Marianne Vogel
Director of Music
Marianne Vogel holds a Bachelor of Music in music theory from the University of Connecticut and studied organ with David Spicer for over ten years, eventually becoming his assistant at the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, CT, where she was associate organist for four years. She is a Colleague with the American Guild of Organists, and has served congregational churches in Broad Brook, Hebron and Coventry, as well as the First United Methodist Church in Middletown, CT.
Marianne is also a violinist, and worked towards a graduate performance certificate on that instrument at the Hartt School of Music. She currently plays with the West End String Quartet, various orchestral groups in Connecticut, and is a performer and music coordinator for the Golden Scroll Soloists, a busy string ensemble that provides live musicians for events throughout New England.
Kelley Kelly
Alto section leader
Very little makes Kelley Elizabeth Kelly, mezzo-soprano, happier than singing to the glory of God. A church singer since she could first hold a hymnal open, she believes music to be her truest form of prayer and is honored to serve as a section leader with Christ Church Cathedral. She has previously served as section leader in various area churches and currently also sings with the St. Patrick - St. Anthony Treble Clef Choir and with CONCORA. She has a bachelor’s degree in music from Smith College, extensive choral experience, a very patient husband, and three exceedingly energetic children who tend to write in her scores when she’s not looking.
Seth Allen
Youth choir co-director(s)
Seth has been a musician since he was 14 years old. Seth has appeared in over 25 musicals since that time, which was where he found his love of music. When he was 16 he became the Assistant worship director/Youth worship director at Hamilton Christian Center. Seth did this job for 2 ½ years while in high school and loved every minute of it. Since then he has maintained a private voice studio, while working as a bartender to make his way through college, where he received his B.M. in Voice Performance at Ball State University. Right upon graduating Seth became a principal vocal artist at Heartland Sings, a faith based non profit that does musical and performing arts education and outreach all over the country. Seth taught people voice and piano of all ages and did educational programs in schools and in classrooms every week all over the country. Seth has done programs so far in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and ohio. Seth loves teaching and doing outreach for others because he believes music is a healing tool and everyone in the world right now could use some healing. Seth loves being able to give back to people and know that he's not just performing or teaching for his own sake, but he’s actually making a real difference in people's lives. Seth is very excited to start his journey at Christ Church Cathedral!
Sarah Blair
Youth choir co-director(s)
Blair is a recent graduate of Marian University in Indianapolis with a BA in Theatre. They love performing and some of their favorite past roles include: Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pompey in Measure for Measure, Y in Freedomz and Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown. During their time in college, Blair competed twice in the Irene Ryan Scholarship competition. In addition to acting, they also enjoy designing and creating costumes. They are also an avid horror fan and have written, directed and produced their own short horror film. They look forward to getting to know the community and getting started at Christ Church Cathedral!
Katherine Serena Platte
Soprano
Katherine Serena Platte, soprano, is a student at the Hartt School of Music majoring in classical vocal performance. Coming from a family of classical musicians, she started her musical studies on violin and ballet at age 5. Katherine’s talent for singing emerged at age 12 and started as a special interest in musical theater. She began her study of voice at time, and performed the roles of Beth (Little Women) NEMC, Rapunzel and Florinda (Into the Woods) NEMC, and Cinderella (Cinderella R&H) MSM. Katherine began her transition to classical singing at age 16, and has since developed a love for opera. She has performed the roles of Célie (Signor Deluso) The Hartt School, Livia (Il Guioco del quadriglio) VAO Brodrum, and Frasquita (Carmen) VAO Bodrum. Currently a student of Deborah Lifton, Katherine is studying a wide variety of vocal techniques ranging from classical to musical theater. Her goal is to not only share amazing music, but effectively communicate the emotion of the music to her audience.
Liam R. Shannon
Bass soloist/section leader
Praised by the South Florida Classical Review for his “strong baritone”, Liam Shannon has performed in roles such as Elviro in G.F. Händel’s Serse, The Minskman in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, The Ferryman in Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River, Artemidore/Ubalde in Jean Baptiste-Lully’s Armide, and Antonio in W.A. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. He has performed as a soloist with the Utah Valley Vocal Arts Academy, Miami Classical Music Festival, Opera Lucca Festival, and the Bennington County Choral Society.
Liam recently graduated with his Master of Music in Vocal Arts & Opera from the USC Thornton School of Music where he studied with renowned voice teacher, Lynn Helding. This fall marks his professional opera debut with the New England Repertory Orchestra as Ping in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot.