The Philadelphia Gritty-Tones Holiday Concert and Caroling

Lucas DeJesus (he/him), bass-baritone, is a multidisciplinary vocalist, arts administrator, and voice teacher based in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. He holds the position of Director of National Program Operations and Regional Coordinator (Philadelphia) for ArtSmart, where he has been a voice mentor since 2017. Lucas specializes in choral music performance and is an active member of the Opera Philadelphia Chorus, EXIGENCE (Sphinx Organization), Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia (Lead Section Leader & Senior Vocal Artist), Philadelphia Symphonic Chorus, Convoco (founding member), Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble (founding member & Chorus Manager), The Same Stream (founding member), and the Delaware Choral Scholars. In 2024, Lucas joined the Delaware Choral Scholars at the Auckland World Choir Games, where they earned four gold medals and ranked #1 in the INTERKULTUR World Choir Rankings. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from Westminster Choir College in 2014. Lucas is committed to providing under-represented youth access to equitable music education and mentorship, as well as fighting for the dignity, respect, and fair working conditions of professional choral musicians.

Jonathan Hartwell, a choral enthusiast since 2012, refined his musical skills at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Demonstrating versatility, he has contributed to exceptional choirs like The Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, New York Philharmonic Choir, Princeton Pro Musica, Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble, the Philadelphia Chorale, Convoco, and Chanticleer.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has graced renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Marian Anderson Hall, the Emperor’s Palace in Beijing, China, and Santa Maria de Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain. He has appeared as a featured soloist in Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. Jonathan brings extensive performance experience, a passion for choral music, and a diverse repertoire that encompasses major works like Bach’s St. John Passion and B Minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’ Requiem, and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor.

Jonathan is a graduate of the Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey.

Scott Purcell (he/him), a baritone and Westville, NJ native, is recognized for his strong voice, receiving praise from the National Opera Association and Broadway World. Since joining ArtSmart in 2018, Scott has focused on helping students develop a love for music and achieve personal fulfillment through singing. His performance credits include multiple portrayals of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia at Annapolis Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Opera Louisiane, and Druid City Opera. Scott is also an accomplished interpreter of new works, including the title role in the world premiere of Evan Mack’s Roscoe at Seagle Music Colony, and Glory Denied by Cipullo at Tri-Cities Opera. He can also be heard on the live recording of Blitzstein’s The Cradle Will Rock with Opera Saratoga and Bridge Records. Scott holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Louisiana State University and serves as an Artist Affiliate at Lehigh University.

John Viscardi is an operatic tenor and non-profit leader. Motivated by a profound belief in the power of music to transform lives and uplift societies, Mr. Viscardi serves as the Managing Director of ArtSmart and Executive Director of Classic Lyric Arts, a non-profit organization that provides training programs for pre-professional classical singers and pianists. As a performer, Mr. Viscardi is sought after globally for his interpretation of music that spans multiple genres, having appeared in both recital and concert at venues that include Carnegie Hall (New York), Geffen Hall (New York), Tokyo Opera City (Tokyo), Verizon Hall (Philadelphia) and Avery Fisher Hall (New York). Mr. Viscardi serves on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and is an Artist Fellow with the Philadelphia Center of Psychoanalysis. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Fine Arts from New York University and is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts. johnviscardi.com