Described as having a “deep, expressive voice” and “setting a high theatrical bar,” by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Samuel Green is a versatile singer and voice over artist.

Prior to joining Cantus, Samuel was a sought after musician in the thriving Kansas City arts scene, lending his voice to several ensembles including the GRAMMY® Award Winning Kansas City Chorale under the direction of Charles Bruffy, the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, and Kantorei of Kansas City, among others. In addition to chorister experience, Samuel has taken the stage performing jazz, barbershop, southern gospel and country music as a soloist and ensemble musician.

Samuel also uses his talents as a voice over artist. His recent projects include online tutorials and videos, spoken word for new compositions, and other freelance work.

While on vocal rest (when he’s not using his voice), you can find Samuel reveling in the bustling metropolis that is the Twin Cities, quietly engaging with nature and poetry on a hike, drinking Minnesota beers, or enthusiastically watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball at home.

Born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Jacob Christopher, tenor, began to cultivate his craft at a young age singing at the top of his lungs to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When people ask which parent he got his talent from, he is quick to respond: Donny Osmond.

Jacob began his professional career in Chicago where he sang with Music of the Baroque, Wicker Park Choral Singers, and as a chorister with the Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2010-2012. He premiered numerous art songs through Singers on New Ground, performed at Chicago’s iconic Green Mill Jazz Lounge, and has sung back-up vocals for Ben Folds (with the Minnesota Orchestra) and for The Judds (on the Oprah Winfrey Show).

Jacob moved to New York City in 2012 and was a founding member of Manhattan Chorale under the direction of Dr. Craig Arnold. Other New York appearances include Ragtime at Lincoln Center, the New York City workshop, Paper Mill Playhouse production, and Studio Cast Recording of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the award-winning production of The Christians (Off-Broadway debut) and in April 2016 Jacob made his Carnegie Hall debut accompanied by the New York City Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Richard Bjella. He is thrilled to be continuing his musical journey with Cantus this season!

Chris Foss grew up in southwest Iowa and graduated from Millikin University with a BM in Commercial Music. After a short two years at the University of Nebraska directing the Vocal Jazz program and earning his MM in Choral Conducting, Chris relocated to the Twin Cities and has been proud to be a part of Cantus since then. In addition to composing and arranging, Chris has made numerous guest appearances with other vocal groups, including: Minnesota Bach Ensemble, Four Shadow,  Beer Choir, Omaha Chamber Music Series, Chapter 6, Voices of Omaha, Dulces Voces and Home Free. Chris also served on the voice faculty of McNally Smith College of Music until 2017.

Rod Kelly Hines is a classically trained baritone and versatile artist who enjoys performing in a variety of genres. He feels most at home in choral ensembles, enjoying the spectrum of artistry that he is able to explore within a vast range of musical styles. From 2018-2021 he was a member of the Brooklyn-based ensemble Choral Chameleon, under the direction of Vince Peterson. In 2019 he became an inaugural member of EXIGENCE Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eugene Rogers. He received a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, where he performed roles such as: Papageno in Die Zauberflöte (Mozart), Peter in Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck), and Masetto in Don Giovanni (Mozart). He was also a featured soloist in the opera Silent Night by Kevin Puts, presented by The Atlanta Opera in their 2017-18 season.

Tenor Alex Nishibun has enjoyed singing since childhood and fondly remembers his early years of church choir singing and high school chorus. His love for singing was encouraged by his musical family and devoted music teachers from grade school to graduate school.

Alex Nishibun is in his sixth season as a tenor with Cantus. When he’s not singing with his colleagues or performing his various artistic co-director responsibilities, he’ll likely be found playing bluegrass mandolin, taking walks in parks, or having wine with friends. He loves his time performing around the nation, but he’s always happiest returning home to his wife, Jesi, and their Boston Terrier, Moose.

As a composer, drummer and percussionist, John Hadfield’s dedication to music has taken him from his native Missouri to concert halls and clubs across the world. Currently living in Paris, France, He has released four albums and numerous singles and EP’s of his own compositions and has composed for many collaborative projects, including Heard By Others, a duo project with Lenny Pickett, Speaking in Tongues, a duo project with Rachel Eckroth, Believers a trio with Brad Shepik and Sam Minaie, and For James a duo with Ron Blake. Hadfield also composed and performed in Apologue 2047, a multimedia performance art piece directed by Zhang Yimou which explored themes of the relationships of humans and technology. In addition, Hadfield’s music was used in the feature-length documentary After Spring, and he can be heard playing percussion on numerous movie soundtracks including The Goldfinch, Gemini Man and Drive Away Dolls.

John’s diverse ablites have allowed him to perform with the Saturday Night Live Band on NBC, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Abel Selaocoe and the Seattle Symphony, and the Silk Road Ensemble. He has collaborated on more than 100 recordings, including GRAMMY award winning and nominated albums.

John’s work has received significant critical acclaim. Time Out New York has noted, “John Hadfield’s percussion is so impeccable” and Modern Drummer featured him in an article stating, “Hadfield delivers a fluid groove, strong yet never intrusive, punctuated by adroitly chosen accents. His skillful sound-weaving choices create the illusion of a seamless multi-percussion section.”

Tenor Paul Scholtz is in his tenth season with Cantus. In addition to singing, he serves on the Artistic Council and as communications lead along with managing the ensemble’s social media. He recently completed his sixth and final year on the Cantus Board of Directors. Paul earned his bachelors degree in English from Luther College in Decorah, IA.

When not performing with the ensemble or executing his other duties as one of the eight artistic co-directors of Cantus, Paul can be found at home — likely singing! — with his wife, Marie and their three children, Louis, Loren, and Renée.

Paul’s hobbies include spending time outdoors, running, biking, and playing cards.