Here at Highway 89 we love Christmas! As so does our guest Michelle Sundwall. Michelle has travelled to Spain and Paris for solo recital tours, has sung the national anthem for an NBA game and was cast as Mary Magdalene in Rob Gardner’s “Lamb of God” at Abravanel Hall. Her CD, My Reason is now available and features sacred pieces in addition to selections from Broadway such as Bring Him Home from Les Miserables and Hold On from The Secret Garden. 

Michelle brought with her a cadre of family and friends to accompany and perform with her and she shares with us some of her favorite memories of Christmas. Our special guest interviewee and pianist is her father Dr. Michael Stevens, a former Mormon Tabernacle Choir member with bachelor’s degrees in both biology and music as well as a master’s degree in music history and literature and a doctorate in medicine. He tells host Steven Kapp Perry about young Michelle’s ballerina aspirations and her musical talents. This Christmas-themed episode is a wonderful addition to our Highway 89 holiday line-up! 

Performers: Michelle Sundwall, Soprano; Dr. Michael Stevens, piano; Jessica Sundwell, vocals; Suzanne Shippen, piano; Rosana Whetten, piano; Jubel Joslyn, tenor; April Moriarty, violin; Zach Sundwall, guitar. 

Repertoire: Who Will Give Christmas? – Marco Guryan; Christmas Children – Leslie Bricusse; Surabaya Santa – Jason Robert Brown; I Have Seen an Angel – Suzanne Shippen; O Holy Night – arr. David Downes; Noel d’autrefois – Charles Aznavour; Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion – George Frideric Handel; Winter Carol (In the Bleak Midwinter) – arr. Jay Althouse 

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