Mercersburg Area Community Chorus

Abigail Retbwischs

Abigail Retbwischs, soprano, stepped in on less than two hours’ notice in March 2017 to sing the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor for the entire run of Utah Opera’s production, thrilling audiences with “her command of bel canto technique and riveting dramatic talent” (Opera News). In the 2023-2024 season, Ms. Rethwisch made a triumphant return to the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor with Pensacola Opera and joined the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and the Westminster Symphonic Choir for Mozart’s Requiem. This summer, she returns to Des Monies Metro Opera as Berta in The Barber of Seville. At the Metropolitan Opera, she covered Yvette in La Rondine, Barbara and Mrs. Latch in The Hours. Upcoming engagements include returning to the Metropolitan Opera to cover Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, a debut with LA Opera Covering Juliette in Romeo et Juliette and starring as the title role of Cendrillon with Cedar Rapids Opera, and joining the Columbus Symphony as the soprano soloist in Britten’s War Requiem.

Sarah Coit

Sarah Coit, mezzo soprano, was welcomed by the Utah Opera in 2025 as Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. Her busy season continued with a house and role debut as Maria in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda at Opera Baltimore. Coit joined Wichita Grand Opera as Angelina in Rossini’s La cenerentola, and makes three role debuts this season: as Cendrillon in Massenet’s Cendrillon with Vashon Opera, the title role in Handel’s Rinaldo with Pacific Northwest Opera, and returns to Opera Tampa as Miss Jessel in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. She completes the year as alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Glacier Symphony and in concert with American Bach Soloists for “A Baroque New Year’s Eve at the Opera”. In 2026, Sarah sings 2nd Maid in Strauss’ Daphne with Seattle Opera, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Knoxville Opera, and returns to American Bach Soloists for performances of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. A native of Spring Hill, FL, Sarah holds degrees in Music Studies and Theatre Performance from the University of South Florida and a Masters degree from the University of Michigan.

Stephen Carroll

Stephen Carroll, tenor, is praised for his musicality and lovely, unique sound, and is currently an emerging artist with Virginia Opera, where he will sing First Philistine in Samson et Dalila, Harry in La fanciulladel West, Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor. He will also cover Lysander in Midsummer and give a matinee performance of Edgardo in Lucia in the spring.

An avid interpreter of contemporary music, Stephen has workshopped roles for the world premieres of Jake Heggie’s Great Scott and Stella Sung’s The Book Collector. In April, Stephen will workshop the role of Theodore in John de los Santos and Clint Borzoni’s The Copper Queen with Arizona Opera at Opera America. Stephen covered Richard Croft as the tenor soloist in the premiere of Jake Heggie’s Ahab Symphony. In 2015 and 2017, he participated in Stephanie Blythe and Alan Smith’s Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar, where he worked with and performed the music of Ricky Ian Gordon and also performed works by Tom Cipullo, Libby Larsen, Jeffrey Wood, Ben Moore, and Jake Heggie. Stephen gave a guest performance on a recital of American music with Ms. Blythe at Merkin Hall in January.

Stephen holds an artist diploma from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, a master’s degree from the University of North Texas, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.

Tad Ennen

Thaddeus Ennen, baritone, is excited to make his return to Mercersburg Area Community Chorus. Most recently Thaddeus has performed Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. His active performing schedule includes concerts featuring the newly commissioned song cycle, People of the Land, by Michael Patterson and poetry by James Hearst. This song cycle discusses the lives of American farmers during WWII. Thaddeus has also performed roles with Santa Fe Opera, Des Moines Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera, Pensacola Opera, Central City Opera, and Knoxville Opera.

In addition to his active performing career, Thaddeus teaches voice and music at Coe College and Mount Mercy University alongside his private studio. Thaddeus recently graduated from Louisiana State University with his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He holds a Master of Music degree from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Simpson College.