The Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowship Program presents Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowships/ New Voices! A young artist program for curious, open-minded, highly motivated and talented singers with strong points of view and stories to tell! EDNV meets performers “where they are” in their journey and encourages each individual to connect more deeply to the ways they self-identify in order to access their most expressive and authentic voices. The experiences of each artist will be unique and built to help them get the most out of the program.
In this inclusive and supportive environment built for exploration and growth, EDNV will guide a select group of young artists as they learn about their voices. The program includes complimentary:
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private instruction, including vocal coaching and voice lessons
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monthly masterclasses
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collaborative work with other young artists
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mentorship opportunities with industry professionals
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one complimentary ticket to a Broadway performance at The Bushnell and/or in New York City.
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concert performance at The Bushnell in the Spring of 2026
The Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowship/ New Voices program will strive to provide a platform for innovative, transformative, and unique storytelling for creative vocalists interested in Musical Theatre, Classical/Opera, Pop/Rock, Hip-Hop/Rap, Jazz/R&B, Country, Gospel, Folk, Latin/International Music, Original Works and more!
Meet the 2025/2026 ENSIGN-DARLING NEW VOICES ARTISTS
Gordon Beck* is a senior at Kingswood Oxford School and performs with their select vocal groups and theater program, with roles including A Chorus Line’s Al Deluca, Sweet Charity’s Herman, and TJ Jefferson (Hyperfocus). Other roles include Troupe Apprentice in LTM’s Something Rotten, Young Charlie (Kinky Boots), and orphan/Fagin’s Gang member in Oliver! at The Goodspeed. He founded and runs the student performance clubs KOffeehouse and Rock band. Gordon studies voice with Steven Mitchell. He is thrilled to be in his second year of this program, and thanks his family and friends for all their support.
Brooklyn Bradley (She/Her) - Brooklynn is thrilled to be a part of the Ensign-Darling vocal fellowship for the 2025-2026 season! She is in the 12th grade at Newington High School and is an active member of her school's music and drama department. Some roles she has played include: Lady Larkin in Once Upon a Mattress, Jo in Little Women, Tanya in Mamma Mia, and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. She also serves as the president of her school's Chamber Choir and the social media manager of her drama department! Music and theatre are so incredibly special to Brooklynn, and she cannot wait for what this year has in store for her!
Matthew Bussell, a high school junior from Westfield, Massachusetts, is thrilled to join the Ensign Darling Vocal Fellowship for the 2025-26 season. Matthew is a member of the Westfield High School Jazz Band, where he sings and plays piano and guitar. He was also selected for the 2026 Massachusetts Senior District Jazz Band. He currently studies private voice with Eric Larivee of Hartford, CT, and has also studied with Janelle Robinson and Danny Brevick at The Hartt School. He also studies piano and guitar.
Some theatre credits include: Javert in Les Misérables, The Squip in Be More Chill, Shakespeare in Something Rotten, Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Soldier/Alex in Sunday in the Park with George, and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.
Matthew was selected by the Boys and Girls Club of America to perform at the Youth of the Year events in Houston, TX, Washington, DC, and New York, NY. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Young Arts Recording Artist Camp for the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook and a Vocal Honors Recipient at The Hartt School on three occasions. He is also the lead singer, lead guitarist, and keyboard player for his band, The Attik.
Peyton Carr is a senior at South Windsor High School. She has been interested in singing and performing arts since she was in kindergarten, doing various musical performances for school and church. She has also been in the following 7 high school productions, Newsies (2022) as Scab/Ensemble, The Addams Family (2023) in Ensemble, Into the Woods (2023) as Lucinda, The Play That Goes Wrong (2024) as Perkins/Denise, Legally Blonde (2024) as Pilar, Radium Girls (2025) as Edward Markley/Society Woman/Store Owner/Widow, and Once Upon a Mattress (2025) as Lady Rowena. Outside of drama performances, she is also in South Windsor High School’s Treble Choir. She is also a figure skater for the USFSA, she has won various gold and silver awards in competitions for figure skating.
Jordan Carter*
Austin Espinoza is currently a sophomore at Simsbury High School and is honored to participate in the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship this year. He began his musical journey in middle school and has continued to explore his passion for performance ever since. Austin currently studies voice privately with an instructor at Kingswood Oxford, where he has enjoyed strengthening his vocal technique and musical understanding. Over the last few years, he has also had the opportunity to perform in a variety of productions, including Annie, Anastasia, Rock of Ages, and Grease, experiences that have helped shape his confidence and love for the stage.
This past summer, Austin attended a week-long program at Berklee Conservatory, where he further developed his skills in singing, acting, and dance. He is grateful for the chance to grow through the EDVF program and looks forward to continuing to expand his abilities as a young artist.
Ethan Frederick (he/him) is a junior at Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut, and is thrilled to be participating in the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellows program at The Bushnell for the first time this year. He is actively involved in both his school and community theater programs, as well as choir, and is passionate about musical theatre performance. His past stage credits include Drew in Rock of Ages: High School Edition, Horton in Seussical Jr., and Amos Hart in Chicago: High School Edition. Ethan is excited to grow as a performer, improve his vocal skills, and learn from others in the program.
Molly Palmer is thrilled to be part of the Bushnell's Ensign Darling program. Molly is a current Junior at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut where she is an active member of the musical theater department. Recent roles include, Hello, Dolly! (Dolly Levi), A Chorus Line (Cassie) ...Spelling Bee (Rona). She made her first regional theater debut at Seven Angels Theater, performing in Sister Act (ensemble). Additionally, she was recently featured in the 2025 KO Choreographer Showcase and sang within the 2025 CMEA Festival. Molly is so grateful for the chance to work with new instructors and further her knowledge and would like to thank the EDVF program for this amazing opportunity.
Joanna Pera is a sophomore at Maloney High School in Meriden CT. She has been performing in theater productions since the early age of 10. She has had some roles such as Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz”, Olive Ostrovsky in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Be” and most recently as Velma Kelly in “Chicago”. She actively participates in her high school productions as well as Meriden Youth Theater. Joanna is currently part of her high school choir group “Allegrettos” and is an active member of the International Thespian Society. Joanna would like to continue to improve her vocals and learn more about music and theater.
Kayla Prioleau is Junior at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and is excited to be a first-year participant in the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellows program at The Bushnell. She is an active performer with ACT UP Theater Arts Academy and has appeared in productions including Once on This Island (Ti Moune), Hadestown (Fate 3), Grease (Marty Maraschino), Sister Act (Rita Watson), The Lion King (Sarafina), and Ebony Annie. Kayla also has experience working behind the scenes as a production assistant. In addition to theater, she had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a Hartford Yard Goats game. She is passionate about performing, learning, and growing as an artist while collaborating with fellow young performers.
Sophia Sherman* is fifteen years old and is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to return for a second year of the Ensign-Darling New Voices program. Singing has been a large passion of hers since she was young through theatre productions, cabaret performances, and even singing the national anthem at sports events, and she is overjoyed to be able to do what she loves with amazing people in this incredible experience. Throughout her time here, she has learned about music theory, future paths in music, and gained information and real experience backstage at Broadway shows. She is incredibly thankful to the masterclass instructors and program coordinators for giving so much of their time and effort.
Noah Summerer* is a senior at Simsbury High School, and he is excited to return for his second year as an Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellow. His musical interests span multiple genres, such as classical, musical theatre, comedy, and original compositions. Noah has sung in the CMEA All-State Mixed Choir three times, and he was accepted this year into ACDA Eastern’s Contemporary A Cappella Fusion Choir. In high school theatre, his favorite roles have included Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Guys and Dolls), Bobby Strong (Urinetown), and Trent Oliver (The Prom). Next year, he hopes to major in Music Education or sound recording.
*returning from 24-25 class