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All Saints will host three rising stars from The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 6 at 5 p.m. This is the first event offered for the 2025-2026 season by the new All Saints Community Arts Series, a series of visual and performing arts programs for audiences of all ages in Bay Head and its neighboring communities. 

     Aficionados and the simply curious will be treated to a delightful selection of greatest hits from La Boheme, Rusalka, and Madame Butterfly, among other operas, as well as some favorites from Broadway's Les Miserables, West Side Story, and My Fair Lady.​​​  

      Taking the stage on September 6 will be Kara Goodrich (soprano) and Luke Norvell (tenor), shown above, and Katherine Dobbs (mezzo-soprano), all of whom represent the outstanding talent nurtured by AVA. Maestro Richard A. Raub, who has been a teacher, musical director, and conductor at the Academy for 40+ years, will accompany the singers on piano. They will be in good hands as he has also collaborated with several of the world's greatest opera stars, including Birgit Nilsson, Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, and Denyce Graves.

      Founded in 1934 by Helen Corning Warden, AVA is the most prestigious post-baccalaureate, full-scholarship program for the best young opera singers from around the world. Accepting only four to five vocalists each year, the program currently supports 24 singers. Among AVA alumni electrifying audiences today are Michael Fabiano, Joyce DiDonato, Angela Meade, Stephen Costello, and Ailyn Perez.                               

      This concert will not be livestreamed or recorded, and seating is limited, so reserve your seat now! Tickets ($30 per person) can be purchased in advance online by clicking here and typing Concert in the Note area at the bottom of the electronic form. Or you may purchase tickets by cash, check, or credit card at the door. Free parking is available in the municipal lot next to the firehouse on Bridge Avenue. Take the footbridge from the parking lot directly to the Howe Street entrance of the church.

       Join us for a light reception after the program to meet and cheer on these talented young professionals!