Bass
Ryan Downs
Baritone
Ryan studied chemical engineering at Tennessee Tech. While attending college he was part of the Tech Chorale for four years and also sang in the men’s a cappella group "Mentonation". He now works as a process engineer for Audubon Companies, his main hobbies are rock climbing and board games, and he is a father to two boys.
Rama Kumaran
Baritone
Bio Forthcoming
Tal Benatar
Director of Branding | Bass
Tal Benatar is a conductor and singer, and in addition to his role with SONUS, currently serves as the Conducting Fellow of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Recently, Tal earned a place in the semifinals at the Kodály International Music Competition in Debrecen, Hungary, and in early 2023, he was the competition winner the International Conductor's Workshop & Competition in Atlanta, GA.
He earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts and Master of Music in Orchestral conducting at the University of Michigan, Tal is an experienced opera and choral conductor, and served Music Director of the Life Sciences Orchestra and Michigan Pops Orchestra.
Tal is an avid weightlifter, cook, mixologist, and sports fan.
Benton Quarles
Bass | Section Leader
Benton has been an a capella bass since 2013, when he began singing with the Trevecca Madrigalians. Since then, he's performed with Sonus at venues ranging from the Ryman to the Lincoln Memorial, been employed at the Cathedral of the Incarnation as a staff singer, joined members of Sonus and the Louisville Orchestra in a debut folk opera, and has looked forward to reliably singing C2 as his voice matures. Benton is very excited about the 10th anniversary of SONUS, and hopes you enjoy this season as much as he has.
