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HUNTINGDON (December 11) Carroll County is a long way
from Broadway, but you wouldn't have known it when the
homegrown talent took stage at The Dixie last Friday.
The quartet of sopranos - all from Carroll County, and a
lone tenor from Greenfield delighted a sold-out house in
the Hal Holbrook Theater.
The powerful operatic voices immersed the auditorium
with beautiful sounds. Add a bit of humor and the
relaxed, unassuming roles of the performers made the
audience feel right at home. In the audience were
teachers and those who encouraged the performers in
their youthful quests for the arts. Music teachers,
fellow church members, family and friends delighted to
watch and hear the beautiful talents of their native
children. Hearts were warmed on this chilly winter night
from the sounds of numerous operas with a touch of
Christmas music to add to the festivities of the season.
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Jessica Morgan Tucker
Jessica Morgan Tucker
2004 Huntingdon High School Graduate
"They were building this when I was leaving
high school, so I knew it would be here at
least. I got to be part of the Steering
Committee for a brief amount of time. It
thrilled me to death to get to come here and
sing. It's a beautiful building and a
beautiful facility. I'm so proud it's in
Huntingdon Tennessee and I call Huntingdon
Tennessee home. Jessica is the daughter of
Tony and Charlotte Tucker of Huntingdon.
Jessica is a junior vocal major at the
University of Tennessee in Knoxville in the
studio of Marjorie Bennett Stephens. Jessica
has studied with various master teachers in
New York and has spent the last two summers
studying in Italy. Last summer her opera
company performed La Traviata and Rigoletto.
While at the University of Tennessee, she
has been part of performances with the
Knoxville Opera Company including Little
Women, Most Happy Fellow, and the upcoming
production of Cosi fan tutti. She is the
recipient of the "Grace Moore" scholarship
from 2004 until the present.
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As the house lights dimmed, the audience grew anxious to
see local youth who have traveled and performed
throughout the states and on the soundstages of New
York. Selections from "My Fair Lady," "Chicago", "Les
Miserables", "My Fair Lady", "Thoroughly Modern Millie",
"Company", "Phantom of the Opera", "The Baker's Wife",
"West Side Story", and "On the Twentieth Century"
revealed a wide repertoire of talents and tastes of the
artists.
Elaine Conger served as mistress of ceremonies for the
evening. "It's a breath of fresh air," said Conger of
the Dixie. She said while arts programs are being
reduced in many communities, the people of Huntingdon
have committed to enhancing the arts. "Bravo to you,"
said Conger.
The audience gave a standing ovation as each artist
completed a set. The show was billed as a Night of
Broadway. But it was also a night of comedy, as well.
Jessica Tucker surprised the audience on the second set
when she entered from the rear of the audience and was
wearing a blond wig and singing "Santa Baby."
Esther Gray said she appreciated her teachers
encouraging her to pursue her dreams. "Terry Howell said
I was a late bloomer," said Esther of her high school
principal.
David surprised the audience with his levity. He told a
humorous story about his denial of Santa when David was
a young child.
The final song "White Christmas" had all the performers
on stage. The audience was asked to join the singing and
the performers exited the stage to join a "receiving
line" in the lobby.
"Oh my gosh," said Jeanie Newman of the performance. "I
was about to burst. I was so proud." Mrs. Newman taught
English to Tucker and the Tines girls at Huntingdon High
School. Tucker and Karrah were also members of the
Huntingdon High School Chorus, which Newman co-directed.
Billy Tines, father of the Tines girls, said, "They were
fantastic." Asked if he cried during the performance, he
said, "I didn't cry," adding that Karrah would have
possibly cried if she had spoken before performing her
first number.
Newman marveled at Karrah's song about not getting
married and the difficulty of the phrases. It was
complete with numerous and rapidly repeating phrases
about "not getting married." Karrah donned a bridal veil
during the performance of that song. She alerted her
mother to not get any ideas.
Demetra Perkins, a retired fifth grade teacher from
McKenzie, said it was so much fun to remember a young
Esther and to see her now. "She is so pretty and sweet,"
said Perkins, who recalled that young Esther played a
pilgrim in the fifth grade play.
Concerning the performance, Ed Perkins added, "Carroll
County doesn't take a backseat to anyone."
David McCall
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David McCall
2003 Greenfield High School Graduate
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McCall said The Dixie is a state-of-the-art facility. "I
think it's sensational." He grew up in Greenfield and
enjoyed performing along with Huntingdon native, John
West, in the theater. Greenfield had no chorus and no
band. McCall said he performs in Jackson at The Ned and
other venues. He has to drive one hour to Jackson, but
noted the one-hour drive to Huntingdon seemed shorter
because it was in a rural area.
David is a 22-year old from Greenfield. He currently
attends Murray State University and will graduate with a
degree in Music Performance in May 2007. David has
performed with the Jackson Teen Theatre, the Jackson
Theatre Guild, Bethel College Theatre, MSU Theatre, and
The Imagination Playhouse in Dollywood with Dolly
Parton, herself. His past roles include Joe Hardy in
Damn Yankees, Archibald in The Secret Garden, Freddy in
My Fair Lady, Cornelius in Hello, Dolly, and Prince in
Cinderella. While at Murray State, David has also
enjoyed directing Annie Get Your Gun in 2004 and How to
Succeed in Business without Really Trying in 2005.
Esther Gray
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Esther Gray
1995 Graduate of McKenzie High School
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Being raised on a graveled road in Carroll County, I had
lots of time to myself. I remember wishing there were
more things to do in the area. Even a few years ago,
Jackson and Memphis seemed so much farther away. I was
thankful for teachers such as Mr. Terry Howell and Sandy
McMahan for encouraging me and believing in me. At the
time, my school, McKenzie High School, did not have a
choir. I am thankful to Bethel College for allowing me,
as a high school student, to be involved in the theatre
program.
When I relocated back to Tennessee, I was the musical
director for Center Stage Productions at The Dixie with
Kim Easley and Reneι Brooks. I am so excited that Dixie
Carter, Hal Holbrook, and the people of Huntingdon and
Carroll County saw the need for an arts community.
As a musician, we can use all the support we can muster.
There are so many terrible things in the world these
days that any group of people dedicated to spreading
beauty and joy can only do tremendous good. I pray The
Dixie will spread joy and wonder and inspire many
generations to come.
This is the first time I've got to see the Hall Holbrook
theater. As soon as I walked in I thought 'wooow - very
pretty.'"
Esther is the daughter of Alden and Mary Gray of
McKenzie. She was born into a musical family: her
father, Alden is a classical pianist who also plays
guitar and flute in various musical genres and whose
sister, Patricia Gray of Memphis, is an erudite musician
of impressive resume.
A feature on Esther was printed in The Banner in
August 2003. For more information
click here.
Esther is a graduate of the Indiana University School of
Music in Vocal Performance. In musical theatre, she has
performed the roles of Eliza in My Fair Lady, Sarah
Brown in Guys and Dolls, and Fanny Brice in Funny Girl,
among others. In opera, Esther has performed the roles
of Daisy in The Gypsy Princess, Sophie in Der
Rosenkavalier, Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos, Adele in Die
Fledermaus, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, and Susanna
in The Marriage of Figaro.
Esther has been seen with companies from San Diego to
Atlanta, such as the Lyric Opera of San Diego, the
Harrower Summer Festival, the Jackson Symphony, and the
Jackson Theatre Guild. Esther has a private vocal studio
and is currently an adjunct faculty member at the
University School of Jackson.
Laca Tines
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Laca Tines
1989 Huntingdon High School Graduate
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When asked to share my thoughts on The Dixie, I didn't
even know where to start. It's hard enough for me to
think about Huntingdon without getting teary-eyed, but
when you add the arts into the mix, it really gets
complicated then. I have loved music since I was a
little girl, but to learn about music it seemed like I
was always going out of town. When I was growing up in
Huntingdon, there was no school chorus, no theater
department, not even a community theater. You couldn't
just sign up for voice lessons or acting class, and if
you wanted to see a musical you had to go at least as
far as Jackson, if not Memphis or Nashville. Many times,
it seemed "the arts" was something only "other people"
did. But, the extraordinary thing I did have growing up
here, was a whole town of people rooting for me and
doing everything they possibly could to help me.
"It makes me cry," said Laca of performing for hometown
folks - those who "raised her."
To now be able to come home to Huntingdon, Tennessee and
see this beautiful performing arts facility is
overwhelming, even more so because I know that those
same people who helped me time and time again are the
ones who rallied together to make it possible. To me,
The Dixie is much more than a performance venue or a
sign of commercial progress. To me, it says that my
hometown is now truly a place where the power of the
arts is recognized and valued, where imagination is
welcomed and nurtured, a place where possibility is
embraced.
I am so grateful to Mayor Dale Kelley and everyone
involved with The Dixie for taking on this project and
for holding to the vision that the arts are not just for
"other people." I truly believe that the arts change
lives, and I am excited to see all the opportunities
that The Dixie will bring to this community.
The unwavering support that I have received from the
people here is an ongoing blessing. In particular, I
would like to recognize Ann and Dan Taddie (former
Bethel College music faculty), as well as Clay Barger
and Jeanie Newmon, who each helped me find my way long
before we had "The Dixie." Above all, I thank my
parents, Billy and Jackie Tines, for taking me seriously
when I said I wanted to sing.
Laca received her B.A. from Rhodes College in Memphis
and her master's from Oklahoma City University (both in
vocal performance). While at Rhodes, Laca was awarded
first place in the regional competition of the National
Association of Teachers of Singing, and studied for a
summer at "Opera in the Ozarks" in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas, where she sang the leading role of Celiι in
Pasatieri's Signor Deluso. Laca later went on to receive
the Louise Mercer Award, presented annually to the
graduating senior who "contributed the most to the life
of music at Rhodes College." After college, Laca spent
two summers performing at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg,
Virginia. She was also a top ten finalist and talent
winner in the Miss Tennessee Pageant.
During her graduate studies, Laca sang the role of
Amelia in Menotti's Amelia Goes to the Ball for the
Oklahoma Opera and Music Theater Company. Additionally,
Laca performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and
former Miss America, Susan Powell, in A Yuletide
Festival, and was inducted into the national music honor
society, Pi Kappa Lambda. Following graduate school,
Laca spent two summers at the Aspen Music Festival,
performing in master classes, song recitals, and in
Bernard Rands' opera, Belladonna. She then moved to
Houston, where she performed the role of Dot in Sunday
in the Park with George at Masquerade Theatre.
Currently, Laca lives in New York, where she recently
started her own business, Sing & Celebrate, which
provides musical entertainment and educational programs
for children's events in New York City.
Karrah Tines
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Karrah Tines
1995 Huntingdon High School graduate
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My life has been so enriched by my work in the arts. I
am a better person because of it and it shaped me into
who I am today. I feel such a passion about it that it
is hard to express in words just how happy I am The
Dixie has found a home in Huntingdon. That a community
of this size could find the funding, the interest, and
enough people who had faith that this was an important
project makes an amazing statement about this town. I
would like to thank Mayor Dale Kelley for making this
dream a reality and everyone behind the scenes who
supported and nurtured this project. In a time where art
and music are being pushed aside this community embraced
it. Because I believe that the arts can heal, can teach,
can inspire, it makes me excited for Huntingdon's legacy
and Huntingdon's future and even more proud to call it
home.
Growing up in Huntingdon provided me with an amazing
support system. Clay Barger continuously nurtured my
artistic spirit. Even now I hear her words, always
encouraging, always inspiring; reminding me how
important it is to live my dream. Jeanie Newman's
constant faith and guidance was something I could always
count on. Between the two of them failure was never an
option.
My parents, Billy and Jackie Tines' unconditional love
and support continue to give me strength and courage.
They believe in me, support me, and guide me no matter
how far away I may roam.
I want to give a very special thank you to my big sister
Laca. My love of music is really a gift that came
straight from her.
Art is something you have to take a chance on. It has
never claimed to be a stable career, a road well
traveled, or the easy way out. Art requires hard work,
faith, and the willingness to do something just because
you know it is right. Art is something you have to take
a chance on and I thank Huntingdon for taking that
chance.
A student of both vocal performance and theatre at the
University of Mississippi and the University of
Tennessee in Knoxville, she studied with acclaimed
operatic bass-baritone Andrew Wentzel and tenor Carroll
Freeman, director of the UT Opera Theatre. While in
Knoxville, Karrah sang the role of Pitti-Sing in Gilbert
and Sullivan's The Mikado at the Clarence Brown Theatre
and appeared in The Pirates of Penzance with the
Knoxville Opera Company. She also appeared in Mozart's
Cosi fan tutti with the UT Opera Theatre. Her extensive
training in both musical theatre and opera led to her
first professional job at the Cumberland County
Playhouse in Crossville, Tennessee where she was a
resident actress appearing in numerous productions. From
spring of 2005 to fall 2006, Karrah performed the role
of soprano/armoire Madame de la Grande Bouche in
Disney's Beauty and the Beast. During this busy year she
also made time for a six week run of Man of LaMancha in
Florida, her favorite show to date.
When not on the road performing, Karrah is working,
living, and auditioning in New York City. She appeared
on the New York original cast recording of Conundrum the
Musical singing the leading role of Carrie and most
recently appeared in the World Aids Day Concert of
Steven Schwartz's Rags on December 11. In the summer of
2007, Karrah is set to play the role of Lady Thiang in
The King and I in Arizona.
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