Program

Act 1

"Another Opening, Another Show"

by Cole Porter from Kiss Me Kate

performed by SFVMC

"When Somebody Loved Me"

by Randy Newman, arr. Kohl Kitzmiller from Toy Story 2

performed by Charlie Kim, Caleb Heulitt, Steven Barnett & John Bergquist

"Part of your world"

by Alan Menken from The Little Mermaid

performed by Sheila Bella

"I'd Give it All for You"

by Jason Robert Brown from Songs from a New World

performed by Charlie Kim and Julie Anne Bermel

"Think of me"

by Andrew Lloyd Webber from The Phantom of the Opera

performed by Marla Lowery

"Once Upon Another Time"

by Andrew Lloyd Webber from Love Never Dies

performed by Angel Ramirez and Omari Miller

"Nobody's Side"

by Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, Arr. by Dan Wilson from Chess

performed by Rebecca Fisch

"Johanna"

by Stephen Sondheim from Sweeney Todd

performed by John Bergquist

"Agony"

by Stephen Sondheim from Into the Woods

Performed by Jonathan Matthews and Caleb Heulitt

"There are giants in the Sky"

by Stephen Sondheim from Into the Woods

performed by Angel Ramirez

"Getting Married Today"

by Stephen Sondheim from Company

performed by Julie Anne Bermel, John Bergquist, & Devon Guthrie & SFVMC

"You Will Be Found"

by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul from Dear Evan Hansen

performed by Anthony Fedorov, Sheila Bella,

Julie Anne Bermel, Angel Ramirez, & SFVMC

15 minute intermission

Act 2

"Over the Rainbow"

by Harold Arlen arr. Russ Robinson

performed by the SFVMC Cadenzas

"Vilja"

by Franz Lehár from The Merry Widow

performed by Julie Anne Bermel

"Song to the Moon"

by Antonin Dvorak from Rusulka

performed by Devon Guthrie

"Duetto Buffo di due Gatti"

by Gioachino Rossini

performed by Marla Lowery & Anita Beckenstein

"On the Street Where You Live"

by Frederick Loewe from My Fair Lady

performed by Jonathan Matthews

"Lily's Eyes"

by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman from The Secret Garden

performed by Charlie Kim and John Bergquist

"That Someone"

by Anthony Fedorov from Proud Marys

performed by Anthony Fedorvo

"Webber Love Trio"

by Andrew Lloyd Webber from Aspects of love/Song and Dance/Jesus Christ Superstar

performed by Devon Guthrie, Sheila Bella, and Julie Anne Bermel

"Time Heals Everything"

by Jerry Herman

performed by Omari Miller

"You'll be Back"

by Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton

performed by Caleb Heulitt & SFVMC

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

by Eric Idle from Spamalot

performed by SFVMC

Soloists

Julie Anne Bermel, Soprano

Executive Director & Social Media

Julie Anne Bermel (Barnett) is a native of Los Angeles and has performed on the stage in musicals, operas, Shakespeare, and straight plays over the past thirty plus years. She holds several degrees in the performing arts: an Associates of Theater Arts from Pierce College, ‘05, a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from California State University of Northridge (CSUN) ‘08, and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the Boston Conservatory, ‘11. She was invited to join the musical honors society of Pi Kappa Lambda in 2011 for her achievements in directing and producing her own student-directed opera scenes at the Boston Conservatory in order to provide more performance opportunities for undergraduate students.

This is now Julie's eighth season performing with SFVMC. With her wide vocal range and versatility, Julie has performed soprano and mezzo roles, including: Princess Ida (Princess Ida), Frau Fluth (Die Lustige wiebe von Windsor), Mother (Hansel and Gretel), Yum Yum and Pitty Sing (The Mikado), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Magda (La Rondine), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), Ruth (The Pirates of Penzance), Mad Margaret (Ruddigore), Ellen (Miss Saigon), Sara Jane Moore (Assassins), Golde (Fiddler on the Roof), and Mrs. Paroo (The Music Man). In 2008, Julie created the role of First Marketing Director in the premiere of Paul Salemi’s opera “Tony Caruso’s Final Broadcast” in collaboration with LA Opera and the National Opera Association. In addition, she’s performed several two-man shows of: Oklahoma, Jekyll and Hyde, Kiss Me Kate, and Brigadoon with Tophat Toy Theatre in Portland, Maine, where she sang all the female roles. Aside from performing on stage, one of Julie’s passions is to teach and inspire people of all ages to sing and become more involved in the arts.

In 2016, Julie and her husband, Steven Barnett, received an invitation from their friend, Charlie Kim, to sing in his debut performance as Artistic Director with the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale (SFVMC) in “Valley Echos.” In 2017, she performed with SFVMC again in Sergio Barer’s premiere of “Moses” at the Wilshire Temple. During the summer of 2018, Charlie Kim came to her again but this time he asked her to take on a more prominent role as SFVMC’s new executive director. Since then she has also taken on the responsibilities of: social media, graphic designer, web designer, programs, photographer, general director, videographer, film editor… just to name a few.

Overall, Julie would like to thank all the volunteers on the Advisory Committee who help keep things running smoothly on a day to day basis allowing SFVMC to progress and achieve our goals! Thank you to the board of directors for their on going support, and to all the friends and family who watch my precious boy, Aiden, allowing me to make my life and job(s) possible!

Charlie Kim, Tenor

Artistic Director

Charlie Kim, a southern California native, is a musician of diverse talents. After achieving virtuosity on the piano in high school, he focused his undergraduate studies in vocal performance. He moved to Texas to continue vocal training with a Master's degree and is now frequently sought out as a vocalist, coach, collaborator, instructor, and musical director.

Recent roles include Oronte in Handel's Alcina, Lun Tha in Rodger's The King and I, The Wolf in Sondheim's Into the Woods, and Basilio in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. He has also sung with illustrious local singing organizations such as the Fort Worth Opera and the Dallas Bach Society for several years.

Charlie began his piano performance career early by winning youth competitions in his native Southern California, such as the Inland Empire Piano Festival, Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Works Audition, Music Teachers' Association of California Certificate of Merit Young Artists's Competition, among others. He has performed with regional Southern California orchestras such as the La Sierra University Sinfonia and the City of Redlands Symphony.

Charlie also maintains an active musical theatre life through critically-acclaimed musical direction, accompanying, and performing. Music directing credits include Andrew Lloyd Weber's Sunset Boulevard, John Kander's Chicago, and Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, for which he received "Best Musical Director of the Year" award from the 4-Star Theatre Alliance of Ventura County, California.

During his graduate studies at the University of North Texas, Charlie focused further on vocal and instrumental collaborative keyboard work, conducting, coaching, music directing, and chamber music. He held the posts of Assistant Conductor, Chorus Master, Rehearsal Pianist, and Administrative Assistant of the Opera Department of the College of Music all while performing lead roles, both in home performances and on tour. He has worked intimately with well-known composers such as Jake Heggie on singing, playing, and conducting their own works. After serving as vocal coach for international summer programs and as adjunct voice faculty at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Charlie made his return to Southern California to continue his musical journey as a new member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the batons of greats such as Grant Gershon, Gustvao Dudamel, Juanjo Mena, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

John Bergquist, Bass

Assoc. Artistic Director

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, John migrated to sunny California in 2020 amidst the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic. A musician of split passions, he feels equally at home conducting choral and chamber ensembles as he does laying down basslines in vocal pop and jazz groups. John is a conductor, composer, baritone, pianist, sound engineer, and avid hobbyist.

John holds a BM in Choral Education and an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale and San Fernando Valley Chorale and sings with the Pacific Chorale, Jingle 5, The Other Reindeer Carolers. He is a new member of the Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles and Tonality and is Music Director and Technical Director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City.

John holds a BM in Choral Education and an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah, where he sang in and conducted the internationally acclaimed Chamber Choir. He was also the director and primary arranger for Infrared A Cappella, a contemporary a cappella group that received numerous awards under his direction.

Steven Barnett, Bass

Treasurer

Steven has been a member of SFVMC since 2016. He holds a BS from Cal State University Northridge and is currently a software engineering manager. He has enjoyed performing in classical and vocal jazz ensembles for over 25 years, including in Westminster Chorus, CSUN's Epicenter and Northridge Singers, Santa Monica College's Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and SBCC's Chamber Singers. He has also sung with Carolers.com and The Other Reindeer Carolers.

Sheila Bella, Soprano

Guest Artist

Sheila Bella, a notable speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur in the beauty industry, has made a name for herself in permanent makeup and beauty business. Besides her performing arts background in shows like Miss Saigon and South Pacific, and her involvement in the girl group the Slam Girls, Sheila has created two multimillion-dollar businesses: her first brick-and-mortar studio, Sheila Bella Microblading, and Pretty Rich Bosses, an entirely online initiative.

Featured in Forbes magazine, CEO Weekly, and Disrupt magazine as a female entrepreneur to watch, Sheila's transition from a struggling makeup artist to an industry leader is marked by her passion, determination, and advocacy for women's empowerment. Her businesses have helped countless women feel more beautiful and confident, and her mentorship program, Pretty Rich Bosses, provides resources for aspiring beauty entrepreneurs to succeed.

Reigniting her love for music and singing alongside her thriving business endeavors, Sheila's example of hard work, resilience, and willingness to “do hard things” continues to inspire women to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. Her commitment to empowering others has made her a true innovator and a role model in her field.

Jonathan Matthews, Tenor

Guest Artist

A native of Salt Lake City, Jonathan currently lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife and three sons.

Some of his local performances include: Ernest in The Grand Duke with VCGSRC, Rinuccio/La Rainette in Pacific Opera Projects' Gianni Schicchi/L'enfant et les sortileges. Don José in Vox Visceralis’ Carmen, Ewart Dunlop in 5-Star Theatrical’s The Music Man, Tsar Berendey in Independent Opera’s The Snow Maiden, and Chance in Trial Run Production’s award winning Gunfight at the Not-so-ok Saloon.

On the concert stage, he has sung many concerts including: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Mozart's Requiem, and Verdi's Requiem. He has also sung in musical previews, commercials, and other works in the recording studio.

As a voice over actor, he has narrated over seventy audiobooks, in addition to commercials, cartoons, and video games. Jonathan is also a film and television actor, appearing in various commercials, movies, and television shows.

Anthony Fedorov, Tenor

Guest Artist

Anthony Fedorov is a singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and music educator. Born
in Yalta, Crimea (former USSR), Anthony immigrated to the United States with his
parents and older brother at 9-years old. Due to a birth defect in his windpipe, he
underwent a tracheotomy (breathing through a tube from 4 months old to age 4),
from which a scar is now visible. Doctors predicted he would never be able to
speak.
He went on to compete and finish as 4th place Finalist on American Idol Season
Four.
Inspired by his journey as a father, Anthony released an indie children’s
album, “Every Little Thing” (2014, under the name Auraganix Kids). “Every Little
Thing” includes the viral hit single “I Poop,” which has reached over 16 million
streams.
Anthony’s other notable song placements include the current Safety Music Video
Campaign with producing partner and Grammy® Winner Jeeve Ducornet
(Todrick Hall, Bruno Mars) for So Cal Gas, Directed by Colin Tilley, Hulu’s Future
Man, The Ellen Degeneres Wildlife Fund, “Tet’Emcombo” (King of Kings) cowritten
with Jeeve Ducornet, in the award-winning short film “The German
King,” “I Begin Again” co-written with Grammy® Winning songwriter Bill Grainer
and recorded by Britain’s Got Talent Winner Jai McDowall (hit #1 on iTunes
Music).
Anthony is currently writing and developing three original musical shows Hashtag
America with a book by Nik Walker (Broadway’s Hamilton) and co-lyricist Kyle
Carter (Disney’s The Lion King tour) and TV pilot Proud Marys written by Jennifer
Paz, (Peabody, GLAAD Media, and Emmy Award-winning Steven Universe)
Winner of the inaugural Outstanding Screenplays TV Pilot Competition, and was
a top selection with Peabody Award and WGA Award-Winning writer/producer
Susan Soon He Stanton (HBO’S SUCCESSION,) and Super Learnies, a children’s
television show which focuses on the emotional and social development of young
kids.
As an actor, Anthony’s notable theatre credits include Off-Broadway in The
Fantasticks (Matt) and RENT revival (Roger). Regional: Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat, (Broadway Asia - Tokyo, Ordway Center, 5th Avenue
Theatre), Les Miserables, (McCoy/Rigby), The Sound of Music (Paper Mill
Playhouse), and the world premiere of The 12a rock musical written by Pulitzer and
Tony Award winner Robert Schenkkan and music by Neil Berg, and most
recently, Love Actually Live at The Wallis in Beverly Hills (FOR THE RECORD).
Instagram: @anthonyfedorovmusic
Facebook: @anthonyfedorov
Twitter: @anthonyfedorov

Devon Guthrie, Soprano

Guest Artist

Grammy-nominated American soprano Devon Guthrie made an acclaimed debut as Susanna in a new production of Le nozze di Figaro at English National Opera when she was still a student at the Juilliard School.
Recent operatic works include a special memorial performance with the Paul Taylor Dance Company honoring the late Paul Taylor, Brahms Requiem with The Santa Fe Symphony, and a return to Opera Theater of St. Louis to sing the role of Drusilla in L’Incoronazione di Poppea. Other recent highlights include a return to the role of Susanna for her company debut at Michigan Opera Theater, and with The Chicago Lyric Opera and The Prototype Festival twice returning to the role of Mary Johnson in Greg Spears’ Fellow Travelers, a role which she created in the world premiere production with Cincinnati Opera. Ms. Guthrie also recently enjoyed her fourth season with The Santa Fe Opera singing the role of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus. Other recent roles include Pamina in a new production of The Magic Flute by renowned British actor and director Simon McBurney at ENO; Konstanze in Abduction from the Seralio at Kentucky Opera; the Brahms Requiem with the Madison Symphony, Daisy Buchanan in Harbison’s The Great Gatsby in Boston at Tanglewood; Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Philadelphia; Chocholka in The Cunning Little Vixen for New York Philharmonic; Bubikopf in Der Kaiser von Atlantis with Central City Opera; Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Tanglewood Music Festival; Roxana in Król Roger for Santa Fe and Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice at the Metropolitan Opera.
Further career highlights include multiple seasons singing with The Paul Taylor Dance Company at Lincoln Center as the soloist in their Beloved Renegade, Taylor’s piece set to the music of Faure’s Requiem; her company debut with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as Pulcheria in Riccardo Primo; an acclaimed Santa Fe debut as Marzelline in Fidelio as well as Susanna in a production of Le nozze di Figaro at the Saito Kinen Festival. On the concert platform she has performed a Huang Ruo Chamber Concert with Mimesis Ensemble at Carnegie Hall and in Santa Fe and was heard in Handel’s Messiah with Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra.
A dedicated recitalist and contemporary music interpreter, she has appeared several times at the Opera America Salon and has performed pieces such as Lonely Child by Claude Vivier; 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird by Lukas Foss; Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915; Schubert Der Hirt auf dem Felsen; Orpheus and Euridice by Ricky Ian Gordon, and covered the role of Tatyana Bakst in the world premiere of Great Scott.
In 2020, Devon was nominated for a Grammy Award for her work on the album Fire and Flood, a compendium of the works of composer Luna Pearl Woolf. She has won several other awards and prizes in competitions such as the Gerda Lissner Competition, Houston Grand Opera Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers, Licia Albanese Competition and Liederkranz. She was also an apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera and Tanglewood Music Festival.
Devon holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, a both a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma in Opera Studies in Vocal Performance from The Juilliard School.
Devon is also on faculty at Claremont Community School of Music and is a Teaching Artist for San Diego Opera. She has also been guest faculty at institutions such as Pepperdine University, Cal Poly Pomona, and Songfest at The San Francisco Conservatory.

Angel Ramirez, Tenor

Assistant Artistic Director

Angel first joined his high school choir solely to take a trip to Disneyland at the end of the year but was very quickly smitten. He earned his bachelor’s in music education with an emphasis in choral conducting from Pensacola Christian College. After taking a job teaching English shortly thereafter, he stumbled upon the chorale and joined as quickly as he could, accepting Charlie’s offer to be his assistant director, and he would like to thank the friends and mentors he has become surrounded with through the choir.

Ensemble

THANK YOU!!

To All Our Volunteers, Crew, and Donors

Steven Barnett

John Bergquist

Sabra Chili

Catherine Cobb

Sheila Bella

Henry Eu

Ellen Ford

Tawnie Frankel

Leslie Huber

Mary Ann Hurst

Claudia Padron

Jorge Padron

Ian Lindley

Ruth Markenson

Brian McConnell

Linda Newcomb

Mary McKay

Laura Sgro

Cindy To

Kevin Yedlin

SFVMC Board of Directors

SFVMC Advisory Committee

First United Methodist Church of Canoga Park

Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City