Meet the men of OutLoud! – the twelve man ensemble of Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus!

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Nathan Croner began singing with the Chorus in 2010 for the ExtrABBAganza concert and has thoroughly enjoyed singing with his gay brothers!  He began his musical journey singing in the church choir and continued on through school choruses and a vocal performance degree at the University of Kansas.  Nathan spent several years in NYC where he performed in several Off-Broadway productions and regional theatre companies. He has toured throughout the US and Canada with Brigadoon and Camelot.  Most recently Nathan has appeared in nine productions with Bloomington Civic Theatre.  While not singing up a storm, Nathan is back in school working on a counseling degree.  Much love to Mom and Ed for their continued support!  Singing with my honey and the OutLoud! men has been an incredible experience.

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Rob DuBois is thrilled to be performing in his second show with OutLoud! This is his third year as a member of TCGMC, for which he currently serves as Section Leader for the basses. Rob studied Theatre at UMD, and has acted in several shows (such as Into the Woods and Hamlet) and directed several others (most recently, The Diviners and Guys and Dolls). Now he teaches English and coaches Speech at St. Anthony Village High School. He’s proud to be out at his school…as a nerd. And also, a gay. Much love to Mom, Dad, his loving and supportive family and friends, and his brothers in the chorus.

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Scott Dutton has played a blonde Puerto Rican in West Side Story, a 7 foot tall horse in Equus, a man made of Tin with no heart in The Wizard of Oz, Teddy “Roosevelt” Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace and several others.  After a long hiatus, Scott thought he would throw it all out there (or was that just his knees?) and get back into the world of theater and music.  Recently he was cast as Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Jim in Pump Boys and Dinettes before joining TCGMC. He would like to thank Bobby and all the boys from OutLoud! for making it look so fun and easy and for all their hard work and dedication.

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Josh Grant has been singing with TCGMC since 2005 and with Outloud! since 2006. He got his musical start in high school when one of his friends encouraged him to audition for Guys and Dolls. He went to Purdue University where he performed in Express, a 16 member vocal jazz ensemble. Josh will really miss the chorus as he will spend the next two years in Toronto, ON for an expat assignment with Target. He would like to thank his partner Casey, pit bull Ella, twin brother Justin, and all of his friends for their unwavering support! Also, thanks to Bobby, Tim and all the men of OutLoud! for putting up with his never-ending sarcasm at rehearsal every week! He’d also like to thank Stan for all the music over the last 7 years!

Erik Hamberg has been singing with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus on and off since 1990.  He also sang with the San Diego Men’s Chorus while living in San Diego.  He is so grateful to the men of the Chorus for giving him so much over the years.  And, Mom?  Thanks for all the music in my life while growing up!

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Matthew Hoppe started singing with the Chorus in 2003.  He took a little break and served in Iraq for 15 months and did some schooling.  He is now back singing with his brothers again.  He is very grateful for his friends and family for supporting him and getting him where he is today. He would like to give a special thank you to Titi, Isha, Tootie, and Empress for being such a huge part of his life and supporting him in his ventures. Love You all…

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Dan Lekatz This is Dan’s 9^th season with the Chorus and his 4^th year in OutLoud! He’s also looking forward to attending his 3^rd trip to the GALA Festival this year.   Dan started singing in the Chorus as a way to meet other gay guys—little did he know this gig was going to turn into his pro bono part-time job!  For his “real job” Dan works as a Technology Infrastructure Manager for Anoka County.  Dan’s convinced he’s the only gay person north of 694 during daytime hours.  Dan wishes to thank Bobby for the opportunity to once again be part of this great group of guys and thanks his parents and friends for the endless encouragement and support with his musical ventures.

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Eric J. McCool is in his second season with OutLoud! and the chorus. A Twin Cities transplant, Eric graduated from Luther College where he sang in the internationally renowned Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble. He went on to receive his J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he found his stress relief as a member of the Michigan State Singers.  As a licensed attorney, he continues to “take advantage” of the stress relief afforded by his time with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus community. Eric owes a debt of gratitude to his family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show!

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Robbie McNamee is in his second year with Outloud! and TCGMC. Having studied the performing arts at the University of Minnesota, Robbie has performed in many theatrical productions throughout the Twin Cities. Some favorite credits include 42nd Street at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, La Cage Aux Folles at Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Rocky Horror Show Live! with SLTC, and Urinetown with BCT. Robbie recently redirected his focus towards working in the corporate world at a financial institution in downtown Minneapolis, so Outloud! and TCGMC are the beyond-perfect ways for him to scratch that performing itch that he suspects will never go away. He gives thanks to his family, friends, and newly adopted chorine brothers for all of their amazing support and love!

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Ryan Rollinson Since he was a child, Ryan has been “a bit theatrical,” to put it euphemistically. However, he channeled that energy into the technical aspects of the stage when he realized that acting would not save him from starvation. As a stage management major at the University of Southern California, he watched wistfully as his classmates honed their talents on the stage. However, joining TCGMC and OutLoud! has given him the opportunity to let his inner theatre queen sing out. Ryan would like to thank Bobby Schlidt and the men of OutLoud! for their support and encouragement.

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Mike Stebnitz is a realtor with Keller Williams and KWCommercial.  He is also heavily involved in the redevelopment of key Minneapolis neighborhood nodes.  In addition to performing with the Chorus and Outloud!, Mike also writes music, particularly for piano/voice.  He loves dancing and will say a small prayer in the hope that he will not mess up his choreography tonight.

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Sean Patrick Sweeney has been singing with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus for over seven years and a member of OutLoud! for five years.  When not rehearsing with the guys, he is either at work (Target), working out at (YMCA), catching up on Netflix (Downton Abbey) or enjoying his new home with Andrew (Tangletown). Sean wants to thank all of the guys for another great year and for the friendships that continue to be built with this fabulous group of guys. In closing, Sean wants to give a heartfelt farewell to both Josh Grant who is going to Canada for a while and especially to Dr. Stan Hill, who’s support of this group over the years has made it the success that it is.  Stan, you are truly going to be missed by us all!

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OutLoud! will be performing “Forces of Nature” at the Ritz Theater on May 11 – 12, 2012.

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Photography by Paul Nixdorf.