George Dyer soared into the music world in 1996, making his professional debut to rave reviews with the New York City Opera as Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore at the Lincoln Center in New York City. He has since performed extensively to wide acclaim in prestigious opera houses and concert halls across North America and in many countries throughout the world. Mr. Dyer has been a guest soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on numerous occasions, including a 2005 worldwide broadcast to over 63 countries, translated in over 75 languages. He has been a district finalist in the Metropolitan Opera auditions and a national finalist in the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program auditions, and a world-wide finalist in the prestigious Marion Anderson Vocal Competition. Reviewers, announcers and fans alike regularly mention his engaging stage presence, and his beautiful lyric tenor voice, frequently described as “powerful”, “rich”, “clear”, “silken” and “gorgeous”, with “soaring” high notes.
His operatic prowess notwithstanding, Mr. Dyer is a gifted performer of musical theater; he has enchanted countless audiences in the United States and Europe with solo concerts that feature a delightful mix of opera and Broadway favorites.
In the fall of 2009, “The George Dyer Show” opened in Branson, Missouri at the Dutton Family Theater. In 2010 it was nominated for 11 Show Awards including “Best New Show” and he was awarded “Male Vocalist of the Year” (bransoncritic.com) and “Best Male Vocalist” (bransonshowawards.com).
Upcoming engagements include performances of Lex de Azevedo’s Christmas oratorio “Gloria: The Life of Christ, part 1” in the Historic Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale with Hawaii Opera Theater, as well his extensive performance schedule of “The George Dyer Show” in Branson, Missouri and tour dates throughout the United States. For more information, go to www.georgedyer.com to see a complete schedule of his upcoming performances.
He has toured as a featured soloist with composers Kurt Bestor and Lex de Azevedo, performing throughout the United States, in Europe and in Israel. Other engagements include a solo recital for the Temple Square Concert Series in Salt Lake City, tenor soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the world premiere of Manooken’s “Lazarus”, as the Innkeeper in Michael McLean’s “Forgotten Carols”, and with Ballet West for their production of Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Stavinsky’s “Pulcinella”.
Mr. Dyer was named “Best Male Recording Artist” of the year in 2001, 2004 and 2006 by the FCMA (Faith Centered Music Association.) He has released three solo recordings on the Shadow Mountain Label: “Wondrous Love”, “Then Sings My Soul”, and “A New Song”, all of which have received numerous accolades and awards, including several Pearl Awards.
Mr. Dyer filmed two live made-for-TV concerts in Jerusalem for acclaimed composer Lex de Azevedo’s Oratorios entitled “Gloria: The Life of Christ-part 1″ and “Hosanna: The Life of Christ-part 3″. He made his film acting debut in 2006 in two Lightstone Studios musicals in the “Liken the Scriptures” video series: as King Darius in “Daniel and the Lions” and as the wicked Chancellor Nimrod and the heartless Superintendent Dormin in “Samuel the Lamanite”, broadcast worldwide on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and BYU TV, respectively.
2008 marked Mr. Dyer’s highly successful directorial debut of the stage production “Power in His Touch”, a Christian musical by Colette Call, which drew record crowds. His success as a director added yet another dimension to his resume of accomplishments.
A native of Roanoke, Virginia and a devoted family man, George currently lives in Branson, Missouri with his wife Clarisse and their four children.
Norman Bergen (Pianist-Conductor)
Mr. Bergen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theory and a Master’s in Education from the acclaimed Manhattan School of Music. Norman has conducted orchestras for Debbie Reynolds, Robert (Benson) Guillaume, Juliet Prowse, and Tony Orlando, and is the longest-running musical director on Broadway with more than 3,500 performances of “Oh! Calcutta!”. He appeared on stage for many years as a member of legendary vocal group and band The Tokens (“Lion Sleeps Tonight”), and has performed in Carnegie Hall three times, one of those under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. Bergen’s music has been responsible for millions of recordings sold with artists as diverse as Tom Jones, Wyclef Jean, and Snoop Dogg. His composition “Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart” is a standard throughout the world, now with more than 70 versions in 5 languages. In the recording studio, Norman has worked with an extensive list of performers including Gloria Gaynor, Trini Lopez, and Meat Loaf, and he wrote the musical arrangements for the #1 classics “Candida” and “Knock Three Times”. Norman Bergen recently released his first CD as featured artist – “Symphony of Love”, recorded in London, featuring Nick Lowe and members of Van Morrison’s band, and is currently composing, arranging, and producing music for performers worldwide.
Robert “Bogie” Bohinic – Lead Guitar
Robert “Bogie” Bohinc is a very accomplished guitarist who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked with Jazz Saxophonist Joe Lovano and studied with Guitarists Kenny Burrell and Pat Martino. He moved to Los Angeles where he lived for 20 years during which time he did studio work and was a so-called “Road Rat” working with various performers mainly in Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, and Atlantic City. In 1993 he moved to Branson, Missouri and became Guitarist and Musical Director for various production shows. Bogie has worked for Andy Williams, Ann Margret ,Tony Orlando,”The Ragin’ Cajun Doug Kershaw. STAR SEARCH WINNER Jake Simpson, Petula Clark and the list goes on”. He also appeared for 5 years at Branson’s only 5 star hotel “Chateau On The Lake” with his jazz trio on Saturday nights.
Marcus Willett – Bass Guitar
Marcus Willett is a professional bassist that has been performing since his teens. Cutting his teeth in the pop/ jazz genre, he recorded his first album on the Big World label with the world-renowned steel player Othello Molineaux. He has performed throughout the world as a bassist and vocalist, performing in England, Finland, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil and many other engagements abroad. Marcus was the Music Director and house bassist for the world famous Las Vegas based “Legends in Concert” tribute show for over 8 years. He was also house bassist with the international star Andy Williams, both at his theatre in Branson, and many domestic and international tours from 2005-2009. Most recently, Marcus was bassist and Musical Director for the “Tony Roi Elvis Experience” production at the Americana Theater in Branson.
Mike Lacy
For the past 20 years, Mike Lacy has toured the world and backed up some of the legendary names in music – Glen Campbell, Debbie Boone, Peaches and Herb, Mickey Gilley, and B. J. Thomas, to name a few. Currently Mike performs in Branson, Missouri with Andy Williams, Ann Margaret, and the Lennon Sisters.
After spending years on the road working in clubs, hotels, casinos, and cruise ships, Mike moved to Branson in 1998 and laid roots. Today, he is highly sought after for performing, recording, and touring. Recent TV credits include Marvin Hamlisch Presents The Way We Were (PBS) and Knuckleheads hosted by Jim Stafford (RFD-TV).
Mike’s expressive and diverse drumming is built on a solid foundation of knowledge and respect for music. Born in Madisonville, Kentucky, Mike started playing drums at the age of 11. During his early years, he received many awards for outstanding performances in his school’s concert and jazz bands. At age 16, Mike recorded his first album with Tommy Newsome, Joe Kennedy, and the Kentucky All-State Jazz Orchestra.
After high school, Mike studied jazz at the University of North Texas. Among his teachers were Colin Bailey, Henry Okstel and Randy Drake. Two years later, he accepted a jazz scholarship from the University of Kentucky. Mike chaired the award-winning UK Jazz I Ensemble while studying with James Campbell, Vince DiMartino, and Miles Osland. Mike has been fortunate to be able to work with a number of renowned artists, including Doc Severinson, Mose Allison, Bob Mintzer and Chris Vadala.
Mike is endorsed by Aquarian Percussion.
Wayne Leavitt – Keyboard
Wayne grew up with a love of music, playing the piano in church from a very early age. His early teacher was his older sister, Linda, and he later music studied at Mesa College and Arizona State University. In 1982, he was one of six members chosen to participate in the musical variety group “Festival de Musica” which toured parts of South America. In the late 80′s and early 90′s, he was the principal keyboardist for “Pavlov’s Dog” and “Kilgore Trout”. He has been playing piano and keyboards ever since. Wayne and his wife, Charlys, have 5 children and is now living in Branson, Missouri playing for and co-producing “The George Dyer Show”.
