Kevin J. Bylsma and Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers have been musical collaborators since 1990, when as wide-eyed, apple-cheeked adjunct faculty members at Adrian College, they began a prolonged metaphorical conversation, mostly about Jell-o.  It was with a profound sense of artistic injustice that in 1994 they burned a tiny photo of an internationally-known master teacher in effigy on the University of Michigan Diag, and founded the annual Art Fair Song Fest.  The Fest eventually gave birth to its own parent organization, The Ann Arbor Festival of Song, presenting offerings of art song and vocal chamber music whenever they have time, which you may have noticed isn’t often these days.

As partners Kevin and Jane have explored a broad range of song literature.  Among their credits as a performing duo are the Mid-American Center for Contemporary Music, Cleveland Art Song Festival, The Society for New Music, Pro Musica of Detroit, the Camphill Village in Copake, NY, and Civic Morning Musicals of Syracuse, NY.

Kevin J. Bylsma's work as a collaborative pianist and coach has taken him in the past few years to Paris, Eastern Europe, and all over North America.  Recent collaborations include masterclasses and recitals with Dianna Soviero, Irina Mishura, Michelle DeYoung, and Marilyn Horne.  His list of music directing credits features the Toledo Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, OPERA!Lenawee, Papagena Opera Company, University of Michigan, and many others.  Currently serving as opera/vocal coach at the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University, Kevin has also served the Toledo, Adrian, and Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestras as keyboardist, and for the past fourteen years has been assistant organist at the historic  Mariners' Church of Detroit.  Visit his homepage here.

Dr. Jane Schoonmaker Rodgers is an Associate Professor of Voice at the College of Musical Arts of Bowling Green State University.  She holds degrees from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan, and has performed extensively in opera and musical theatre productions, and in concerts and recitals, in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario, and elsewhere.   Visit her homepage here.