TICKETS 

Bek Gruber

Bek Gruber is a 20-year-old bass-baritone from Mount Vernon, WA. He has just finished his 3rd year as a student at Western Washington University, pursuing a BMus in Performance (vocal concentration) and finding great success and confidence studying in the voice studio of Dr. Richard Hodges—not to mention, he is an active member of the music area! This last year, he has served his peers and colleagues as social chair and a section leader of WWU’s Concert Choir and as the treasurer of Opera Club, as well as having the fortune of playing the role of Sylvester in WWU’s chamber opera performance of Ned Rorem’s Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters. Additionally, he recently placed 3rd at WWU’s Virginia Glover competition in 2024, having the opportunity to perform for the Bellingham Music Club as part of his success. He aims to continue his education via a Master’s degree and pursue life as a performer of opera and musicals.

Outside of his academic life (and speaking of musicals), Bek is heavily engaged in local community theatre, having worked closely with Little Lemon Productions in recent productions as an actor (Sweeney Todd as Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods as Rapunzel’s Prince/The Wolf, Carrie: The Musical as Mr. Stephens/Reverend Bliss) as well as in a position of co-music directing (Into the Woods and Carrie: The Musical). He will GLADLY nerd out about musicals with you for hours, especially works by Sondheim, William Finn, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Stepping outside of music, however, Bek is a big fan of computers (building them and their games), board games and fantasy TTRPGs, expanding his cooking skills, and the visual arts.

This summer, Bek will have the opportunity to sing in Salzburg, Austria at the Austrian American Mozart Academy in three different Mozart productions, including Bastien und Bastienne (as Colas), Der Schauspieldirektor (as Buff), and Die Zauberflöte (as Sarastro). Alongside these roles, he will also get the chance to learn from professional vocal coaches and engage with new peers (hopefully new friends) through German language courses, masterclasses, staged performances, and a concert of German lieder! This summer program grants Bek the opportunity to experience brand-new things and grow as a performer, encouraging his natural curiosity and preparing him for life post-undergrad.

Thanks to the support of friends, family, and very generous strangers, Bek has reached the majority of his fundraising goal of $6,000 and has paid for his tuition, housing fees, and plane ticket in and out of Austria! He’s hoping to raise $2,000 more in total to cover his cost of food, rent back home, local travel in Austria, and other expenses.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah Jones is a 21-year-old emerging vocalist and composer from Bellingham, Washington. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Music Composition and Vocal Performance at Western Washington University, he is fully engaged in the university’s vibrant music program. Studying under Dr. Richard Hodges and Dr. Bruce Hamilton, Nehemiah has made significant strides, exemplified by his recent achievements. In 2024, he won the university’s Concerto Competition, earning the opportunity to perform with the WWU Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, he celebrated the premiere of his opera, A Spring Like This, at Seattle Opera in June. Nehemiah regularly engages with diverse repertoire, frequently collaborating with his peers to further enrich his musical journey. Outside of music, Nehemiah enjoys hiking, rollerskating, and spending time with his partner and their dog, Denali.

This summer, Nehemiah is attending the Austrian American Mozart Academy, where he will sing the role of Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. During his time there, he will immerse himself in German repertoire through masterclasses, coachings, and performances. This opportunity equips young singers like Nehemiah with the tools needed to thrive in the profession. He remains committed to bridging his dual passions for performing and composing, always seeking new ways to grow artistically and connect with audiences. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Nehemiah has been able to cover housing and tuition for the program, with remaining contributions supporting travel, meals, and other expenses.