Anthony Blake Clark is joining the Richmond Symphony Chorus family as the Interim Music Director for the upcoming season. Currently located in Maryland, he is the Music Director of Baltimore Choral Arts where he has worked with choruses to prepare for performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and the Peabody Preparatory Orchestra. In addition to his award-winning work with Baltimore Choral Arts, Clark serves as the Director of Choral Activities in the George Washington University’s Corcoran School of Art and Design.
“I was thrilled to be asked to serve in the role of Chorus Director this season for the Richmond Symphony Chorus! I am grateful to be joining in the work of sharing the joy of music across this community. I have a tremendous admiration for Maestra Peleggi’s musical vision for the Richmond Symphony and am excited to partner with her, the orchestra, and the chorus to achieve the ambitious musical goals of the organization. I look forward to bringing my passion for the great choral-orchestral masterworks to each rehearsal and performance in Richmond this season!”
Rehearsal Pianist - Ingrid Keller
Dr. Ingrid Keller, Pianist
Performances hailed as ‘having graceful power…a revelation in musical excellence’ (Oakwood Register) and an ‘unforgettable experience’ (Berkshire Gazette), Ingrid Keller holds a multifaceted career as a recitalist, collaborative pianist, and teacher. She has performed nationally in such distinguished venues as the Kennedy Center, Symphony Hall in Boston, Jordan Hall, the Banff Centre and Tanglewood, as well as internationally. Recent collaborations have brought her on stage with the Mark Morris Dance group, members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, and alongside such celebrated musicians as Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Leonidas Kavakos, and Joe Burgstaller.
As a chamber musician, Ingrid is equally at home with instrumental chamber music as well as song and operatic repertoire formerly serving on the staff of Indianapolis Opera and Oberlin in Italy. Continually seeking new and innovative projects, she performed a solo rendition of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration in music, dance and fashion for University of Dayton’s ArtsAlive programming.
Ingrid has held positions at University of Dayton, Northern Kentucky University, University of Oregon, and currently serves on the faculty of William and Mary. Her album, in collaboration with tenor Jason Vest, Evening Hours, songs of Richard Hundley, was released through Roven Records in 2018.
Ingrid is currently in her fourth season as the Rehearsal Pianist for the Richmond Symphony Chorus. She holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.M.), and Indiana University (M.M. and D.M.), where she studied under the tutelage of world-renowned pianist, Menahem Pressler. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Belvedere Series, a chamber and concert series in Richmond, Virginia.
Chorus Manager - Chris Pennington
Christopher Pennington has joined the Richmond Symphony family as the Artistic Assistant and Chorus Manager. A Richmond native, Chris got his start in music on Piano at age 6 and Clarinet at age 8 and is a graduate of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. During his time in YOP he performed with the Youth Concert Orchestra and the Youth Symphony Orchestra. Upon graduating, he attended James Madison University where he was a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony and the Marching Royal Dukes. While there, he attained his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He also holds a Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina in Clarinet Performance where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble and a Graduate Assistant for the Carolina Band. Outside of his musical endeavors, Chris is an avid sports fan, outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys spending his time with his fiancé and two cats.
Additional leadership
Kevin Barger, Assistant Rehearsal Pianist Melva Carle, Carl Eng, and Lisa Fusco, Rehearsal Assistants Lauren Crapanzano, Soprano Section Leader Kristen Melzer, Alto Section Leader Aaron Todd, Tenor Section Leader James Romanik, Bass Section Leader
