IN UNISON Young Artists

Meet the 2025/26 Young Artists

• Dillon Carl

  

  Dillon Carl has been a member of the IN UNISON Chorus since 2021. They acquired a Bachelor of Music degree from Lindenwood University before entering the world of performing. After experience in teaching voice and piano lessons, Carl decided to move in a different direction with their musical journey. They have many years of choral and theatrical arts under their belt and is looking for a career in stage performance.

  The IN UNISON Chorus, as well as the Young Artist program, has been an amazing experience and helped open many doors.

• Jaylen Davis

  

  Jaylen Davis serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Webster Groves High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in Vocal Music Education and K–12 Licensure from Millikin University and is currently pursuing a Master of Educational Leadership and Principal Licensure at Northwest Missouri State University.

  Davis brings a wealth of diverse musical and educational experience to his work. He has conducted K–12 and collegiate festival choirs, directed Millikin University’s vocal jazz ensemble BluBop, and performed internationally in several countries. He is in his second year as a Young Artist with the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, where he sings and assists with the ensemble, and has also performed as a background vocalist for Josh Groban and Barry Manilow.

  In recognition of his artistry and leadership, Davis has received several honors, including the Hartman Family Legacy Scholarship at the 85th annual Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and the Janice Reef-Fleming Educator Award in 2025.

  Davis looks forward to continuing to create meaningful musical experiences.

• Alayna Epps

  

  Alayna Epps, soprano, is an IN UNISON Young Artist and was previously the Arts Administration Fellow with the SLSO IN UNISON Chorus for the 2024/25 season. She graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Degree of Distinction in Creativity in the Arts.

  Epps is currently pursuing her Master’s in Music Therapy at Maryville University to become a board-certified Music Therapist, with hopes to serve families in the St. Louis Community. Epps also serves as the worship leader at her church, Agape Times Ministries, Inc.–City of Refuge and believes it’s her purpose in life to shine God’s light here on Earth through music and acts of love.

  Learn more about Epps and her upcoming performances at alaynanicoleintl.com.

• Bekah Ford

  

  Bekah Ford is a dynamic musician, songwriter, and performer from the suburbs of St. Louis. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management with a Certificate in Nonprofit Administration at Colorado State University and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University. While at Millikin, Ford was a member of the school’s flagship University Choir (Dr. Brad Holmes, director) and the premier vocal jazz ensemble OneVoice (Dr. Steve Widenhofer, director). She also recorded and produced original music throughout her time at school.

  Ford has been a Young Artist with the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus since 2021. In addition to IN UNISON, she is a Principal Artist with Saint Louis Women’s Chorale and has performed with St. Louis Choral Artists as a background vocalist for Barry Manilow and Josh Groban. Through these opportunities, Ford has had the honor of performing on the stages of Powell Hall, the Fabulous Fox, Enterprise Center, Stifel Theatre, and other prolific venues in the area. Her work has also allowed her to perform at music education conferences in Missouri, Illinois, and Florida, and concerts in multiple states, the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., and internationally in Santiago, Chile.

  Forever grateful for the IN UNISON program and its leaders, Ford looks forward to making more music and connections back home in Powell Hall.

• Alexandar Johnson

  

  Alexandar Johnson is a musician and educator with a rich background in choral music. His musical journey began with The St. Louis Children’s Choir Chamber Singers, where he developed a deep love for harmony and ensemble singing. He later joined The Recruits Chorus and the five-time international champion Ambassadors of Harmony, performing on prestigious stages worldwide and earning recognition as a distinguished barbershop artist.

  A graduate of Lindenwood University, Johnson holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Arts in Teaching, combining musical excellence with strong pedagogical skill. As choir director at Hazelwood West High School and Harris Stowe State University, he has revitalized these programs—leading his students to regional and national success through passion, discipline, and creative instruction.

  Now in his fourth season as a Young Artist with the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, Johnson continues to champion works by African American composers while remaining an active clinician and learner in the choral community. His blend of artistry, scholarship, and mentorship defines him as a transformative leader in modern choral music

   

• Nadia Maddex

  

  Nadia Maddex is a passionate educator, and accomplished vocalist based in St. Louis. She is a graduate of Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and a minor in Musical Theatre; she is currently pursuing her graduate degree at the University of Missouri- Columbia. For work, Maddex is the Director of 7-12 Vocal Music at Maplewood Richmond Heights and leads the choirs at Eliot Unitarian Chapel. She also holds a leadership position as the Vocal Jazz Resource Chair for the Missouri Choral Directors Association.

  Beyond the classroom, Maddex is an active clinician and performer with an extensive background in choral music, solo performance and musical theatre. Her recent highlights include singing the national anthem for St. Louis City SC and the Savannah Bananas. However, her most prominent performance involvement is with the St. Louis Symphony’s IN UNISON Chorus as a soprano Young Artist. In this position she has performed as a soloist, host, and chorus member for seven years, and it has allotted her the opportunity to perform as a soloist abroad in London and Dublin. In addition to her current role, she has contributed to the IN UNISON program as a chorus assistant, and fellow.

• Veronica Rice

  

  A St. Louis native, Veronica Rice graduated from Webster University’s Department of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music education with a vocal emphasis. During her time at Webster University, she received departmental honors, academic honors, and was a recipient of the Sister Eloise Jarvis Award for work ethic, talent, and leadership.

  Currently, she is thrilled to be teaching choir at Triad High School in Troy, Illinois. There, she directs several curricular choirs as well as the spring musical. Rice is also currently in pursuit of her Master’s degree in choral pedagogy, attending the University of Kansas.

• Austin Sharriff

  

  In addition to serving as an IN UNISON Chorus Young Artist, Austin Shariff is a Modern Worship Leader and Youth Ministry Director at Dardenne Presbyterian Church.

  With a deep passion for music, he also teaches private lessons, performs with his band “saint chuck,” and plays solo gigs. He is dedicated to nurturing spiritual growth and musical talents within the St. Louis community. He would like to thank all of those who make the IN UNISON Chorus possible, as well as his friends and family for their endless and unconditional support.

• Nyla Thomas

  

  Nyla Thomas is a recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature. During her time at Eastman, she was an active member of the Black Student Union Association, served as a Graduate Assistant, and taught voice classes while participating in the Opera Department.

  Originally from Southaven, Mississippi, Thomas began her musical journey at a young age, singing at her church, Christ Communion Temple COGIC. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi State University (MSU), where she performed as a soloist with MSU’s choral ensembles, MSU Opera Workshop, Black Voices, the gospel group Vessels of Worship (V.O.W.), and the Loft Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Columbus.

  Thomas has recently performed several notable roles, including Stephanie in Jake Heggie’s To Hell and Back, Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with the Golden Triangle Theatre Troupe in Columbus, Miss. She also received the Link’s Scholarship Award and presented a recital of music that resonated with her.

  In the summer of 2021, Thomas participated in Opera Viva!, a week-long study abroad program for young artists in opera. There, she competed in the inaugural Italian Opera Aria Competition and was awarded second prize in the Collegiate Division.

  Currently, Thomas teaches Elementary music at Northside Elementary School in St. Louis, where she is passionate about helping her students grow in their musical abilities. An aspiring international opera singer, she dreams of performing on the world stage while one day establishing a network of performing arts schools in Mississippi. Through these schools, she hopes to nurture the dreams of young artists and provide them with the opportunity to cultivate their talents in the performing arts.