many ensembles and orchestras, such as the Missouri Symphony, Mizzou Graduate String Quartet, Mizzou New Music Ensemble, Mizzou Improvisation Ensemble, Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra (where he has been principal and concertmaster), Mizzou Chamber Soloists (as principal), Camerata Novitango, Chamber Orchestra of Theatro São Pedro (OCTSP), and Chamber Orchestra of Santa Cruz (as principal) among others. Leme has been awarded with the Kathleen Kabrick String Award for excellence in teaching and leadership.  He is also a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society due to his academic and musical performance excellence during his time as a student at Mizzou.

 

Gabriel/ Eve: Anna Mandina, Soprano  

Hailed as a “true Puccini Lyric Soprano” by Opera News, Italian-American Soprano, Anna Mandina, is quickly making a name for herself in the opera world. Anna recently performed the role of Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and Susannah Polk in Susannah with Opera Fort Collins. Ms. Mandina has often worked with Sarasota Opera, making her mainstage debut in 2019 singing 13 performances of Liù in the company’s Diamond Anniversary production of Turandot. Anna was hailed as “impressive” and “heart-rending” as Liù by Opera News, having conveyed “all that is sweet and good with a robust soprano voice that can float a high B-flat as she sung of Calaf’s smile.” Since 2019, Anna has performed three more mainstage roles with Sarasota Opera including Mimì in La bohème, Serpina in La serva padrona, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni all to great acclaim. Anna has performed with Opera Maine, Opera Company of Middlebury, Opera Fort Collins, and Landlocked Opera. More information regarding Anna’s performing experience can be found on her website annamandinasoprano.com.

Anna’s training includes past apprenticeships with Seagle Festival, the Houston Grand Opera Young Artist Vocal Academy, Opera Company of Middlebury, Opera Maine, the Missouri Symphony, and Sarasota Opera. Ms. Mandina holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory. 

Anna is so excited to return to her college hometown to perform The Creation by Joseph Haydn under the baton of R. Paul Crabb with the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri and the Columbia Chorale. To finish out the year, Anna will perform with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra for their Sounds of the Season holiday concert in December.

 

Uriel: David Pelino, Tenor

David Pelino, tenor, is a vocal artist well versed in both solo and ensemble repertoire. Some of David’s solo credits include tenor solo repertoire in works such as Theodore Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ, Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, G.F. Handel’s Messiah, and Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes. He most recently made his Soo Opera Theatre debut as Sam Polk in Susannah, in addition to his work in other roles such as King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors and the Evangelist in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion. Awards he was won for his singing includes the Grady-Rayam 2018 Upper Division Negro Spiritual Prize, the 2019 Central Region NATS Advanced Division 1st Place Winner, as well as being a National NATS semifinalist in 2020.

Equally at home in ensemble singing, David has had the distinct privilege of being able to sing both at home and abroad. He performs with nationally and internationally renowned ensembles such as the American Spiritual Ensemble, Prometheus, Seraphic Fire, and Kinnara.