Both lifelong artists, Tess & Chris have had the privilege of living and working as performers and theatre-makers in the Pacific Northwest for many years, proudly performing for myriad professional companies, large-scale events, and private parties throughout their beloved Wood River Valley and beyond. They were among a handful of co-founders of The Liberty Theatre Company in Hailey, ID, and were lucky enough to work together as staff for the company for years, dedicating themselves to building a home for professional theatre arts in Hailey where all could feel welcome and loved.

When not singing, acting, dancing, or making art of some kind, they can both be found spending time together on their ultimate passion - raising their unfathomably cool and kind children, Lachlan & Bronwyn.

And finally the name. The Arken… wha? The Arkentones? Are they, like, from Arkansas or something? No. No they’re not. As massive Tolkien nerds, Tess & Chris let the words of JRR Tolkien inspire the strangest band name this side of Daft Punk and whatever a Goo Goo Doll is. Named after the legendary, multifaceted, and radiant gemstone from The Hobbit, the Arkenstone is known as “the heart of the mountain”, a priceless heirloom that shines with its own inner light and has the power to unite the people of the mountain. As artists hoping to use their vocal tones and instrumental talents to provide a similar light for others and to bring people together, Tess & Chris are proudly known as The Arkentones, a duo dedicated to creating live music from the heart of the mountains.

But that’s a pretty lengthy explanation. You can just say they’re from Arkansas or something.

Tess is one of those lucky few who has been gifted the opportunity to perform onstage since she was a child, whether in plays, musicals, string quartets, choirs, jazz ensembles, orchestras, a capella groups, or anything in between. Her talents and joyous experiences in music and theater have been three decades in the making.

When not in creative mode with the love of her life, Tess joyously spends her time as a bonus mom to Lachlan & Bronwyn, which is quite frankly the greatest gift Chris has ever given her. That, and the trip to Cancun they took last year. That was awesome.

Oh, she also loves hot sauce and watching the show Hot Ones. Her love of The Lord of the Rings can be read about in the above Arkentones paragraph.

She dreams of The Arkentones one day being invited onto Hot Ones to experience the terror of Da Bomb.

A performer since he was small, Chris comes from a family of musicians and actors who were loving enough to support him in all of his artistic endeavors, and sinister enough to actually let him become a penniless performer.

Originally from Oregon, Chris has spent his life honing his skills onstage, graduating with a performing arts degree from Southern Oregon University, and singing, dancing, and acting with a large number of illustrious institutions across the pacific northwest including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Seattle’s 5th Avenue touring company, Company of Fools, and served for years as an artist, co-founder, and Director of Marketing & Community Engagement for The Liberty Theatre Company.

From musician to actor to dancer to singer, Chris plays many parts, but more than any part he plays, he covets most his role as father to his suspiciously cool children, Lachlan & Bronwyn.