Audrey Johnson
Founder, Soloist, & Program Curator
Throughout her career, the performance of American vocal works and the delivery of classical music to American audiences has been an integral part of Mezzo Soprano Audrey Johnson’s artistic focus, with lasting effect to all listeners.
A classically trained opera singer, Audrey has combined her vocal talents and performing experience with her patriotic passions to create Of Thee I Sing: American Heritage Through Song, an innovative solo touring company featuring educational, interactive concert programming.
Our Team
Abe Zaragoza
Multi-Media Designer
From video production of The Living Legacy Series, to the graphic design of our company newsletter and many things in between, Abe Zaragoza's professional talents have been integral to Of Thee I Sing's success.
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Abe Zaragoza is a multimedia designer that loves working with his community. His passion for digital and technical environments led him to Purdue University’s Computer Graphics Technology program. He graduated in 2019 and then continued to freelance with local nonprofits and businesses. Over the last few years Abe has served as a graphic designer, social media coordinator, and communications specialist. His experiences in marketing & communications then led him to a newly created position at Purdue University College of Education as the Graduate Recruitment Coordinator. In this role Abe connects prospective students to the graduate education programs and helps the College with diversity recruitment strategy. Abe is happy that he can continue working with nonprofits, businesses, and his community. He serves on the Greater Lafayette Juneteenth Celebration Committee and most recently joined the Tippecanoe Latino Festival. Social Justice, Cultural Awareness, Diversity, and Inclusion are important values he holds close as he continues to work with his community.
Karrie Blees
Costume Designer
Karrie's years of designing wedding dresses and show choir costumes made her the perfect costume designer for Of Thee I Sing's programs. Her major claim to fame is the 4-in-1 dress featured in Of Thee I Sing's programs on the Women's Suffrage Movement. Before the audience's eyes, the costume changes from a colonial gown, to housewife's work-dress, to bloomer outfit, to Civil War-era dress--you have to see it to believe it!
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Ever since she was a young girl, Karrie Blees has loved sewing. First it was doll clothes sewn by hand, then it was her own clothes sewn on her mother's old Singer. While in college, she landed a part time job in a department store alterations shop. Her degree is in music therapy, but her heart belongs to sewing. She has owned and operated Sewing for the Harvest, a sewing (custom, bridal, costume), alterations and upcycling business for over thirty years.
Sarah Lockwood
Collaborative Pianist
Sarah's incredible piano talents can be heard--and seen--on numerous recordings for The Living Legacy Series and on Of Thee I Sing's professional recording of We've Come a Long Way, Ladies! A Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment Through Song.
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Sarah Lockwood received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Depauw University (Greencastle, IN), and her Masters of Music degree in Collaborative Piano at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis). Sarah has held staff accompanist positions at Carleton College, Augsburg College and MacPhail Center for Music. She has collaborated with participants for various competitions such as The Schubert Club, Thursday Musical and NATS, and has also worked with singers for Minnesota Opera auditions and with saxophonists at the Eugene Rousseau Saxophone Camp in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. In Hastings, Minnesota where she lives, Sarah works closely with the Hastings Public Schools music programs and teaches private lessons. Sarah is the Director and Co-owner of Hastings Arts Center with her husband, Travis, who together, opened the center in 2015.
