Kelly N. Beekman, mezzo-soprano, is honored to have been chosen by The Bach Society of Saint Louis to represent their Young Artist program for her third consecutive season. She is a classically trained local artist who specializes in multiple genres. She graduated from Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, focusing on training her voice in both operatic and contemporary singing styles. While at Webster, she was a recipient of the Christine Brewer Annual Scholarship in Vocal Music Performance and she received departmental honors for her tireless dedication to her craft and her outstanding performances. She has had the privilege to represent other local music organizations such as Union Avenue Opera (Eugene Onegin, 2022 and Carmen, 2024; Chorus) and Winter Opera St. Louis (Manon Lescaut, Naughty Marietta, 2024 and H.M.S. Pinafore, Anna Bolena, 2025; Chorus). She is a founding member of Magpie Opera Collective, a local arts organization dedicated to providing opportunities and performance experience to early-career classical vocalists. Outside of the classical realm, Kelly is a backup singer for the local funk-rock band Eldraco and Free Nation and she writes and records her own contemporary music.
Calista Goldwasser, mezzo-soprano, returns to The Bach Society of Saint Louis as a Young Artist for a second season. She holds a Master of Music from Webster University and a Bachelor of Music from DePauw University. Calista regularly sings in the opera chorus of Winter Opera St. Louis and Union Avenue Opera. This year, you can find her in the chorus of The Sorcerer and Roméo et Juliette with Winter Opera. In addition to working with these organizations, Calista also founded the Magpie Opera Collective along with her operatic colleagues to create more opportunities for early-career operatic voices in the St. Louis area. In addition to performing, Calista teaches voice lessons with Patterson Performing Arts and is the primary instructor for The Bach Society’s own “Finding Your Voice” outreach program. Calista looks forward to strengthening her relationship with The Bach Society both as a Young Artist and educator.
Kevin Neace, tenor, is thrilled to return to The Bach Society of Saint Louis as a Young Artist. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Wheaton College and a Master of Music from the University of Memphis. While pursuing his degrees, he performed with numerous professional ensembles, including the Rhodes Mastersingers and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and served as a cantor for St. John Lutheran and St. Louis Catholic churches. Kevin made his professional debut in Union Avenue Opera’s Aida and has previously performed in the University of Memphis productions of Don Giovanni, The Cousin From Nowhere and Trouble In Tahiti, where he received praise for his navigation of operatic and jazz vocal stylings as well as his impeccable comedic timing. An Alton native and a lifelong Bach Society fan, Kevin presently performs with the Magpie Opera Collective and The Cathedral Basilica’s Schola Cantorum and looks forward to growing as a musician with The Bach Society.
Rita Schien, soprano, is thrilled to return for another season as a Young Artist with The Bach Society of Saint Louis. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she studied with Dr. Leslie Allnatt and was awarded the Presser Scholarship in 2024. Her performance credits include Winter Opera St. Louis (The Magic Flute, The Sorcerer, Un Ballo in Maschera), Magpie Opera Collective, Union Avenue Opera, the St. Louis Women’s Chorale and The Recruits Chorus. In addition to her performing career, she serves as the Enrollment & Production Manager for The St. Louis Children’s Choirs. She is thankful for the opportunities The Bach Society has provided to further her musical growth.