Award-winning mezzo-soprano, renowned concert pianist to perform at SC4 Dec. 7

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) welcomes to campus award-winning mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali and sought-after pianist and vocal coach Nathalie Doucet, head of Music and Director of the Resident Opera Program at Detroit Opera, for performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

Rogali has been praised as a versatile performer of opera, musical theater, contemporary and concert music. She’s debuted roles in operas and premieres across the U.S. and world, earning top accolades from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Jensen Foundation, Giulio Gari Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation and many more.

During Detroit Opera’s 2023-2024 mainstage season, Rogali will be featured as a soloist in Arias and Overtures, and Beyond the Pit. She will sing the role of Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly,” the role of The Dog in Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen,” and will cover the role of Dodo in Missy Mazzoli’s and Royce Vavrek’s “Breaking the Waves.” She also will sing the role of Der Trommler in “Der Kaiser von Atlantis” with Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings.

Rogali holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Pennsylvania State University.

Doucet boasts a remarkable international career. In addition to her role at the Detroit Opera, she has collaborated with renowned opera-producing organizations, singers and conductors worldwide, including the Washington National Opera, Summer Scape Festival-Fisher Center at Bard, The Dutch National Opera, l’Opéra de Montréal, the Vancouver Opera and more.

She has held esteemed positions in Europe as head coach of the Opera Studio Nederland and principal coach at the Dutch National Opera Academy. She contributed her talents to organizations such as De Nederlandse Reisopera, the NTR Saturday Matinee (Concertgebouw), the Neue Stimmen, the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, and the International Vocal Competition in s’Hertogenbosch. Additionally, she spent 11 years as a faculty member at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

Doucet also serves as a judge for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

The concerts on Dec. 7 are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

Nationally acclaimed performer to take the SC4 stage Nov. 16

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will welcome nationally acclaimed acoustic singer and guitarist Cliff Erickson to campus for performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

Erickson—a longtime performer who’s opened for top industry icons such as Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys and Wynona Judd—brings to the stage original works along with passionate renditions of classic cover tunes.

His two albums, “Rendezvous” and “Acquired Taste,” released by Accurate Records, capture the essence of acoustic songwriting. Sales of his Christmas album, “The Spirit of Christmas,” released in 2005, raised thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Nov. 16 Cliff Erickson concerts are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 to open traveling Detroit Historical Society ‘WWII Propaganda Posters’ exhibit Nov. 6

St. Clair County Community College’s (SC4) Fine Arts Gallery will soon offer an unforgettable journey back in time with a traveling “WWII Propaganda Posters” exhibit from the Detroit Historical Society.
 
The exhibit opens on Monday, Nov. 6, with a ceremony at 6 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre and Gallery featuring SC4 history professors Scott Fernandez and Patricia Frank. The exhibit is open for viewing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 8, with closure dates Nov. 22-24. 
 
Posters included in the exhibit highlight key messaging by U.S. Government departments at the time, reflecting themes such as military and nursing recruitment, patriotism, conservation of resources and security. They also highlight the works of specific period cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists and portraitists.
 
“We’re thrilled to bring this exhibit to our community,” said SC4 Chief Academic Officer Ethan Flick. “These posters—a primary communication tool long before digital screens and social media platforms existed—help us explore the notion of propaganda and provide a glimpse into a pivotal time in our nation’s history. We look forward to welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to this exhibit.”
 
“WWII Propaganda Posters” is free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed.
 
For more information and the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events/. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

Above posters are part of the Detroit Historical Society’s “WWII Propaganda Posters” exhibit at SC4 beginning Nov. 6. 

SC4 to present ‘KODACHROME’ by Adam Szymkowicz, Nov. 2-4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) thespians will take the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre stage Nov. 2-4 as they present “KODACHROME” by Adam Szymkowicz.

“KODACHROME,” a “play about love, nostalgia, the seasons and how we learn to say goodbye,” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (concordtheatricals.com). Performances are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“Being able to join the wonderful tradition of theater at SC4 is a true joy and an honor. Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending several top-notch productions at the College,” said James McCulloch, SC4 theater director. “For this production, we have a talented cast of students who are going to be storytellers on the stage. Adam Szymkowicz´s new play takes us to those beautiful and bittersweet moments in life. Audience members will recognize themselves and see their lives onstage in the stories of the folks who live in Colchester. The play really celebrates how life is made up of these wondrous moments, and I believe audience members will be truly impacted by the moving and beautiful scenes.”

“Kodachrome” performances are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre seats 295. For more information and the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

View image pdf here.

SC4 Symphonic Band presents college and university ‘Colors of the Season’ concert Oct. 22

The St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Symphonic Band will perform a free college and university “Colors of the Season” concert from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. 

Led by Erick Senkmajer—a longtime music educator and director of the SC4 Symphonic Band since 2012—the band will play fight songs and alma mater anthems. The band will also be performing a couple of Halloween-focused selections.

“Wear your college gear and cheer for your favorite teams,” Senkmajer said.

Those interested in finding Skippers gear can visit the SC4 Bookstore in the Acheson Applied Technology Center (ATC) on SC4’s campus.

All SC4 fall 2023 arts events are free and open to the public, and no tickets are needed. SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre seats 295. For the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

Award-winning country artist to perform Oct. 12 at SC4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to welcome award-winning singer, songwriter and storyteller Bob Marshall to campus for solo acoustic performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

A second-generation cowboy, Marshall has been a solo performer for more than 40 years and specializes in a mix of contemporary western sounds and originals. His eclectic taste in music is inspired by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Marty Robbins, Burl Ives, Motown, the blues greats, rock and roll, and various other singer-songwriters.

Also a member of the Bob Marshall Band, Marshall has won the Will Rogers Award for “Vocalist of the Year” (Academy of Western Artists), “Country Album of the Year” (CMA of Texas), and was a Pro Cowboy Country Artist Association (PCCAA) Nominee for “Songwriter of the Year.”

His music and personality, according to bobmarshallband.com, are “homegrown to pull the audience into a personal experience with an entertainer who knows how it is done.”

The Oct. 12 Bob Marshall concerts are free and open to the public—as are all upcoming arts events at SC4—and no tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

Exhibit to showcase faculty talent and passion

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) opens its annual faculty art showcase, “Collectively Independent,” on Monday, Sept. 18, in the College’s Fine Arts Gallery.

The showcase is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 20. It features thought-provoking pieces on various subject matter in a wide array of mediums. Each piece on display is an original work from faculty members who lead courses in graphic design, art history, photography and more.

Participating faculty include:

  • Sarah Flatter, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Brian Kovach, MFA, Art
  • Jacqueline Mahannah, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Jason Palmer, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Mark Rummel, BFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Elizabeth Sevick, MFA, Art
  • Alan Vidali, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Jacob Vinson, MFA, Art

“This annual exhibit is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the very talented art and design faculty here at SC4,” says Sarah Flatter, professor of fine arts. “This exhibit is one of my favorites, because it gives faculty members the opportunity to show off their talents to a wider audience. It is a great show of work and worth checking out!”

From sculptures and photographs to illustrations and more, the exhibit offers a unique opportunity for SC4 students and community members to observe the artistic interests and expertise of SC4 instructors.

For the most current list of upcoming arts and other events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 offers a wide array of courses and programs for students interested in pursuing the arts. For a current schedule of offerings—including fast-path classes beginning Sept. 18 and Oct. 16—visit sc4.edu/schedule and apply at sc4.edu/apply/.

Pieces from the 2022 showcase are pictured above.

SC4 kicks off fall arts season with Lexington Bach String Quartet, Sept. 14

The Lexington Bach String Quartet returns to campus to kick off the fall 2023 arts season at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) with performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

The Lexington Bach String Quartet features the following musicians:

  • Melody L. Wootton, first violin, is an active performer in the Detroit metropolitan area, playing with Detroit Opera, Broadway shows that appear in Detroit, and as a substitute violinist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She is a member of the Baldwin Ensemble, the Fishwick-Levine-Wootton Piano Trio, and performs as a soloist for Detroit area churches.
  • Denice Anderson Turck, second violin, and Lexington Bach Festival administrator, is a freelance violinist and music educator. She is concertmaster emeritus of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, leader of Regency Strings and performs regularly with regional orchestras. Before moving to Michigan, Anderson Turck developed a highly regarded junior high school and elementary string music program for the Oconomowoc, Wisc., Public Schools. She also served as string coordinator of Project Create, a Suzuki Institute at Carroll University, Wisc., and was a member of the Madison Symphony, Waukesha Symphony and Milwaukee Ballet orchestras.
  • Janine Bradbury, viola, is from Commerce, Mich. She is principal viola with the Flint and Saginaw Bay Symphony orchestras, a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony and is an active freelancer. Bradbury is a former member of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, the Boulder, Colo., Philharmonic, and has subbed with Windsor, Toledo and Detroit symphonies. Bradbury played Broadway shows in Detroit for 15 years and toured with the Phantom of the Opera. As a freelancer, she has played for Aretha Franklin, Plant and Page, Mannheim Steamroller, The Three Tenors, The Who, and Earth, Wind and Fire. She enjoys teaching violin and viola and frequently adjudicates student performances for the Flint Institute of Music.
  • Irina Tikhonova, cello, began playing the cello at the age of six. Her mother, Lydia, loved to sing and selected cello for Tikhonova because its range is close to that of the singing voice. Before coming to this country, she performed with the Harmony Philharmonic Ensemble of Soloists in Kiev, the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, and was the assistant principal cellist in the State Symphony Orchestra. Since immigrating to the United States from the Ukraine in 1991, Tikhonova has been principal cellist of the Saginaw Bay Symphony, the Bijou Music Ensemble, the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Flint Symphony Orchestra. She has more than 15 years of cello and chamber music teaching and coaching experience. Since 2008, Tikhonova has been on the faculty of Cellospeak in Pennsylvania.

Slated performance pieces include numbers by Johann Sebastian Bach, William Grant Still and Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Lexington Bach String Quartet concerts are free and open to the public—as are all upcoming arts events at SC4—and no tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 announces fall arts lineup

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) has released its fall 2023 arts calendar, which includes concerts, gallery shows and a theater production—all free and open to the public.

The Lexington Bach String Quartet returns to campus to kick off the fall season with performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

In addition, the fall schedule includes an SC4 faculty gallery show and a “WWII Propaganda Posters” traveling exhibit from the Detroit Historical Society. It also features the SC4 Symphonic Band, renowned performers and a theater production.

Thursday, Sept. 14
Lexington Bach String Quartet
Noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre 

Monday, Sept. 18, to Friday, Oct. 20
Collectively Independent Faculty Exhibition  
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday
SC4 Fine Arts Gallery

Thursday, Oct. 12
Bob Marshall, acoustic country
Noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre 

Sunday, Oct. 22
Symphonic Band Concert
7 to 9 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre

Nov. 2, 3 and 4 
“KODACHROME”
By Adam Szymkowicz
5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3
7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
SC4 Director: Jay McCulloch
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre
“Kodachrome” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (concordtheatricals.com)

Thursday, Nov. 16
Cliff Erickson, acoustic covers and originals
Noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre 

Monday, Nov. 6
Detroit Historical Society Traveling “WWII Propaganda Posters” Exhibit Opening Ceremony with guest speakers: Scott Fernandez and Patricia Frank, SC4 History Professors
6 to 7 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre and Gallery

Nov. 6 to Dec. 8
Detroit Historical Society Traveling “WWII Propaganda Posters (28-piece collection)” Exhibit 
9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday
SC4 Fine Arts Gallery
Gallery closed: Nov. 22 to 24

Thursday, Dec. 7
Lisa Marie Rogali, mezzo-soprano, and Nathalie Doucet, pianist
Noon to 1 p.m., 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre 

Saturday, Dec. 9
Symphonic Band Concert
7 to 9 p.m.
SC4 Fine Arts Theatre 

SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre seats 295. No tickets are needed for these events. Additional programming may be added and event information may change. For the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 announces new theater summer camp

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to announce the addition of a new theater summer camp opportunity for learners in grades 1-9 July 17-21, 2023, at SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. Learners in grades 1-3 will attend the camp from 9 to noon, with learners in grades 4-9 attending from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
 
The camp aims to help participants build confidence on stage, explore creativity, and act in a fun and stress-free environment. It is offered in addition to the variety of SC4 athletics and STEM-based camps already announced for this summer.
 
“We’re thrilled to announce the addition of this camp for all the aspiring actors and thespians out there,” said James McCulloch, SC4 adjunct instructor and area drama director with more than 80 productions under his belt. “This is a wonderful, low-stress opportunity for students to dive into the world of theater and enhance their acting skills. We can’t wait to see them shine on stage!”
 
Theater camp participants will work together throughout the week to learn a collection of short scenes, which they will perform at the end of the camp on July 21. Each session performs its own show, with the morning session performing at 11 a.m. and the afternoon session performing at 2:30 p.m. Performances are free and open to the public.
 
The camp registration fee is $125 per student. To register, visit sc4.edu/camps.
 
For more information, contact McCulloch at jmmcculloch@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5709.