Spirito! Staff
(click on name for complete bio)
Artistic/Executive Director: Molly Lindberg
Director of Development: Lisa Hedrick
Musical Staff:
Molly is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor School of Music, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor Degree in Vocal Performance, and K-12 certification. Molly sang professionally with the Chicago Symphony Chorus from 1990-2000 under the direction of Margaret Hillis and then Duain Wolfe. Molly also sang with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus under the direction of Thomas Peck, and the William Ferris Chorale under the direction of William Ferris. Molly served as Music Director at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Elmhurst, Illinois from 2003-2008, developing a program that resulted in four choirs, one hundred & forty-five participants and four professionally produced recordings. During her tenure there, her choirs were chosen twice from the entire Diocese of Joliet to provide music for major Diocesan events. Molly has served on the Board of Directors of the Anima Singers, a nationally renowned professional children's chorus. Molly is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, and is a professional member of the American Guild of Musical Artists, (AGMA). Molly has also served as a faculty member for the American Federation Pueri Cantores.
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Lisa Hedrick comes to Spirito! Singers with more than 20 years of marketing,
meeting and event planning experience in the not-for-profit sector. Most
recently, Lisa managed Sleep Out Saturday, a county-wide fundraising event
for the Bridge Communities Transitional Housing Program in DuPage County. In
addition to her part-time position with Spirito! Singers, she is also the
Marketing Manager for Spine & Sports Physiatrists in Elmhurst. For many
years, Lisa has co-chaired the Epiphany Lutheran Children's Toy & Equipment
Resale. She enjoys traveling and playing golf in her free time. Lisa and
her husband Bob have lived in Elmhurst for more than 10 years and have two
daughters, Gretchen and Kristen.
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Accompanist Arlene Michna is a graduate of DePaul University, where she received both the Bachelor of Music, and Master of Music in piano performance. Arlene has had extensive experience as a piano soloist, collaborative pianist, vocalist and conductor. As a piano soloist, Arlene has performed not only in the United States, but in England, France, Austria and Poland, as well. She has been heard on Polish national radio, on public radio in the U.S. and Canada, and on Chicago's WFMT radio as a performer on the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series. As a collaborative pianist, she recorded a series of chamber music broadcasts with the Telemann Society for South Carolina Educational Television, and has accompanied various choral groups on tour in Europe. Her expertise as an accompanist is well known, and has resulted in collaborations with numerous vocalists and instrumental soloists. Arlene has served as music director at a number of parishes for the Archdiocese of Chicago, including eight years as the director of music for the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. She is currently director of music at St. Luke Parish in River Forest. Arlene has conducted choirs for a variety of Archdiocesan events, including many at Holy Name Cathedral. She has conducted not only the traditional sacred repertoire, but African, Vietnamese, Polish, and Hispanic music, as well. Her interest in conducting led her to studies in Gregorian chant with the renowned William Tortolano, and also at the Abbey du Solésmes in France. In addition to her considerable experience as a performer, Arlene was also the recipient of an American Symphony Orchestra League Fellowship in arts administration. She is an experienced instructor in piano and voice, as well as teaching courses in liturgical music, which incorporate elements of music history and performance practice. Arlene is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Auxiliary Music Staff of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Art and Architecture Commission of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University.
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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.
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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.
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More information on Divya Pillai coming soon.
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