About
Fourth Wall Ensemble is a vocal group based in New York City dedicated to storytelling through sound and movement. We bring new works to life, while simultaneously exploring the earliest roots of vocal music.
We are creators and collaborators, producing events encompassing live vocals, storytelling, dance, film, visual arts, and classical music. We are passionate about exploring the fourth wall; the space that exists between artists and audiences.
Artistic and Creative Director
Christopher Allen
Recipient of The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, Christopher Allen is featured in Opera News as “one of the fastest-rising podium stars in North America.” He has led acclaimed performances with the Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Opéra de Montréal, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Wolf Trap Opera (National Symphony Orchestra), Detroit Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Atlanta Opera, OSESP, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Opera House in South Korea and China National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Recognized as a Musical America Artist of the Month and one of their “25 Stars Still Rising,” Allen is also an International Opera Awards nominee. He recently received the Young Alumni Award from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Allen was fostered by Plácido Domingo and James Conlon, who brought him to Los Angeles Opera as Associate Conductor.
Allen’s artistic pursuits extend beyond his role as conductor. He demonstrates his commitment to education through his work with young artists at Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique, Los Angeles Opera, Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Aspen Music Festival and School, New England Conservatory, and A.J. Fletcher Institute at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Allen has been heard on NPR speaking about the importance of the arts in American society. Most recently, as a pianist, he was heard on film in La Voix Humaine starring Patricia Racette, and in Emily, a production he created with Johnathan McCullough that premiered at Opéra de Montréal.
For more information, please visit: http://www.christophergallen.com/
Artistic Administrator
Samuel Rachmuth
A passionate opera enthusiast, Samuel is thrilled to join the Fourth Wall team, where he looks forward to supporting the incredible work done by our exceptional organization. As an emerging artistic administrator, he has gained valuable experience in administrative roles at Étude Arts, Classic Lyric Arts, Ken Benson Artists, and The New School University.
Alongside his administrative career, Samuel is a rising Bass-Baritone with recent performances at Charlottesville Opera, Central City Opera, Sarasota Opera, Bronx Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Teatro Nuovo.
Samuel Rachmuth is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music, where he earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Voice Performance.
With a strong foundation in both performance and administration, Samuel is dedicated to contributing to the vibrant world of classical music.
President of the Board
Janice Willett
Janice Willett is the President of Fourth Wall’s board of directors. She first saw Fourth Wall perform in October 2023 and was instantly smitten by the ensemble’s talent, breadth, and collegiality. When she got home that evening, she found the Fourth Wall website and made a contribution. Over the following months, she became better acquainted with Christopher Allen, who subsequently invited her to join the board and then to serve as President. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to work with the Fourth Wall team and help the ensemble realize its enormous potential.
Janice is a retired finance and editing professional, having worked at The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Journal of Financial Economics, Stern Stewart, Morgan Stanley, and The Boston Consulting Group. She has also served in various leadership roles on a number of nonprofit boards. She notes that her musical background is not distinguished, but she played the trumpet for nine years in school and was third trumpet in the Delft Symphony Orchestra for eighteen months.
Choreographer Movement Coach
Andrea Beasom
Hailed as “Visually Stimulating” by OperaWire, “Ethereal and Intimate” by Broadway World, and “Sexy” by the LA Times, Andrea Beasom's work has graced the stages of opera houses nationwide. Her direction and award winning choreography has been seen at the Washington National Opera, The Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Atlanta Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera San Antonio, The Glimmerglass Festival, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Bard Summerscape. Andrea has collaborated closely with luminaries such as renowned opera director and artistic director of the Washington National Opera, Francesca Zambello, as well as other celebrated directors. She has worked alongside Tony & Olivier Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, Tony Award-winning director Warren Carlyle, American theater director Anne Bogart, and worked closely with A-list artists like Plácido Domingo, Reneé Fleming, Kelsey Grammer, Christine Ebersole, and many other remarkable talents. In addition to her work as a choreographer, Andrea Beasom has captivated audiences as both a professional singer and dancer. Throughout her multifaceted career, she has performed at the Royal Opera House of Muscat, The Kennedy Center, Hawaii Opera Theater, Off-Broadway at New York City Center, Los Angeles Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Glimmerglass Festival, and the Dallas Opera. She has also danced professionally with Alonzo King's Lines Ballet Studio, Pasadena Dance Theater, in numerous commercial industrials for Sony, Puma, Moncler, Microsoft and in the film The One That I Want. Andrea holds a B.M. in operatic vocal performance from Mannes School of Music.
For more information, please visit: www.andreabeasom.com
Board
Joan Beal
Jessica Blair
Charles Freyer
Mercedes Florencia Garrido
Dr. Evan Kory
Christopher Allen
Janice Willett
Artistic Manager - Ina Ubaite, Arabella Arts | Ina@arabella-arts.com
