Melissa Zindel Men of Spirito! Accompanist

Melissa Zindel earned a Master of Music degree in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, where she was awarded full assistantships in accompanying. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Melissa has played in the masterclasses of Leona Mitchell, Linda Di Fiore, Heidi Grant Murphy, Paul Kantor, Jan Mark Sloman, Rachel Podger, Rita Sloan, Joan Panetti, David Perry, Marilyn McDonald and Jeffrey Solow. In addition, she has worked as an accompanist and vocal coach at Georgia College & State University, Opera in the Ozarks, Wildwood Opera, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, Philander Smith College and the University of Houston. Melissa also serves as staff accompanist and coach at Western Springs School of Talent Education.

Crystal Forbes Spirito! Ragazze Accompanist

Accompanist Crystal Forbes received her undergraduate degrees from DePaul University in Piano Performance and Music Education and returned to DePaul to complete her graduate degree in Music Education. Her accompanying experience began when her junior high choral director put her at the piano at age 12. At 16, Crystal became the pianist at West Suburban Baptist Church, and worked as primary accompanist at the Institute of Voice Science in Oak Park from 1984-1986.

Crystal has been on the faculty of Franklin Middle School in Wheaton since 1986, teaching Interrelated Arts and directing three choral groups, in addition to teaching English, Social Studies, and Exploring Foreign Cultures. At Franklin, she has coordinated the Interrelated Arts Department since 1988, has directed musicals including The Fantasticks and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and currently serves as Fine Arts Team Leader.

Over a period of 24 years, Crystal has taught hundreds of piano students, and is presently active at Grace Bible Church playing two services on Sundays and acting as their Vacation Bible School Music Director. She is also member of the Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, having functioned for five years as American History Committee Chair and currently serving as Co-Chaplain. Crystal lives in Elmhurst with her husband and two daughters.

Kate Burnier Ragazze Ensemble Music Education Intern

Kate Burnier, a senior at York High School, has a passion for music! Kate has studied voice for ten years and violin for eight. While in high school, Kate has been a member of the Madrigal, A Cappella, and Jazz Choir Ensembles at York High School. She was seen in Aida and West Side Story, and recently stepped behind the curtain to stage manage the Wizard of Oz. As a junior, Kate auditioned for IMEA, (Illinois Music Educators' Association), and represented York at the district and the state level as an alto vocalist.  She also plays violin in York's Symphony Orchestra, serves on the Board, and plays privately in a string quartet. 

Kate has been actively involved in CYT, (Christian Youth Theater), starring in numerous productions as well as teaching beginning acting, vocal and improv classes for the organization. Kate has sung at baseball games, churches, parades, weddings, and other functions, as well as recorded professionally for film and television. She has also dabbled in the technical production of film, and served as the second assistant camera on Fancypants, an independent feature film shot on location in Chicago, and as the first assistant camera for the short film, Sackcloth & Ashes, both of which are still in post-production.

Kate started singing for Molly Lindberg five years ago and is excited for this opportunity to begin working with Ms. Lindberg on a professional level.

Jillian Gray Ragazze Ensemble Music Education Intern

Jillian Gray is currently a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in vocal performance with a concentration in Choral Music Education.  Taking one semester off to complete her general education requirements, she is excited to be working with the choir!  Jillian's involvement with music began at the age of three when she started taking piano lessons.  Her instrumental background includes 10 years of piano, 10 years of flute, 2 years of guitar and 12 years of voice. She has a passion for music!

As a student at York High School, Jillian was a member of the concert band for all 4 years, the choir for 4 years, and the A cappella, Madrigals, and Jazz Choirs for 2 years.  She participated in both ACDA and IMEA.  Jillian also took the stage as a member of the cast of York High School's presentations of Brigadoon and West Side Story. 

At the University of Illinois, Jillian has participated in two of the university's top choirs: The U of I Chamber Singers, and The U of I Concert Choir, under the direction of Fred Stoltzfus and Chester Alwes respectfully.  She studies voice with Yvonne Redman. During this past year, Jillian had the opportunity to sing the Brahm's Requiem, and was a member of the Opera Chorus for Der Rosenkavalier. 

Jillian volunteered as an Intern in the winter of 2009 for Mrs. Lindberg, and has since been an Office Assistant for the Spirito! Singers. Jillian is extremely excited for this unique opportunity to work with the choir.