Meet 3Arts awardee and violinist, Brandi Berry, whose "four-string acrobatics" and "indispensable skill" (TimeOut Chicago) have been praised as "alert [and] outstanding" (Chicago Classical Review), and noted for her "riffs.. powered by a flashing blur of bow arm, [as they] rolled out with irresistible glee" (Washington Post). She has appeared with numerous groups including Kings Noyse, Apollo's Fire, Newberry Consort, Ars Lyrica, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Bach Society Houston, Madison Bach Musicians; and numerous series including the Library of Congress, Dame Myra Hess, Early Music Now, the Boston, Berkeley, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Madison Early Music Festivals, and the Academy of Early Music in Ann Arbor. She has also been heard on the air on WFMT, WNUR, and Wisconsin Public Radio. Brandi serves on the faculty of DePaul University as co-director of Baroque Ensembles, and will return this year as faculty for the Madison Early Music Festival.
Meet Thomas Aláan, Countertenor and Executive Director of the Bach and Beethoven Ensemble. A multifaceted artist equally at home on the stage, on the podium, and in the studio, he's been called "stellar" by the Chicago Tribune, possessing an "unearthly round tone and singular power" (Communities Digital News). Thomas has conducted at Holy Name Cathedral since 2009 (six years) and has taught private voice since 2001 (fourteen years). He's performed with several Chicago ensembles, including Schola Antiqua, Bella Voce Camerata, Ars Antigua, the Janus Ensemble, Vox 3 Collection, the Aestas Consort, The Helios Ensemble, The Opera Company, and The Rookery. Find out more about Thomas here!
Meet Matthew Dean, one of Chicago's most respected tenors, an early and world music specialist, noted for his “reverent and beautiful tone” (chicagoclassicalmusic.org). Dean performs with Bella Voce, The Oriana Singers, Baroque Band, Cantate, and King Solomon’s Singers. He draws on his academic background in medieval Spanish art with Schola Antiqua and The Newberry Consort, with whom he was a featured artist at the Boston Early Music Festival in a cantigas program praised by The New York Times. His voice is highlighted on recordings on the Discantus, Sony, and Permelia Records labels, including a 2013 disc of the rediscovered works of William Carey Wright. A nonprofit development leader, Dean heads the Sounds of Faith initiative for Harran Productions Foundation and co-founded The Rookery men’s choir. Find out more about Matt here!
Meet Philip Spray, violone and Baroque guitar player, and founding member of the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra. Phil performs with vocal and period instrument ensembles across the country. In addition to recording with Miami's acclaimed Seraphic Fire and Concordia St. Louis, in 2012 his ensemble Musik Ekklesia received a Grammy nomination for best classical producer. Among the reviews, the English magazine Gramophone singled it out as an Editor's Pick, calling his work "enchanting." He performs on a G violone by John Pringle and a contrabass D violone by Dominic Zuchowicz. Find out more about Phil here!
Hold on to your sackbuts, the Bach and Beethoven Ensemble is going on its first ever tour AND will be debuting at the Boston Early Music Festival on the official fringe concert series. Check out the details here!
The BBE's Artistic Director, Brandi Berry,was named a recipient of a Chicago 3Arts Award for her excellence in Baroque and Bluegrass music. Brandi is one of ten Chicago artists--and one of only two musicians--to be named as a 2014 3Arts Fellowship recipient.
![Northeast Tour: [B]ritain, [B]oston, and [E]arly Music](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5323e04ae4b097bd81716d10/1430853350127-18IXA5TICBB6GW370NLI/image-asset.jpeg)
