playbill vip

    This summer will be the first time in 56 years that neither Jerauld J. Reinhart or Trish Hales were with us to help get this production ready.  Jerauld Reinhart passed away in 2014 and Trish Hales took the bull by the horns, taking over the musical direction and conducting the orchestra. Trish has been a part of RSMT since the 70s, both on stage and in the pit.  Trish was also known to come in and paint a set or sew a few costumes.  She was an amazing asset to RSMT.  Trish passed away this past year and left another giant hole in the RSMT heart and soul.  She left big shoes to fill and a work ethic most people can only wish for.  Her invaluable vocal coaching will be sorely missed as will her opinions, critiques, and input. We hope this production of LITTLE MERMAID will make her and Jerry proud as they watch together from above. This year's production is dedicated to Ms. Hales in honor of her many years of selfless service and her part of making RSMT what it is today.

     Trisha was born and raised in Gary, Indiana where she was raised in a musical household. Her mother was a nurse who sang in choirs all her life and her father, a gas serviceman for NIPSCO, played the flute and piccolo in the Northwest Indiana Symphony, U.S. Steel Carillo band, and many other professional musical organizations in NW Indiana. Piano lessons were begun in third grade and voice lessons in ninth grade. Upon graduation from Calumet High School in 1973, she auditioned for and was accepted to Indiana University School of Music where she studied with the late opera star Eileen Farrell. While at I.U., she had the privilege of appearing in the world premiere performance of John Eaton’s opera Danton and Robespierre as well as premiering the song cycle Songs for Patricia written by Alec Wilder. She graduated with High Honors in 1977 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and received her Masters in 1978 in Vocal Pedagogy.