Mezzo soprano Kristen Buhler (Artistic Director) is a native of Oregon and lover of music of all genres. Her versatility of tone and timbre allow her to regularly perform, record and tour with many diverse professional ensembles around Portland, including Cappella Romana, Resonance Ensemble, Trinity Consort, Portland Baroque Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Singers, and Portland Vocal Consort. She has been a guest artist with In Mulieribus on several concerts and a tour.

Kristen is a frequent recording artist with Oregon Catholic Press and was recently featured on the recording of Robert Kyr's 8 voice work, A Time For Life with Cappella Romana. She has performed in concert with local talent Bryan Free, Rachel Taylor Brown, Nick Jaina, and Portland Cello Project. She recently recorded vocals on Rachel Taylor Brown’s new album, World So Sweet. In December 2010 and 2011, Kristen performed the alto solos from The Messiah in Newberg, OR and in April 2012, she sang the alto solo from Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb with The Ensemble.

She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees (magna cum laude) from George Fox University in Newberg, OR in both Vocal Music Performance and Writing/Literature. She went on to Portland State University as an Oregon Graduate Laurels Scholar where she studied conducting with Dr. Bruce Browne and voice with Nancy Olson-Chatalas and garnered a Master's of Music in Conducting degree with honors. She also holds a Master's of Science in Special Education (vision emphasis) degree and by day, is an itinerant Teacher of Visually Impaired Students in Washington County. She recently co-authored a national braille curriculum entitled Building on Patterns published through American Printing House in Louisville, KY.

In summer/fall 2011, Kristen lent her voice to Satellite Ballet’s collaborative tour and recording project to Michigan featuring composer Nick Jaina and dancers from New York City Ballet. She also toured Greece and recorded an album with Cappella Romana available now. In summer 2012, Kristen received critical praise as vocal director for Pentacle Theater’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore.

Kristen is thrilled to be a founding member of The Julians and enjoys arranging music for them from artists as varied as Alanis Morissette, Florence + the Machine, Cat Stevens, and Regina Spektor to name a few. She is grateful to be a part of this rich and diverse Portland music community.

Maria Karlin
 

A soprano with very ecclectic tastes in music, Maria Karlin has sung for a variety of sacred and secular choral and opera ensembles such as Cappella Romana, Third Angle, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Trinity Consort,  Resonance Ensemble, Portland Opera Chorus, and Opera Theater Oregon just to name a few.  Currently a student of Ms. Nancy Olson-Chatalas, Maria holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oregon where she studied under Dr. Anne Tedards.  Ms. Karlin is also a seasoned recording artist, lending her talents to Oregon Catholic Press and Revolver Records as a soloist and ensemble singer.

Excited and intrigued by a variety of genres, Ms. Karlin has been recording and/or performing with such local talent as Rachel Taylor Brown, Bryan Free, Jim Brunberg, Holcombe Waller, Buoy LaRue, Portland Cello Project, and "Portland's loudest" psych-rock band:  The Pink Snowflakes.  Most recently, she recorded back-up vocals for the respective solo projects of world renown Joel Gion and Matthew Hollywood of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Matthew J. Tow, Australian front man for the Lovetones. Maria is a member of the Portland based Spaghetti-Western band, Federale which toured west coast several times in 2010 promoting their second album, "Devil in a Boot," playing such historic venues as the Fillmore in San Francisco and the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles.  Hot off the success of their first venture with Portland's own Filmusik, (a match made in cowboy heaven) Federale has proudly released their long-awaited 3rd album, "The Blood Flowed Like Wine."  Their next major project includes scoring the film, "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" produced by Elijah Wood's newly formed "Woodshed Productions".

Maria was also a performer for the commercial soundtrack for "Half-time in America"--  An Emmy-Nominated Chrysler commercial which aired during the 2012 Superbowl.  A founding member of Portland's newest ensemble The Julians, she not only shows off her genre-crossing vocal abilities at every show, but she also contributes original arrangements of songs by such artists as Lykke Li, Lily Allen, and Tom Waits.  Ms. Karlin was also the featured soprano soloist in Resonance Ensemble's performance of Igor Stravinsky's ballet, "Les Noces" in April 2011. Maria is ecstatic to lend her talents to further expand Portland's amazing and indescribable musical scene.

Vakarė Petroliūnaitė 

Praised by her critics for her, “wonderful sensitivity”, and “sparkling tone”, Vakarė Petroliūnaitė is an extraordinary talent living and performing in the Pacific Northwest. Her clear, engaging voice and intelligent artistry bring vibrant interpretations to any stage.  

Vakarė has distinguished herself on concert stages throughout the United States, appearing as concert soloist with Westminster's Art Song Festival, Princeton Sinfonia and Jazz Ensemble, The Princeton Musical Amateur Society, The Portland Vocal Consort, The Bach Cantata Choir, and Oregon Repertory Singers, among others.

She is especially proud to be a founding member of the brother-sister folk duo, Amber Coast. Vakarė looks forward to performing with Resonance Ensemble on their 2012-2013 season.

Other roles include Soeur Alice (Dialogues des Carmelites), Fiametta (The Gondoliers), Papagena (Die Zauberflote), and several appearances with Opera Theater Oregon.

A native of Chicago, IL, Vakarė holds her Master's degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She recently began studying in the vocal studio of Nancy Olson-Chatalas.  Vakarė lives today in Portland, OR with her beloved, David and she looks forward to marrying him with both of her bare feet on the Oregon Coast this August.

Liz Bacon

Liz's career as a singer has been defined by an unwillingness to separate her enthusiasm for music from her passion for telling a story and entertaining her audience. Liz’s ties to the Portland music scene have offered her tremendous opportunities. When not performing with The Julians, Liz is an accomplished solo artist. (a link to her website HERE)  In February 2011 she produced and performed her first solo show  with her beloved pianist and friend, Jon Stuber. The show was such a sold out success, she and Jon have taken Portland by storm, performing their cabaret act every chance they get.  

Liz is a performing member of the highly acclaimed Resonance Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon and performs regularly with the much-applauded Portland Vocal Consort under the direction of Ryan Heller. She has performed for Portland Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, and in concert with Stephanie Schneiderman, Bryan Free, Rachel Taylor Brown, The Ahs, Roxy Consort, Third Angle and Portland Cello Project.  Liz studies with her teacher and mentor Nancy Olson-Chatalas.  
 
She has been a featured vocalist on several premiere recording projects, most recently recording backup vocals for popular Portland based Singer-Songwriter Stephanie Schneiderman on her latest album Live at the old Church and for the amazing Hanz Araki and Katherine Claire’s latest album:  As I Roved Out: Songs of Spring.
 
She lives in Portland and has two daughters, one husband and a cat named Marley.