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Artistic Staff

Jennifer Call,
Artistic Director, Touring Choir Director, Primary Choir Director (Oberlin)
Jennifer Call has been directing an Oberlin Choristers choir for the past 11 years.  She directed Intermediate Choir from 2001 - 2008, Concert Choir from 2008 – 2010, Touring Choir 2010-present and became Artistic Director in 2011.  She is a staff member of the World Music Festival where she conducts the Festival Choir and teaches Folk Dance.  Mrs. Call holds a BME from The Ohio State University and a Master of Music from The University of Akron.  Mrs. Call has been a guest lecturer at The University of Akron, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, and The Ohio State University as well as guest conductor and clinician throughout the state.  She is an active member of Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association where she serves as the state Repertoire and Standards Chair for Children's Choirs.

Angela Bak,
Intermediate Choir Director (Oberlin)

Angela Bak led the Intermediate Choir from its founding in 1996 until 2002.  She returned in 2008 and is enjoying directing with the Choristers even more this second time.  Angela is Director of Music at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lorain.  She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Oberlin College in 1995 and completed a Master of Music Education with a Kodaly emphasis at Capital University in 2001.  She and her husband reside in a circa 1892 farmhouse in Amherst, where she may be found playing with her daughters, experimenting in the kitchen, and working in the garden.

Cynthia Orr,
Primary Choir Director (Westlake)
Mrs. Orr teaches general music to grades K-4 at Avon Lake's Redwood and Westview Elementary Schools.  She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Capital University in 1992.  While studying at Capital she had the opportunity to study at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary.  In 2001 Mrs. Orr received her Master of Music Education degree with a Kodály Emphasis from Capital.  She is a member of the Organization of American Kodály Educators and is a member of the American Choral Director's Association.

Tim Unger,
Youth Chorale Director
Tim Unger is the Choral Director, Department Chair, and Coordinator of the School of Fine Arts at Lake Ridge Academy. His choral responsibilities include running the Middle and Upper School choral programs, including curricular and extra-curricular ensembles, and acting as musical director for the stage productions put on by the Fine Arts Department. He also serves as director of the Chancel Choir at the United Methodist Church of Berea, participating in regular Sunday morning services throughout the year. Tim has worked extensively in the Edmonton, Alberta choral community, working with several community choirs and music programs there as well as with numerous groups in Cincinnati including the Cincinnati Children’s Choir and the University of Cincinnati Choruses. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Music Education from Baldwin-Wallace College. Tim is on the board of the Ohio Choral Directors Association, serving as the Chair of Youth and Student initiatives.
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Michelle Swislocki,
Intermediate Choir Director (Westlake)
Michelle Swislocki teaches vocal music to grades Kindergarten – 4 at Avon Lake’s Eastview and Erieview Elementary Schools.  Mrs. Swislocki had taught at the Choristers’ World Music Festival since its inception eight years ago, and is also a cantor at St Bernadette church in Westlake.  She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2000.  Mrs. Swislocki earned a Master of Music Education degree with a Kodály emphasis from Capital University in 2002.  She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Organization of Kodály Educators, and is treasurer of N.O.C.K.A., the Cleveland area Kodály chapter.  Mrs. Swislocki and her husband, Jim, live in Rocky River with their three children.

Lisa Van Scyoc,
Concert Choir Director

Lisa Van Scyoc is a graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Music with a Master of Music in vocal performance.  She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University.  Lisa currently is a music specialist in the Lakewood City Schools and was the Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Cleveland for twenty four years, 1988-2012.   She also was the Touring Choir accompanist in 2008-2010.  In addition to her public school experience, Lisa taught Music for Elementary Education Majors at Baldwin Wallace College from 1996 - 2002.  She also enjoyed singing with the Robert Page/Cleveland Singers from 1990-2003.  Lisa is member of the American Choral Directors Association, Ohio Music Educators Association, and the Cleveland Kodaly and Orff Chapters.

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Amanda Anderson

Operations Manager

Since 2013 Amanda has been managing our daily administrative business, producing and promoting our concerts and fundraisers. After managing multiple financial firms, she was excited to get back to a music based career with Choristers. 

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Krystal Fox

Marketing Coordinator

Krystal Fox is a marketing professional with 15 years of experience in her industry and is passionate about her craft. She takes pleasure in designing and implementing successful marketing campaigns and cultivating excellence. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Communications, Specialty in Sales and Marketing. 

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Emily Capece

Artistic Director

Emily Capece enjoys a varied career as a conductor, singer, and teacher. Emily has taught music at all levels, including schools in Okinawa, Japan, Fairfax County, Virginia, New York City, and Charleston.

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Jamie Reis

Accountant

Jamie  is a financial efficiency expert and audit specialist. A former college professor who serves on several community boards, Jamie holds an A.A.B. from Washington State Community College and a B.B.A. from Ohio University. 

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Cheryl Carter

Development Director

Cheryl Carter comes to Oberlin Choristers with a twenty-eight year career in the non-profit field. With an undergraduate degree in Studio Art and a Master of Arts in Disciplinary Studies from Hiram College, she has worked with both arts and health organizations in the Northeast Ohio area including ChamberFest Cleveland, Cleveland Ballet, Waterloo Arts, the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to name a few. She has served on the Board of Trustees for Art House Inc., the Cleveland Print Room, and currently, Choral Arts Cleveland.

Neat Desk

Student Assistant

Office assistance

Each season Choristers hosts a Community Based Work Study student. This year we are pleased to work with Travis!

Meet the Choristers' Team

Conductors

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Angela Bak
Jubilate Musica Conductor

Angela Bak led the Intermediate Choir from its founding in 1996 until 2002. She returned in 2008 and dearly loves working with Jubilate Musica. Angela is Director of Music at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lorain. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Oberlin College in 1995 and completed a Master of Music Education with a Kodály emphasis at Capital University in 2001. She and her husband reside with two Chorister daughters in a circa 1892 farmhouse in Amherst, where she may be found experimenting in the kitchen and working in the garden.

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Marie Cronje-Cox
Cantate Musica Conductor

Marie Cronje-Cox was born in Cape Town, South Africa, a country famous for its extremely rich choral culture. Marie has sung in multiple world renowned choral groups, competing on national and international stages. She holds a BMusic Degree in Orchestral Studies and a MM Degree in Solo performance from the University of Stellenbosch, SA. Marie was Principal Percussionist/Associat Timpanist and alternate keyboardist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. After moving to the US in Dec 1998 Marie served on the music faculty of the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood from 1999-2009 and during that time furthered her percussion studies at CSU with Tom Freer of the Cleveland Orchestra. She served as the conductor of the 2024 OMEA Middle School Honor Choir at the annual D4 OMEA Middle School Festival. She currently serves as Traditional Music Director of Avon United Methodist Church (organist and choir director) and teaches private music lessons at her home studio. Marie lives in Avon with her trombonist husband, two busy young adults, six cats, multiple fish and amphibians, Beau the Bearded Dragon and a Guinea Pig named Marshmallow.

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Rebekah Dovci
Dulcis Musica Conductor

Rebekah Dovci loves teaching music to students of all ages and enjoys working with the littlest ones of the Oberlin Choristers family in Dulcis Musica. Rebekah currently directs Choir and Music classes for 3 years old through 10th grade at Heritage Classical Academy in Bainbridge, Ohio. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory in 2018 and has taken courses in Music Learning Theory in addition to her certification in Orff-Schulwerk. Rebekah enjoys singing Hymns each Monday with dear friends and singing with her vocal A Cappella group, Zero to Sixty. She now resides in Parma, but is from Avon Lake and is glad she had the opportunity to sing with the Oberlin Choristers while growing up.

Administrative Staff

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Amanda Anderson
Operations Manager

Since 2013 Amanda has been managing our daily administrative business, producing and promoting our concerts and fundraisers. After managing multiple financial firms, she was excited to get back to a music based career with Choristers.

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Emily Capece Artistic Director

Emily Capece enjoys a varied career as a conductor, singer, and teacher. Emily has taught music at all levels, including schools in Okinawa, Japan, Fairfax County, Virginia, New York City, and Charleston.

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Kristen Kort
Development Director

Bridging the worlds of for profit business and nonprofit administration  Kristen Kort is a seasoned Human Resources Professional and Nonprofit Development Leader, with an extensive 10+ year background, specializing in 501(c)3 non profit and federal governmental agency administration with a focus on people, program development and fund development. As an active volunteer member of various organizations, Kristen  dedicates her time to the International Federation of Chaplains and currently serves as the Board President for the Cleveland Society of Human Resources Management Chapter Foundation. With  her husband, Jonathan and fur baby, Amber, Kristen resides in Lorain, Ohio, and enjoys spending her free time songwriting, hiking, watching baseball, and being a bonafide home chef. Moreover, Kristen is an avid professional singer, formerly a choir sectional leader with over 20+ years of professionally recording choirs and is currently a local church worship team leader.  Additionally, earning her Bachelor’s of Science degree in  Organizational Communications Management and  pursuing dual Masters studies in Business Administration and Industrial Organizational Psychology,  Kristen intends to utilize her years of experience, education and passion for singing with Chorister’s children, parents and staff.

Tim Unger
una voce musica Conductor

Tim Unger is in his 10th season directing una voce musica. He is also the Middle School Director at Lake Ridge Academy. Previously, he served as the Choral Director, Department Chair, and Director of the School of Fine Arts at Lake Ridge. Tim has worked extensively in the choral communities of Edmonton, Alberta, Cincinnati, and Northeast Ohio. Tim holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University.

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James Doe

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Board of Directors

Oberlin Choristers is provided support and oversight by our Board of Directors.  This group of individuals understand and embrace the mission of the organization, and serve as advocates for the organization by promoting Oberlin Choristers to the community and attending all performances and special events.  Directors actively share with others the importance of philanthropic support, and regularly offer their skills and resources to the organization

 

If you are interested in learning more about our Board of Directors, please contact Amanda at info@ochoristers.org.

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Martin Barnard
President

Martin Barnard is a proud alumnus of Choristers and currently serves as President of the organization’s Board of Directors. He auditioned for Concert Choir (Cantate Musica) shortly after joining his older sister (along with mom, dad, and yes, grandma too!) on an international tour to Australia & New Zealand, and was fortunate to have traveled to Washington D.C., Ireland, France, Spain, and New York City before graduating from una voce musica in 2016. Martin was recognized as a recipient of the Katherine S. Plank Scholarship and was invited to speak at several Choristers functions while completing his Music degree at Cleveland State University between 2016-2020. Since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Martin became deeply passionate about volunteering his services so the organization could successfully rebound. He assisted with raising awareness for programs and giving opportunities, organized summer get togethers and alumni networking events, and regularly attended concerts and other singing opportunities. He was recommended to join the Board of Directors, and most recently served a term as Board Treasurer. Looking ahead, Martin is excited to work alongside Choristers’ dedicated staff as we continue to expand, enhance, and support the overall choral experience for our singers and their families. This will be a memorable year- and Martin is most inspired by the incredible people who continue to consider Choristers a special part of their extended family.

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Kylene Roberts
Vice President

Kylene Roberts comes to Oberlin Choristers with over 20 years of professional experience and a lifetime of love of singing. She has a Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University and had the honor of singing the national anthem at her commencement. She also holds a Masters of Library and Information Science from Kent State University. Kylene has performed with choral and small ensemble groups worldwide, including the Cleveland Orchestra Choir and Cleveland Pops Chorus. In her current position as Senior Manager of Sourcing at Hyland, Kylene has helped grow a team that supports the organization in sourcing and supplier management. She has a keen eye for internal efficiency and a deep understanding of business operations, expertly navigating critical back-office functions. This experience combined with her music background provides a strong skillset to the organization. Kylene joined the Board of Directors in 2022 and currently serves as Vice President. She is passionate about singing and choral music and is excited to be part of the evolution of Oberlin Choristers.

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Dr. Barbara Lamont
Treasurer

Dr. Barbara Lamont is director of choral activities at Southeast Missouri State University where she directs all choral ensembles and teaches choral music education classes and conducting. She has a passion for conducting, teaching, and exploring the choral arts with young singers and has served as adjudicator, clinician, and honor choir conductor in Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Texas. She also maintains a rigorous schedule of collaborative piano work at Southeast. Dr. Lamont is a summa cum laude graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, received her Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University where she was a graduate assistant and accompanied extensively, and received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Texas Tech University where she served as graduate assistant for the Women’s Chorale, Matador Singers, and University Choir, taught undergraduate choral conducting, and accompanied singers and choral ensembles. Dr. Lamont is a charter member of mirabai, a professional women’s ensemble. She is also featured as a collaborative pianist on mirabai’s debut recording, Ecstatic Songs. Dr. Lamont is also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and feels strongly about the connection of body, mind, and spirit to all aspects of life, especially singing! She has given several workshops on the connection of yoga, breathing, and kinesthesia to being a healthy musician. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her wonderful husband Dustin, children Sky and Peyton, and dogs Gus, Elliot, and Bree.

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Erin Schmieder
Secretary

TBD

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Adult Students

Holly Linden

Board Member

TBD

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TBD

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Krystal Fox
Marketing Coordinator 

Krystal Fox is a marketing professional with 15 years of experience in her industry and is passionate about her craft. She takes pleasure in designing and implementing successful marketing campaigns and cultivating excellence. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Communications, Specialty in Sales and Marketing. 

Accountant

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Jamie Reis
Accountant

Jamie is a financial efficiency expert and audit specialist. A former college professor who serves on several community boards, Jamie holds an A.A.B. from Washington State Community College and a B.B.A. from Ohio University. 

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Accompanists

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Hannah Behroozi
Dulcis, Jubilate, & Cantate Accompanist

Hannah Behroozi is in her third year at Oberlin College, where she is majoring in Comparative American Studies and minoring in music. In addition to accompanying the Oberlin Choristers, she currently works as an accompanist for the Oberlin City Schools and the Oberlin Community Music School. In her free time, she co-directs Oberlin’s steel pan band and plays piano at her church.

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Carey Wentzel

una voce Accounpanist

A mother of three Choristers, Ms. Carey has been the accompanist for una voce musica since 2014 and has participated as part of the teaching staff for Choristers' summer High School Vocal Workshop. She has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and is currently completing a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Ms. Carey has over ten years' experience working with private voice and piano students, and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

James Doe

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