Mercersburg Area Community Chorus

Kara Goodrich

Kara Goodrich, soprano, is from Philadelphia and a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts. She attended The Eastman School of Music for her undergraduate degree followed by the University of Michigan for her Master’s degree.

Recently, Kara made her role debut as Mimi in La Boheme, Pamina in The Magic Flute, and Micaela in Carmen. Other operatic roles she has performed include Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Rusalka in Rusalka, Anna in Le Villi, Juliette in Romeo et Juliette, Conception in L’here Espagnole, and Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte. In addition to AVA some of the opera companies Kara has worked for include Philadelphia Opera, Annapolis Opera, Utah Festival Opera and more.

Kara has performed as the soprano soloist in Bach’s Magnificat with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Upper Dublin Choristers. She also appeared as the soloist in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with The University of Michigan Symphonic Orchestra. December 2018, Kara was the first place recipient of the Kennett Square Symphony Orchestra Competition. In 2019 she received the Alphonso Cavaliere Memorial Award in Philadelphia. Kara has also appeared as the soloist in the Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem and Handel's Messiah with The Choristers.

Allison Deady

Allison Deady, mezzo soprano, is a captivating young operatic performer. Hailing from Philadelphia, Allison has an exciting season ahead of her. She will be seen as a Resident Artist at Dayton Opera and will be covering Berta at San Jose Opera. 

Known for her comedic roles, Allison has performed such favorites as Mrs. McClean (Susannah), Tisbe (la Cenerentola), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel), Marcellina (le nozze di Figaro), and Lola (Cavalleria rusticana). 

A champion of new works, Ms. Deady has premiered numerous operas starting with Speed Dating, Tonight! by composer Michael Ching, and Sister Carrie written by Grammy-winner Robert Aldridge. Last season she worked with Wilmington Concert Opera on their world premier of Girondines, an exciting new work about women of the French revolution. Recently, Ms. Deady workshop & filmed Lily by Garth Baxter. She was also seen in the premiering cast of Omar, a new work by Michael Abels & Rhiannon Giddens.

Gran Wilson

Gran Wilson, tenor, is a native of Bessemer, Alabama. His career spans more than four decades on four continents. He has sung the leading tenor repertoire with the New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Australian Opera, Netherlands Opera, Opera de Nice, and Opera Frankfurt, to name but a few. He has performed with the Boston Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Trondheim Symphony. He has appeared on CBS Morning News, PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and NPR’s All things Considered. He has been heard on NPR affiliates throughout the United States, and on the United States Armed Services television network.

In previous years Mr. Wilson has appeared with the Mercersburg Chorus as tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Verdi’s Requiem. Professor Wilson has been on the voice faculty of the University of Maryland for 22 years, and is currently the Voice-Opera Division Coordinator.

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.