Artists in Residence

The Rockefeller Chapel Choir, directed by James Kallembach, is vocally anchored by artists in residence, who serve as section leaders and as soloists at concerts, ceremonies, and services.

Our 2024–25 Vocal Artists in Residence are Bethany Battafarano, Ashley Brewer, Anna Rasmussen, Matthew Dean, Keith Murphy, and Ian Morris. Biographies are below as they become available.

A tenor “setting the tone” (Pittsburgh Music Alliance) with “affecting line” (Boston Classical Review), Matthew Dean is a sought-after soloist, collaborator, and storyteller in ensembles and oratorios nationwide. As resident artist at Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel since 2005, critic John von Rhein has praised his “firm vocalism and beautiful timbre.” As a Bach Evangelist, he has been called “stirring, always attuned to the narrative content” (Chicago Classical Review) with the Haymarket Opera Orchestra.

A University of Chicago-trained medievalist and folklorist acknowledged for “ringing sound, cantorial fluency, and elegance,” Mr. Dean has studied in Spain and Siberia, and served on faculty of the Madison Early Music Festival. He appears and records with The Newberry Consort, The Rose Ensemble, Bella Voce, Transept, and His Majesty’s Men. Building arts organizations and community, he is founding managing director for Naxos artist Schola Antiqua of Chicago and vocal ensemble The Rookery. He additionally serves as executive director of the Sounds of Faith initiative at the interfaith Harran Productions Foundation.

Lauded by critic John von Rhein for her “expressive, velvet toned” performance, Anna Rasmussen is making her mark as an emerging soloist and distinguished choral artist in her hometown of Chicago.

Most recently, Anna joined the Music Institute Chorale as the mezzo soprano soloist for Mozart’s Requiem in 2024, and previously appeared with the ensemble as a soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria in 2023. Anna has joined the Elgin Master Chorale for a performance of Messiah, Part I alongside José Maurício Nunes Garcia’s rarely performed Matinas do Natal as the mezzo soprano soloist. Anna has also appeared with Elgin Master Chorale for Handel’s Dixit Dominus in 2019. As a Messiah soloist, she has been acclaimed for “buoyancy and crisp diction to her committed readings of “Behold, a virgin shall conceive” and “O thou that tellers good tidings to Zion,”…stood out in a particularly measured, poignant “He was despised” (Chicago Classical Review). Other highlights include an appearance as mezzo soprano soloist in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus with the North Shore Choral Society, and performing Aaron Copland’s profound choral masterpiece, In the Beginning with the Wicker Park Choral Singers. In addition to serving as a resident artist at Rockefeller Chapel, Anna is currently on the rosters for Bella Voce and the William Ferris Chorale, and can be heard frequently stepping out as soloist in both ensembles. Additionally, Anna has participated in the Chicago Bach Week festival under the direction of Richard Webster. Anna holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from North Park University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Valparaiso University.

In 2022-24, Vocal Artists-in-Residence were Bethany Battafarano, Tiana Sorenson, Lauren Randolph, Matthew Dean, Keith Murphy, and Ian Morris. Special vocal guests included Mark Haddad, Glenn Miller, and Eric Alatorre.

In 2021–22, Vocal Artists-in-Residence were soprano Elisabeth Marshall, mezzo Lauren Randolph, tenors Matthew Dean and Keith Murphy, and baritone Ian Morris, with special guest bass Mark Haddad.

In 2019–20, professional artists also included Keith Murphy, soprano Kaitlin Foley, countertenor Carl Alexander, and baritone / conducting associate Will Myers, a prior choral scholarship recipient.

Prior Rockefeller Artists-in-Residence include Andrew Schultze, Michael Hawes, Vince Wallace, Ann Vikstrom, Lon Ellenberger, Lindsey Adams Frank, Stephanie Schoenhofer, and Hyun-Suk Jang.