ENMU Chamber Singers Head to Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City

PORTALES, NM - March 6, 2026 - The Eastern New Mexico University Chamber Singers are preparing for a premier performance in New York City, taking their talents to the prestigious Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on Monday, March 16.

While the ensemble has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall during several past tours, this year's appearance at Lincoln Center offers a new, elite experience for the student-musicians.

Dr. Jason Paulk, ENMU director of choral activities, notes that the venue is often described as a peerless acoustic environment, even rivaling the experience of performing at Carnegie Hall.

"We look forward to our rehearsal and performance," Paulk said. "Our singers have been working diligently in preparing a 20-minute program of American music, which will be featured as part of a larger concert."

The repertoire showcases both the technical virtuosity and the expressive range of the ensemble, including:

• Norman Dello Joio's "A Jubilant Song": A demanding setting of a Walt Whitman poem that features freshman soloist Malaya Henry of Clovis, NM.
• Aaron Copland Song Set: A series of "lovely miniatures" arranged by Irving Fine, including "Ching-A-Ring Chaw," "At the River," and "I Bought Me a Cat."
• Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus": A closing spiritual featuring freshman soloist Ezequiel Barajas of Hobbs, NM.

Dr. Lanjiabao Ge, the ensemble's accompanist, will navigate the program's artistic and exciting piano requirements, including accompaniment for the Dello Joio piece.

Under the leadership of Dr. Paulk since 2005, the Chamber Singers - which include students from various academic disciplines - have established a reputation for highly virtuosic and stylistically informed singing. This New York appearance adds to an illustrious touring history, including recent international performances in London and Paris in 2024 and a 2026 tour to Spain.

Paulk, recently named the 2024 Music Educator of the Year by the NMMEA, expresses immense pride in the group.

"The students are excellent representatives of ENMU and embody all the qualities we hope to see in our future leaders: grit, determination, resilience, and passion," Paulk said.

This opportunity was made possible through the generous support of the local community and university leadership, including Wayne and Becky Anderson, Randy Harris and the Bank of Clovis, the ENMU Friends of Music, and Chancellor James Johnston.

Chamber Singers Roster

Dr. Jason Paulk, Conductor
Dr. Lanjiabao Ge, Piano

Soprano

Dianna Avitia
Nicole Martinez Cumba
Malaya Henry
Zoe Medrano
Olivia Nielson
Lindy Sledge
Haley Tarrant

Alto

Mackenzie Baker
Adele Baum
Aryn Brown
Emme Gomez
Leah Horton
Saturn Titus
Onyx Willeto

Tenor

Ezequiel Barajas
Steven Foldy II
Nehemiah Gedde
Andres Gonzales
Justin Marrufo
Arcel Peña-Ceballos
Mario Zavala

Bass

Fernando Balderrama
Nathan Bjorklund
Riley (Gage) Hailer
Hamilton Gillis
Lydell Hogue
Jaylord Lobaton
Carson Troost