Save the Dates

Click here for the complete 2011-2012 season calendar!


* Sunday, February 12, 2012, 9:00 am: Bravura, St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange


* Sunday, February 19, 2012, 8:30 am and 11:00 am: Ragazze, Grace Lutheran Church, LaGrange


Sunday, March 4, 2012, 9:30 am: Men of Spirito!, St. Peter's Church, Elmhurst


Saturday, 6/2/12, 7:00 pm: Spirito! Spring Concert, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, Elmhurst


* Friday, 6/22/12, noon - 10:00 pm: Spirito! Golf and Family Fun Day, Eaglewood Resort, Itasca


* Saturday, 11/3/12: Autumn Voices Fundraising Dinner & Auction, Drury Lane, Oakbrook

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By Phone:
630-941-0744
By Email:
spirito@spiritosingers.org

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)

Jeffrey Panko
Minister of Music, Bethel United Church of Christ

Pianist Jeffrey Panko is a musician whose versatility of style and genre, encompassing repertoire from Bach to the contemporary, is presented with poetic grace, technical aplomb and a large color palette. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Panko began his formal musical education at the age of six with his grandmother, Lorraine Jagodzinski. Receiving degrees in Piano Performance from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the DePaul University School of Music, he was also selected as a scholarship student to the Tanglewood Music Festival (studying piano with Anthony di Bonaventura and chamber music with Joel Smirnoff) and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria (studying piano with Alexis Golovin). He has earned top prize awards in competitions including the Society of American Musician's Piano Competition (Chicago) and the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition (New York). Panko studied with Lydia Frumkin, Dmitry Paperno and Chicago Symphony Orchestra pianist Mary Sauer. Following a concert tour of Poland where Panko was honored by the United States with the title of Cultural Ambassador, Panko was asked by the City of Chicago to present a Chopin recital for the visiting Lech Walesa and other Polish dignitaries, culminating with two Command Performances for Polish Prime Ministers visiting the United States. Panko has also been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall, Lincoln Center Library, WQXR Radio (New York), is a frequent performer on WFMT Radio (Chicago), and has appeared in Symphony Center playing the music of Steven Sondheim for Mr. Sondheim. Panko has performed in concert with internationally acclaimed artists Denyce Graves, Christopher Robertson, Mary Stolper, members of the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, the Washington Opera Orchestra and has appeared as soloist under the baton of Jed Gaylin, Robert Holst, Timothy McCullom, John Paynter, Phil Simmons, Meng Kong Tham, Eric Townell and John Bruce Yeh . Panko has also served as accompanist and master class pianist to Dalton Baldwin, Mathieu Dufour, Judith Haddon, Donald Peck, Ned Rorem, Allan Stone and Giorgio Tozzi. For nearly twelve years Panko served as Musical Director for the Primavera Singers at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. Currently he serves as Minister of Music and as Artistic Director of the Monday Evening Concert Series for Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst, Illinois. Panko released his second CD in May of 2003. (Back to Top)

 

Allen Sterwalt
Music Director, St. Francis Xavier Parish, LaGrange

Allen Sterwalt is currently Director of Music at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in LaGrange, IL, which he has held since August of 2003. As director, Allen oversees a vibrant cantor and choral ministry including multiple full-time adult choirs, seasonal adult choirs including the Men’s Schola and Cantorei, along with multiple children’s choirs. Allen is also the principal organist/pianist, playing three of the five weekend liturgies. He has received music degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and DePaul University in Chicago. Allen’s musical training has included both organ and clarinet, with his degree emphasis being clarinet performance. Some of his teachers have included John Bruce Yeh, Larry Combs, Andrea Splittberger-Rosen, Russell Dagon, Jack Snavely and Michele Incenzo of Rome, Italy. Allen currently plays clarinet with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and freelances throughout Chicago. (Back to Top)

 

Fr. John W. Tapper
Pastor Emeritus, Saint Ansgar Parish

Fr. Tapper is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Tapper attended Quigley and St. Mary of the Lake Seminaries and was ordained in 1961. During his many years of ministry, he served as associate pastor at several parishes throughout lake and northwest cook county. His final full time assignment prior to retirement was at St. Ansgar Parish in Hanover Park, Illinois where he served as Pastor. Fr. Tapper was a proud registered member of the boy scouts for forty-five years! He was also the diocesan chaplain for all the scouting programs for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Tapper's love of music began as a young child, and continued to develop at St. Mary of Lake Seminary where he got his chance to do some conducting of his own when he was appointed Student Director of the Schola Cantorum. Fr. Tapper continues to be a great supporter of the arts with a special fondness for sacred choral music. (Back to Top)

 

Karyn Wolcott
Choral Director, Willowbrook High School

Karyn Wolcott is the Choral Director and AP Music Theory Instructor at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois. She directs three choirs and the show choir “Center Stage”. Each year, many of her students compete in the IMEA All—State district choirs and individual vocal competitions. In addition, her Concert Choir has presented at the state level. Karyn Wolcott received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Millikin University and Masters of Music Degree from Northwestern University. She is currently working on an additional Masters Degree and Type 75 Certification from Roosevelt University. Previous to her current position, Karyn had three children’s choirs selected to perform a run in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with Donny Osmond at the Chicago Theater. Her background in performance includes having toured as a back-up singer with the “Perry Como Holiday Show”, a principal in the a cappella group “Back to Back”, and has performed in many society bands and recorded jingles. (Back to Top)