Lincoln Continentals Chorus

Jake Bartlett is a 2nd year doctoral student in vocal performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Along with this degree, Mr. Bartlett has also completed an M.M. from UNL in voice performance, as well as a Masters and Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University.

While at the University of Nebraska, Jake has been seen as a lead in many UNL Opera productions such as La Boheme, Cosi Fan Tutte, The Most Happy Fella, Dead Man Walking, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and for three years in the annual Christmas production Amahl and the Night Visitors. Also, Jake has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, and, in 2007, at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera in Waterford, Ireland, where the production of The Most Happy Fella won Best Production. Mr. Bartlett, along with two others, won the festival's award of "Best Choral Ensemble" for their rendition of the three chefs. He has also sung as a guest soloist and section leader for First Plymouth Congregational Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, both in Lincoln.

At Northwest Missouri State University, Mr. Bartlett was involved as an assistant conductor and section leader for the Northwest Tower Choir, the Madraliers, Northwest Celebration, and the University Chorale. Mr. Bartlett has performed as a soloist throughout the United States, including major venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. While in Missouri, Mr. Bartlett also performed as part of the, then named, American Barberboys, now Voices of America, a barbershop chorus out of St. Joseph. He also performed with many barbershop quartets and conducted the Tower Choir and University Chorale mens choirs as a specialty.

Mr. Bartlett is a native of southwest Iowa, where he attended Orient-Macksburg Community School District. He is the son of Ms. Joyce Bartlett of Creston. In his off-time, he enjoys working out, running, watching sports, playing with his cat, Princeton, and spending time with his lovely girlfriend, Lindsay.

Kirk graduated from Blair High School in 2003, having earned a spot in the BHS Hall of Fame for music distinction.

He went on to gratuate Summa Cum Laude from Dana College in Blair, NE in 2008 with a B.S. in Vocal Music Education.

Over the years, he has held several leading roles in College and Community Theatre including Winthrop in The Music Man, Archie Craven in The Secret Garden, Horton the Elephant in Seussical, the Musical, Laurie Laurence in Little Women as well as several other roles in dozens of productions around the area.

During the day you can find Kirk teacing K-8 Music at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Elkhorn, NE.

He also directs the Show Choir Expressions at Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, NE.

In his spare time, Kirk directs two Praise Bands at First Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, plays percussion in the Omaha Symphonic Winds--in its inaugural season--and gives private Voice, Piano, Guitar and Percussion lessons.