DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA
Our Staff
Christopher Romeo
Artistic Director
Christopher Romeo has been making music ever since the sixth grade. Finding his voice at the University of South Florida, Chris received his Master of Music for Vocal Performance. He has performed extensively with the St Petersburg Opera company since Madame Butterfly in 2010, along with Tampa Opera and New Century Opera in multiple productions each year. He is Artistic Director of Klassika® a quartet that has performed their own special brand of Classical Crossover music in the U.S., Ireland and South Africa. Music, in general, was such a huge influence on Chris that he went back to school to obtain a degree in Music Therapy at St. Mary’s of the Woods College in 2017 in order to help people through the power of music.
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Other organizations where Romeo has performed are The Venice Symphony, Una Voce Gay Mens Chorus, Tampa Lyric Opera Co., St. Joseph Music Makers, Key Chorale of Sarasota and St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. He has also been the Director of the choral ensemble and bell choir at Temple Terrace Presbyterian Church and provided vocal instruction utilizing the Bel Canto Technique preparing students for biannual concerts and auditions. Then there’s the other gigs with Thrift Store Revolution, The Party Hats and Operatinis where the music ranges from reggae, punk, disco and beach music to acapella performances.
Bruce Ensinger
Accompanist
Bruce L. Ensinger received an AB in Music Education from West Liberty State College and an MM in Music History and Literature from Ohio University. He has done graduate work at West Virginia University, Westminster Choir College, Duquesne University, Princeton University and the University of Zürich, Switzerland.
Bruce worked as a music specialist in West Virginia for 41 years. Choirs under his direction have performed with the Wheeling Symphony, Pittsburgh Ballet, West Liberty State College Choirs, and in master classes at Ohio University which was chosen as an honor choir by WVMEA. While in WV, he was organist/director of music at the Sistersville Presbyterian Church and an adjunct professor of music at West Virginia Northern Community College. Bruce has served on the music committee for the Diocese of Wheeling/Charleston, the Executive Board of the WVACDA, the WV All-State Children’s Chorus Board and received the Ashland Oil Golden Apple Award for excellence in education.
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He spent 5 weeks researching the music of Costa Rica on a Fulbright Scholarship and spent a week in Vienna, Austria studying conducting with members of the Vienna Boys’ Choir faculty.
Melanie Paul
Asst. Choral Director
Director Glimmer
Melanie Paul holds a BA of Music Education from Keene State College and a Master's in Integrated Arts from Plymouth State University, both in NH. She has taught elementary music for over 30 years. During her career, she has collaborated with Artist in Residence programs, developed music curriculum, and conducted numerous choral, musical and dramatic performances, working with students of all ages.
Conner Stigner
Director OUTFront
An Indiana native, Conner has music directed regionally across northern Indiana and served as Assistant Director and Accompanist for the South Bend Symphonic Choir for the greater part of a decade. Prior to relocating to Florida in 2021 he enthusiastically worked for the Election Board of St. Joseph County while simultaneously serving as organist and music director at several churches and studying General Business at Indiana University.
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He currently serves as Director of Liturgical Music and Administrator for Siesta Key Chapel Presbyterian. He also directs the Bay Village Senior Chorus and is currently directing the music for Venice Theatre's production of The Sound of Music.
Tim Burnaman
Music Support Staff
Since moving to Florida from Louisiana way back in 1990, Tim has had a rewarding career as a piano teacher, accompanist and musical entertainer. He formerly was accompanist for the University of South Florida School of Dance and a teacher at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts. Currently, Tim is the accompanist and choir director at the Jewish Congregation of Venice; accompanist for One City Chorus in St. Petersburg; a piano teacher at Troll Music in Venice; and an entertainer who provides music enrichment programs for senior communities throughout Sarasota County. Tim is a songwriter and has written several songs that focus on social justice. He recently performed "Love. Blues and Blessings" a concert of his original music, in Venice.
Janine McCarthy
Sign Language Interpreter
Janine, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, has been a dedicated member of the Diversity chorus family for more than 10 years. She brings a unique facet to the group's concerts, captivating audiences with her expressive use of American Sign Language. Janine believes that it’s important that deaf and hard of hearing folks have access not only to the lyrics of each song, but also the meaning and emotion behind the compositions and performances. Active within Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ community, Janine frequently lends her talent by interpreting at local Pride events and other gatherings. Diversity is truly fortunate to have her as a cherished member of our chorus.
