With more than 100 combined years of singing and theatrical experience on both a professional and community level, including more than 15 combined years of singing Christmas carols professionally in the Piedmont Triad NC area, the singers of Season’s Best Carolers have the talent, the know-how, and the warmth to make your holiday event a special occasion.

We sing a cappella, meaning we bring nothing more than our voices, our festive costumes, our personal warmth, and a generous helping of holiday cheer. We can tailor our performance to your holiday entertaining needs.  We can stroll during your company Christmas party in our Dickens-era Victorian costumes or perform an intimate concert of Christmas carols at your private cocktail party.  We can accommodate your needs in almost any performance format or venue.  Most importantly, we will do our very best to bring a smile to your face and the Spirit of Christmas to your hearts!

Ashlea Burton

Alto

Ashlea Burton is a Greensboro native who holds a Bachelors and Masters of Music in Vocal Performance with an Emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her favorite roles include Zanetto (Zanetto), Cosette (Les Misérables), Lizzie Curry (110 in the Shade), Carrie Pipperidge (Carousel), Music Director (Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, Studio 1, Gallery Players), and Mommy (to Audrey, Gemma, and Phoebe). 2023 marks Ashlea's inaugural year with Season's Best Carolers and she's thrilled to help fellow North Carolinans get into the Christmas Spirit as she dons her gay apparel and sings joyously all together with her fellow carolers!

John Ebrahim

Tenor

Tenor John Ebrahim is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts completing a degree in Vocal Performance. He has performed in operas such as Rota’s Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze, Sullivan’s Cox and Box, and Rossini’s La Cenerentola. While attending UNCSA he performed as part of the Cantata Singers as well as with the Winston Salem Symphony and Magnolia Baroque Ensemble. John has sung with Piedmont Opera with previous engagements in their productions of Ragtime, Silent Night, and La Boheme to name a few. Currently he is living in Winston Salem, NC with his beautiful wife Auburn, daughter Lydia, and son Mason, with Baby E on the way! John is passionate about serving his community as the Clinic Administrator at Novant Health Arbor Pediatrics as well as leading worship at Glenn View Baptist Church. He is excited to have this opportunity to sing carols and spread cheer throughout the Christmas Season!

Michael Friedrich

Tenor

Michael Friedrich is from Cary, North Carolina, and has studied singing all his life. He recently graduated from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro with a degree in Opera Performance. He placed first place in the NC NATS voice competition in 2017 and in 2019. His on-stage credits with UNCG Opera Theatre include such roles as Gabriel von Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), and Monostatos (The Magic Flute). In addition, he is currently a regular soloist at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, NC. Michael is singing his third season with Season’s Best Carolers and is so excited to share Christmas cheer!

Logan Hammersley

Tenor

Having sang along with his classically trained mom to all kinds of music on long car rides, it was only a matter of time before Logan Hammersley sought to join his voice with a group as talented as Season’s Best! He earned a degree in Vocal Performance at UNCG’s School of Music. Having an affinity for the stage, Logan often lends his skills to theater groups, having appeared in performances with Little Theater of Winston-Salem, Studio 1, UNCG Opera, and the UNCG Spartones. He hopes that you enjoy the group’s performances, not only for their musical talents, but for the camaraderie and clear enjoyment from working together to create beautiful art joyous spectacle for you and your loved ones.

Janine Hawley

Alto

American mezzo-soprano Janine Hawley has achieved accolades for her critically acclaimed performances of roles ranging from Carmen to Cherubino in opera houses throughout the United States.   She has worked with the Metropolitan Opera, Washington Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, New Orleans Opera, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Utah Opera, Opera Festival of New Jersey, Boston Lyric Opera, Tulsa Opera, Connecticut Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Sacramento Opera, Chautauqua Opera, receiving great critiques that praise her lush quality, dark timbre, technical facility and charming stage presence.  Concert performances are an equally important aspect of Ms. Hawley’s art and conductors are drawn to her impressive musicianship, mastery of styles and sensitive interpretations.  She has worked with the famed Detroit Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and in such concert venues as Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Weill Recital Hall.  Ms. Hawley made her international debut with the Jerusalem International Symphony singing Mahler’s famed Second Symphony in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  Distinguishing herself in the repertoire of Mahler, in the last several seasons she added the Kindertotenlieder and Rückert Lieder to her symphonic work, which includes Mahler’s Third Symphony with the Chautauqua, Fairfax, Vancouver Symphonies, and Louisville Orchestra.  Her Carnegie Hall debut was as soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, and she returned to sing Handel’s Messiah, both with John Rutter conducting. 

Ms. Hawley was born in Nebraska, is a graduate of Indiana and Columbia Universities and is an Associate Professor of Voice and Assistant Dean for Academics and Administration at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) School of Drama. www.janinehawley.com 

April Hill

Alto

April Hill specializes in teaching musical theater vocal technique and styles.  At UNCG, April is a full time lecturer who teaches applied voice lessons for students in the new BFA Musical Theatre program.  From 2006-2020, she taught voice lessons, classes, and occasionally musically directied at Elon University in NC.  In addition to UNCG and Elon, April has worked at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia as the Music Theater Specialist.  A native of North Carolina, April received both her MM in Vocal Performance and her BM in Choral Music Education from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG).  She taught choral music in the public schools for 4 years and has been teaching private studio voice since 1998.   April has been Mezzo-Soprano soloist with Greensboro Oratorio Society (NC), Choral Society of Greensboro (NC), Alamance Chorale (NC), and area churches. She has sung professionally with the Bel Canto Company (Greensboro, NC) and the Carolina Chamber Chorale (Charleston, SC).  In the fall of 2009, she premiered the role of Camala in a concert version Sorrel Hays’ new opera, Toowhopera at the Georgia Music Teachers’ Association’s fall conference in Rome, GA.  Her work with theatre and musical theater majors at UNCG, Shorter College and Elon University has allowed students to go on to Broadway, National Tours, regional theaters, cruise lines, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios in Florida.  April is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. 

Trevor Ketterling

Bass

Being involved with music since childhood, Trevor Ketterling has sung many different genres of music; however Christmas music will always hold a special spot in his heart. Ketterling family tradition involves singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, sometimes for hours on end! Trevor is excited to be a part of Season’s Best Carolers and for the opportunity to sing professionally! He looks forward to charming you with song and showcasing this awesome group of people!

Suzanne Maggs

Soprano

Suzanne grew up in rehearsal spaces as the daughter of a choral conductor, and began singing as soon as she could babble. Holiday music and caroling have always been a part of her family’s traditions, and she is elated to continue sharing it with others looking for extra holiday cheer. She has sung under the baton of Paul Salamunovich, Rollo Dillworth, Henry Leck, and many others who left a lasting impression on her musicianship and artistry throughout her lifetime. She is the Assistant Director of the Winston Salem Choral Academy, and works on the Creative Arts Experience Team at Centenary UMC helping children bring music and the arts into worship. 

Michael Martinez

Bass

Michael Martinez, vocalist, educator, and conductor, currently leads the choral program at Forbush High School in Yadkin County. Michael oversaw a vibrant choral program at R. J. Reynolds High School for 4 years and most recently served as conductor and music educator for Young Voices of Austin, a non-profit afterschool program for underserved youth of Austin, Texas. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Michael enjoys coaching singers of all ages, abilities, and musical interests.

Katie Muhlenkamp

Soprano

Katie Muhlenkamp loves to carol and will sing all 5 verses of Good King Wenceslas if given the opportunity. Katie is a singer, actor, and attorney based out of High Point, NC. She has appeared with Triad Stage, Piedmont Opera, NC Black Rep, Rhinoleap Productions, and PBS NC, as well as appearing as a soloist for Winston Salem Choral Artists and the Winston Salem Symphony Chorus. Katie studied vocal performance at Elon University and teaches voice at UNCSA – Community Programs. www.kmuhlenkamp.com

Daniele Olsen

Alto/Soprano

Daniele Olsen, a native of Blue Earth, Minnesota, has a passion for singing sacred choral music as well as early music. This has led her to be involved with multiple church choirs and community choral groups over the years. Before moving to Winston-Salem, Daniele was an inaugural member of Christ Church Schola Cantorum in Rochester, NY, and she also sang with the early music chamber group, Publick Musick. Since moving to Winston-Salem, Daniele has been the Soprano section leader for the Augsburg Lutheran Church choir and is also singing alto for the Winston Salem Choral Artists in their inaugural season. She is looking forward to her first season singing with Season’s Best Carolers. It would be difficult for her to choose just one favorite Christmas Carol, but In the Bleak Midwinter and Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming would definitely be toward the top of her list. Daniele lives in Pfafftown with her husband, their three boys, and their 6 pound Chihuahua mix, Milo Bjørn. For her day job she works in the office at Augsburg Lutheran as the Executive Assistant.

Kelly Turner

Bass/Tenor

Kelly Turner has always enjoyed singing Christmas carols, and is thrilled to be singing with Season’s Best Carolers again this year! Kelly holds both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has directed choirs and taught music theory, conducting, lyric diction, and voice at both the secondary and collegiate levels. He has also been privileged to serve in the music ministries of several churches over the years as music director, soloist, and choir member. Kelly currently lives in Winston-Salem with his lovely wife, Amy, and their two daughters, Tessa and Georgia. He hopes our performances will bring warmth and joy to your Christmas season!

Dave Wils

Bass

Dave has been singing his whole life. Being the son of a church musician, Dave has always had an interest in all things musical. He became involved with musical theatre at the age of 6 and has been singing and acting ever since.  Since moving to the Triad, he has been actively involved in community theatre whenever he finds the opportunity.  In college at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, Dave sang for the University Arts Chorale, the premiere chorus of the school, and now sings as a bass section leader for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem.  After singing with Season’s Best for 9 seasons, he and his wife, Amanda, have been the proud co-owners of the Triad’s best group for caroling entertainment since 2019. Dave is also currently an assistant principal with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.