LANCASTER CHORALE SINGERS
Paige Addis
Paige, a member of Chorale since 1994, studied voice at Ohio State University, and while there, performed with Robert Shaw in his performance of the Brahms Requiem. She has performed with several area choirs, including Columbus Symphony Chorus. Paige lives in Dublin with her husband Alan and son Jacob.
Margaret Bradshaw
Margaret Bradshaw is a graduate of Valparaiso University, with a double major in Music and Television-Radio Communications. Margaret works at Jones Middle School, and is the soprano section leader at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upper Arlington. This is her sixth season with Chorale.
Andrew Brown
Andrew Brown is an elementary music educator in the Olentangy Local Schools where he teaches general music and beginning strings. He is also artistic director of the Lancaster-Fairfield Youth Choir. In addition to earning the BME and MM from Capital University, Andrew also studied at the Hochschule for Musik in Dresden, Germany and the Kodaly Institute in Kesckemet, Hungary.
Larry Brown
Larry Brown, an ordained pastor serving Powell United Methodist Church, is pleased to rejoin Lancaster Chorale after a year away. Prior to his seminary education, Larry received a Bachelor of Music Education from Otterbein University, where he majored in voice. He enjoys singing all kinds of music, plays the guitar, and appreciates the blending of music and ministry. Larry is married to Kelly and they have three grown children. The Browns reside in Lewis Center, Ohio.
Sheila Cafmeyer
Sheila Cafmeyer is returning for her eleventh season with the Lancaster Chorale. Having earned her Masters in Music Education from Capital University, Sheila taught at Bishop Hartley High School, directing its choral program and musical productions, for the last nine years. She has served as clinician and conductor for the Diocesan Honor Choir of Columbus during Catholic Schools Week since 2008. As actor and director, Sheila has participated in local theater productions with Columbus Light Opera, Licking County Players, and Worthington Community Theater. Sheila offers private voice lessons year-round and free-lances as a professional wedding vocalist.
Heather Chute
Heather Chute earned her BME from Capital University where she is pursuing her Masters in Music Education. In 2002 she was part of the European tour to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic with Chapel Choir. Heather also sings with Columbus Bach Ensemble, CU Choral Union and is alto section leader at St. Mark's Episcopal choir in Upper Arlington. Heather is in her eighth year as choral director at Hamilton Local schools.
Melody Shontz Culbert
Melody is in her sixteenth season with Chorale. While earning her B.A. from The Ohio State University, Melody performed with Symphonic Choir and Chorale. During that time she performed with the Chorale on the Telarc recording of Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw; also in the premier performance of Rutter’s ‘Magnificat’ conducted by John Rutter. While working with conductor Dwayne Condon, Melody has traveled to Los Angeles and New York City performing such major works as the Durufle Requiem, Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and was featured in the ABC network’s televised Christmas Eve Service Angels Sing in 2007. Melody has also recorded backup vocals on children’s CDs for ‘Bill Shontz’ and ‘RosenShontz’ and lives in Reynoldsburg with her husband Tim and their three sons, Harvey, Freddie and Emmett.
Rob Duerr
Rob is a twenty-season veteran of the Chorale. He received his BME form The Ohio State University, studying music education, history, choral conducting and repertoire. While at OSU Rob sang with the OSU Chorale, Symphonic Choir, Men's Glee Club and served as student director of the University Chorus. In Columbus, Rob has sung with Opera Columbus, CSO Symphony Chorus, Worthington United Methodist Chancel Choir and the St. Joseph Cathedral Choir. Nationally, Rob has performed with the LA Philharmonic in performances of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Margaret Hillis and the Chicago Symphony, John Rutter in the premiere of his Magnificat and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and their CD recording of Mahler's 8th Symphony. Rob is currently the Chancel Choir director at Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church in Kettering.
Laura Dulle
Laura is starting her first season with the Lancaster Chorale this year. She is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Music Education. During her time in school, she worked with the University Singers, Women’s Chorale and the popular female a cappella group, Title IX. Since graduation, she has continued to arrange and perform and is currently teaching vocal and general music at Gahanna Middle School South. Laura also works at Second Presbyterian Church in Newark, OH where she leads the adult choral and hand bell programs and is beginning a children’s choir.
Billy Edwards
Billy is from Newark and is a new member to the Lancaster Chorale this season. He also sings with the Singing Buckeyes and the Alliance Barbershop Choruses. Billy has been involved in numerous local theater productions at Licking County Players and Weathervane Playhouse. He works at Newark High School as the Sound and Light Technician.
Thom Gall
Thom has been a regular with Chorale for more than a decade. As a lifelong choral musician, Thom was a founding member of Central Ohio's premiere professional choir, The Cantari Singers, and has been a tenor section leader-soloist with two of Columbus' finest church choirs, Worthington United Methodist Church and St. Joseph Cathedral. Thom also directs the Temple Israel Choir in Columbus and is the vocal music director for Vaud-Villities. As a stage performer, he has been featured in numerous productions throughout the Midwest, including The Lancaster Festival's TURANDOT and Pro Musica's BERNSTEIN MASS. For nearly 20 years, Thom toured internationally with former Ohio Theatre organist Dennis James and has appeared as a solo singer with regional orchestras and opera companies. In addition to his music career, Thom is a self-employed media producer and performer, and has hosted the Chorale Gala since 2008.
Laura Hauser
Laura earned the Bachelor's degree with a double major in music and psychology at Kenyon College, where she performed in Chamber Singers and played clarinet with the Knox County Symphony. After singing with Langsford Singers (Michigan), she began studies in music therapy at OU, singing with University Singers; Laura has spent the past ten years working as a Music Therapist at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Columbus and has three children.
Jesse Heetland
Jesse is in his fourth year with Lancaster Chorale; in past years he has performed with the Lancaster Chorale Festival Singers and also with Capital University Chapel Choir. Jesse holds a Bachelor of Music from Capital where he studied voice with William Florescu. He also holds a Master of Music from Wright State University and is a doctoral candidate in the field of trumpet performance and pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. He is currently a music professor at Hocking College. Jesse lives in Lancaster with his wife, Julie, and two kids, Gabriel and Laurel.
Kathy Heim
Kathy is a newcomer to the area, having moved here last spring from Huntsville, Alabama. In Huntsville, she was director of music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, taught private piano and voice, and started the first Kindermusik program in the area in the mid-1990's. As a soprano, Kathy has been active in ensembles such as the Huntsville Schola Cantorum and Vox Angelica. Kathy holds her BA in Music Education from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She has recently opened her private piano and voice studio in downtown Lancaster.
Carrie Horsky
Carrie returns this year as a second year member. She is a 2008 graduate of Ohio University, with a BM of Music Education. She is also a 2004 graduate of Fairfield Union where she was a member of the Assembly Singers. At Ohio University she was a member of University Singers directed by Peter Jarjisian, Women's Chorale, and Title IX. Her involvement with Title IX led to the leadership position of student director during the 2007-2008 school year. She also assisted the Director of the Athens County Children's Chorus, Melanie Horne as the assistant director for their 2007-2008 year. She is currently substitute teaching in Fairfield/Franklin County schools while also conducting private lessons for students at Fairfield Christian Academy School of Performing Arts. Her professional organizations include Sigma Alpha Iota and American Choral Director's Association.
Jordan Irwin
Jordan is returning for his first full season with the Lancaster Chorale. He is a 21 year old college student at Columbus State Community College in the Fire Science/EMS program. He is currently a firefighter with the Bremen-Rushcreek Fire Dept., is employed at the Rushville Coffee House, and directs the choir at Bremen First United Methodist Church. Jordan sang in his church choir for seven years prior to becoming the director. He aspires to be a full-time firefighter after obtaining his associates degree.
Holly Glunt Lawrence
Holly graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in vocal performance from Capital University in 1987, and has taught voice and piano privately and been active in performance since that time. Performances include lead roles with the Millersport Community Theatre and soloist with North Central University Chorale at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. More recently she enjoys accompanying area high school choirs and singing great choral music with the Chorale. Additional experiences include directing children's, teen and adult choirs. She feels so blessed to be in her fourth season since returning to Chorale, having sung from 1991 through 1993. She is married to Brett (a tri-athlete), and they love raising their two boys, Cameron-11 and Bryce-8 to be great sports (and music) fans.
Erin Loughrige
Erin was a scholarship student at Capital University, singing with Chapel Choir, and while in high school was principal soprano with Fairfield Union Assembly Singers. Erin is currently employed by the Logan Elm Junior High School, teaching Language Arts, and is in her sixth full season with Chorale.
Clarence McCoy
Clarence is Director of Worship Arts at Lancaster First United Methodist Church, where he has served since 1997. He has worked with many different vocal and instrumental music programs over the past twenty years, and works as an Ohio Music Education Association adjudicator. He is an active performer, both as a trumpet player and a singer. Clarence first began to sing with Lancaster chorale in 1993. He and his wife Sandy, both Fairfield County natives, live in Lancaster with their two Golden Retrievers.
Kaye Martin
An original member of the Lancaster Chorale, Kaye began her singing career and visited Ohio for the first time while touring with the a capella choir from her college in Arkansas. She has sung with the Lancaster Chorale for most of its 25 years. Kaye is an Associate Professor of Middle Childhood Education at the Lancaster Campus of Ohio University.
Steve Mohler
Steve is in his 27th year as the K-12 vocal music specialist and marching band assistant in Millersport, OH. A graduate of Fairfield Union High School he received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Capital University. He holds a Masters of Performance Arts Degree and Masters of Science in Educational Media Design and Technology. Mr. Mohler's groups have received consistent superior/excellent ratings at District and State Adjudicated Events as well as Show Choir Competition placements throughout Ohio and Indiana. He has served as a board member, performer, and director with The Millersport Community Theatre for 20 years and on the Lancaster Chorale Board.
Kylie Ogg
Kylie has been singing with the Chorale since 2001. She is a graduate of Fairfield Union High School along with Otterbein College, where she earned a Bachelor's of Music Education. Kylie has performed with both vocal and instrumental ensembles in such venues as the Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, Westminster Abbey in London, the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and others throughout Switzerland and Italy. Kylie currently serves as the Director of Vocal Music and Assistant Director of Instrumental Music at Amanda-Clearcreek High School.
Nathan Ogg
Nathan returns to Chorale for his 7th season. A graduate of the Lancaster High School music program, he has toured New York City and also toured Europe with the Capital University Chapel Choir. While concluding his studies in business at The Ohio State University, Nathan serves as a Sales Manager for the Hyde Park Restaurant Group in Columbus and resides in Canal Winchester with his wife Kylie.
Cynthia Perotti
Cynthia returns for her fourth year with the Lancaster Chorale. She received her degree from the Ohio State University in Vocal Performance. She has had the privilege to sing solos and wonderful choral works throughout Ohio and around the country. In addition to the exceptional choral experiences from OSU, she has performed with the Cantari Singers, the Ohio Lyric Theatre, the Zanesville Chorus, many church and temple groups throughout central Ohio, and has participated in several Choral Workshops throughout the country. She resides and works in Columbus with Kevin, her husband.
Matthew Pittman
Matthew Originally from New Concord, Ohio, Matthew Pittman has sung with many professional choirs including Lancaster Chorale, Cantari Singers of Columbus, and the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. He has appeared as a soloist with Lancaster Chorale, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Rackham Symphony Choir, Columbus Bach Ensemble, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Southeastern Ohio Symphony, the Woodlands Symphony Orchestra, and the Bach Society of Houston. He received his bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University and his master's degree from Rice University. He is married to Beth, who has also sung with LC, and they have two children who help keep them busy. Currently he is the director of youth and the choir and bell choir director at Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus.
David Simmons
David is music director at Galena United Methodist Church and Big Walnut Community Chorus. With a BA and MA in American History from Miami University, he serves as Senior Editor for Ohio Historical Society's TIMELINE magazine; this is Dave's twelfth season with Chorale.
Lisa Springer
Lisa received her musical education at Heidelberg College and Cleveland Institute of Music. Lisa has performed as soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Opera Company, Pennsylvania Opera Theater with Placido Domingo, Ohio Light Opera and the Robert Page Singers; after eight years as director of vocal music at Lancaster High School, Lisa is now the director of choirs at the Wellington School.
Susan Schwarz
Susan Millard-Schwarz was winner of Arbor Opera Theater's 2009 vocal competition, resulting in a guest appearance in the company's Die Fledermaus. Other operatic credits include leading roles with Tuscia Music Festival in Italy; New York Opera Forum; OperaModa in Chicago; and Columbus Light Opera. Musical theatre credits include the role of Mrs. Medlock in a touring production of The Secret Garden, which opened at CAPA's Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT. Concert engagements include Holocaust Remembrance Programs, appearances with Lamb's Theatre in NYC; Columbus Arts Festival; Columbus Symphony Orchestra; Lancaster Festival; and Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. In April 2011, she will appear with Springfield Symphony Orchestra as mezzo soprano soloist for Verdi's Requiem. Her work can be heard on several CDs, including two produced for Lancaster Chorale. She has an A.B. from Asbury University and M.M. from The Ohio State University, and studies with former Metropolitan Opera baritone, Timothy Noble.
Ann Trocchia-Taiganides
Ann is a professional soprano currently residing in Granville, Ohio. She has been a member of various fully professional choirs, and also enjoys a busy solo recital schedule in the United States and Europe. In 2002, Ann was privileged to perform a concert for former President Bush and his wife in Santorini, Greece, and she sings regularly in the region of Marche, Italy as part of the Arts Festival, with L'Orchestra Internazionale d'Italia. Ann holds an undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance and Opera from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Ann and her husband Paul, a general surgeon, have five children - Alessandra, Eliseo, Francesca, Elia and Niko.
Vincent Trocchia
Vincent attended Fairfield Union High School, where he was a member of Assembly Singers, and is also a graduate of Muskingum College. He performed with Chorale from 1991 through 1994, then moved to Nashville, TN, where he was active as a singer-songwriter. He returned for the 2007-2008 season before spending two years in Europe, where he collaborated with artists in Athens, Greece. Several awards in national and international writing competitions resulted in further studies in Innsbruck, Austria, Vince is back in the area, restoring his Lancaster Camp Ground cottage, and rejoins Chorale for a sixth season.
Edward Turner
Edward is excited to join the Chorale after a 3 year absence. He lived in Findlay, Ohio for 10 years. Two years ago he returned to his childhood home of Pleasantville, where he resides in his Great-Great Grandfather's house. Edward studied voice at Ohio University, Athens. He has sung under Mr. Trocchia's direction since 1978.
Jodi Van Dyke
Jodi Van Dyke is returning to the Lancaster Chorale as a second year member. She is a 2008 graduate of Muskingum College, with a BA in Music Education. She is also a 2004 graduate of Lancaster High School where she was a member of the Chamber Singers and the Singing Gales. Between 4th and 9th grades, Jodi was a member of the Lancaster-Fairfield Youth Choir and traveled to Belgium and the Netherlands with directors Cathy Brown and Lisa Springer. At Muskingum College, Jodi traveled with the Concert Choir to Switzerland and Austria for an International Music Festival in Lucerne. She was also involved in Chamber Singers, Women's Chorus and Lyric Theatre as well as SAI and OCMEA. Currently Jodi is employed with Chime Master Systems in Sugar Grove, and is anxious to find a job in the teaching field.
Larry Weaver
Larry is a former teacher of vocal music, orchestra and band. He has a degree in Music Education from Capital University, an MA from Ball State University, has done post graduate work, and studied with Don Neuen, Robert Shaw, Fred Waring, Christiansen Choral School, N.A.T.S. Larry is a former member of Cantari Singers of Columbus and has directed and held roles in numerous musicals and served as a competition judge for vocal solos and ensembles, choirs and show choirs. He is a member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, where he has been chairman of church council and recently retired as director of adult choir. Larry lives in Columbus with his wife, Pat, also a musician.
Mike Wigglesworth
Mike earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown College (KY) and Masters from OSU, and is in his fourth season with Chorale. A past member of Cantari Singers and soloist with Worthington United Methodist, Michael has also sung with Robert Shaw in NYC and Greenville, SC, and with the Columbus Symphony Chorus. He and his wife, Kimberly teach vocal music in the Newark schools and reside in New Albany with daughter, Taylor.
Debbie Wright
Debbie serves as Choral Director for the Fairfield Union Schools and is a part-time music instructor for Ohio University-Lancaster. She has a BA in Voice-performance, BM in Music Education, and holds a Master degree in Administration. Debbie has been with the Chorale since its second year as an organization. She is a member of Cross Pointe Freewill Baptist Church where she serves as music director. She has a wide background in performance and recording, locally and nationally.
Mark Yoder
Mark is joining the Lancaster Chorale for his third season this year. After completing his Bachelor's of Music Education from Capital University in 2006, Mark has worked with numerous school districts in the Columbus area as a substitute music teacher. This past spring and summer, Mark worked with Whitehall Yearling High School as the vocal director in "Little Shop Of Horrors" and was the assistant vocal coach/accompanist for Center Stage Player's production of "Sweet Charity." This fall, he will be the vocal director for Pickerington North High School's winter musical "White Christmas."
