Kelsey DeMange, hailing from Versailles, Ohio, is an accomplished music educator and choral director. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Wright State University, followed by a graduate degree in Music Education from Miami University. Kelsey has significantly contributed to music education through her work, fostering musical excellence in Reading Community Schools, Southwest Local Schools, and Winton Woods City Schools; and recently served as the Director of Choral Activities at Mount St. Joseph University. Kelsey has served as the President of District 14 for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). Since 2016, her choral groups have competed in the International Championship of High School and Collegiate A Cappella. Kelsey’s career is marked by her extensive work as a church musician, directing theater programs, and serving as a choral clinician for various high schools. She is passionate about fostering musical talent and often hosts significant choral events such as the OMEA Large Group Festival and Varsity Vocals competitions. Kelsey is currently the Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir, conducting Bel Canto and Voci. She currently resides in the vibrant Oregon District in Dayton, where she will continue to inspire and nurture the next generation of musicians as Director of Choral Activities at the Stivers School for the Arts.
Caitlyn Lana McGlynn is the Managing Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir and conductor of Con Brio. A CYC alumna and staff member since 2017, she has previously directed Vivace and Vivo Coro and now plays a key role in both artistic and administrative leadership, including coordination of the Queen City Choral Festival. With a background in general and instrumental music education and Level I Orff-Schulwerk Certification, Caitlyn remains deeply committed to empowering young musicians through excellence in choral education.
Read Caitlyn’s full bio HERE…
Jacquelyn Thompson has worked with singers of all ages and has a passion for choral education as a way to enrich lives through music. She currently conducts Vivace and serves as an administrative assistant for the Cincinnati Youth Choir.
As a versatile educator, Jacquelyn has taught general music, choir, and band for preschool through high school at public and private schools in Iowa. She has also led several community choirs, including a children’s choir, an adult women’s ensemble, and an active choir of senior adults. Her experience includes teaching methods courses at the collegiate level, conducting college choirs, and serving as a guest clinician for high school choirs in Iowa and Chicago.
She received her Master of Arts in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa and her Bachelor of Music Education: Choral K-12 from the University of Northern Iowa. During her training, she also studied voice and has performed as a vocal soloist.
Known for cultivating a supportive and engaging learning environment, Jacquelyn blends technical expertise with creativity to help each student grow musically, working together towards meaningful and inspiring choral experiences.
Melissa Surman, a Cincinnati native and mother of 5, has been involved in choral music since middle school in various capacities. She received her Bachelor’s in music education from Mount Saint Joseph University in 2002, and has been teaching private and group piano, voice, and general music lessons since 1999. With a passion for joyful music literacy, she completed her three levels of Kodaly training from 2018-2021 at the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute in Moscow, Idaho, during which time she wrote and self-published a music curriculum for elementary aged students entitled “The Joyful Grammar of Music”, which combines Kodaly philosophy with classical methods. One of her goals as an educator has been to start a homeschool choir, so she was thrilled to receive the opportunity to help direct the Vivo Coro homeschool group for CYC in 2023. When Melissa isn’t teaching or hanging out with her family, you will find her running marathons and trail races.
Gabriel Harley recently graduated with his Master’s of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he studied under Dr. Matthew Brady. He served as a graduate teaching assistant for choral studies, instructor for the EMC (Experiential Music Curriculum) program, Choir Director for Ocean Reef Protestant & Catholic denominations in Key Largo, and was the conductor of the Allegro (5-8th grade treble singers) ensemble for the Miami Children’s Chorus for two consecutive years. Prior to his time in Miami, Gabe was a middle school choral teacher in the Delaware public school system for five years.
As a passionate advocate for creating welcoming and inclusive choral classrooms, Gabe served as the membership chair for Delaware ACDA in 2023. In addition to teaching and conducting, Gabe is an active performer. Recent engagements include Wagner’s Tristan Und Isolde, Verdi Requiem, and Beethoven 9 with the Philadelphia Symphonic choir and Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as, performing with Grammy-Nominated ensemble Seraphic Fire as a Seraphic Fire scholar in October 2024. In 2026, Gabe will make his conducting debut with MidAmerica Productions at Carnegie Hall in New York City with Ola Gjeilo’s “Dreamweaver”. Gabe holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education Degree from Westminster Choir College. Starting this fall, Gabe will continue his studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting.
Kang Ning Yong is a pianist, educator, and collaborative artist based in Oxford, Ohio. She serves as Principal Accompanist for the Cincinnati Youth Choir and teaches at Miami University and Northern Kentucky University. Originally from Malaysia, she has extensive experience supporting choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists in diverse settings. Kang Ning holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Miami University, is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, and maintains an active career as both performer and educator.
Read Kang Ning’s full bio HERE…
Mathew R. Zalusky, a well-versed musician based out of Ft Mitchell, Kentucky, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and, he is currently a praise team leader as well as the collaborative keyboardist at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. In addition to accompanying multiple choirs for CYC, he is an accompanist for multiple choirs in the Viva Voices Choral Organization, and he also plays for the Queen City Street Choir. Mathew also does a good amount of additional various freelance gigging.
Mathew is originally from Minnesota and then spent ten years in Cleveland, TN, as a college student and then as an accompanist on staff at Lee. He also worked at Hopewell Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN, as their full-time pianist for 8.5 years. All the while, he found additional work in the musical field to keep him busy. In June of 2024, he married his college sweetheart, Julia, and he moved to Ft Mitchell in August of 2024. He has since stayed busy working in the music world while becoming acclimated to the new environment.
Mathew has quite a passion for ministry, and he loves participating in collaborative music. As a student at Lee, Mathew was a part of multiple ensembles: the Lee University Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Small Jazz Ensemble(s). As a result, he has done a lot of traveling country-wide, with trips to New York, Ohio, Florida, and other states. Notably, he made two trips with the Jazz Ensembles to participate in the University of Notre Dame’s Collegiate Jazz Festival. He was also a part of multiple international trips with the Symphonic Band, having been to Hungary, Austria, the Philippines, and Croatia, among other destinations. In 2017, he was selected to be a part of Dr. Arden Jensen and Dr. Austin Patty’s musical ensemble Advent Now! for their trip to Japan that occurs every other December.
Mathew is a positive and competitive person with a desire to include people in his life. For him, being a musician is a fantastic way to interact with others. Even though he is originally from Minnesota, he prefers the weather anywhere else much more. Mathew enjoys watching sports when he is not playing music.
Dr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor and serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society. Recognized for his ability to create moving performances that exhibit a surprising range of dynamics and depth of expression, Dr. Trecek-King excels at cultivating vocal and instrumental musicians at all levels. Through his collaborative rehearsal style, he bridges the gap between high art and humanity, captivating audiences while maintaining exceptional sonic quality.
Rollo Dilworth is a highly esteemed figure in choral music, boasting a vast repertoire of over 150 compositions and arrangements, many of which are featured in prestigious choral series such as the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series by Hal Leonard Corporation. His works are published by prominent entities like Santa Barbara Music Publishing and Colla Voce Music, Inc. Dilworth’s influence extends beyond composition; he is a contributing author for educational materials like the Essential Elements for Choir and Experiencing Choral Music textbook series. Renowned as a clinician and conductor, he has led numerous choirs at all-state, regional, and national levels, as well as international festivals and masterclasses. Dilworth’s dedication to choral music is evident through his leadership roles in organizations like Chorus America and his numerous memberships, including the American Choral Directors Association. His contributions have earned him accolades such as the Temple University Faculty Award for Research and Creative Achievement in 2017.
Read Rollo’s full bio HERE…
Papoulis has made significant contributions to choral music by revitalizing the choral repertoire with songs whose roots are classical and world, with voicing that incorporates lead vocalists with choirs, vocal percussion, and world rhythms. His choral work often is sung from the perspective of the singer, and is constantly inspired by the work he does through the Foundation for Small Voices. He firmly believes that music can heal, educate, celebrate, and empower the lives of children. Through the Foundation for Small Voices he has conducted songwriting workshops with choirs from all over the world.
Robyn Reeves Lana is a distinguished choral conductor and educator, renowned for her 32-year tenure as Founding Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir (CYC). She has led performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and internationally in Europe and Asia. Lana currently teaches at Miami University and has held faculty positions at CCM and Xavier University. A published author and editor with Santa Barbara Music Publishing, she’s received numerous honors, including The American Prize and Chorus America awards. Lana is also recognized in Imagineers • Impresarios • Inventors for her impact on Cincinnati’s arts scene.
Read Robyn’s full bio HERE…
Mary Okotie is a music education (voice) student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music! She graduated from Lakota West High School in 2023 where she was an active member and leader in the choral and theatre departments. Upon the completion of her undergraduate program, Mary plans on obtaining her master’s in Choral Conducting. She will use her knowledge and passion to impact the lives of everyone she comes into contact with whether that be at the educational or professional level!
Zander Bryant is a dedicated arts administrator and advocate for the advancement of classical music education. Hailing from Western North Carolina, he is currently pursuing a dual Master of Arts in Arts Administration and a Master of Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Lindner College of Business. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Gardner-Webb University, specializing in vocal performance as a baritone, music education, and choral conducting. His work focuses on enhancing the accessibility of classical music and inspiring younger generations through educational and community-based initiatives. He has collaborated with organizations such as the Asheville Symphony, Eastern Music Festival, and the Blue Ridge Consort, has served as a Choral Scholar at Shelby Presbyterian Church, and currently serves as Graduate Assistant for CCM Talent for Hire, coordinating performance opportunities for students. As a mentor once reminded him: “Always keep a song in your heart!”
Ellie Naehring is a 3rd year pursuing a B.M. in Music Education at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). At CCM, she performs with Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers, and serves as president of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Outside of her academic studies, she teaches voice and piano at 3rd Street Music and serves as a section leader and soloist at Southminster Presbyterian Church. She is thrilled to be working with Voci this school year!
Carson School: Trinity Dumford
James P. Gamble Montessori Elementary School: Dennis Betz
Parker Woods Montessori School: Catherine Buckles
Roll Hill School: Grace Devoid
Roselawn Condon School: Denniz Betz
William H. Taft Elementary School: Dennis Betz & Alina Stroh
Winton Hills Academy: Rachel Kline
Woodford Academy: Melinda Wallace
Bel Canto: Kelsey DeMange
Con Brio: Caitlyn McGlynn
Piccolo Coro: Melissa Surman
Vivace: Jacquelyn Thompson
Voci: Kelsey DeMange
Covington (John G. Carlisle Elementary): Julie Brumback
Homeschool: Melissa Surman
Mason Elementary: Jacquelyn Thompson
Oxford (Miami University): Maddie Erwin
Spencer Center for the Gifted: Matthew Jenkins
Dennis Betz
Julie Brumback
Max Kreeger
Alyssa Soong
Stephan Variames
Mathew Zalusky
Your generosity helps the Cincinnati Youth Choir provide transformative musical experiences for young singers. Donations directly support essential program needs, such as hiring skilled accompanists and teaching artists, purchasing new music, and ensuring children have access to high-quality choral education. Contributions also help fund performance attire, transportation for engagement programs, and scholarships for young musicians. Larger gifts enable us to commission new choral works and bring in guest artists for residencies, enriching our singers’ education and expanding their artistic horizons. Every donation plays a vital role in sustaining our mission and creating lasting musical opportunities for youth in our community. ❤️🎶
