A regular on the DC musical scene for nearly a decade, baritone Justin Harrison’s (Bowie, MD) most recent operatic performances include Masetto (Don Giovanni) with Maryland Opera Studio, John Kumalo (Lost in the Stars) with Annapolis Opera. He originated the role of Giovanni in the premiere of Frances Pollock’s Briscula the Magician and performed the role of Marullo (Rigoletto) with Bel Cantanti Opera. A frequent concert soloist, his repertoire includes Bach’s Magnificat, Hadyn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, Voices from the Killing Jar (Soper), Seven Last Words (Dubois), Fauré’s Requiem, BWV 8: Liebster Gott…, and Ravel’s Don Quichotte à Dulcinée. Justin is the 2nd place winner of the Mary E. Singletary Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artists. During his two years with the Maryland Opera Studio, he appeared as Harry Easter (Street Scene), Billy (Mahagonny Songspiel), Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Marquis de la Force (cover), and 1st Officer (Dialogues des Carmélites), and Ed Larson in the world premiere of Theo Popov’s Town Hall. Upcoming performances include chorus in Macbeth and Porgy and Bess with Washington National Opera, soloist with Georgetown Chorale in Oratorio de Noël by Saint-Saëns, and soloist with Grace Episcopal Church in Mozart’s Requiem.

Ja’Marvae Lard is a lyric tenor and native of Jackson, Mississippi, whose passion for vocal music began during his high school years. He continued his musical development at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of soprano Dr. Kimberley Davis. His training has cultivated a strong foundation in classical vocal technique, musicianship, and performance.

Lard has enjoyed opportunities as both a soloist and choral artist. In 2024, he made his Kennedy Center debut with Washington, D.C.-based PostClassical Ensemble under the direction of Angel Gil-Ordóñez. He remains committed to celebrating and advancing the works of African American composers through continued study and performance.

Lard currently studies with soprano Marquita Lister and looks forward to further developing his instrument and pursuing graduate studies in opera performance.

A native of the Washington D.C. area, Indian-American Countertenor, Ian Pathak is a versatile performer in operatic, concert, and musical theatre repertoire. Thrilled to be joining the “Lift Every Voice” fellowship, he is passionate about bringing classic and new stories to life. In the 2026-2027 season, he will perform as the countertenor soloist in Choral Arts of Washington’s performance of Chichester Psalms (Bernstein) and workshop the countertenor role in Claude and Marcel with Cincinnati Opera. In Summer 2026, Pathak joined the prestigious roster of Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artists at the Des Moines Metro Opera. He has received awards and grants from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Schmidt Vocal Arts, and the National Society of Arts and Letters, among others. Mr. Pathak earned his Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

Praised for her “diamond-like” sound, Amber Rogers is quickly becoming a coveted soprano. For the 2025-2026 season, Amber acted as the Artist in Residence for Macomb Symphony, where she premiered Norah Duncan IV’s cantata, Journey: From Slavery to Freedom. A recording of this work was made and will be released through NAXOS. As part of winning the 2024 NANM  National Scholarship competition, Amber was asked to sing in the Gateways Music Festival tour, performing recitals featuring all African American works at the Eastman School of Music and Carnegie Hall. 

Shortly thereafter, Amber became a fellow at Music Academy of the West, covering the role of Donna Elvira in their production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. She has also performed Gretel in Hansel und Gretel and Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte at the University of Michigan.

Amber was a finalist in the 2023 University of Michigan Concerto Competition and won first place in the 2024 George Shirley Competition (collegiate division). Amber received her undergraduate degree from Oberlin Conservatory and her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan.

Baltimore-born baritone Lysle S. Follette, IV, returns to LEV for a second year as a choral conducting fellow. A musician from the age of three, he began his international career early, touring Europe by the sixth grade with the Jeremy Winston Chorale and the Central State University Choir. 

Follette has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Embassies of the People’s Republic of China and the country of Jordan, respectively. His diverse performance portfolio includes collaborations with Stellar Award winner Ricky Dillard and Grammy-winning artist Clayton Bryant. Follette has also recently released his debut single, “Stay Strong”.

As a composer and arranger, his works have been featured by the two-time Choir of the World winners, Oakwood University Aeolians. He was most recently a part of the 2025–2026 Lift Every Voice (LEV) Oratorio Fellowship with Cantate, featuring masterclasses with renowned international conductors. 

Currently studying Vocal Performance at Washington Adventist University under Professor Xavier Joseph, he also performs with the Washington Adventist Pro Musica under the direction of Dr. Anwar Ottley. Follette views music as a profound force for unity and worship.