Kantorei Members
Kantorei draws its singers from state and national universities' finest choral alumni, and most of our singers are professional musicians or have degrees in vocal music.
Kantorei Singers
Singers' names link to brief biographies, below.
Kantorei Board of Directors
- Lynn LeMoine – President
- Delores Buth – Vice President
- John O'Brien – Secretary
- Maggie Akhavan – Treasurer
- Joey-Rose Jester
- Laura Schommer
Kantorei Singers' Brief Biographies
Maggie Akhavan, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1994. She is from Ridgewood, NJ, and holds a BA in Classics from Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, VA. She is currently working in Ecclesiastical Arts Sales at Augsburg Fortress in Minneapolis, is married to Dariush, and has three daughters, Tadji, Liz, and Mollie.
Michelle Amundson, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 2000. She is from Grygla, MN, and holds a BA in English/German from Bemidji State University, and an MA in English from St. Cloud State University. She is the Marketing Director for custom publisher PhotoBook Press, and has a Welsh Corgi named Fletcher.
Bret Amundson, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 2005. He is from Coon Rapids, MN, and holds a BA in Music from St. John’s University. He is currently Vocal Music Director at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, and Associate Music Director for the St. John’s Boys’ Choir. Bret is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Conducting at St. Cloud State University.
Michelle Blaeser, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1988 (a founding member), took a break after three seasons, and joined again in 1999. She is from Robbinsdale, MN and holds a BA in Music from the College of St. Benedict, and an MD from the University of MN Medical School. She is currently a Dermatologist at Park Nicollet Clinic, is married to Ed Muter and has two children, Emma (10), and Max (8).
Cameron Bromen, Tenor,
is in his first year with Kantorei. He is from Sauk Centre, MN, and holds a BA in Accounting from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. He is currently a commercial and industrial property accountant for CB Richard Ellis.
Anne Cowles, Soprano,
is in her first season with Kantorei. She is from Apple Valley, MN, and holds a BA in Music from the College of St. Benedict. She is currently working as an Account Executive at Venture Bank in Golden Valley. She is also a voice teacher at Son-Sheim Music School, and a waitress for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Marlene Dingmann, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 1997. She holds a BA in Vocal Performance and Music Ed from the College of St. Benedict, and an MA in Education from St. Mary’s University. She is currently teaching elementary music for the Sartell/St. Stephen School District, is married, and has several golden retrievers.
Jessica Edwards, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 2000. She is from Hoople, ND, and holds a BA in Physics from Gustavus Adolphus College and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. She is currently working as an Electrical Engineer, is married to Rick, and has a yellow lab named Cooper.
Mathew Ferche, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2003. He holds a BA in Music Ed from St. John’s University, and is currently Choir Director and Music Teacher at St. Hubert School in Chanhassen. Mathew also plays oboe.
Karen Frericks, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1989. She is from New Ulm, MN, and holds a BA in Music and English from the College of St. Benedict. She is currently a Travel Planner for BI.
Dale Graber, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2005. He is from a tiny burg called Cooks Mills, went to High School in Mattoon, IL, and holds a BM in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is currently working for Mytana Manufacturing Company. He is married to Martha (in the soprano section), and has three daughters, Amelia (21), Rachel (18), and Rosalie (16), and one pretty old cat.
Martha Graber, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 2005. She is from Eureka, IL, and holds a BM in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan, and an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of MN. She is currently choir director at St. Paul Central High School. She is married to Dale (in the tenor section) and has three daughters, Amelia (21), Rachel (18), and Rosalie (16), and one pretty old cat – Kenna.
Vernon Hamberg, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2000. He holds a BA in Mathematics and Music from the University of MN, attended the U of MN Graduate School, and the Minneapolis Technical Institute. Currently he is working for RJS Software Systems in software development for IBM midrange business computers. He has two children, Paul and Ruth.
Andrew Hanson, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 2006 . He is originally from Georgia, and holds a BM in Music Education from St. Olaf College. He is currently Choir Director at St. Francis High School, and is married to a wonderful violinist, Angela.
André Heywood, Tenor,
is in his first year with Kantorei. Born in Trinidad, André grew up and studied in London, Canada, graduating with a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from The University of Western Ontario. He is currently Artistic Director of The St. John's Boys' Choir.
Chris Jacobson, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 2002. He is from Montevideo, MN, and holds a BA in Vocal Performance and Music Ed from St. John’s University. Chris is currently Choir Director at Chosen Valley High School.
Pat Johnson, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2006. He is from Hutchinson, MN, and has attended St. John’s University, the University of MN-Morris, and University of MN-Twin Cities. He currently finishing a B.S. degree in Neuroscience at the University of MN, where he works at the U of MN Cancer Center in the Clinical Trials Office.
Sam Johnson, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2006. He is from Hutchinson, MN, and is finishing two degrees at the University of St. Thomas in Vocal Music Performance and Philosophy.
John Kelly, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 1988 (a founding member). He is from Simsbury, CT, and holds a BA in Music from St. John’s University and an MD from the University of MN Medical School. He is currently a Pediatrician for Health East.
Mary Keltgen, Soprano,
is in her first season with Kantorei. She holds a BA degree in music from The College of St. Benedict, and an MM degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She has performed in several recitals and operas, and currently freelances as a soloist in the Twin Cities. She also teaches voice lessons at Stillwater High School and hopes to expand her private studio.
Chad King, Bass,
is in his first season with Kantorei. He is from Sheboygan, WI, and holds a Music Ministry degree from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. Chad is the Senior Product Manager for Worship and Music at Augsburg Fortress Publishing.
Kimberly Kuhl, Soprano,
is in her first year with Kantorei. She holds a BA in Vocal Performance from the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University where she studied with Axel Theimer. In Spring of 2007, she was a national finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Competition, held in Toronto, Ontario. She maintains an active performance schedule by also singing with VocalEssence-Ensemble Singers, cantoring at Holy Redeemer/St. Peter's Catholic Church, and studying voice with George Smith.
Melanie McIvor, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 2001. She is from Golden Valley, MN, and holds a BA in Vocal Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College. She is currently teaching music at Clear Springs Elementary School in Minnetonka, and is the Youth Choral Director at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Mary Kremer, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1991. She is from St. Cloud, MN, and holds a BS in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Benedict and the Mayo School of Health Related Sciences, and a Masters in Manual Therapy from the Scollandets Institute. She is currently a Physical Therapist at the Institute for Athletic Medicine.
Lynn LeMoine, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 1996. She is from Cross Plains, WI and holds a BA in German, and a BM in Vocal Performance from Lawrence University, along with an MM in Vocal Performance from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Lynn is currently an “at home” mom, is married to Jeff, and has three daughters, Katrina (12), Mariah (9), and Lydia (5).
Chris Milani, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2004. He is from Hibbing, MN and holds a Bachelor and Master of Civil Engineering from the University of MN. He is currently a Structural Engineer with Meyer, Borgman, and Johnson, Inc. in Minneapolis. Chris enjoys playing piano, and won the 2002 MFMC State Student Auditions.
John O'Brien, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2004. He is from Worthington, MN, and holds a BA in English Ed from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD), a Master of Philosophy in Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), and a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of MN. He is currently the Academic Vice-President at Century College in White Bear Lake, is married to Kathryn, and has three children, Nathan (18), Alex (11) and Thessaly (9).
Katie Pearson, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 2002. She is from Duluth, MN, and holds a BA in Music Ed from Gustavus Adolphus College, and is completing an MA in Music Ed at the University of St. Thomas. She is currently Choir Director at Friendly Hills Middle School.
David Pierce, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 2005. He is from McFarland, WI, and holds a BA in music from Luther College in Decorah, IA. He is currently a purchaser at Quality Bicycle Products. David is married, and has also sung with the Minnesota Opera.
Maryanne Poliseno, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 1988 (a founding member). She is from Little Falls, MN, and holds a BA in Music from The College of St. Benedict. She is currently a Securities Trader at Wells Fargo.
Joe Polta, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 1989. He is from Willmar, MN, and holds a BA in English from St. John’s University. He is currently a legal professional, on assignment at United Health Group in Minnetonka. When not on the job, or singing, he is webmaster for the Eden Prairie Soccer Association and a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. He is married to Karen and has two sons.
Benjamin Daniel Rösch, Tenor,
is happy to be singing with Kantorei again after a five year sabbatical. He is a life-long resident of Minnesota (with a brief year in Chicago, IL, where he completed his MA degree in teaching at the University of Chicago). He presently teaches junior high Language Arts in Brooklyn Park and is a member of the Minneapolis Mayhem Rugby Football Club.
John Sauer, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 1992. He is from St. Cloud, MN and holds a BA in Music from St. John’s University, and STB and STL (European Theology Degrees) from North American College in Rome, Italy. Father John is currently Rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, and Pastor of St. Casimir’s Church.
Julie Scott, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 2003. She is from Northfield, MN, and holds a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is currently an “at home” mom, is married to Jim, and has two daughters, Annika and Mia, and a dog named Bully.
Ann Skemp-Cook, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1988 (a founding member). She is from LaCrescent, MN, and holds a BA in Humanities from the College of St. Benedict, a Teaching License from Augsburg College, and an M.Ed. from Hamline University. She is currently teaching Language Arts at Hopkins High School, is married to Tom Cook, and has a step-daughter, Stella.
Eric Sorum, Bass,
is in his first year with Kantorei. He holds a BA in Music from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and currently lives in St. Paul. His time is spent singing as much as possible with local choral ensembles.
Mike Steiner, Bass,
joined Kantorei in 2005. He is from East Lansing, MI, and holds a BA in Choral Music from Michigan State University, an MA in Choral Music Ed from the University of Montana, and a BFA in Furniture Design from the Kendall School of Design. Mike is currently teaching vocal music at Orono High School and Middle School. He is married to Barbara (a long-time piano teacher), and has one son, Sean.
Brooke Syverson, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 2000. She attended St. Olaf College, and holds a BA in Biology from the College of St. Benedict. Brooke currently works at General Mills as an Account Operations Team Lead. She is married, has a golden retriever named Molly, and is expecting her first child in February.
Mary Tadich, Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1990. She is from Bloomington, MN, and holds a BA in English and German from the College of St. Benedict. Mary taught at St. John’s Prep School for three years. She is currently an “at home” mom, is married to Michael Bauer, and has four children.
Gillian Teoh, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 2003. She is from Ashland, WI, and holds a BM in Vocal Music Ed from St. Olaf College. She is currently Director of Vocal Music at Lake Jr. High in Woodbury.
Jim Vogel, Tenor,
is in his first year with Kantorei. He has been employed by the State of Minnesota for over 25 years, where he currently is a Training Coordinator. He is married to Jenifer Wagner. He has sung in the Holy Spirit Church Choir for over 30 years, the Diocesan Choir of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and is on the Board of Directors of The Chameleon Theatre Circle located in Burnsville.
Heidi Wolak-Faber, Soprano,
joined Kantorei in 1998. She is from Staples, MN, and holds a BA in Speech Communication from the College of St. Benedict, and a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Mankato. She is currently a speech language pathologist, is married to Todd Faber and has two little boys.
Sue Zemlin, Assistant Conductor and Alto,
joined Kantorei in 1995. She is from New Brighton, MN, and holds a BA in Music Ed from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD), and an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of MN. She is currently Choral Director at Blaine High School, and has a golden retriever (Mellie), who is the daughter of Marlene Dingmann’s dog (Billie).
Daniel Zillman, Tenor,
joined Kantorei in 2006. He is from West Central Wisconsin, and holds a BFA in Music and Management from St. Olaf College. He is currently working at the Best Buy Corporate Campus in Richfield as an executive assistant in the Experience Development Group supporting the Design Team. Daniel is also a tenor with the MN Chorale, VocalEssence, and Schola Cantorum of St. Peter the Apostle in Chicago, IL.