Staff/Board
Adam Giebner
Artistic Director
Community Choir & Madrigal Singers, Conductor
Adam Giebner is the current choir director at Grand Rapids High School in Grand Rapids, Minnesota where he conducts four curricular choirs and teaches ear-training in the school’s music fundamentals course. He is also the Artistic Director for the Itasca Choral Society, Choir Director at Zion Lutheran Church, and is currently serving as Northeast District Chair for ACDA of Minnesota. In 2020, Adam graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) with a degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education. Adam currently lives north of Grand Rapids with his wife, Rachel, and their cat, Lepi.
Betsy Sween
Itasca Community Youth Choir, Conductor
Lynnea Iverson Schmitz
Itasca Community Youth Choir, Conductor
Cathy Shields
Collaborative Pianist
Cathy feels privileged to be the accompanist for the Itasca Community Chorus after a 9 year break while she enjoyed raising her three sons. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University, Ontario and a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. She retired from RJEMiddle School in 2021 as a music teacher and continues to teach piano lessons in her Piano Studio. Throughout her career, Cathy has accompanied a variety of choirs, vocal and instrumental soloists and has played in big bands, jazz bands and orchestra pits for theater productions.
Stephani Crecelius
Board Member
Stephani Creclius moved to Grand Rapids in late 2017 and soon became entangled in the music and theatre communities. She has been singing in choirs since the 6th Grade (Mankato Children's Choir), and continues to try and expand her musical abilities. In her professional life, she can be found running the front office for Itasca Community Television.
Hannah Walker
Board Member
Nancy Schlader
Secretary
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Nancy Schlader works as a Kindergarten teacher for ISD318 and is currently serving as the Chorus Manager. She and her husband, Ken enjoy spending time at their cabin with their two children(Logan and Maggie) and their dog, Karma. Nancy was in choir in high school and at BSU, and decided to join the chorus after attending their spring concert in 2017. Some of her favorite Chorus memories are singing in Mama Mia and during Alto sectional practices. She loves the Christmas concerts because they bring back childhood memories of singing carols with her family. Nancy believes that music provides many wonderful benefits, and uses it to support her Kinders' learning. One of her favorite activities beyond the chorus is singing with friends at Music Bingo.
Sam Evans
Community Choir Manager
Sam Evans is a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids. He graduated from Concordia Moorhead with a degree in music education in 2011 and returned home to Grand Rapids to work in his family’s business, Evans Insurance. Sam served as Artistic Director of the Itasca Community Chorus from 2013-2020. He and his wife, Lenora, have two rambunctious little boys – Ben and Charlie. He is excited to return to the chorus as a board member and serve as the choir manager.
Tony Schmid
Board Member
Tony Schmid is currently serving on the Itasca Community Chorus Board as Vice President! Celebrating 13 years as a Grand Rapids area resident and 2 years married this August, choir season is right around the corner! Tony still drives school bus but has joined a new crew! Nor Tran Inc transporting students for ISD 317 Deer River!
Maddie Melton
Vice President
Rachel Giebner
Youth Choir Manger
Rachel Giebner has been in the Grand Rapids community for 7 years and has loved making this town her home. She is an elementary music teacher at West Rapids Elementary where she teaches K-5th grade students. When she is not teaching, Rachel is involved in the local theatre community, performing in many musicals and directing kid's productions. Rachel graduated from Concordia College in 2017 where she studied music education. Rachel recently earned her Master of Education degree from the College of St. Scholastica along with a certificate in Culturally Responsive Practice.
Allie Friesen
President
