/fôr/
The Performers
Kathryn Bailey
Kathryn Bailey is a soul-stirring vocalist with a special artistic gift. Her performances are marked with power and emotion, taking the audience on a musical journey through her song. Blessed with a rich, full voice, she effortlessly glides through every genre of music, including Gospel, Jazz, Classical, R&B, Soul and Folk.
She has performed locally and nationwide, from Carnegie Hall to the Wilshire Ebell in stage performance and musicals. She has sung under the direction of Albert McNeil of the Jubilee Singers, Chuck Dickerson with the Southeast Symphony and many more. Perfecting her Jazz chops, she has performed with the Cross Hart Jazz Experience, working with such awesome artists as Ryan Cross, Lorca Hart, Brandon Coleman, Kenneth Crouch, Zane Musa, Chris Cadenhead, Tony Austin, Lyndon Rochelle and many more. She has worked closely with composer Vivek Madala on film scores and soundtracks, lending her haunting melody’s and lyrics to the film, “Grasshopper” and the award winning documentary on Darfur, “They Turned Our Desert into Fire”.
She is currently singing with "Genesis: The Balm" under the direction of Kay O'Kelly and singing in various venues throughout the Southland.
She has served as Choir Director at Berean SDA Church, Knox Presbyterian Church and most recently, New Hope Presbyterian Church. She is a music educator for Carlos Santana Arts Academy and will be in the studio this year recording her debut album. Once you've heard her, you won't forget her.
She has performed locally and nationwide, from Carnegie Hall to the Wilshire Ebell in stage performance and musicals. She has sung under the direction of Albert McNeil of the Jubilee Singers, Chuck Dickerson with the Southeast Symphony and many more. Perfecting her Jazz chops, she has performed with the Cross Hart Jazz Experience, working with such awesome artists as Ryan Cross, Lorca Hart, Brandon Coleman, Kenneth Crouch, Zane Musa, Chris Cadenhead, Tony Austin, Lyndon Rochelle and many more. She has worked closely with composer Vivek Madala on film scores and soundtracks, lending her haunting melody’s and lyrics to the film, “Grasshopper” and the award winning documentary on Darfur, “They Turned Our Desert into Fire”.
She is currently singing with "Genesis: The Balm" under the direction of Kay O'Kelly and singing in various venues throughout the Southland.
She has served as Choir Director at Berean SDA Church, Knox Presbyterian Church and most recently, New Hope Presbyterian Church. She is a music educator for Carlos Santana Arts Academy and will be in the studio this year recording her debut album. Once you've heard her, you won't forget her.
Perry Hayes
A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Perry V. Hayes has been a music professional for over thirty years. His talents include bass-baritone vocalist, pianist, organist, music and choral director. He began taking piano lessons at age six and continued until age eighteen with several Los Angeles based instructors such as Mrs. Dolly Peery and Mr. William Campbell. During his formative years, Perry continued performing in school choirs and orchestras. At age seventeen, Perry directed his first church choir at the Bel-Vue Presbyterian Church. Since then, Mr. Hayes has served as Music Director at several Los Angeles churches, including Bel-Vue Presbyterian, Christ Lutheran, Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Perry has performed on stage, television and recorded with notables such as Barry Manilow, Wynton Marsalis and Dianne Reeves; and has toured nationally and internationally with the Pacific
Symphony, the San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and several concert halls throughout Europe and Japan.
In 2017, Mr. Hayes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance at California State University, Dominguez Hills. In December 2014, Mr. Hayes was given a commendation from the City Of Los Angeles for his musical service to the people of Los Angeles.
In approximately 1995, Perry joined the Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles and has completed three European tours and four CD recordings with them. Since 2006, he has served as Music Director, pianist/organist and choral director at the Park Hills Community Church in the Windsor Hills area and as the Music Director/Conductor for The United Male Chorus of Los Angeles. He also teaches music and choir at the Watts Learning Center Charter Elementary and Middle Schools.
Mr. Hayes resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Raymond Benevides, and their German shepherd, Kona. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis and interior design.
Symphony, the San Diego Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and several concert halls throughout Europe and Japan.
In 2017, Mr. Hayes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance at California State University, Dominguez Hills. In December 2014, Mr. Hayes was given a commendation from the City Of Los Angeles for his musical service to the people of Los Angeles.
In approximately 1995, Perry joined the Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles and has completed three European tours and four CD recordings with them. Since 2006, he has served as Music Director, pianist/organist and choral director at the Park Hills Community Church in the Windsor Hills area and as the Music Director/Conductor for The United Male Chorus of Los Angeles. He also teaches music and choir at the Watts Learning Center Charter Elementary and Middle Schools.
Mr. Hayes resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Raymond Benevides, and their German shepherd, Kona. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis and interior design.
VanNessa Hulme
VanNessa Hulme is anything but a typical opera singer. She has been hailed internationally and at home for her uniqueness and ability to sing all genres, from classical to musical theater, gospel to R&B. As a versatile stage actor, VanNessa has found herself performing both opera and musical theater and has performed over 150 lead and supporting roles.
Most recently in 2017, VanNessa was a part of John Buccino's "It's Only Life," a cabaret musical produced by Art In Relation and directed by Alan Palmer. In this production, VanNessa was the music director, stage manager, and performed twice during the 15 show run as Woman 3. Also in 2017, she was a part of the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater's musical theater cast of "Encore, a 60 year celebration," a featured artist in The Verdi Chorus' opera scenes production of "Young Love," and made her debut at Vitello's alongside Barbara Heller in "Songs from My Kischkes-A Cabaret," as well as guest artist in several other opera and musical theater performances in Los Angeles. In addition, her vocal ensemble, fôr, debuted in August of the same year, with the concert "Inauguration."
In the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions she was a three time Western Regional Finalist. VanNessa was the Winner of the Llangollen Eisteddfodd Music Festival “Music Theater Singer of the World” and a finalist in the music festivals Opera Competition. She was honored to sing at the event’s Final Concert, televised on the BBC.
VanNessa received a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge. Education is of high importance to VanNessa and she continues to invest herself in educating children about music and helping them to tap in to their own creativity. She has taught in both public and private schools for nearly 20 years and is currently the Director of Music Department at Phoenix Ranch School in Simi Valley, California.
VanNessa appears often around Southern California as a soloist, is the founder and artistic director of "/fôr/," a vocal ensemble, and is the owner of a successful music studio in Los Angeles.
Most recently in 2017, VanNessa was a part of John Buccino's "It's Only Life," a cabaret musical produced by Art In Relation and directed by Alan Palmer. In this production, VanNessa was the music director, stage manager, and performed twice during the 15 show run as Woman 3. Also in 2017, she was a part of the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater's musical theater cast of "Encore, a 60 year celebration," a featured artist in The Verdi Chorus' opera scenes production of "Young Love," and made her debut at Vitello's alongside Barbara Heller in "Songs from My Kischkes-A Cabaret," as well as guest artist in several other opera and musical theater performances in Los Angeles. In addition, her vocal ensemble, fôr, debuted in August of the same year, with the concert "Inauguration."
In the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions she was a three time Western Regional Finalist. VanNessa was the Winner of the Llangollen Eisteddfodd Music Festival “Music Theater Singer of the World” and a finalist in the music festivals Opera Competition. She was honored to sing at the event’s Final Concert, televised on the BBC.
VanNessa received a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge. Education is of high importance to VanNessa and she continues to invest herself in educating children about music and helping them to tap in to their own creativity. She has taught in both public and private schools for nearly 20 years and is currently the Director of Music Department at Phoenix Ranch School in Simi Valley, California.
VanNessa appears often around Southern California as a soloist, is the founder and artistic director of "/fôr/," a vocal ensemble, and is the owner of a successful music studio in Los Angeles.
Donald Perry
Well known for his unique blend of classical and traditional gospel vocal styling, Donald Perry is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. He earned his BA in liberal arts with an emphasis in voice while attending Lincoln University-Jefferson City, MO.
Mr. Perry has performed extensively throughout the United States and around the world, including Carnegie Hall and has found a second musical home in Sweden where for the past ten years he has performed extensively. The Swedish relationship started when Mr. Perry performed for the first time aboard with the “The Sprit Choral of Los Angeles” under the direction of Byron J. Smith. Mr. Perry continues singing his praises to God, as he remains faithful to the style of classical and traditional gospel music.
In 2014, he travelled with the Episcopal Chorale Society on their tour of Holland and Germany where Mr. Perry was the featured tenor Chorale singing the complete work of Handel’s Messiah under the dual batons of Dr. Chas Cheatham and Maestro Wolfried Kaper.
In 2017 Mr. Perry once again toured with the Episcopal Chorale Society travelling to Rome, Italy to participate in the Peace and Brotherhood Festival. On this same tour, he sang the Holy Mass during the main service beside inside St. Peter and St. Paul’s Basilica in Vatican City.
In August, Mr. Perry will again join the Chorale to perform in the epic opera Aida in Burton Chase Park in Marina Del Rey, CA.
In December 2018, Mr. Perry will return German as a soloist in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Mr. Perry has performed extensively throughout the United States and around the world, including Carnegie Hall and has found a second musical home in Sweden where for the past ten years he has performed extensively. The Swedish relationship started when Mr. Perry performed for the first time aboard with the “The Sprit Choral of Los Angeles” under the direction of Byron J. Smith. Mr. Perry continues singing his praises to God, as he remains faithful to the style of classical and traditional gospel music.
In 2014, he travelled with the Episcopal Chorale Society on their tour of Holland and Germany where Mr. Perry was the featured tenor Chorale singing the complete work of Handel’s Messiah under the dual batons of Dr. Chas Cheatham and Maestro Wolfried Kaper.
In 2017 Mr. Perry once again toured with the Episcopal Chorale Society travelling to Rome, Italy to participate in the Peace and Brotherhood Festival. On this same tour, he sang the Holy Mass during the main service beside inside St. Peter and St. Paul’s Basilica in Vatican City.
In August, Mr. Perry will again join the Chorale to perform in the epic opera Aida in Burton Chase Park in Marina Del Rey, CA.
In December 2018, Mr. Perry will return German as a soloist in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Derek Silbermann, Composer in Residence
A jack of many musical trades: pianist, composer, teacher, arranger and music director Derek Silbermann is active in the Los Angeles music community. Derek started his musical journey as a classical piano student in Santa Barbara, pursuing many other instruments through high school he discovered composition as a means of playing every instrument. Going into college Derek moved on to study "classical"(he prefers the term concert) composition as his emphasis. During this time Derek developed what his teacher, pianist and composer Tamir Hendelman referred to as "Derek's Augminished style" which to this day pervades Derek's sound despite genre, style or instrumentation. Derek was a Music Composition Merit Scholarship recipient through his years at Cal State Northridge where he also studied: film composition, classical piano, jazz, organ, harpsichord, sound design and synthesis. While at CSUN Derek found time to have private instruction with Dr. Daniel Kessnor, Dr. Aurelio de la Vega, Dr. Liviu Marinescu, Dr. Daniel Hosken, Dr. Tim Howard, Dr. Yumi Livesay, Dr. Jeannine Jacobson and co-organize the student composition studio recitals. Also at CSUN, though participation in Gary Pratt’s jazz bands and classes, Derek was introduced to Tamir Hendelman, who became one of Derek’s most influential mentors.
While working for the composer Larry Hopkins, Derek was ghost writer on several episodes of "Desperate Housewives", cues on video game "Jak and Daxter 3" and other multi-media projects.
Derek has taught piano and other facets of music since 1999 and continues to keep a private studio of over 35 students year round, ranging in age from 6-84. Over the years, Derek has worked with many academic institutions, currently he serves as accompanist for The Buckley School’s music program.
Derek is an active jazz and multi styles pianist in the greater Los Angeles area. He founded and produces the summer series "Jazz on the Patio" at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church where Derek continues to serve as music director for going on over 10 years.
While working for the composer Larry Hopkins, Derek was ghost writer on several episodes of "Desperate Housewives", cues on video game "Jak and Daxter 3" and other multi-media projects.
Derek has taught piano and other facets of music since 1999 and continues to keep a private studio of over 35 students year round, ranging in age from 6-84. Over the years, Derek has worked with many academic institutions, currently he serves as accompanist for The Buckley School’s music program.
Derek is an active jazz and multi styles pianist in the greater Los Angeles area. He founded and produces the summer series "Jazz on the Patio" at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church where Derek continues to serve as music director for going on over 10 years.