Mark Payne is coming back to Chatham, due to popular demand.
He is returning to the stage of St. Andrew’s United Church Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. as part of the Spotlight Series of St. Andrew’s Performing Arts concerts.
The program, entitled “Three of a Kind,” follows sold-out performances for the past two years at the church.
Joining Payne vocalist Michael Vanhevel and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Grandmont. All three are well-known for their regular performances at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia and beyond. They will captivate the audience with an evening of inspirational music, St. Andrew’s officials said.
Payne is a multi-faceted pianist, singer and conductor from London who captivates his audiences with his infectious energy and magnetic stage presence.
As a conductor, repetiteur and chorus master, he serves as the music ministries director at London’s Oakridge Presbyterian Church, co-conductor for the Primus Amabile Men’s Choir and resident music director at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia.
Payne has performed virtually every conceivable role with orchestras and opera companies across Canada. He holds degrees from Memorial University and University of Toronto and has studied music at institutions in London, England, New York City and San Francisco.
Vanhevel is a Canadian international performer and recording artist specializing in the crooners and songbirds of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, including music of Frank Sinatra and others.
A graduate of Sheridan College and a resident of Petrolia, Vanhevel has appeared in several productions with Drayton Entertainment and Victoria Playhouse Petrolia including The Crooner. He has also recorded several albums.
Grandmont will showcase his talents on fiddle and guitar. He started playing violin at age three and has been fiddling ever since graduating from the Suzuki program at London’s Forest City String School where he developed a love of playing all genres of music from classical to country and jazz to rock.
His performances have taken him across Canada and internationally. He works as a performer, arranger, producer and music director in the world of theatre, including, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Drayton Entertainment and the Stratford Festival among others.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets ($30) can be obtained from St. Andrew’s church office or online at www.standrewschatham.org/tickets.
All proceeds go to support the music program at St. Andrew’s.
