Staff

Artistic Director: Elizabeth Shepley
Elizabeth Shepley, who conducts the Concert Choir and Con Brio, has a Master’s degree in music education from the University of St. Thomas with an emphasis in Kodaly, a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Concordia College in Moorhead, and holds certifications in Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly methodologies. Ms. Shepley was instrumental in developing the House of Hope Presbyterian Church Choir School in St. Paul and served as its director for over a decade. In addition, she taught music education in both public and private schools, has chaired inner city music programs in Minneapolis and St. Paul, has served as President of the Twin City Choristers Guild, and has led conferences and festival choirs nationwide. In addition to her position with the Northfield Youth Choirs, Ms. Shepley serves as the Director of Children’s Choirs at Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield and is on the adjunct faculty at Luther Seminary as the instructor of children’s choral techniques.

Anton Armstrong, principal conductor of the Troubadours
Anton Armstrong, principal conductor of the Troubadours, is the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, conductor of the St. Olaf Choir and conductor of the Youth Choral Academy of the Oregon Bach Festival. He edits a multicultural choral series for Earthsongs Publications and is active as choral clinician and festival conductor throughout North America, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Dr. Armstrong, a graduate of St. Olaf College, earned advanced degrees at the University of Illinois and Michigan State University. He is the winner of the 2005 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.

Rachel Howe Lucius, conductor of Junior Singers and Treble Choir
Rachel Howe Lucius, director of Poco a Poco and the Treble Choir, is an Elementary Music Specialist at Rahn Elementary School in district #191 (Burnsville, Eagan and Savage). She has directed the Junior Choir at Camp Albemarle, the summer music program of The American Boychoir School, and has taught early childhood music classes to children ages 12 months to 5 years. Ms. Lucius holds a degree from St. Olaf College in Vocal Music Education, where she sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Anton Armstrong. She has sung as a soprano in the Minneapolis-based groups Magnum Chorum, VocalEssence, and The Singers. Rachel is currently a graduate student working on her Master of Arts in Music Education with a combined concentration in Kodaly and Orff from the University of St. Thomas.

Karen Lutgen, conductor of Chorale
Karen Lutgen, who conducts the Junior Singers and Chorale, teaches choral music at McGuire Middle School in Lakeville, Minn. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College, where she sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong. Ms. Lutgen has sung as a soprano in the Minneapolis-based groups VocalEssence and Kantorei and currently sings with Magnum Chorum. She recently began working on her Master of Arts degree in Choral Music Education at St. Thomas University.

Jessica Perry, conductor of Poco a Poco
Jessica Perry, conductor of Poco a Poco, teaches vocal and general music at Harriet Bishop Elementary in school district #191 (Burnsville, Eagan and Savage). She holds a degree in vocal music education from Luther College, where she sang in the Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble. As a student in Decorah, she directed the Junior Choir at Good Shepard Lutheran Church for three years. Jessica is currently a graduate student at the University of St. Thomas working on her Master of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Kodaly method.

Mark Stover, conducting intern for Troubadours
Mark Stover is a senior at Luther Seminary, earning a Master of Sacred Music in choral conducting. He moved to St. Paul after serving for nearly five years at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, Calif. While in Walnut Creek, Mark served as director of worship and arts, worship leader for the Open Door Community, and taught high school choral music at Campolindo High School. A 2001 graduate of St. Olaf College, Mark has a deep passion for the arts in their myriad expressions, particularly music, theater, and the culinary arts. He currently works on the worship, music, and arts staff at Colonial Church in Edina, Minn.

Operations Manager: Wendy Sivanich
Wendy Sivanich joined the NYC staff in the fall of 2005. Originally hired as a bookkeeper, Wendy’s role in managing the organization has steadily grown to her current position as operations manager. With a degree in accounting from the University of St. Thomas, Wendy manages all operational and financial aspects of the organization and has brought the NYC to a new level administratively.