Bios
Coloratura soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson is a vibrant young singer with versatility and flare for both comedy and drama on the operatic stage. She has performed leading operatic roles with the Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Omaha, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Saarländisches Staatstheatre in Saarbrücken, Germany. Shortly after Sarah’s move to Kansas City in 2006, she received rave reviews for singing her first Ophelia in Thomas’ Hamlet with the Kansas City Lyric, after only a few hours notice. Equally at home in symphony and concert, Sarah earned distinction from Symphony magazine as an Emerging Artist in 2007. Sarah has sung with Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, North Shore Choral Society, Southern Illinois Symphony, Wichita Symphony, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, the New Ear Ensemble of Kansas City, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony. Recent performances include a solo recital in Miami, Florida, Handel’s Messiah with the KC Symphony, Handel’s Gloria with the KC Chamber Orchestra, and again with the KC Symphony in this year’s Magic of Christmas. This spring, she will be singing with the KC Chorale at Lincoln Center in New York City, the role Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute in Columbia, Missouri, Haydn’s Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross at William Jewell College, and a solo recital of composer Forrest Pierce’s works. Sarah received her Masters at UMKC Conservatory in 1999. She is a member of the Grammy Award-winning KC Chorale and has won three Emmy’s of her own for her film work with the Missouri Conservation Department. She teaches voice in Overland Park and at William Jewell College.
Elena Lence Talley – clarinetist, is a graduate with highest honors from the University of North Texas. She performs frequently with the Kansas City Symphony, where she is also music librarian. Ms. Talley has also performed with the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Kansas City, the Missouri Symphony, the Kansas City Camerata and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. The author of several cover stories for the Clarinet magazine, she was membership coordinator of the International Clarinet Association for ten years. Talley has taught at Emporia State University and Mid-America Nazarene University. She has performed at the International Clarinet Association ClarFest, the International Double Reed Society conference and the University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium. Talley is the founder of the Lyric Arts Trio.
Daniel Velicer – pianist, performs regularly with the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Arts Trio, Kansas City Ballet outreach programs, and is in constant demand as an accompanist and vocal coach. Mr. Velicer assisted in the preparation of soloists for performances with the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City for the nationally acclaimed Stravinsky Festival. Additional collaborations include work with Frederica von Stade, Denyce Graves, Marietta Simpson, and Richard Stolzman. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, Mr. Velicer attended Cornell University, majoring in both anthropology and music, and Rice University, where he received a master’s degree in piano chamber music and accompanying. Formerly an Opera Coach Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and the head staff pianist at the University of the Pacific¹s Conservatory of Music, he now serves as chamber music coach and artist performer on the faculty of the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory.
Critical Acclaim
You all sold this music well! We would like to have you back!
John Boulton, Lawerence Universalist Church Chamber Music Series
“We thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful musicianship, patience, adaptability and great personalities.”
Chllicothe Area Arts Council (Missouri)
“Thanks again for sharing your talents with our community. You are all such professional and talented musicians. If at any time you need a reference for a sponsoring venue, I would be happy to share what a great success your programs were for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.”
Bowlus Fine Arts Center (Kansas)
“I recommend the Lyric Arts Trio to you without reservation. Their talent, expression and rapport with their audience will serve you well.”
Hesston College (Kansas)
“What a tremendous blessing we recieved at your concert – thanks so much for your professionalism and wonderful stage presence...”
Bryan Taylor, “Worship Through the Arts” concert series, Liberty, Missouri
“Clarinetist Elena Lence Talley played gorgeously, with creamy tone and rich expressivity.”
Scott Cantrell, Kansas City Star
“I found your performances to be wonderful in every respect...you offer your audiences a musical experience that few performers accomplish.”
John Schaefer, Summer Music in the Cathedral
“You projected a warmth and pleasure in performing which resulted in an enjoyable evening, both in sound and sight.”
MidAmerica Nazarene College
“These extremely talented musicians thrilled our members with the excellence and diversity of their music, and received a well-deserved standing ovation.”
Niagara (Canada) Concerts
“Each performer was taxed to the limit, but came out the unquestioned winner.”
Emporia, Kansas Gazette
“...all three excellent and very professional musicians, with great technical and artistic abilities.”
Lyons Community Concerts
“The quality of your performance, your informal remarks about the music...left us with the desire to hear more.”
Paul Hammond, Oklahoma Baptist University
“...a concert of exquisite beauty.”
Bertie Leigh Compaan, Norton County Arts Council
“The particular combination of instruments you bring to the stage is interesting – and musically exciting!”
Morris Engle, Phillips County Arts Council
“Your combination of music combined with your artistry and musicianship really did ‘transport’ the audience that evening.”
Sharon Fehringer, High Plains Arts Council
“The unique artistry your ensemble displayed showed a perfect blend of musical poetry and lyrics.”
Tom Groth, Black Hills Chamber Music Society
“The audience was thrilled to have you perform for them and I have heard many great things since your performance.”
Tony Ballard, C.L. Hoover Opera House
“After Thursday I really started to appreciate music, I mean how couldn’t you after hearing a group like this.”
Student, State Fair Community College
“All of you delivered exceptionally remarkable performances...that elevated your presentation to a truly artistic level.”
Jerry Pugsley, Beatrice Arts Council
