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.

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. She has traveled internationally performing with choirs and is always looking for her next music adventure! This is her 4th year directing with YNS and she loves the joy that music instills in us. 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.

Voci

Rachel Luhn is a music educator based in Naperville, IL, where she lives with her husband, Phil, and their three children. With 24 years of experience in education, Rachel has a rich background in teaching music at all levels, K-12. She currently serves as an elementary music teacher at Peterson Elementary in District 204, working with students in grades K-5. Prior to this, she taught at Neuqua Valley High School, where she conducted the Concert and Symphonic Bands, taught music theory, and assisted with the Marching Wildcats. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music. After attending Music Together classes with her own children, she became certified as a Music Together teacher. She then went on to teach both family and “big kids” classes through the program, sharing her passion for music with learners of all ages.” Throughout her career, Rachel has been passionate about bringing the joy of music making to children, helping them discover the magic of music while building skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. She is excited to direct Voci and hopes to inspire YNS’s youngest singers to discover the same love of music that her children experienced as young learners.

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.

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 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!

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!