Performances
Mary Langston in Concert | River Road Church
Mary Langston has been gracing the stage most of her life. A trained ballet dancer turned opera singer, she received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. During her studies, she was provided with lovely opportunities including recording in Japan and touring France. After graduating, she spent time in Charleston, SC dancing with the Robert Ivey Ballet and auditing classes at College of Charleston. In 2009, Mary moved to NYC where she spent 12 years working with numerous opera and theatre companies, as well as studying voice with acclaimed professionals. Among her many experiences, Mary had a show for two years on the Upper East Side at an Italian restaurant on Saturday evenings. She was chosen as an ambassador of music for NYC’s “Music Underground” program after winning a fierce competition in Grand Central station. Ms.Langston made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2017 with New York Lyric Opera, singing “Sull’aria” from Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Forced to leave NYC during the pandemic in 2020, Mary is now residing in Richmond. She is on the voice faculty at GreenSpring International Academy of Music and teaches privately in her home studio. In addition, she freelances with the Estee Lauder Companies. She has been a proud member of the Chancel Choir at River Road Church, Baptist since 2023.
Daniel Stipe is equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator, and arranger on both the piano and the organ. He earned a BM in organ and piano performance from the University of North Texas in 2006, studying with Adam Wodnicki and Jesse Eschbach. He served as assistant university organist at the University of the South from 2007-2010, and he earned a MM in organ performance from Westminster Choir College in 2012 studying with Ken Cowan. He served for five years as Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA from 2013-2017. He is a prizewinner in the William Hall Pipe Organ Competition in San Antonio, the Tulsa Crescendo Music Awards, the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition, and the AGO/Quimby Region VII Competition for Young Organists. In 2017 he was a featured recitalist at the convention of the American Guild of Organists in Richmond, and was featured in a solo recital at the Association of Anglican Musicians convention in 2022.
As a collaborator, Daniel has worked with dozens of vocal and choral ensembles, and has an extensive knowledge of the string and wind repertory. He maintains an active concert schedule. He is a founding member of the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, a professional octet focusing on works by living composers. He was chosen to be one of the staff accompanists for the 2020 Menuhin International violin competition. He plays regularly with the Richmond Symphony. Since 2007 he has served as accompanist for the North Texas Children’s Choir festivals in Dallas, working with acclaimed clinicians like Ruth Dwyer, Herbert Washington, Julie Yu, and Rollo Dilworth.
Daniel lives in Richmond, where he serves as accompanist for the Richmond Symphony Chorus and the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, and as principal organist at All Saints Episcopal Church. Since 2017 he has tuned and serviced pianos in the Richmond area. In his spare time, he enjoys road cycling, hiking, role-playing games, and good literature.
Free parking across River Road and behind the church
From the earliest days of River Road Church, it was the intention of the founders that the music ministry be of the highest quality. Music at River Road Church is rooted in the work of time-honored composers of the “classical” tradition, while embracing a wide range of styles and periods.
The majestic Sanctuary at River Road Church has long been a favorite venue for lovers of traditional church music. This concert will also provide the church an opportunity to share the result of a recent restoration of its magnificent M.P. Möller Company pipe organ. The sanctuary has also received upgrades to its lighting and sound systems, further enhancing the church's worship of God through music.
