This evening’s artists (in order of appearance) Aaron Blake Grammy-winning tenor Aaron Blake has earned international recognition for his performances in repertoire ranging from Martinů to Rossini. 2025-26 marks his second year as King University’s Artist in Residence.
Recent appearances include critically acclaimed performances as the Four Servants in The Metropolitan Opera’s production of The Tales of Hoffman, Nemorino in the Israeli Opera’s L’elisir d’amore, Count Almaviva in Haifa Symphony’s The Barber of Seville, and Michel in Opera Nice Côte d’Azur’s new production of Martinů’s Juliette ou la Clé des Songes.
Mr. Blake’s 2025-26 season began with a debut at Bard Music Festival where he reprised his signature role of Michel in Martinů’s Julietta. The season continued with a return to The Metropolitan Opera for the premiere of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Currently he is appearing as Le Remendado in The Met’s production of Carmen. He will also appear as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and make his role debut as Narraboth in Richard Strauss’s Salome, both with the Israeli Opera.
Steve Sensenig Steve Sensenig began playing the piano at a very early age and excelled in classical music through his childhood and teen years. He began accompanying singers and choirs at the age of 13 and received his Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Pennsylvania’s Cairn University.
An accomplished pianist, accompanist, and coach, Mr. Sensenig has expanded his training into a career in a wide variety of genres and is often sought after for accompanying, recording, music directing, and collaboration. He has served as the musical director for Barter Theatre, a production music supervisor for Norwegian Creative Studios serving multiple cruise lines, and has collaborated with world-renowned artists, including Celtic Woman’s Chloë Agnew, and coaching Mr. Blake for roles at The Metropolitan Opera. He currently serves as a faculty member at King, ETSU, and Milligan University, as Principal Keyboardist for Symphony of the Mountains, and as Music Director and Conductor for the Voices of the Mountains.
Mr. Sensenig is a prolific arranger, film composer, and orchestrator, and has orchestrated for multiple symphony and pops orchestras, Broadway artists, a Hollywood film composer, and an award-winning musical.
Bristol Ballet is under the direction of Amanda Hairston, Moira Frasier Ostrander, and Michelle Plescia. Our soloists tonight include:
Lucy Paulson, a history major at King University. She began her ballet studies at Dayton Christian Ballet in 2008 before joining Bristol Ballet in 2018. Some of her favorite roles have been Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, and Gingerbread Lead in The Nutcracker.
Maeve Donlon, who is 14 years old and has danced with Bristol Ballet since she was six. She is currently in eighth grade and is homeschooled. Maeve is very excited to dance the role of Clara for this event! Past roles she has loved include: Coffee Corps, Marzipan Corps, Dragon, and Party Girl in The Nutcracker. Other favorites are ‘Garland Waltz’ in Sleeping Beauty and Sprite and Spider in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
McKinleigh Dewar is 14 years old and an eighth grader at E.B. Stanley Middle School in Abingdon. She is a part of the Friends 4 Life mentor program and enjoys being part of the student council. She has been dancing for ten years with Bristol Ballet and is excited to continue her dance journey in the company. She is looking forward to her role in this event as well as the spring show of the Wizard of Oz.
Maelee Foster is a 14-year old freshman at Virginia High School. She is a straight A student in Honors and AP classes. Maelee is currently in her 11th year of dance with The Bristol Ballet. Maelee’s favorite roles include Hot Chocolate, Doll, and Snow from The Nutcracker performance and the role of Fairy from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Addison Camper is a 15-year-old sophomore at TOPS Academy. She has been dancing with Bristol Ballet since she was three. Some of her favorite roles include Clara, Snow, Hot Chocolate, and Coffee in The Nutcracker. Outside of ballet, Addison enjoys time with her family and friends, gaming and reading.
Cora Stockner is a 13-year-old eighth grader at Wallace Middle School and has been dancing for 10 years with Bristol Ballet. Ballet has been part of her life right from the start due to her two older sisters Virginia and Josie being in ballet. Some of her favorite roles include Maria, Marzipan, Gingerbread, and Tea in The Nutcracker and this year she dances in the role of Soldier Doll.
Resident guestKaelan Osborne began dancing at age three with Ballet Arts Academy, then in 2012 she continued her training with Bristol Ballet under the tutelage of Michele Plescia. With Bristol Ballet she has danced various roles including Coffee Lead, Clara, and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Pretty Polly in Bristol Ballet’s 75th Anniversary show. Since graduating high school, Kealan has been fortunate to continue to be a part of Bristol Ballet. She is also certified to teach Progressive Ballet Technique and enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance with young dancers. Kaelan is currently a Junior at ETSU majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Dance. While at ETSU, Kaelan has had the pleasure of being a student under Cara Harker and Erika Ballard. She has also had the privilege of co-choreographing and performing a Modern piece with MMA fighter Len Cook and musicians Dave Eggar and Lee DeWyze. Kaelan thanks Moira, Amanda, Michele, and Beth for their continued support and guidance.
Guest artist Kielyn Minton is currently a freshman at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She began ballet at 4 and has also studied jazz, modern, contemporary, and Latin ballroom. In the summer of 2023, Kielyn attended the Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities at Radford University. During the summer of 2024, she attended the Richmond Ballet 5-week summer intensive. Kielyn was a Senior Company member with Bristol Ballet for two seasons. Some of her favorite roles she performed were Snow Queen in The Nutcrackerwith Bristol Ballet, The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderlandwith Bristol Ballet, and the Genie in Aladdinwith Highlands Ballet.
Liam Horne Liam Horne is 20 years old and began piping at the age of 12. In 2025 he won Piper of the Day at multiple games around the Eastern United States and was the overall Champion of Grade 1 bagpiping in the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).
His past accomplishments include placing second in the March-Strathspey-Reel contest at the Sunbelt Invitational in 2023, as well as winning the United States Amateur Solo Competition - Balmoral Classic in 2023. When he is not competing, he is a junior at the University of Virginia at Wise majoring in mathematics with goals of being a college professor.
We’re grateful to feature members of multiple area choirs tonight, including the John S. Battle High School chorus under the direction of Monica Alderman, the Abingdon High School chorus under the direction of Brandy Baxter, and members of Voices of the Mountains under the direction of Steve Sensenig. Monica Alderman Monica Aldermanis a 27-year veteran in education who has taught in New Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Mrs. Alderman earned her undergraduate in music education at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and her master’s degree in Musicology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In addition to teaching public school (grades Pre-K-12) for nearly three decades, she has also taught undergraduate courses at Lee University, Hiawassee College, King University, and Virginia Highlands Community College.
Monica lives in Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, Brian, who serves as Chaplain and Chair of the Religion Department at King University, and their two fabulous kids, Ella Kate and Wes.
Pat Flannagan Pat Flannagan ‘74, Ph.D. served for 38 years on the faculty at King University where he taught music history, conducting, musicology, choir, and voice. Additionally, Dr. Flannagan was the founding conductor of the Voices of the Mountains, a regional choir associated with The Symphony of the Mountains. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from King College, B.M. in Church Music and a M.M. in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a Ph.D. in Musicology from The Catholic University of America. While a student at Westminster, his mentors were Robert D. Simpson, Dennis Shrock and Joseph Flummerfelt, and he had opportunities to sing and study with some of the outstanding conductors of the 20th century including Robert Shaw, Leonard Bernstein, Seji Ozawa, Pierre Boulez, Rafael Kubelik, Antal Dorati, and others.
Under Dr. Flannagan’s leadership, the choirs of King toured extensively throughout the southern United States as well as making three tours to Europe, including Scotland, England, and Greece. Dr. Flannagan hosted Morten Lauridsen for a residency week at King University in 2008 in preparation for a concert of Mr. Lauridsen’s music. He has trained choirs for six different performances at Carnegie Hall, working with conductors such as Peter Tiboris, Timothy Sharp, and John Rutter. He has published several articles and critical reviews.
Currently the Director of the Sanctuary Choir at First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Flannagan is committed to bringing quality choral literature and performances to the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Dave Eggar Phil Faconti Blake Collins
Harking from the Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol Lightning’s adventurous blend of Old Time, Classical music and Blues has been captivating audiences nationwide. Featuring five-time Grammy nominee Dave Eggar on cello, two-time grammy nominee Phil Faconti on guitar, and mandolin virtuoso Blake Collins, this electric trio has been performing at some of America’s leading Bluegrass festivals and in some of the country’s most prestigious concert halls.
Mr. Eggar has performed throughout the world as a featured solo cellist and pianist, including recent featured solo engagements at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, Barbican Centre London, the Sydney Opera House, and many others. A virtuoso in all styles, he has recorded and toured with artists such as Evanescence, Frank Ocean, De La Soul, Il Divo, Josh Groban, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Roseanne Cash, and Brett Eldredge. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the Juilliard School.
Levi Trent Born and raised in Southwest Virginia, Levi Trent is a drummer, percussionist and singer-songwriter. He is involved in multiple projects in the Tri-Cities area, including Bristol Lightning, The Soulamanders, Simple Rhythms Church, Mama Fuma, Phil Faconti Trio and Appalachian Roulette. He is also the drummer for Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time® house band, Country Casserole. Mr. Trent has had the opportunity to collaborate with many well-known artists such as Dave Eggar, Phillip Phillips, Ben Sollee, Marnie Breckenridge, and most recently, Lee DeWyze on the Kelly Clarkson Show. When he’s not practicing, playing on stage, or in the studio, he spends his time working with DCR Natural Heritage Program as a Public Land Steward and Wildland Firefighter.
Tobias Elser Tobias Elser joined the violin section of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2025. He received his bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, and his Master’s of Music degree from Indiana University. In 2018, Mr. Elser formed the Dior Quartet alongside classmates from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. From 2021-2024 the Dior Quartet was in residence at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. The Dior Quartet has won top prizes at several competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild, Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition, and Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
A passionate proponent of new music, Mr. Elser has performed at the Mostly Modern Festival in the Netherlands, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and the soundSCAPE Festival. During his undergraduate studies he was concertmaster of both the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble and the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra. In his free time he enjoys playing chess and improvising on piano.
Brandy Buckles Baxter Brandy Buckles Baxter is the Chorus Director at Abingdon High School and a chair of the Virginia Music Educators Association Membership (VMEA) Team. In 2024, Mrs. Baxter was the recipient of the Virginia Tech Distinguished Music Educator Award. She has extensive experience as a collaborative pianist for Collegiate, District and County choirs, and has presented at the VMEA conference on collaboration strategies for choral conductors and pianists. Mrs. Baxter’s musical theatre credits include pianist and vocalist for a workshop production of Michael Gordon’s “Lightning at our Feet,” vocal coach for “Persephone” at Brooklyn Academy of Music, and music director/pianist for many high school and collegiate musicals. She has previously served as a member of the VMEA Council for Music Education, VMEA Leadership Symposium, Virginia ACDA Communications Director and VMEA District VII Chair & Choral Representative.
Kris Truelsen Based in Bristol, Tennessee, Kris Truelsen has played a lead role in cultivating the musical community of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Through performance, his role in founding non-commercial radio station Radio Bristol, and as host of nationally syndicated PBS television show Farm and Fun Time®, his dedication and persistence to sharing not only his music, but underrepresented music as a whole, is unsurpassed.
With his latest project fronting Country Casserole, he leans into his songwriting, humor and love for a diversity of genres. It’s rowdy, loose and unmistakably Kris. Notable performances include Lincoln Center Jazz, Kennedy Center, Bluegrass Underground, Merlefest, and RockyGrass.
Formed in March 2013, the State Line Wind Symphony is comprised of community members, band directors, college students, and other music professionals. The Symphony aims to bring together those who love to play music and to perform for those who love to listen.
The ensemble was formed as a joint effort between Scott Lambert and Mark Collins, lifelong music educators, after much prodding from former students, colleagues, and other musicians. With each rehearsal, the band has grown in membership, resulting in a fully instrumentated wind symphony of over ninety members with a membership of over one hundred and fifteen.
The Symphony’s philosophy is simple: play and have fun doing it! Mark Collins Tonight the Symphony is conducted by **Mark Collins,**who currently serves as Director of Bands at John S. Battle High School in Bristol, Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Tennessee Tech University, a Master of Education from Milligan University, and an Education Specialist degree in administration from Lincoln Memorial University. In percussion, his teachers and mentors have included Joseph Rasmussen, Joe Morello, and Arnie Lang, and in composition his teachers were Robert Jager and Aaron Copland. In addition to teaching in the public schools, he has served as an adjunct faculty member for Vanderbilt University Bands and coordinator of percussion studies at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
Mr. Collins is the co-founder and co-conductor of the State Line Wind Symphony. He is a Sabian and Innovative Percussion educator artist, serves on the Virginia/D.C. Percussive Arts State Board, and is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician. He is a member of NAfME, VMEA, NBA, NEA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and serves on the Virginia State Board of the Percussive Arts Society as Treasurer. He was selected as the representative for Virginia at the Harvard National Educational Symposium, quarter finalist Grammy Teacher and recipient of the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow. He is the proud father of two sons, and he and his wife reside in Kingsport, Tennessee.