STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Leslie and John Mauldin left their childhood home in Jerome to study opera. But on Saturday, Dec. 14, the two will blend their voices and bust some dance moves to “Jingle Bell Rock!” as they take the stage at The Argyros for a festive family Christmas celebration hosted by Sun Valley Opera and Broadway.
“We’re going to have so much fun,” said Leslie Mauldin. “All the recognizable holiday favorites. A little bit of dancing, a little bit of fun. And an arrangement of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ that will be fun.”
Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, for a pre-concert party with carolers and Santa. There will be an Ugly Sweater Parade and Contest, and complimentary holiday cookies, cocoa, wine and other snacks in the event. The Village Market is donating the food and beverages.
The formal concert will begin promptly at 4 p.m. and run an hour, ending at 5 to let people attend Sun Valley Resort’s Christmas Tree Lighting, which begins with caroling at 5:30 p.m.
This is Sun Valley Opera and Broadway’s second annual Festive Holiday Concert. Last year’s was airy and fun with both children and adults enjoying me-time with Santa while Colla Voce and others sang Christmas carols and everyone enjoyed Christmas cookies and beverages.
Heidi Bates, the granddaughter of actress Ann Sothern and lead vocalist for all Night Diner, was the main attraction.
This year John Leslie Mauldin will be accompanied by Sean Rogers, who plays piano for most of Sun Valley Opera and Broadway’s performances. Melodie Taylor-Mauldin created the choreography and will narrate parts of the concert. She will also join the Mauldin siblings for a couple of numbers requiring a trio.
“We’ll have one short operatic section, which Sean and I have arranged--a mashup of two pieces we’re known for doing,” said Leslie Mauldin. “We’ll sing some classical favorites through a jazz lens. We’ll sing songs like ‘Silent Night.’ And we’ll sing about three minutes of ‘Messiah,’ switching roles so that John will sing some of my lines while I sing some of his.’ ”
The Mauldin siblings were exposed to music from the cradle, thanks to a father who was a folk singer, guitarist and opera lover and a mother, who was a pianist that sang the Andrews Sisters-type harmonies with her sisters.
“We’d grew up with music all around—jazz, folk, pop, blues, opera—and weld do fair shows in the summer,” said Leslie.
Leslie Mauldin studied opera in Europe and Spin before singing professionally with regional companies.
“I did all the dying divas,” she said. “I sang in places like Seattle, and I sang in Europe, as well.”
John, a tenor, studied opera at Arizona State University, the University of Utah and Utah State University before going on to appear as a soloist with such organizations as the Honolulu Symphony and the Phoenix Bach Choir and snaring roles in “La Traviata” and other operas. He came to Sun Valley as the resort’s entertainment director and now serves as director of Chorale Activities at Wood River High School and Middle School, as well as the Vocal Department Head for the Sun Valley Music Festival Music Institute.
Several years ago, he joined forces with his sister and friend Jed Moss to create Avenue B, which released an album of classical, pop. Broadway and folk music, including original compositions and arrangements. But the group dissolved with Moss died of cancer.
“I love working with my brother,” said Leslie. “Our voices come from the same recipe so there’s a natural cohesiveness, the way the voices blend. And because we grew up making music together, the phrasing feels like a favorite glove. It’s just so natural and easy.”
Tickets to Saturday’s holiday concert are available at https://www.sunvalleyopera.com/. Or, call 818-577-7811.
SIP AND SHOP TO BENEFIT THE OPERA
Robyn Watson, the executive director of Sun Valley Opera and Broadway, will host a festive days of sips and holiday shopping at J.McLaughlin dress shop from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. The dress shop will donate 15 percent of sales during that time to Sun Valley Opera and Broadway.
J.McLaughlin is located catty-corner from Atkinsons Market at 520 E. 4th St. in Ketchum. Questions? Call 208-471-5387.