Klassika

The three create gorgeous arrangements of popular songs, adding rich three-part harmonies. While staying true to the original essence of the song, the trio imparts their distinct crossover influence to each song to make it their own. Jolanda Nel, the sole female of the group, brings pure soprano tones to the arrangements. Her addition provides an especially unique take on their covers, as most pop music today is written for voices more inclined to the alto or mezzo-soprano range. Clint Shepherd, one of Klassika’s two tenors, had always dreamed of forming a pop/opera crossover group. With credits in a slew of shows such as Madame Butterfly and West Side Story, Shepherd had the gumption to turn his dream into a reality with the formation of Klassika. Chris Romeo, the final member of Klassika, rounds out the group with his tenor vocals. When he’s not performing with Klassika, he can often be found performing with the St. Petersburg Opera Company or bringing music to patients, their families and caregivers through the non-profit Creative Clay.

Band Members:
Clint Shepherd – Tenor Clint previously directed the comedies LOVE SEX AND THE IRS, FOREIGNER, A LITTLE MURDER NEVER HURT ANYBODY and DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. Credits include SHARPLESS (Madame Butterfly), GERMONT (La Traviata), Silvio (I Pagliacci), Warden/ FRANK (Die Fledermaus), FATHER (Hansel and Gretel) and ZUNIGA (Carmen). His roles in musical theatre include TONY, West Side Story; JESUS, Jesus Christ Superstar; CURLY, Oklahoma; LUMIERE, Beauty and the Beast; COWARDLY LION, Wizard of OZ, CHARLIE, Brigadoon; RICHIE, A Chorus Line; Voice of AUDRY II, Little Shop of Horrors; DAVID, Godspell and RALPH in Reefer Madness. Clint has joined forces with the very talented and beautiful Jolanda Nel to produce a dream that they both share: A concert with classically trained singers performing popular songs and classic favorites.

Jolanda Nel – Soprano Jolanda Nel was born and raised in South Africa and graduated from the Pretoria School of Performing Arts. She performed the roles of: CONSTANZE, Dialogues of the Carmelites; DESPINA, Cosi fan Tutte; RITA, Rita; LAURETTA, Gianni Schicchi. She received two achievement scholarships and graduated with honors. In Denver, Colorado she appeared as LUISA in The Fantastics with The Augustana Institute of Music and as MADAME GOLDENTRILL in The Impresario. She sang the role of ZERLINA , Don Giovanni in Rome, Italy with the International Lyric Academy of Rome. She also performed VIOLETTA in La Traviata with the Sunstate Opera under Maestro Mario Laurenti. In stage comedy productions Jolanda has perfomed the roles of JULIA (A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody) and JACQUELINE (Don’t Dress For Dinner). Jolanda recently became co-owner of M.D.H.F. Productions, LLC. and is very excited to join forces with the very creative Clint Shepherd.

Chris Romeo – Tenor Chris can often be seen performing with the St. Petersburg Opera Company. Roles include: DON CURZIO (Marriage of Figaro), FIRST PHILISTINE (Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saens) as well as unnamed roles and Chorus in Die Fledermaus and Madama Butterfly. Chris received his Master’s in Vocal Performance from the University of South Florida where he performed the roles of FERRANDO (Cosi fan Tutte), Haute-contre roles in King Arthur, DON JOSE (Carmen) and EDDIE, The Rocky Horror Show for which he was nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Award. Other performances include Sweeney Todd with the St. Petersburg Opera Company and Iphigenie en Aulide with New Century Opera. When Chris is not performing his second passion is helping people with his music. Working closely with the non- profit organization, Creative Clay, Chris is able to bring music to patients, families and caregivers in healthcare communities in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

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