Brandon Hornsby-Selvin, tenor; Kiena Williams, soprano; Adam Podd, piano.
Brandon Hornsby-Selvin has appeared at Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, and with the Metropolitan Opera. Kiena Williams has collaborated with the New York Philharmonic, appeared with the Bard Festival Chorale at Carnegie Hall, and was featured in the Metropolitan Opera Laffront Competition. Adam Podd is a New York based pianist, organist, bassist, and composer who has worked with the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, New York Pops, Houston Symphony, and appeared at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Apollo Theater.
A Downtown Music debut presented in partnership with Young Musicians of Westchester: Learn more at YoungMusiciansofWestchester.org
Brooklyn native Kiena Williams is a dynamic soprano acclaimed for the “thrilling” passion (OperaWire), rich vocal color, and heartfelt interpretations she brings to every performance. A versatile artist, Kiena has captivated audiences domestically and internationally as a featured soloist, chorister, and recording artist, seamlessly navigating opera, concert works, and contemporary collaborations.
Kiena’s artistry has graced numerous prestigious stages and projects. Recent highlights showcase her expansive range and compelling stage presence, including featured soloist roles in Arreon Emerson Harley’s Elevation and Tyrone Clinton’s Unsung Collective in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic. She has also been a featured soloist in the "Naturaleza" Choral Festival in Ushuaia, Argentina with the Essence of Joy Alumni Singers, and performed in Daphne with the Bard Festival Chorale at Carnegie Hall. Her operatic engagements include roles and covers in OnSite Opera’s Il Tabarro (Giorgetta Cover, Ensemble), Teatro Grattacielo’s L’amico Fritz (Caterina, Suzel Cover), and Mannes Opera’s production of Grace McLean’s In the Green (Hildegard Mouth).
A sought-after collaborator, Kiena was part of Daniel Fish’s bold new creation, Most Happy in Concert at the Williamstown Theater Festival. Her talent has been recognized in competitions such as the Elizabeth Greenfield Award Competition (James Toland Vocal Arts - Finalist) and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (New York District Round). Further credits include work as a Vocal Apprentice at the National Music Festival, a 2021-22 Young Artist with Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy, performances in Opera NexGen’s Cosi Fan Tutte (Fiordiligi Cover), and contributions to Liam Forde's album Great to Be Here and Ana Egge's 2024 album Sharing in the Spirit. She is also frequently featured at weekly services at First U Brooklyn.
Kiena Williams is a proud alumna of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and The Pennsylvania State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music. Her dedication to her craft continues to propel her as a significant voice in the new generation of artists.
Brandon Hornsby-Selvin is a tenor, violist, educator, and healer born and based in New York City. Combining idealism and empathy, Brandon draws from this background to cultivate and connect communities, as well as finding ways to reconcile our past with that of a rapidly changing modern world. A musician since early childhood, he grew up in a musical household and studied voice and viola performance throughout school, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree. Since then, he has performed at many of the finest performance halls in the country, such as Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera. These experiences taught him the power of arts engagement, particularly of young people. and especially among demographics that receive limited exposure. This has also led to his work curating with the Brooklyn-based community-building arts initiative, HigherSelf. There, he worked alongside a team of creatives cultivating art spaces for communities of color featuring local artists as well as artists from around the nation. An advocate against all systems of oppression, his priority is the healing and sustenance of those with little to no voice or platform. When not performing and planning for a better world, he spends his time writing and practicing holistic medicine and herbalism.
Adam Podd is a Vermont-bred, Brooklyn-based music director, pianist, organist, bassist, composer and arranger. He has worked with some of the top artists and organizations in his field including National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, New York Pops, Houston Symphony, Cynthia Erivo, Ingrid Michaelson, Zedd, Idina Menzel, Heather Headley, Macy's Entertainment, Vancouver Youth Choir, the Young People's Chorus of New York City, and others in such venues as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Apollo Theater, United Palace, New World Stages, and others.
As a choral composer, Adam works closely with his brother Matt (as Podd Brothers Music) writing and publishing music for choirs of all shapes and sizes. Most of their pieces are either self-published, or published by Hal Leonard in their “Podd Brothers Choral Series.” Their works have been performed around the world, and sung by ensembles ranging from small church choirs, to huge festival choirs and everything in between. The Podd Brothers catalog is widely known and recognized for its blend of musical accessibility and depth — appealing to developing choirs as well as professional ensembles.
As an instrumentalist, Adam specializes in blues, jazz, gospel, and Americana music. He plays regularly in NYC with his twin brother Matt, and their jazz and blues band Mimi and the Podd Brothers (mimijazz.com). Adam is currently Music Director and choir director at First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, NY. He studied classical and jazz piano, organ, orchestration, conducting, and music production at The Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT where he received his Bachelors of Music.