Spirito! Advisory Council
(Click on name for complete bio)
Rev. Dr. Norma Lee K. Barnhart
Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Dr. Jennie Brown
Adjunct Professor, Wheaton College Conservatory
Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Director of Music Ministries, St. John of the Cross Parish, Western Springs
Mr. Paul French
Music Director, William Ferris Chorale
Music Director, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Chicago
Rev. Barbara W. Gorsky, MDiv
Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights
Ms. Kathleen Gusloff
Youth Minister, Mary Queen of Heaven Church
Ms. Tara Cappelletti Jordan
Leyden High Schools, Music Department Faculty
Ms. Heather Knight
Music Faculty, Elmhurst School District 205
Ms. Angela Presutti Korbitz
Associate Professor of Voice, VanderCook College of Music
Professional Soloist and Recording Artist
Ms. Rebecca Marianetti
Choral Director, York High School
Musical Theatre Director, York High School
Ms. Barbara A. Masters
Music Director, Visitation Church
Mr. Joel Miller
Music Specialist, Elmhurst School District 205
Mr. Jeffrey Panko
Minister of Music, Bethel United Church of Christ
Mr. Allen Sterwalt
Music Director, St. Francis Xavier Parish, LaGrange
Fr. John W. Tapper
Pastor Emeritus, Saint Ansgar Parish
Ms. Karen Wolcott
Choral Director, Willowbrook High School
Rev. Dr. Norma Lee Kerns Barnhart
Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Norma Lee Kerns Barnhart serves as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Elmhurst. She comes to Spirito! with both a music background as well as a background in theology. Rev. Barnhart holds a BA in Music Education from Marshall University in WV, a Master of Music degree from Georgia State in Atlanta, a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Theological Studies in Worship from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. in Arts and Theology. While in Atlanta, Rev. Barnhart sang with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus under Robert Shaw, and studied conducting with Elmer Thomas, as well as with Margaret Hillis. She has taught music in the public schools in both elementary and high school. She also taught humanities at the College of Charleston while in Georgia, and served as Minister of Music with the Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church for thirteen years. Dr. Barnhart and husband, Bill, reared two children while living in downtown Chicago. She has interests in the arts, quilting, travel, gardening, and is currently taking flying lessons. (Back to Top)
Dr. Jennie Brown
Adjunct Professor, Wheaton College Conservatory
Flutist, Jennie Brown, is an active performer in the Chicago area. She joined the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music faculty in 2002 and maintains a private studio locally. Her flute studio graduates have earned acceptance to top music schools and pursued careers in performing, teaching, and arts management. Dr. Brown can be heard on Albany Records and performing with the Chicago New Arts Trio and other ensembles throughout Chicago. Dr. Brown is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, where she completed high school. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University, studying with Walfrid Kujala, and her Master of Music, Doctor of Music, and Performance Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Bonita Boyd. She has participated in summer programs at Aspen, the Music Academy of the West, and Norfolk and has performed in master classes with William Bennet, Maxence Larrieu, Aurele Nicolet, and Michel Debost. Jennie was a featured performer at the 2005 National Flute Association Annual Convention in San Diego, California and adjudicated the Young Artists’ Competition at the 2010 Convention in Anaheim, California. She is a past Chair, President, and Vice President of the Chicago Flute Club and a member of the Musicians Club of Women and the National Flute Association. Please visit her website at www.jenniebrownflute.com. (Back to Top)
Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Director of Music Ministries, St. John of the Cross Parish, Western Springs
Jennifer Kerr Budziak is best known in the Chicago area as a liturgical musician, author, conductor, and cantor and is a widely published and recorded composer and arranger of liturgical music. She holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University and a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, Illinois. During her years as director for Liturgical Music at the Office for Divine Worship, Jennifer served as conductor and cantor at many Chicago-area liturgical events. As conductor of the Jubilee Archdiocesan Choir and Jubilee 2000 Symphony Orchestra, she helped to plan and lead the music at the “Field of Faith” Jubilee celebration at Soldier Field in June of 2000. Jennifer has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus since 1992 and has served as an adjunct professor of Choral Music at St. Xavier University. She has written a textbook on sight-singing and music notation for beginners and co-authored LTP’s recently published “Guide for Music Ministers” and “Guide for Cantors.” She currently serves as Director of Music at St. John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs, Illinois. (Back to Top)
Paul French
Music Director, William Ferris Chorale
Music Director, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Chicago
Paul French is the Music Director of the William Ferris Chorale, a 24-voice professional choir in Chicago, now celebrating its 40th season of commitment to the choral music of the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition, he is the Music Director at Chicago’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and has worked with adult and children’s voices in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago for nearly two decades. Paul has studied composition, chant, conducting and organ at St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN), Northwestern University and the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome. A composer of more than 200 instrumental and choral works in a variety of media including pieces for adults and children’s choirs, voice, organ, brass and orchestra, Paul French is a member of the music advisory staff of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and is a faculty member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Choir Director Institutes. Paul also edits a series of choral publications for the American Federation Pueri Cantores, an international organization devoted to promoting children’s choirs in the Roman Catholic Church, and is the Director of Choral Recordings for World Library Publications. (Back to Top)
Rev. Barbara W. Gorsky, MDiv
Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights
Barbara was ordained in 2006 in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. after receiving her Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary she has seventeen years of work experience in the field of public health as a health educator. A Masters of Public Health from Illinois Benedictine University prepared her to work at HPN Worldwide, a company that exposed her to various work responsibilities that included teaching and developing health related programs as well as instructor training, group facilitation and program evaluation. Before this she practiced physical therapy with clinical, staff and managerial responsibilites. Barbara has lived in Elmhurst now for twenty six years along with her husband and three children. Her hobbies include quilting, gardening and reading! (Back to Top)
Kathleen Gusloff
Youth Minister, Mary Queen of Heaven Church
Kathleen Gusloff received her Masters degree in Human Development from the University of Kansas in 1986. She has worked extensively in the field of consulting, counseling and training. For the past 17 years, she has served as youth minister for Mary Queen of Heaven church and teaches Confirmation class. She serves on the City of Elmhurst Commission on Youth. Kathleen is the founder & sponsor of the York Community High School PRIDE (positive role models inspiring direction to excellence) gtroup. This group of students pledges to remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs during high school. She is employed full time as a practice manager working for eight years in the dental field. She has presented seminars, planned and facilitated retreats and provided private consulting for educational, dental, medical, & business fields. (Back to Top)
Tara Cappelletti Jordan
Leyden High Schools, Music Department Faculty
Tara is enjoying her second year teaching at the Leyden High Schools. She holds a degree in music education from Elmhurst College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. While working on her degree, Tara performed with the Elmhurst College Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Classical Guitar Ensemble, Lab Jazz Band, and as a soloist alongside artists to include Bobby Shew, Patti Austin, and Doug Beach with the award winning Elmhurst College Jazz Band. As an educator, Tara has traveled around the country and also to Japan and Australia while working with students at all stages of their musical experience. She has also spent significant time teaching in Jamaica, where she served as a conductor in the Western Jamaica International Music Festival. Her professional memberships include being actively involved in the Women Band Directors International, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and the Chicago Flute Club. As a performer, she has appeared with various groups in 14 countries, including England, France, Germany, and Switzerland, and is the principal flutist with the Elmhurst Wind Ensemble, a position she has held for seven years. Tara served as Assistant Director of the Mary Queen of Heaven High School Treble Ensemble under the direction of Molly Lindberg for three years. (Back to Top)
Heather Knight
Music Faculty, Elmhurst School District 205
Heather Knight is a band director at Sandburg Middle School, Edison Elementary School and Field Elementary School in Elmhurst, IL. She works with the prep, intermediate, and concert bands at these schools. Mrs. Knight earned her bachelor degree in music education from Bradley University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. As a student she studied both flute and voice and was a member of the Bradley University Symphonic Winds, the Bradley Chorale, the Bradley Madrigal Singers, the Bradley Community Choir, and the Bradley Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also a 2003 winner of the Bradley Concerto-Aria Competition. She recently earned her masters of music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Heather lives in Villa Park with her husband, Kenny. (Back to Top)
Angela Presutti Korbitz
Associate Professor of Voice, VanderCook College of Music
Professional Soloist and Recording Artist
Angela Presutti has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as soloist, small ensemble member and chorister. She has been a soloist with several other orchestras and choruses including Grant Park of Chicago, Bel Canto of Milwaukee, The Park Ridge Civic, Salt Creek Sinfonietta and The Naples Philharmonic.Ms. Presutti received her musical training at the University of Illinois and Roosevelt University where she graduated with honors. She has also studied opera at the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Chiari, Italy and artsong with Elly Ameling at the Britten-Pears School in England. She has been a winner at the Bel Canto Competition, a finalist at The Palm Beach Opera Competition, a three time regional finalist at the N.A.T.S. Artist Awards Competition and a semi-finalist at the Oratorio Society of New York Competition. Highlights of her solo career include "Serenade to Music" with Sir Andrew Davis, "Midsummer Night's Dream" with Duain Wolf, "Bachianas No. 5" with the cellists of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, "Moses and Aron" with Pierre Boulez, "Carmina Burana" with Grammy winning conductor Vance George and an Andrews Sisters Tribute with Erich Kunzel and Doc Severinsen. Ms. Presutti has also recorded "Cats", "Les Miserable" and "The Phantom of the Opera" for Lakeshore Records. Since 1998, Angela has been performing with guitarist and husband Ron Korbitz. Their work together has included concerts and recitals for some of Chicago's most prestigious performing arts series including The Chicago Classical Guitar Society, Unity Temple, Fourth Presbyterian, Dame Myra Hess and several live broadcasts on WFMT. They have also released their debut CD "Love does not Like Delays". Ms. Presutti is highly regarded as an adjudicator and clinician for organizations such as I.G.S.M.A., I.H.S.A. and N.A.T.S. She also maintains a successful private studio and is an Associate Professor of voice at VanderCook College of Music. (Back to Top)
Rebecca Marianetti
Choral Director, York High School
Musical Theatre Director, York High School
Rebecca Marianetti received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Masters of Music degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining the music faculty at York, Mrs. Marianetti taught in the Central Illinois area and developed an award winning choral program at Champaign Central High School. Mrs. Marianetti has been actively involved in professional and church choirs and has performed with collegiate and professional musicals and operas, and serves as York's Musical Theatre Director. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference. In 2001, Rebecca Marianetti was honored by Coca-Cola as an "Educator of Distinction", an honor which was awarded to a selected group of fifty teachers nationally. At York High School, she conducts the Cadet Chorus, Choraliers, Concert Choir, Madrigals, A Cappella and Jazz Choir. Rebecca lives in Elmhurst with her husband, Steve, who is the head wrestling coach at Elmhurst College and their daughters, Abigail and Delia. (Back to Top)
Barbara A. Masters
Music Director, Visitation Catholic Church, Elmhurst
Music Faculty, Elmhurst College
Barbara Masters serves as Music Director at Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst, IL where she directs 4 choirs. The Visitation Adult Choir performed in Rome at the Vatican during their recent tour. Ms. Masters is on the Music Faculty of Elmhurst College teaching piano and organ. Prior to moving to the Chicago area, she served as Music Director/Organist at Catholic and Lutheran churches in Ohio and Rhode Island. Ms. Masters is also a composer of orchestral and vocal music, having created a full length orchestral score for an original Alice in Wonderland Ballet. She also has served as music director for many theater productions, taught vocal music, voice and piano in public and private schools and in her own studio. Ms. Masters attended the University of Michigan, holds a BMus from Boston University, an MA in Ethnomusicology from Brown University, and an MMus in Organ performance from Youngstown State University. Barbara Masters lives in Elmhurst with her husband and has 3 grown sons. (Back to Top)
Joel Miller
Music Faculty, Elmhurst School District 205
Joel received his Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music from
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb Illinois. He was the recipient of a
Northern Illinois vocal talent scholarship, the Wiswall Endowment, and the
Glidden-Bradt Endowment. Joel is currently part of the K-5 Vocal Music Staff in Elmhurst District
205. Prior to teaching in Elmhurst, Joel taught K-4 Vocal Music in Kaneland
District 302. It was through this experience that Miller founded the Sugar
Grove Children's Choir, which drew children from numerous neighboring towns. In addition to teaching, Joel has performed with the Grant Park Symphony
Chorus, New Classic Singers, and the St. Charles Singers (formerly the
Mostly Madrigals Singers). Miller has also appeared in numerous musicals in
both regional and community theatres in the northern Illinois area. (Back to Top)
