Sylvia Ferguson is a gospel jazz artist who has been singing for audiences in the area and aboard for over 40 years. Her talent has taken her overseas to entertain the troops in Europe, Okinawa, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. she has appeared in concert with such acts as Bob Hope, Sister Sledge, BB King, Cameo, and Tower of Power.

She was featured at the University of Missouri 2022 and recognized for her musical talents and mentoring by Zonta's Woman of Achievement Award. She was the winner of Mid Missouri's Got Talent in 2015.

Her discography features 5 music projects: Simplicity, Love Songs for the Soul, The Best of Sylvia Ferguson, SOLIDARITY, and In the Garden, Songs for My Mother where a portion of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society in honor of her mom and dad.

Sylvia is currently the founder of Sylmomusic, a music business that provides a platform for her to launch her creative pieces of work both written and produced.

www.sylmomusic.com

L. Amelia Padalino, soprano, is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. She has completed a dual Master's in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Missouri. 

Amelia worked and studied as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Missouri. While in school, Padalino found an opportunity to work with the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM) in various capacities: Columbia Youth Choir Assistant, Co-coordinator of Adult Choirs, and as a section leader and soloist. 

Amelia was the Traditional Music Director at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City. There, she directed the Adult, Youth, Bell, and Children’s choirs. She was also an Adjunct Professor of Music History at Moberly Area Community College (MACC). Amelia, along with her husband, Jeremy Padalino, opened their own voice and music studio, Lufner Studio, in January 2023. Their studio aspires to educate students of all ages on their unique musical journey. Lufner Studio offers lessons in voice, basic piano, and music theory, or a combination of all three. 

As a professional singer, some of her previous operatic roles include: Phyllis in Iolanthe, Susanna & Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro with Landlocked Opera, and sang the role of Micäela in Carmen with the Vocal Academy of Opera in Bodrum, Turkey, Summer 2022. At the end of 2024, she performed Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria under the direction of Ryan Hampton for Missouri United Methodist Church’s winter concert. In 2025, she participated in several concerts as a featured soloist, such as Common Ground, Missouri Concert Series, and Landlocked Opera. 

During her time in Missouri, she performed in operas and various large-scale concerts as a featured soloist, coordinator, or choir member. Most recently, Amelia has accepted a position at Casady School in Oklahoma City as their new Assistant Choir Director and helps run the Middle and Upper Division choirs. Padalino is also the new Music Director at First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City and oversees the Adult and Bell choirs.

Jordyn Mercer‑Schnieders is a versatile mezzo‑soprano with roots in Southern California, where her love for the stage began early through musical theater and professional commercial acting. She later trained at the Performing Arts Academy in Las Vegas, studying acting, voice, and dance.

Now based in Jefferson City with her children, Jordyn continues to nurture her passion for the arts through community theater and by performing with several local bands. Offstage, she serves her community through her work at 1st Choice Employment, supporting adults with disabilities in finding meaningful employment.

Jordyn is also an entrepreneur at heart. She owns a thriving wedding-focused makeup business and a coaching studio where she provides vocal and acting lessons to students of all ages. In addition, she directs the middle school musicals at St. Peter Catholic School, guiding 5th–8th graders as they discover their own love for performance.

Murphy Ward is a dynamic musical theater performer who has been lighting up stages across the region for the past decade. His standout roles include Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Tom Collins in Rent, Barnaby in Hello, Dolly!, and Gabe in Next to Normal—each showcasing his versatility and emotional depth as a storyteller.

Beyond the stage, Murphy’s talents extend into film, commercial work, and community events. He has appeared in local commercials, independent films, benefit performances such as the Red Slipper Warrior Band fundraiser, and cabarets including The Song Thing at Scene One.

Murphy is also a passionate creator of original work. While studying at the University of Missouri–Columbia, he wrote the musical All the Spaces, which premiered during Mizzou Summer Rep, earned a Chancellor’s Award, and was later selected for presentation at the York Theatre in New York City. Most recently, his screenplay One Night Stand was named a semi-finalist in Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest in the Horror category.

Jimmy Kay Sanders, a Jefferson City native, received her bachelor of music education and master’s of music education degrees from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music. She also studied at the Academy of Music, Vienna, Austria.

She taught elementary vocal music (K-6) in the North Kansas City School District and served as organist for Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Kansas City before returning to Jefferson City. She served as organist at First United Methodist Church for many years before joining the staff at First Presbyterian in 2008.

Sanders is a member and has served as Dean of the Central Missouri Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society and has served as state President of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women. She is active in many musical, as well as community, organizations.