Big Sing At Home

We are so grateful to our artists all over the country for contributing to this Big Sing:

• Craig Hella Johnson, piano
• Simon Barrad
• Thomas Burritt, percussion
• Gregory Fletcher
• Melissa Givens
• Robert Harlan
• Ernest Harrison
• Carr Hornbuckle
• Michel Kennell
• Laura Mercado-Wright
• Courtney Neva
• John Proft
• Kathlene Ritch
• Trevor Shaw
• Jen Wang
• Mitch Watkins, Guitar
• Shari Alise Wilson

Jennifer Wang is a soprano and environmental engineer based in Austin. Her day job involves preserving air quality and protecting public health. In her free time, she sings with Conspirare Symphonic Choir, Austin Cantorum, Ars Longa Ensemble, Inversion Ensemble, Panoramic Voices, and St. David’s Episcopal Church. She is classically trained in opera and previously studied with Liz Cass in Austin and Wendy Hillhouse at Stanford University. In 2012, she was a winning finalist at the NATS Bay Area festival competition. At Stanford, she also had the privilege to sing with Stanford Chamber Chorale under the direction of Dr. Stephen Sano and perform in tours throughout Japan, England, and Washington D.C. at world-renowned cathedrals and performance halls. When she’s not singing, she enjoys hanging out with her dog Kai and kitten Neo, hiking, and snorkeling. Jen misses singing dearly, and most of all, the connection and comradery with friends and community.  She looks forward to participating in this tech-savvy Big Sing and learning some new skills along the way!

We asked Jen:

What role does music have in your life during COVID-19?  Listening to new music, new creations, makes me feel hopeful. People are out there creating — sharing their lives, energy, and passion. I enjoy hearing their stories and catching a glimpse into their souls, and it inspires and emboldens me to share and create as well.

What is your most memorable moment as a symphonic singer? The “Symphonic Choir Sings: Connection” concert was one of my favorite moments as a symphonic singer.  The repertoire was thought-provoking, meditative, uplifting, daring, challenging, illuminating.  I enjoyed how different each piece was in genre, and that the unity was in how they explored the desire to achieve connection, whether through love, through country, through family, through history.  That message is ever relevant now; may we find connection with one another, even from afar!

What is at the top of your pandemic playlist? Right now, I can’t get enough of “Tones and I”!  I love the messages that Toni conveys in her songs, and you just can’t help but sing along and have a good time.

Stephanie Foster

I arrived in Austin about 17 years ago from Chicago, fleeing from ice, cold and snow and wanting to be closer to my daughter and her family. One of my new Austin friends invited me to join her for a Conspirare concert and that was the beginning for me. My second experience was Considering Matthew Shepard. I walked out of the auditorium, found an Ambassador, and asked how I could be a volunteer with Conspirare. She took my contact information and the very next morning I received a call from Kathy Leighton. I knew that if most of the people involved with this group were as friendly and kind as Kathy, I would love to be an Ambassador. I was also relieved when I discovered a prerequisite wasn’t having a heavenly voice but just being a good listener was welcomed. 

I’ve helped with many Big Sings and various concerts as well as rearranging the CYC music library and a variety of office jobs. Being involved in the Conspirare office is a huge plus because of the opportunity to know many of the “behind the scenes” folks. I still believe that Craig Hella Johnson has a touch of magic within him because of the way he presents all of his music and is able to intermingle them. For me, his music is so heartwarming, calming, and even spiritual and I believe most of his audiences would agree. I love to watch them leave our concerts with smiles and lovely comments. This is a volunteer position that gives the Ambassadors so much in return. Being a part of this wonderful group is a pleasure and an honor. 

To learn more about our Ambassador program, click here!