Our Staff

Artistic Staff

Directors

Angie Johnson
Artistic Director/Director
ajohnson@ynschoirs.org
Biography

Bella Voce/Bella Cantare
Angie Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in music education from Northern Illinois University in 1991 where she studied piano with Donald Walker. Upon graduating, she taught choral/general music for Circle Center Middle School (Yorkville, IL) and Gregory Middle School (Naperville, IL) for 7 years. 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 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 25th season as a director and 15th 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.

Andrea Burck
Director
aburck@ynschoirs.org
Biography

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.

Meredith Dabbs
Director
mdabbs@ynschoirs.org

Biography

Aria
Meredith Dabbs is a passionate music educator with degrees in vocal performance and music education as well as a masters degree in Teaching, Leadership and Cultural Competency. She earned her degrees at the University of Iowa. Go Hawks! She is a YNS alumni who incorporates music into nearly every aspect of her life. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, Meredith was a quarterfinalist for a Grammy Music Educator Award demonstrating her commitment to improving her students’ lives through music. In addition to directing Aria, she is a general music teacher in Elmwood Park District #401 as well as a private piano teacher. When you meet Meredith you’ll see she almost always has a smile on her face and a song in her heart.

Ryan Henry
Director
rhenry@ynschoirs.org
Biography

Dolce/Ragazzi
Ryan Henry graduated Summa Cum Laude from Millikin University with a degree in Vocal Music Education and earned his Master in Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music. Currently, he is in the general music teacher and chorus director at Fry and Clow Elementary schools. He also coordinates and teaches the Young Composers Club program where fifth-grade composers write music for local musicians. Mr. Henry has presented at the National NAfME Convention and has been invited as a guest clinician at district music festivals. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Henry enjoys spending time with his wife and seven children. He is passionate about writing music, as he has recorded a contemporary worship album and also has composed several pieces for his students. Mr. Henry loves being with people! He and his family are actively involved with their neighorhood and church family. He frequently leads worship for various community gatherings and loves bringing up his children in a musical home.

Joseph Mitchell
Director
jmitchell@ynschoirs.org
Biography

Brio
Joseph Mitchell is a music educator in Naperville 203 at River Woods Elementary, leading the general music program and the school’s choir, the Redbird Singers. 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.

Amy Parry
Director
aparry@ynschoirs.org
Biography

Brillante/Cantabile
Amy Parry graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA) and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Denver. Mrs. Parry previously taught general music and directed choirs at the elementary (Colorado) and middle school (Naperville) levels. As a child, Mrs. Parry was a student singer in Young Naperville Singers! She is thrilled to direct Brillante, Cantabile, and our newest early childhood Music Together classes in the organization that played such an important role in shaping her into a life-long musician. Besides teaching, Mrs. Parry loves spending time with her husband and daughters, as well as decorating cookies and all things sweet!

Ryan Rimington
Director
rrimington@ynschoirs.org
Biography

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 Doilce and Canto Vivo Singers, facility host, and adamant supporter!

Accompanists

Erica Barnett
Accompanist

Biography

Aria
Erica Barnett received her Bachelor of Music Education from Wheaton College in 1996, with oboe as her primary instrument. She is an Orff specialist completing her Levels at UNLV and the Orff Master Teaching Certificate at the University of Memphis. 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. In 2017 she accepted the position of General Music Teacher at Nicholson Elementary School in Aurora where she is currently, and is also the Director of their Choir and Drum Club. Mrs. Barnett is a creative who loves working with children and encouraging them on their musical journey!

Janet Blomquist
Accompanist
Biography

Bella Voce/Canto Vivo
Janet Blomquist graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in oboe performance, and from Northwestern University with a masters degree in oboe 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 and Still Middle School. She is also the organist/accompanist at St. John Lutheran Church in Joliet. Janet is in her 15th year with YNS and is the proud mother of 4 grown children, 3 of whom are YNS alumni!

Hae Young Han
Accompanist

Biography

Ragazzi/Cantabile
Haeyoung Han is currently working for our community music students and works with various professionals. Additionally, she has been a pianist and organist at St. Raphael. She received a B.M. in piano performance from Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea. She has performed numerous concerts and recitals and received outstanding awards in Asia and Europe. She runs a piano studio.

Melanie Marr
Accompanist

Biography

Brio
Melanie Marr holds a Bachelor Music in piano performance from Elmhurst University and is so excited to be working with the community of musicians at Young Naperville Singers. She has worked in the past as faculty accompanist at both Elmhurst University and Aurora University as well as numerous other educational, theatrical, and performance organizations. She currently works as the music director for Wego Community Theatre and as a full-time music educator at Wheaton Academy.

Kimberly Obert
Accompanist
Biography

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.

Elizabeth Vaughan
Accompanist

Biography

Bella Cantare

Elizabeth Vaughan is a pianist and teacher based in Highland Park, IL. She is currently a pursuing a DMA degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her previous studies include a MM in Piano Performance from the University of Tennessee and a BM in Vocal Performance from Lawrence University. During her studies, she was the winner of the concerto competitions of all three institutions, and the first place winner of the MTNA Young Artist competition in the states of Wisconsin and Tennessee. Elizabeth is a frequent recitalist and has recently been featured as a collaborative pianist on 98.7 WFMT in Chicago and as a soloist on WUOT 91.7 in Knoxville, TN. She is the mother of twins Heather and Iris, and the wife of cellist Warren Oja.

Joshua Velez
Accompanist

Biography

Brillante
A versatile performer and educator, Joshua Velez maintains an active schedule as a pianist, organist, vocal coach, choral conductor, and theater musician, comfortably commanding genres from classical music to gospel, jazz, sacred music, musical improv, and beyond. Joshua is currently a guest lecturer at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and also performs with community choirs, children’s choirs, improv comedy groups, in memory care communities, and at churches throughout the Chicago area, along with maintaining a private studio. He is thrilled to be joining the YNS team and looks forward to a wonderful year together!

Administrative Staff

Christine Dyslin
Administrative Director

Biography

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
Operations Coordinator

Biography

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!

Catherine Peska
Administrative Assistant

Biography

Catherine Peska graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from DePaul University. After working for a number of years, she left the nursing profession to be a stay at home mom to her four children. During that time, she volunteered at her children’s school, worked part-time as a preschool teaching assistant and as an elementary school lunchroom supervisor. Volunteering in various capacities at YNS has led Catherine to becoming a part of the hard working YNS administrative team. She loves working for and supporting the YNS community of singers, parents and staff.

Jayne Koldoff
Administrative Assistant

Biography

Jayne has worked as an educator since 1998 when she taught kindergarten for four years at Bower Elementary School in District 200. She is currently Director and Teacher of Agapé Children’s Center in Warrenville, working with three- and four-year-old preschoolers. Jayne has two adult children and is grateful to be part of the YNS Office Team.

YNS

Young Naperville Singers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations made to Young Naperville Singers are tax-deductible. Many employers offer a contribution-matching program.