2026 season guest artists
Jeremy Vigil, piano
As a pianist, organist, percussionist, and occasional baritone, Jeremy Vigil has worked alongside dancers, film, and narration in contemporary music and large ensembles.
A founding member of the horn/violin/piano Black Moon Trio, he dedicates himself to illuminating new voices through commissions and collaborations. He has worked with renowned composers like Miguel del Aguila, Lori Laitman, Marc Mellits, and Baljinder Sekhon for premieres of their compositions, with recordings on Innova Recordings and Black Moon Trio’s own label.
Jeremy has held positions as a Collaborative Pianist at Ohio University, as well as piano faculty for summer festivals like Fresh Inc and Si parla, si canta in Arona, Italy, where he made his operatic singing debut in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. He has performed with organizations including AWR Music, Fifth House Ensemble, New York Composers Circle.
In Chicago, Vigil appears regularly through programs such as Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play and New Music Chicago, while also transporting audiences across the world, through the seasons, and into the fantastic world of stories as Keys for Two with his wife and duet partner, Florence Mak. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Stetson University and a Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music from the Eastman School of Music.
He will perform Rhapsody in Blue with the Third Coast Symphony on October 11, 2026 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. | more info
cheryl wilson, vocalist
Cheryl Wilson has appeared with Spike Lee, Harry Connick Jr., Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Natalie Cole, Kenny G., Michael Bolton, David Sanborn, David Foster, Sarah Brightman, Enrique Iglesias, Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Celine Dion, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Mannheim Steamroller, Ray Charles, Josh Grobin, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Smokey Robinson, Peter Gabriel, Patti LaBelle, Tony Bennett, Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, Jewell, Johnny Mathis, Joni Mitchell, and Sarah Vaughn, among others.
Wilson is also known as an international recording artist as weel a vocalist. She records in London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville and Chicago. Her credits as featured artist as well as backing vocals, recording and performing live, include Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, Bill Withers, Peabo Bryson, Mavis Staples, Celine Dion, John Martyn, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Mannheim Steamroller, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Seal, R. Kelly, Faith Hill, Peter Cetera, David Foster, Marian McPartland, Whitney Houston and the industrial metal band KMFDM, among others. She has recorded several #1 UK Billboard Magazine chart hits and her voice can be heard every evening at sunset during Mt. Rushmore’s daily ceremony, singing America the Beautiful.
Wilson joined the adjunct faculty of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2009 for Applied Voice, Jazz and Contemporary Studies and joined the adjunct faculty of University of Illinois Chicago in 2012 for Applied Voice, Jazz Studies.
Wilson and her trio will perform with the Third Coast Symphony on November 29, 2026 for The 007 Days of Christmas at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. | more info
raymond benson, host
Raymond Benson is a New York Times best-selling author, musician and film historian. He is the author of over 40 published books, including THE MAD, MAD MURDERS OF MARIGOLD WAY (winner of the IPPY Gold Medal in Mystery, 2022), BLUES IN THE DARK (2019), IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT (2018) and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE (2017). Raymond is most well-known for being the third—and first American—author to be commissioned to write James Bond continuation novels. Six original works and three movie novelizations were published worldwide between 1997-2002. His debut 007 novel, ZERO MINUS TEN, was reprinted in the UK in 2023. Raymond’s book THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, first published in 1984, was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America for Best Biographical/Critical Work. His most recent work in the Bond Universe is the first-ever Felix Leiter novel, THE HOOK AND THE EYE (2025).
Benson will host The 007 Days of Christmas performance at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts with the Third Coast Symphony on November 29, 2026. | more info
Anna Therese George, mezzo-soprano/assistant conductor
Anna Therese George is a mezzo-soprano, conductor, and composer from Green Bay, Wisconsin, based in Chicago, Illinois, who recently completed her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. At CCPA, she has performed in various roles, including False Boy (The Tsar has his Photograph Taken), Ma Moss (The Tender Land), Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Prince Charming (Cinderella) and Soeur Mathilde (Dialogues des carmélites). Outside of CCPA, she has performed as Dritter Knabe (Zauberflöte, Berlin Opera Academy) and Ruggiero (Alcina, Chicago Summer Opera). She also started her first season in 2025-26 with the Chicago Symphony Chorus. In addition to performance, George pursues an extended passion in conducting, presenting a non-degree recital in Fall 2025 with a performance of Haydn’s 45th Symphony, “Farewell,” and serving as assistant conductor for both Great Lakes Operetta’s Orpheus in the Underworld in Summer 2026, and Third Coast Symphony’s 2026-27 season, under the direction of Victor Muenzer. She is also an avid composer, studying orchestration and composition, and premiered her first opera, Greater Love, created in collaboration with Kaz Henderson and Jadie Reeves, in April 2026.
She will be Assistant Conductor of the Third Coast Symphony on November 29, 2026 for The 007 Days of Christmas at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, and will perform in Handel’s Messiah on December 11, 2026 at the Studebaker Theater.
Gabriel Muenzer, tenor
Gabe Muenzer is originally from Chicago, where he grew up playing a variety of instruments before eventually deciding to study classical voice at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. There he studied opera and musical theater, plus had a love of rock and funk music, playing in a variety of bands. He also studied voice with Michael Hanley and vocal pedagogy with Kevin Wilson. He is now pursuing a Master’s at NYU in Voice Performance with an advanced certificate in Voice Pedagogy.
Muenzer will perform in Handel’s Messiah on December 11, 2026 at the Studebaker Theater. | more info
CHIEMERIE OBIANOM, BASS
Hailing from Nnewi, Anambra State, Chiemerie E. Obianom began his musical journey in Nigeria, where he excelled both academically and musically. His talent was evident in his early years as he actively participated in his parish choir and mastered various musical instruments. Recognized for his exceptional vocal abilities, he earned a coveted spot in the Musical Society Of Nigeria Diploma course, sponsored by the MTN Foundation. Under the mentorship of Sir Emeka Nwokedi, he graduated with honors, winning competitions and earning accolades. Currently studying at Roosevelt University, Chiemerie continues to pursue his passion for music while sharing his expertise through vocal lessons and community engagement.
Obianom will perform in Handel’s Messiah on December 11, 2026 at the Studebaker Theater. | more info
roosevelt university/chicago college of performing arts chorus
charles taylor, director
Comprising the Music Conservatory, the Theatre Conservatory, and the Interdisciplinary Conservatory, the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University trains world-class musicians and theatre professionals in the heart of one of the country's most creatively accomplished cities.
CCPA Voice programs (BM Classical Voice, Honors BMA Classical Voice, BM Music Education, MM Classical Voice, PD Opera) and BFA Musical Theatre programs (BFA Musical Theatre, BFA Musical Theatre with Dance Concentration) offer intensive career training from world-class artist-teachers, with a multitude of onstage performance opportunities throughout their year.
The Chorus will perform in Handel’s Messiah on December 11, 2026 at the Studebaker Theater. | more info
Penelope Walker, narrator
Penelope Walker is an actress whose career has spanned over 20 years. She has appeared on Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago Justice as multiple characters. Her other TV/film acting credits include Severed Ties, Olympia, South Side, Work in Progress, and The Bear. Her theatre resume includes Crowns, The Story, Love-Lies-Bleeding, and many more.
She narrated The Carnival of the Animals with the Third Coast Symphony on June 14, 2026 at First Congregational Baptist Church.