BrieAnne Welch, Soprano, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Bass Clarinet and Voice, as well as a Masters Degree in Voice Performance at California State University in Sacramento.  She currently trains with internationally renowned vocal technician and director, Andrea DelGuidice in New York City.  She has performed in numerous roles in multiple operas, both here in the United States and in Italy.  She has also taught vocal classes at Sierra College in California.

BrieAnne and her family moved from Sacramento to Meridian five years ago.  She is the co-owner and development director of Gemma Arts, a regionally recognized company that provides a career bridge and catalyst for opera artists, and educates the public in performer development and appreciation of classical music and singing by presenting concerts in under-resourced areas such as Garden City, Star, Rexburg and Caldwell.  Its annual event, Opera by The River, has been made possible through collaboration with the Star Park, Arts, and Beautification Committee.

Last year, BrieAnne began a Messiah Sing Along at the College of Idaho, which she directed.  She was also a featured artist at the event.  Again this year, she will be directing the annual Messiah Sing Along at the College of Idaho, in partnership with the Canyon County Symphony.

When not involved in numerous music activities, BrieAnne and her husband are active parents of four very active boys.  She relaxes by growing multiple varieties of flowers and planning her summer vegetable garden.

Katie Clark, Violinist, did much of her early musical training in the Treasure Valley. After being away for 15 years, Katie was happy to return to the Boise area and become a member of the Boise Philharmonic in 2019. She received performance and education degrees from Utah State University and Arizona State University. She has soloed with the Treasure Valley Symphony, Magic Valley Symphony, Utah State University Symphony and with Hymns of Thanksgiving.  Katie taught orchestra for three years in the public schools in Gilbert, Arizona.   She has been a member of the American Festival Choir and Orchestra, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater, Symphony of the Southwest, and currently plays with the McCall Mountain Symphony each summer.  Katie and her husband, David, have 5 great children.

Jessie Fullmer is an accomplished oboist, English horn player, and pianist based in Boise, Idaho. Born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho, she was a highly active oboist and pianist within her community throughout high school before pursuing her advanced musical education. Jessie holds a master’s degree in oboe performance from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, where she studied under the guidance of former Chicago Symphony Orchestra Assistant Principal Oboe Michael Henoch. She completed her undergraduate training at Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor’s degree in oboe performance as a student of Dr. Geralyn Giovannetti. During her academic career, Jessie distinguished herself as a two-time concerto competition winner. She also maintained a diverse performance profile by frequently collaborating as a pianist, accompanying her colleagues in required masterclasses and recitals. As a solo performer, she has been featured in masterclasses with internationally renowned artists including Nancy Ambrose King, Sandro Caldini, and Carolyn Hove.

Upon completing her graduate studies, Jessie returned to her home state and settled in the Boise area, quickly becoming a fixture in the Treasure Valley’s classical music scene. Shortly after arriving, she joined the Boise Baroque Orchestra as a permanent member. In 2019, her orchestral career expanded when she was appointed as the permanent English horn player for the Boise Philharmonic. Alongside her core orchestral positions, Jessie has made frequent appearances with prominent regional companies, including Opera Idaho and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, as well as several local community ensembles. Deeply invested in musical mentorship, Jessie has maintained a thriving private studio in Boise since her arrival, teaching both oboe and piano to students of all ages.

Outside of her musical pursuits, she is an avid board game enthusiast and enjoys diamond painting. Jessie resides in the Boise area with her husband and their five children, two of whom are a set of identical twins that arrived at the beginning of 2026. 

Del Parkinson, piano, is distinguished professor (the first professor in the arts to receive this award) of piano as well as keyboard chair at Boise State University. He was previously keyboard chair at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he taught piano. He holds a doctor of music degree from Indiana University and a postgraduate diploma from The Julliard School. He was the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays grant for graduate study in London.

Del has performed in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout the United States. His London debut recital was on the American Bicentennial Series, and his New York debut recital in the Carnegie Recital Hall was sponsored by the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

He has soloed with the Guadalajara Symphony, Indiana University Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Boise Philharmonic, and the Utah Symphony. He is on the international roster of Steinway artists and is featured on four compact disc recordings. He is a recipient of the Idaho Commission on the Arts fellowship award and the Idaho Governor’s Award for excellence in the arts.

Probably one of the most honored and beloved musicians in all Idaho, he has appeared as a guest soloist for every Hymns of Thanksgiving concerts.