Chaz’men Williams-Ali, Aurelia Andrews to perform Sept. 12

Tenor Chaz’men Williams-Ali and pianist Aurelia Andrews will present a recital as part of the Chamber Music and Jazz at Ripon Series in Demmer Recital Hall of Ripon College’s C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.

In addition to the evening performance, Williams-Ali will lead a masterclass with Ripon College voice students Friday, Sept. 12, at 4:15 p.m. in Demmer Recital Hall.

Both the masterclass and recital are free and open to the public, as all Chamber Music & Jazz at Ripon events are made possible courtesy of donations through Ripon College’s Friends of the Arts.

Williams-Ali, from St. Louis, Missouri, has enjoyed engagements at the Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera and the English National Opera, among other international houses. Of particular note is his portrayal of Raymond Santana in “The Central Park Five” at Detroit Opera, which garnered significant critical acclaim.

He has also been a successful music director, having directed and conducted for various companies across the Midwest.

Andrews, of Olathe, Kansas, is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Symphony concerto competition and is a recipient of the Reid Nibley Scholarship at Brigham Young University. She participated in the collaborative piano program Oberlin in Italy and at The Aspen Music festival where she worked with some of the top voice teachers and coaches in the country.

She has served on the music staff of numerous opera companies in the United States and Germany. She has been the returning pianist for the Dallas Opera Vocal Competition and the Hart Institute for Women Conductors.

This program highlights the duo’s versatility through their on-stage collaboration.