Introducing David and Kathleen Pershall

David Pershall is from Bell County and just graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Performance from Baylor University where he sang leading roles in the Baylor Opera Theater. He received the Dean's Award for Most Outstanding Performance in the School of Music, and was the recipient of the Thomas Stewart Award for Vocal Excellence in 2007. David won first place awards in the TEXOMA Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and performed with Dr. Charles Webb, former Dean of the Indiana University School of Music, in guest recitals for the Fountain/Warren Musical Arts Association. David entered and has been invited to compete in the finals of the Third Seoul International Music Competition in November as a United States representative, and will compete against representatives from fifteen different countries. In January of 2008 David will join Virginia Opera as a Spectrum Resident Artist, where he will perform in promotional appearances with Virginia Opera, and understudy a main stage role. He will also compete in the finals of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions on the stage of the MET in February 2008 in NYC.

Kathleen Pershall received an undergraduate degree from New York University, and a Master of Music degree in performance from Baylor University. She sang leading roles in the Baylor Opera Theater, was a member of the Bronx Opera chorus, and performed in a variety of venues in New York City as a result of being named Junior Miss New York State and overall National Talent Winner in 1999; Miss New York City in 2003, and in the top ten at the Miss New York State competition. Mrs. Pershall won two Artist Grant Awards at the Fielder Career Grant for Vocal Career Advancement, the Glennis McCray Study Abroad Scholarship to Italy, and will return to Austin to present concerts for the Fielder Music Society, and the Wednesday morning Music Club. Kathleen performs frequently at Laity Lodge Adult Retreat Center in Texas. Kathleen will also be singing with the Virginia Opera Company beginning in January of 2008.