Dessoff presents J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, complete with a full period orchestra and soloists on Saturday, April 18, 2026 4:00 at p.m. at Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem.
The performance marks several converging milestones: Merriweather’s tenth anniversary with The Dessoff Choirs coincides with his tenth year on the faculty of Brooklyn College. This dual occasion will be reflected in the inclusion of current Brooklyn College Conservatory students, alumni, and former Dessoff Choirs assistant conductors among the soloists and ensemble.
In addition, the concert serves as a culminating event in the centennial celebrations of Mother AME Zion Church’s current building, bringing together generations of artists and history in a space that has long stood at the heart of Harlem’s cultural life.
PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach: B Minor Mass
ARTISTS
The Dessoff Choirs & Orchestra
Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor
Katie Hyun, concertmaster
Vianca Alejandra, soprano
Melissa Attebury, mezzo soprano
George Baolin, bass
Patrice Pates Eaton, mezzo soprano
Jiyu Kim, soprano
Albert Lee, tenor
Nadine Lee, soprano
Mara Montez, soprano
Nicole Osmolovskya, soprano
Considered a cornerstone of Western music, it is the perfect prism through which to view Bach’s compositional genius. No one knows why this Lutheran composer ever choose to compose a Catholic mass in the first place, and why, once composed, it was never performed in its entirety (and its final form) until several decades after Bach’s death. Perhaps the most convincing reason is that Bach compiled the B Minor Mass to stand as a catalog of all the musical styles known at that time, from the earliest Gregorian chants to the newly fashionable style galant. In creating a work that has come to be regarded as the apex of human artistic expression, Bach also left a musical catalog for future generations.
Vianca Alejandra – is a Puerto Rican soprano based in New York City. Most recently, she earned Second Place at the NATS Competition, New York Chapter, and performed as I Cretese in Idomeneo with the Bronx Opera in 2026. A District Winner of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (2023) and First Prize winner in the Adult Voice Classical category at the Music International Grand Prix, she continues to distinguish herself on the operatic stage. Her recent roles include Kathie in The Student Prince with Regina Opera, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte at the International Summer Opera Festival of Morelia, and Norina in Don Pasquale with the Greek Opera Studio. Upcoming engagements include Anchilla in Bach's St. John Passion with Berkshire Bach Society and her debut with Union Avenue Opera as Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Having served as one of Dessoff Choirs' assistant conductors in 2022–2023, she cherishes those memories and considers returning as soloist in Bach's Mass in B Minor a full-circle moment.
Melissa Attebury – is the Director of Music at Trinity Church, the first woman to hold this position in Trinity’s long history. A longtime leader within the organization, she previously served as Director of Music Education and Outreach, expanding the program to reach more than 1,200 public-school students and establishing the Trinity Youth Chorus. In her current role, she continues to champion music education, develop collaborative initiatives, and support the next generation of young musicians. An advocate for lesser-known composers and new works, she regularly conducts the Trinity Choir, NOVUS NY, and the Trinity Baroque Orchestra. As a mezzo-soprano, Attebury has been praised by The New York Times as a “rich-toned alto who brought a measure of depth to her performance.” She has performed with symphonies and festivals across the country, and with the Dessoff Choir during Maestro Merriweather’s first season in 2016.
George Jiayi Baolin – Bass born in Inner Mongolia, China. Previous credits include leading roles in the Butler Opera Center, including Le Nozze di Figaro (Figaro), La Traviatta (Dr. Grenvil), Proving up (Sodbuster), Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Coppelius), La Bohème (Colline), Tea: A Mirror of Souls (Emperor), and Queen of Spades (Surin), Don Giovanni(Commendatore) in the Music Academy of the West, Gianni Schicchi(Simone), Tosca (Angelotti) with the Festival of Tagliacozzo, Acis and Galatea(Polyphemus)and opera outreach program Mary Popera (Mr.Bing) with the Manhattan School of Music; Tosca(Sciarrone) with music festival in San Martino in Italy. Scene work includes Le nozze di Figaro (Bartolo), L’italiana in Algeri(Haly), and Ernani (Silva)with Classical Lyric Arts. Along with his work in the standard repertoire, Mr. Baolin has also performed many pieces as soloist along with choir and chamber music groups in China and the United States.
Patrice P. Eaton – Mezzo-Soprano, is a versatile performer in various musical genres and is a frequent performer of premiere works. Recent solo performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic and the Abyssinian Baptist Church’s presentation of Handel’s Messiah; The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in Journey Through Jazz: The Mighty Negro Spiritual; Dett’s The Ordering of Moses with the Grace Chorale; the role of the Goddess of Water in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of Anthony Davis’ Amistad; Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Chautauqua Institution’s 150th anniversary celebration; Celebrate Black Music: An Afternoon Honoring Julia Perry; and The Dessoff Choir’s performance of Elijah. Ms. Eaton has performed with Shanghai Symphony, OnSite Opera, American Opera Projects, Opera Ebony, Syracuse Opera, Spoleto Opera (US), and Bel Canto at Caramoor. She is a founding member of the American Spiritual Ensemble and is featured as a soloist on their debut recording, Ole Time Religion. She is also a featured soloist on Blue Engine’s live recording of Wynton Marsalis’ The Abyssinian Mass.
Jiyu Kim, soprano, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Seoul National University and a Master’s degree and Professional Studies Diploma from Manhattan School of Music. She was also a participant in the Korea National Opera’s prestigious Young Artist Program during the 2021-2022 season. Ms. Kim has garnered numerous accolades in renowned competitions, including first place in the Seil Korean Art Songs Competition, second place in the KCSA International Voice Competition, and third place in the JoongAng Music Concours and KBS∙KEPCO Music competitions. A versatile performer, Ms. Kim has portrayed a wide range of leading roles in opera, such as Violetta in La Traviata, Alcina in Alcina, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Fox in The Cunning Little Vixen and Sandrina in La Finta Giardiniera, among others. She has also performed in various prominent choral works, including Bach’s Magnificat and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore, where she appeared as a soprano soloist.
Albert R. Lee – has earned acclaim as a tenor of “vocally sumptuous” and “musically distinctive” artistry. He has appeared with Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Vermont Opera, the Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Saint Luke’s Chamber Orchestra, the Collegiate Chorale of New York City, the Caramoor International Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. His operatic roles include Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Almaviva (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Nemorino (L’Elisir d’Amore), and Ferrando (Così fan tutte), and he has been featured in concert works such as Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Handel’s Messiah and Judas Maccabeus, and Rossini’s Stabat Mater. Equally at home in recital and oratorio, Lee has performed widely with the American Spiritual Ensemble, preserving and expanding the legacy of the Negro Spiritual in performances across the United States and abroad. He has curated programs of Langston Hughes poetry in art song, including an acclaimed appearance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Lee is Associate Professor of Music and Associate Dean for Student Life and Community Engagement at the Yale School of Music, where he teaches courses on the history of the spiritual, Black composers in the Western classical tradition, Langston Hughes’ place as a literary figure in American music culture, and artistry and entrepreneurship. A compelling public speaker, he has delivered keynotes and lectures across the country, including a widely viewed TEDx talk, When I Sing the Anthem.
Nadine Lee – Born and raised in Daegu, South Korea, she has always been involved in the arts from a young age. Starting with being a part of the Youth Choir in Daegu from the age of 10 to 18, followed by attending Gyeongbuk Arts High School as a voice major, and then pursuing her undergraduate studies at Keimyung University. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she decided to continue her study abroad, earning her master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music. She is currently studying at Brooklyn conservatory of music as a candidate for her Artist Diploma under the guidance of Mark Schnaible.
Mara Montez – is a Brooklyn-based soprano, artist, and land mammal. During her undergraduate studies at Bloomsburg University, Mara worked with the NEPA Choral Society as assistant conductor and toured with Scranton-based chamber ensemble The Lyric Consort. She then pursued an M.M. from Brooklyn College, studying under Mark Schnaible. There she made her opera debut as Frasquita (Carmen), and went on to play the roles of Henry (Calling) and Drusilla/Fortuna (L’incoronazione di Poppea). Mara has premiered several contemporary pieces, including Émigré (chorus), by Aaron Zigman and recorded by Deutsche Grammophon, and Summer's End, by Richard Wargo. As a soloist, she premiered The Kiss, a cycle by Dr. Charisse Baldoria. Mara sings with The Dessoff Choirs and is a member of The New York Philharmonic Chorus. In addition, Mara performs in the band The Year of the Hare, playing keys and singing harmony, and she loves to knit.
Nicole Osmolovskaya – is currently a senior undergraduate student at the Brooklyn College Conservatory where she is studying as a Music Performance Major under Patricia McCaffrey, as well as pursuing a Speech Pathology Degree. After joining Brooklyn College, she played the role of Oberto in Handel's Alcina of Spring 2024, and this past spring played Noemié in Massenet's Cendrillon. This past winter she had the pleasure of singing the solo in Hailstork's “The World Called”, and has also performed with the NY Philharmonic orchestra and Dessoff choir in Gustav Holst's “The Planets”, “Brahms Requiem,” as well as “Verdi's Requiem”, all led by Dr. Merriweather. She would like to thank her teachers, family, and friends, their support and artistry continues to inspire her on her musical journey!