Our Staff

Bella Voce/Bella Cantare
Angie Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in music education from Northern Illinois University where she studied piano with Donald Walker and choral conducting with Mona Wis and Elwood Smith. Upon graduating, she taught choral/general music for Circle Center Middle School (Yorkville, IL) and Gregory Middle School (Naperville, IL). Conducting choral programs of up to 350 singers in curricular and honors choirs, her choirs were given superior ratings each year. Upon several occasions, she was named a “Most Influential Educator” by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. Mrs. Johnson is passionate about sharing her love for young people and teaching. She has led panel discussions, workshops and teacher institutes for both future and current teachers specializing in creative rehearsal techniques for young voices regionally, nationally & internationally. Most recently, she conducted the District IX Treble Honor Choir. Now in her 26th season as a director and 16th season as the Artistic Director of Young Naperville Singers, she oversees the music education, artistic programming, and visionary leadership of the growing organization. Under her tenure, Young Naperville Singers has grown to over 480 singers (7 – 18 years of age) in eleven choirs and can boast national and international recognition. Angie and her husband, Darrin are most proud of their three now adult children, Jared, Jenna and Joel.

Primo/Voci
Andrea Burck has over 35 years of experience as a musician and educator. Her experiences include early childhood, elementary and middle school music education, church music director, private piano instructor, and accompanist. She spent six summers on the summer camp staff at Interlochen Arts Camp and served as accompanist, elementary camp instructor, and piano instructor at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp in Alaska for seven summer seasons. Mrs. Burck holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in New York and she has continued her education with Kodaly and Orff coursework. Mrs. Burck recently retired from teaching elementary music in Indian Prairie School District #204 and is enjoying teaching Primo and Voci, working in the garden, keeping up with her 3 adult children and walking her pup Daffodil.

Dolce/Ragazzi
Ryan Henry graduated Summa Cum Laude from Millikin University with a degree in Vocal Music Education, where he studied conducting under Dr. Brad Holmes and composition under Dr. Jeremy Brunk and John Stafford II at Millikin. He earned his MMEd from Vandercook College of Music and has since continued his graduate studies at the University of St. Francis. Ryan has taught in Indian Prairie School District 204 in Aurora/Naperville for 17 years. At Nancy Young Elementary, he taught K-5 general music, chorus and founded the “Young Drum” percussion ensemble. Ryan joined the music staff at Waubonsie Valley High School teaching music theory, directing the Concert, Treble, and Varsity Singers choirs, and co-directing vocals for the spring musicals. Ryan currently teaches general music and directs the choruses at Fry and Clow Elementary schools. He created Clow and Fry’s “Young Composers Club” program where fifth-grade students compose music for local musicians and hear their music performed in a live recital!

Brio
Joseph Mitchell is a music educator in Naperville 203 at Madison Junior High School. He holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education from North Central College and a Masters of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music. He is a proud husband and father of three boys, who are growing as singers everyday.

Canto Vivo
J. Ryan Rimington is a National Board Certified Teacher at Neuqua Valley High School where he conducts curricular choirs, teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory, Music Production, directs vocal jazz ensemble, facilitates the music technology computer lab, and serves as co-Auditorium Manager. Mr. Rimington is also a published composer and arranger of many choral works, and frequently receives commissions and guest conducting engagements with midwestern choral and vocal jazz ensembles and organizational festivals. Mr. Rimington earned his Bachelor of Music Education and multiple Master degrees in education from the University of Illinois and has also engaged in Doctoral studies. Mr. Rimington has been connected to the Young Naperville Singers program for nearly twenty-five years as an adjunct teacher, parent, director of Dolce and Canto Vivo Singers, facility host, and adamant supporter!

Aria
Erica Barnett received her Bachelor of Music Education from Wheaton College with oboe as her primary instrument and is completing a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She is an Orff Specialist, completing the levels at University of Nevada Las Vegas. She began her teaching career in general music in Glendale Heights and later started a private piano studio out of her home, joining the Naperville AIM Chapter. Currently she is a Middle School Music Teacher in West Aurora with an emphasis in music technology, songwriting, and podcasting, and directs two choirs. Mrs. Barnett is a creative who loves working with kids and encouraging them on their musical journey!

Bella Cantare/Bella Voce
Janet Blomquist graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in music performance, and from Northwestern University with a masters degree in music performance. She currently works full-time in the healthcare industry as well as serving as the choral accompanist for Plainfield South High School, Naperville Central High School, Plainfield Central High School, Plainfield East High School and Still Middle School. She is also the organist/accompanist at St. John Lutheran Church in Joliet. Janet is in her 16th year with YNS and is the proud mother of 4 grown children, 3 of whom are YNS alumni!

Dolce/Primo/Voci
Kimberly Obert graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She teaches private piano and voice lessons at PM Music, Fox River Academy, and is the Music Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Yorkville. Mrs Obert is also a piano accompanist for school District 308.

Brillante
A versatile performer and educator, Joshua Velez (he/him) maintains an active schedule as a pianist, conductor, organist, and vocal coach, comfortably commanding genres from classical music to gospel, jazz, musical theatre, sacred music, musical improv, and beyond, as well as practicing the indigenous bomba music of his own Puerto Rican heritage. Currently, along with maintaining a private studio, he serves as director of music and choir director at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL. Now in his second year with YNS, Joshua is honored to participate in music-making with teachers who excel at providing a solid foundation of healthy vocal techniques for singers in a supportive and excellent environment. When not playing with Brillante, he works as a collaborative pianist and conductor with other Chicago-area choruses, opera companies, improv comedy clubs, memory care communities, churches, and at a variety of other venues. Joshua earned a Bachelor of Music with honors from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, where he is guest faculty in the Opera Music Theater program.

Christine Dyslin has had a long career as a music teacher, working with children from toddlers through high school. She holds a Master of Music Education degree from DePaul University, and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Since joining the administrative team for YNS, Chris has found great joy in serving the families and staff of this amazing organization.

Melissa Fosco graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. After teaching for several years, she stayed at home with her daughters and volunteered for many years in Naperville District 203 serving the Home & School organization at several schools as well as on the General Home & School Executive Board. Melissa greatly enjoys working with the incredible YNS staff and families! In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and two college-aged daughters who are YNS alumni!