TSO 2022 Program

Ben Appling - Guitar

Ben and Barbara Appling have attended North Metro Baptist Church since 2004, and Ben has played guitar in the worship orchestra since 2005. We are thankful for our church family, and I am blessed to have been a part of our TSO team since our first production in 2008.

Cheri Ashburn - Vocalist, Stage Director

Cheri is thankful to be a part of the North Metro TSO adventure with husband Mike! They have been at North Metro for 30 years, both a part of the music ministry since the very beginning. They have 1 son, Evan, who is 23.

Mike Ashburn - Drums, Producer, Musical Director

Mike serves as the Associate for Music Ministries here at North Metro, where he is celebrating his 30th year of service as the drummer.  Husband to Cheri, and dad to Evan, he is thrilled to be a part of North Metro’s “Music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra” program!

Brooke Blackwell - Vocals

Brooke is so excited to be joining this amazing group of people in performing the music of the TSO! She is currently a senior at Brenau University set to graduate with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of her favorite theatre credits include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Gainesville Theatre Alliance) and Katherine Plumber in Newsies (The Holly Theatre). She also portrays Young Taylor in the faith-based film: Most Wonderful Time. Up next she will play Jen in Gainesville Theatre Alliance's production of John and Jen. For more, check out her YouTube channel: Brooke Blackwell or her IMDb page: imdb.me/brookeblackwell ~ Enjoy the show!

Brent & Julie Bowman - Bass, Vocalist

Julie and Brent have been members of North Metro Baptist Church since 2013 and they serve on praise team/band, choir and orchestra.  We are the proud parents  of 2 wonderful children - Christian and Allie. We love the outdoors - hiking, camping, kayaking and the beach.  1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Terry Chism - Vocals

Terry has performed with the North Metro TSO Experience for the last 5 years.  Terry is a singer/keyboardist/songwriter who has performed all over the country.  He has led worship at several Metro Atlanta churches and currently plays in the 80's MTV-styled band, The Guardians of the Jukebox.  He is a native of the metro Atlanta area and currently lives in Canton, GA.  He would like to thank everyone involved with the TSO Experience for making this one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

Jonathan Hinds - Guitar

Jonathan is extremely honored to be joining Mike and all of the talented musicians and wonderful people involved with this year's "Music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra" program at North Metro. Jonathan has played guitar for the power metal band Theocracy for the past 16 years and the band is currently finalizing label negotiations for their fifth studio album release next year. Outside of music, his regular day-to-day work involves him overseeing the accounting functions as the VP-Controller at LakePoint Sports, a youth sporting complex located in Emerson.  

Amos Rice - Narrator

Amos is a Administrative Assistant in the Superintendent's office for Gwinnett County Public Schools. Before that, he was with Chick-fil-A, Inc. as Senior Buyer for 18 years. Father of 3 daughters and a son (two are married) and grew up in a family of 10 in Indiana. He is excited to be part of such a wonderful performance and work with North Metro Baptist Church.

Teresa Riggins - Vocalist

Teresa has sung as a soloist, alto ensemble member, praise team and choir member for more years than she cares to admit! Her first love is Jesus, followed by husband, Mike, and 4 children: Heather & son-in-law Tim, and Mark & daughter-in-law Celia. She considers it a blast to be a part of the Music of the TSO at North Metro!

Danny Salazar - Percussion

Danny joined North Metro in 2010. He has been a member of the North Metro orchestra since 2011, playing keyboards and percussion. Danny joined North Metro TSO band in 2018. Danny also serves in the deacon body at North Metro. Married to Leslie Salazar with daughter Bianca and son Anthony. No words can describe the excitement of being a part of this amazing production!

Bryant Smith - Vocalist

Bryant could not be more excited to be back at North Metro with the TSO show.  Having spent several years in New York as a professional actor, Bryant is happy to be back in his home state of Georgia.  Professional theatrical credits include:  Les Miserables (Jean Valjean), Ragtime (Father), Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Valentin), Oklahoma (Jud), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence Jameson), Anne Get Your Gun (Frank Butler), Kiss Me Kate (Fred Graham), and A Little Princess (Captain Crewes).  BA – Mercer University, MFA – University of Florida.  All my love to my wife, Ashley.  1 Peter 5:6

Owen Smith - Keyboards

Owen has attended North Metro Baptist Church along with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Clara, since Christmas Eve of 2018. He is thankful to be a part of the TSO team and author of the shortest bio.

Chuck Sullivan - Vocalist

Singer, worship leader, songwriter, leader/coach, husband, father and grandfather. Chuck’s been in ministry 30+ years singing for presidents and pastors, leading worship all over the world and as consultant and leader to many churches seeking to transition their worship ministries. Chuck Sullivan is the Worship Pastor at North Metro and he and his wife Jennifer are part of this vibrant faith community.

Tim Tice - Vocalist

Tim is honored to be performing with this incredibly talented group. Born and raised in Atlanta, he is no stranger to music. Tim has been blessed to travel and perform with over 100 bands throughout his career, and is honored to have won first place in the nationally televised "Nashville, Be a Star" competition. A man of strong faith, Tim finds great fulfillment in being a vessel for God's music, and gives thanks to Him for his wonderful opportunity. Although you'll see several different sides of Tim on stage, his favorite roles are that of husband to Vickie, father to Stephanie and Jeremie, and pop pop to Kendal, Khoen, and Trenton.

David Truax - Guitar, Vocalist

David has been playing guitar for around 42 years and has done everything from touring to recording with bands and several projects including session work as well. He loves to listen to and play all styles of music. He most recently played in a local band called Local Tourists. He counts being involved with TSO at North Metro since 2014 to be among his favorite and most rewarding of the musical projects he has done . He has known Mike Ashburn for nearly 32 years when they  first met and played in a band together in their 20’s( read we are old! ) He is thrilled to be part of the TSO program again this year and to be playing it along side of Mike after all these years as friends .

Katie Wyatt - Piano

This is Katie's first year with North Metro's "Music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra." Katie is the Choral Director at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, and she also serves in the music ministry here at North Metro. She is wife to Josh and mom to Cooper, Oliver, and Ethan, and is grateful to them for their enthusiastic support in this project!