About Us
About the Choir:
The Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio will begin their fifth season in September of 2011. This season brings an exciting change in that we are now offering two choirs! The Jubilate Choir is for 3-5 graders and will rehearse on Mondays from 5:30-6:30. The Bel Canto Choir will be for 5-9 graders and will rehearse on Mondays from 6:10-7:45. The mission of the choir is to provide an enrichment experience for children who have an interest and talent in singing. Rehearsals focus on teaching children to sing with pure tone, blend their voices, sightread music, and sing expressively. In the process a beautiful choir of young voices emerges and friendships are made. The first four seasons of the choir have included performances with the Perrysburg Symphony Chorale, singing the Star Spangled Banner for Mud Hens and Walleye home games, being the children's chorus in the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" annual spring concerts at Community of Christ Lutheran Church, the Maumee Indoor Theatre and the Millenium Theatre at Maumee Valley Country Day School, performing for the Whitehouse Winterfest and in the Ballet Theater of Toledo's "The Nutcracker", singing in collaboration with the Junior Choral Society of Archbold, and performing at the Southeast Ohio Children's Choir Festival with the Athens Children's Choir and the Hocking County Children's Choir. Many more exciting events are planned for the upcoming year.
About the Director:
Lisa Alleman, has a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education with a vocal/choral emphasis from Bowling Green State University. She has directed several choirs in the Toledo area, been a vocal director for high school and community musical productions and has taught private voice for many years. Lisa has worked as a music teacher and high school choir director and church and community choir director for Lake Schools, Springfield Schools, First Presbyterian Church of Waterville, Hope Lutheran Church and the Perrysburg Symphony Chorale. She is the founding director of the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio. She has expanded her knowledge of children's choirs and the art of choral directing by staying actively involved in the American Choral Director's Association. She is also a member of Chorus America. Outside of music, Lisa enjoys travel, biking and spending time with her husband and three children! Lisa loves watching and listening to CCofNWO students grow into confident and independant singers.
About the Assistant Director:
Hilary Heisman grew up in northwest Ohio and graduated from Toledo Christian School in 2002. She attended Greenville College in Illinois, where she spent four years touring with the college’s concert choir. During her undergraduate work, Hilary had unique experiences with both the classical and contemporary aspects of the professional music world. She sang for Soprano Shirley Close in a select master class, and prepared a traditional recital in addition to serving as a 2-year member of the executive cabinet for the Agape Music Festival. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Contemporary Vocal music. Hilary moved to Indianapolis in July of 2006, where she completed her Master of Arts in Teaching degree and earned her music teaching license at the University of Indianapolis (Go Greyhounds!). Her experience as a choral director includes teaching 7th-8th graders in the public school system and serving as the Preparatory Choir director for Young Voices of Indianapolis (1st-4th grade), as well as providing music education to preschoolers ages 3-5. Outside of choir, Hilary currently works for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and loves the chance to help girls develop in leadership and confidence! She spends her free time with her family, friends, and her dog. She loves to travel, read, write, and camp as well. Hilary's favorite part of CCNWO is, by far, seeing the singers grow together as a group and work hard to achieve such an amazing, quality choral sound.
About the Accompanist:
Nancy Honaker began her love of music at age 3 when her sister began teaching her some basics on the piano, and then at age 5, she begged her parents to let her take piano lessons and that's when formal lessons began. She was one of those rare students who was never “forced” to practice and loved playing the piano for hours on end. She went on to become her high school accompanist at Anthony Wayne for the choirs and musicals. She graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts/Graphic Design and soon thereafter, relocated to California. There, Nancy performed as the Musical Director/Accompanist for the local community theater and also accompanied at a community college. As well as her love of playing the piano, Nancy never gave up her love of singing and was accepted into the Santa Clarita Valley Master Chorale under the direction of Allen Petker where she sang with the Chorale for many years. In addition to singing with this exceptional group, Nancy also accompanied the choir on occasion. Now, after residing in California for 26 years, Nancy and her family have returned to Ohio. Nancy’s son, Drake, has recently become a part of the Children's Choir of NW Ohio and Nancy looks forward to pursuing her musical/accompanist activities in the local community.
About the Choir Manager:
Lisa Morrison, the Choir Manager, has served the choir since its inaugural 2007-08 season. She first became involved as a volunteer parent, and then became a staff member in August, 2009. In order to help move CCNWO forward in its mission, her duties include supervision/care of the students, volunteer coordinating, facilitating communication between staff and choir families, and support in directional planning. Ms. Morrison studied percussion from 5th-12th grade, and gives credit for her love of music to her late grandmother, Margaret ("Rusty") Monroe, owner of the former "Rusty's Jazz Cafe". She has been involved in handbell choirs, dance groups, and children's music ministries. Since 1998, she has volunteered or worked with area youth/children at local churches (Waterville Community Church, Cedar Creek Church, Genesis Christian Fellowship, New Harvest Christian Church), elementary and middle schools (Anthony Wayne Local Schools and Bowling Green Christian Academy), and in local Cub Scout and Brownie troops. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from BGSU and is a certified Teacher Aide. Ms. Morrison is also currently employed in children's ministry through New Harvest, and as an aide at BGCA. While Ms. Morrison is enjoying life as a busy mom of three school- aged children, she also tries to make time for reading, journaling, and park-hopping. Her favorite thing about CCNWO? Watching students gain confidence in being themselves, and learning to respect one another.
2011-12 Board Of Directors:
Lisa Alleman - President
Nancy Champion
Jeff Halsey
Hilary Heisman
Judy Ludwig - Treasurer
Lisa Morrison
Kathy Schwartz