Dr. Sonya Baker

Dr. Sonya Gabrielle Baker, soprano, made her Carnegie Hall debut with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, singing music of Aaron Copland. Noted for her performances of American music, Baker has been heard in concert both nationally and internationally, including performances in Havana, Cuba with the Yale Alumni Chorus and at the World Equestrian Games opening ceremonies with the American Spiritual Ensemble. Baker has toured regularly as a soloist with the American Spiritual Ensemble, a professional ensemble whose mission is to keep the American Spiritual alive. She appears on their recording entitled The Spirituals and in the PBS documentary by the same name. Baker’s debut solo recording, SHE SAYS, featuring art songs of American Women composers, was released in 2004, a year after she appeared as soloist on the Yale Alumni Chorus tour to Moscow singing at the Kremlin. Baker’s scholarly agenda is focused on crossing boundaries and disciplines, perhaps best exemplified by her solo recording and her lecture recital on Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Concert. Baker has presented this lecture recital nationwide and is currently working on a second recording in tribute to Marian Anderson featuring Lieder and spiritual arrangements. Highlights of Baker’s operatic roles include Elisabetta in Verdi’s Don Carlo, Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Monisha in Joplin’s Treemonisha, and the title role in the U.S. premiere of Mascagni’s Pinotta.

A former fellow with the American Council on Education, Baker has held leadership positions in higher education, serving as Associate Dean at JMU and Murray State University, and with various professional organizations: as board member for the Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Governor for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and currently a board member for the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) and the Yale Alumni Chorus. A graduate of Leadership Kentucky, LEAD Virginia and the Society for College and University Planning Institute, Baker is fully committed to advocating for diverse communities and environments that embrace multiple peoples and perspectives. To this end, she has served on multiple university committees and has been a mentor both formally and informally throughout her career. Baker holds degrees from Yale, Indiana and Florida State Universities.

Adam Shenk 

Adam is also a singer in the wedding and event band Highline, based in NYC and regularly booked across the country. To learn more, visit www.elanartists.com/highline.

While in NYC, Adam performed original music at iconic venues like The Bitter End and held a monthly residency at Pianos. After moving to LA, he collaborated with writers and producers on studio recordings and song placements. One of his co-writes, Top of the World, was recorded by Nigerian artist D’Banj and featured in promos and live performances for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. During this time, he also performed as a singer/pianist at Don’t Tell Mama (LA), a piano bar showcasing pop and musical theatre performers.

In Chicago, Adam became a music director for The Second City, the legendary comedy institution known for launching SNL alumni. He worked with a touring company to create and perform original music, sound design, and sketches for both improvised and scripted shows.

He also spent several years traveling as a cruise ship musician. On Holland America Line, he played piano in the show band and became a trusted bandleader, collaborating with musicians and guest entertainers from around the world.

Since returning to the Shenandoah Valley in 2020, Adam has been proud to reconnect with the local community, working alongside passionate colleagues and inspiring young artists.