Coloratura soprano Catherine Sandstedt loves bringing music to life—whether on the opera stage, in concert halls, or even occasionally playing viola! She has enjoyed a few favorite roles, such as Blanche (Dialogues des Carmélites), Mélisande (Impressions de Pelléas), L’Amour (Pygmalion), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Bellezza (Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno). Catherine has had the privilege to sing with ensembles like New York City’s Marble Collegiate Choir, Minnesota’s La Grande Bande, and Columbia’s Vox Nova and Prometheus. Working with soprano Brenda Harris, Catherine received her DMA in Voice from Stony Brook University, and now teaches at Columbia College as Assistant Professor of Music. For more, please visit www.catherinesandstedtsoprano.com

Melissa Baughman is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Oklahoma where she instructs courses in choral methods, conducting, and vocal pedagogy. As a choral conductor, she maintains a robust schedule as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. Melissa’s performance highlights include singing the soprano solos for Schubert’s Mass in G, Haydn’s Kleine Orgelmesse, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore. As a graduate student, she received first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) voice competitions, and was honored to be named an Emerging Artist at MU. As a researcher, Melissa frequently presents at state, national, and international conferences. Her research has been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, International Journal of Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Singing, and Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. Her essay, “Nevertheless, She Sings: Empowering Women in Choral Music” is featured in the book, Relevance in the Choral Arts, edited by Tim Sharp. Dr. Baughman earned her PhD and MM degrees from the University of Missouri. She also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and education from Bowling Green State University.

Rachel Naughtin is an active performer and educator in Lawrence, KS and has been a part of Vox Nova since season 1. Rachel is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Lawrence High School, and she also directs Choristers (4th-6th graders) for the Lawrence Children’s Choir. She was the choir director/vocal music teacher at Baldwin Junior High & High Schools in Baldwin City, KS, USD 348 from 2020-2025, and she previously taught elementary general music in Lawrence and Topeka. Rachel was selected as Baldwin’s Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year, and she was also the 2023 recipient of the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association’s (NEKMEA) Outstanding High School Choir Director award. Rachel loves music directing and teaching at the Lawrence Arts Center, and cultivating a thriving private voice studio has been one of her greatest joys. In addition to singing with Vox Nova, Rachel also sings with the Tallgrass Chamber Choir. She has also performed locally with Te Deum Chamber Choir, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Kansas City Opera Institute, and the Kansas City Chorale. In 2013 Rachel completed a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri where she was also a voice teaching assistant. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree with majors in Vocal Performance and Choral/General Music Education from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI in 2011. In addition to her studies at Lawrence Rachel was a member of the College Light Opera Company (Falmouth, MA) in summer 2010 and attended the Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy in summer 2009. Rachel cherishes singing in Vox Nova alongside her husband, Hugh, and loves that their children, Clive and Opal, already know that this group is family!

Lacey Gladden, Fayette native, is in her 7th year of teaching K-12 Vocal Music in the Glasgow School District.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Central Methodist University as well as a Master’s degree in Voice from the University of Kansas.  Lacey has been a featured soloist on several concerts and recitals throughout her career, and has performed many roles with the Opera Theatre at Central Methodist University and the University of Kansas, including Pamina in The Magic Flute, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Patience in Patience, Lucy in The Telephone, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Mariane in Tartuffe, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, April in Company, Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro,and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. Lacey and her husband, Benjamin, reside in Fayette and outside of teaching and singing, her most important job is being a mom to Clay and Canaan.

Hannah Aubry is a talented singer and dedicated music educator currently serving as the Choir Director at West Middle School in Columbia, Missouri. After graduating with her Master’s Degree from Truman State University in 2020, she quickly became an active member of Columbia’s choral community while also beginning her career as a choir teacher. She has performed with many ensembles through the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, including Columbia Chorale, Chamber Choir, and the Premiere Vocal Artists, and recently became the Assistant Choral Director at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In recognition of her contributions to music education, Hannah was honored with the MMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award in 2024, an award given to only one music educator in the state annually. Her passion for music and commitment to nurturing young singers make her a valued member of her ensembles and the choral community. When Hannah is not teaching choir, directing musicals, and singing in ensembles, you can find her playing board games with her husband Brody and obsessing over their adorable deaf dog, Maisie.