Welcome!

How do you measure 30 seasons of powerful singing and community life? In numbers of songs performed? In members who have joined? In guest artists, or pitch-ins, in chords tuned? To quote the beloved song from RENT: “How about love?”

When IWC first came together to sing in 1994, RENT had just been written, but was still in the workshop phase — still becoming the smash hit, award-winning musical so many people treasure, before its premiere on Broadway in 1996. These two beginnings share some common themes: most prominently, the shadow of HIV/AIDS, and the need to come together for support and to build a chosen family within the LGBTQIA+ community. I encourage you to read more about IWC's beginnings in the 25th anniversary history available on IWC's website. IWC's First 25 Years.

IWC was formed out of love, out of a desire for safe space to love openly, out of love for music and a recognition that working together through song was a way to not only create internal beloved community, but to build bridges with the wider Indianapolis community. We honor and celebrate the power of queer love and determination to make spaces like ours real. We are grateful for all the singers, staff, and volunteers who have loved and built this community over the last thirty years, and who look confidently to IWC's future.

“The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other's light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.” — Maria Popova.

Today, we celebrate that kind of powerful, light-magnifying love, and all the ways that love shows up in a life. My hope for all of us is that by the end of today's concert, we will have experienced some of the breadth of possibility that love offers, including love as justice, love as friendship, self-love, romantic love, universal love, and love of life. We also honor the many seasons of love in a life: seasons of connection, seasons of grief, seasons of hope, seasons of self-acceptance, seasons of solidarity, seasons of change, seasons of celebration..

May the music of today's concert open your heart, lift your heart, and nurture your heart. Thank you for the love you have shared with IWC, whether this is your first concert in the IWC audience, whether you've sung in or directed the chorus, whether you've been with us for 1 year or 30! We are grateful to have each of you in our community.

Coretta Scott King said: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace, and a soul generated by love.”

In other words, as Jonathan Larson wrote in RENT: “measure in love.”

In harmony,
Meagan Johnson, Artistic Director

Dennese Adkins
Sara Allaei
Reba Baker
Jodie Barnett
Cara Berg Raunick
Sarah Blair*
Mary Bondeson
Vanessa Bozzo
Vicki Bynum
Mary Beth Carlson
Rebecca Clark*
Jennifer Collins
Stacie Colston Patterson*
Cheryl Croghan
Abby Danner
Jo Davies
Colleen Downey*
Alicia Drier Burier*
Sherry DuBois
Cara Eastis
Elizabeth Enas
Katie Fedeler
Jane Ferris
Lannae Gordon
Mandie Gould
Meg Gray
Evan Greeley
Andrea Grotenhuis
Abigail Hale
Lizzie Hallinan
Meg Hart*
Christine Hawkins
Eva Hernandez-Ramaswamy
Melissa Hibdon
Emily Hickman*
Kristen Hidding
Robin Jones
Kris Kauffman
Rachel Kempin
Jayne Kercheval
Cara Kirkpatrick
Jane Lang
Michelle Liechty*
Niki Lyons
Melissa Madill
Kelsey Madill
Ana Mann
Jen Mathews
Janet McCabe
Diana McClure*
Sally McSpadden*
Sarah Mihelic
Marty Miles
Janet Miller
Jana Miller
Holly Miller
Michelle Mravec Arthur
Laura Muehlbauer
Anne Murphy
Kayla Norman*
Alicia Oskay
Lauren Peters*
Sara Peterson
Liz Piekarczyk
Mary Piekarczyk
Donna Pittman*
Miranda Reseigh
Mary Roberts
Jenny Robinette
Kate Roelecke
Lisa Roller
Sarah Rowley*
Mary Ryker Hernandez
Bridget Sarris
Rose Saurini*
Claire Scheele
Joanna Schreck
Ali Schumacher
Joan Showalter
Megan Soller
Kimber Stancato
Sarah Stentz
Jenna Streit
Marilyn Stutzman
Bonnie Taylor*
Jen Thomas
Catie Thomas*
Kira Thomas*
Sarah Thrasher
Maria Valentine
Katherine Vellenga
Sarah Viktora
Reese Walker
Helen Weber-McReynolds
Lisa Weidekamp
Tina Wiesert
Emily Wilhelm
Shirah Winicur
Larisa Woodruff*
Cortnee Yarbrough
Jenn Zuckerman*

*Leave of absence for this concert

 

Meagan Johnson is a dynamic, interdisciplinary artist-educator with more than 15 years experience leading choirs and teaching Alexander Technique and voice to individuals and groups. Meagan's goal in all settings is to empower people with the skills and tools that support them in doing their best work and living their most whole lives — with ease, with freedom, and with joy. Building on a life-long interest in the intersection of artistry, education, and well-being, Meagan Johnson is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, experienced singer and voice educator, and choral conductor. In addition to her studio teaching in Indianapolis and online, she has served on the faculties of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Butler University, Marian University, and University of Indianapolis. In 2015, she was appointed Artistic Director of Indianapolis Women's Chorus. Meagan is also a sought-after clinician for choirs, collegiate music departments, and conferences. She holds the Master of Music in Voice Performance and the Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance/Music Education from Ithaca College, and completed her Alexander Technique Teacher Certification (1600 hours, AmSAT) at Alexander Technique Urbana. More information at meaganjohnsonstudio.com.

 

Ross Dryer, collaborative pianist, received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and his Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he studied with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. In addition to his work with IWC, he is currently employed as the choir accompanist at Fishers High School and has worked with several community theaters in Columbia and Indianapolis.

 

Lisa Marie Kincaide (percussion, she/her), lives in Indianapolis where she is an active performer and music educator in a wide variety of styles. Since playing percussion for her first musical, Annie, at age twelve, Lisa has been a dedicated and addicted “musical theater junkie.” Attending Ohio University in Athens on a percussion performance scholarship, Lisa earned her degree in music therapy and went on to start her own private practice. Lisa currently teaches symphonic and world percussion, piano, guitar, ukulele and adapted lessons to individuals and groups throughout the greater Indianapolis and Cincinnati areas. She is also a certified trainer and group facilitator for Drum Talk and Rhythm Jams, leading sessions through El Sistema Indianapolis and Arts with a Purpose Indy. Utilizing music, Lisa empowers and educates individuals of all ages and abilities through the Creative and Performing Arts.

 

2023-2024 Board of Directors

Marty Miles, Chair
Retired, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

Jim Hanna, Secretary
Writer, Editor, Designer

Lacey Richey, Treasurer
Tax Professional
Smitson Erhart-Graves Tax Advisors, LLCs

Margaret “Meg” Gray, Chorus Representative
Government Benefits Consultant

Sara Peterson, Chorus Representative
Organizational Effectiveness Performance Partner, Ascension

Robin Jones, Chorus Leadership Council Chair
Compliance, Policies and Procedures, Data Analysis, Homeless Initiative Program

Ashley Acuff, Director
Logistics Team
Nine13 Logistics

Miriam Dant, Director
President
Dant Advocacy

Shelly Fitzgerald, Director
Director of Resource Development
Indiana Youth Group

Burton Patterson, Director
Sexual Health Project Manager
Health Care Education and Training (HCET)

Autumn Roberts, Director
Executive Assistant
The Perry Term – F.C. Tucker Co.

Meagan Johnson, ex officio
Artistic Director, IWC

IWC’s Board of Directors and its committees are actively seeking new members with a variety of skills and experience. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please contact Marty Miles at chair@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

Chorus Leadership Council

Robin Jones, Chair
Rachel Kempin, Treasurer
Mary Beth Carlson
Lannae Gordon
Sally McSpadden
Katherine Vellenga
Sherry DuBois, Artistic Administrative Assistant
Meagan Johnson, Artistic Director

Chorus Support

 

Section Co-Leaders

Kristen Hidding, Soprano 1
Liz Piekarzyk, Soprano 1
Cara Berg Raunick, Soprano 2
Sherry DuBois, Soprano 2
Jane Lang, Alto 1
Emily Wilhelm, Alto 1
Vicki Bynum, Alto 2
Christine Hawkins, Alto 2

Artistic Director Advisory Team

Jodie Barnett
Ross Dryer
Christine Hawkins
Kristen Hidding
Sally McSpadden
Burton Patterson
Cara Berg Raunick

Marketing/Communications 

Jen Thomas, Chair
Vanessa Bozzo
Michelle Liechty
Ana Mann
Marty Miles
Sarah Viktora

Revenue Development

Marty Miles, Chair
Shelly Fitzgerald
Meg Gray
Jim Hanna
Beth Kloote
Niki Lyons
Sarah Stentz
Kaye McSpadden

Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity (ABIDE) Team

Sara Allaei, Co-Chair
Andrea Grotenhuis, Co-Chair
Mary Beth Carlson
Evan Greeley
Melissa Madill
Marty Miles
Cortnee Yarbrough

Strategy Planning Team

Marty Miles, Chair
Ashley Acuff
Sara Allaei
Jodie Barnett
Miriam Dant
Sara Peterson

IYG Outreach Liasisont

Mary Bondeson

Additional Health & Safety Support

Kris Kauffman
Marilyn Stutzman
Bonnie Taylor

IWC remembers the following chorus members, leaders, and supporters who have passed away:

Joey Burt, stage manager & supporter
Pamela O'Haver Day, chorus member
Sharon Farley, chorus member
Esther Fuller, chorus leader & supporter
Kathleen “Kassie” George, chorus member
Phillis Green, chorus leader & supporter
Pam Mueller, chorus member
Juliet Port, chorus member
Mary Ellen Reed, chorus member
Holly Marie Singer, chorus member
Christy Lynn Stossmeister, chorus member

If a name has been omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our apologies and contact us at info@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

We gratefully acknowledge the Hildegard Circle gifts listed here (gifts of $50+) and other special gifts, reflecting donations between 1/1/2022–10/30/2022. If your name was omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our apologies and contact us at giving@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

$1000–$1500
Rod Collier & John Strachan
Jim & Helen Johnson
Shelley Stewart

$500–$999
The Egolf-Jones Family
Beth Kloote
Janet McCabe & Jon Laramore
Marty Miles

$250–$499
Anonymous
Kim Allman & Leisa Waggoner
Sue Breiner
Linda Daley & Paula Susemichel
Diversity Wine Club
Margaret Gray
Janet Hock
Jeff Jones
Kaye & Bruce McSpadden
Edith Millikan & Lynne Arrowsmith
Mary Roberts
Jen Schmits Thomas & John Thomas
Ali Schumacher & Sam C. Carpenter
Tyler Secor
Ray & Lucinda Wilson

$150–$249
A Cut Above Catering
Ann M Alley
Ruby Jo Barnett
Nancy Elsner
Indra & Mark Frank
Pam Gray
Sally McSpadden & Jim Hanna
Robin Sahner
Christine Schumacher & Hal Hess
Marilyn Stutzman
Stephan & Marcia Treffman

$50–$149
Anonymous
Dennese Adkins & Brandon Jardine
John & Janice Aughey
Sharon Baker
Taylor Blair
Zach Blatz
Eric & Pam Blevins Hinkle
Bob & Valerie Brennan
Rex Camp
Patricia Clark
Joyce Coalson
LuEtta & Delbert Culp
Malcolm Dalglish
Peter Fellegy
Margaret & Ryan Gooley
Mandie E. Gould
Joanne Haley-Borodine
Robin & Debra Helmuth
Kelli Herm
Stephen & JoAnn Hoskins
Tricia & Michael Hurst
Robin Jones & Stephen Egolf
Bill & Ann Jones
Scott & Jane Kempin
Ellen Ketterson
Francis Lapka
Liz Lawson
Gene Lemmenes
Susan R. Logsdon
Rosemary Madill
Mike & Tammy Martin
Debbie Mitchell
Polly Novak
Stephen Olin
Jody Pearce
Liz Piekarczyk
John & Theresa Schreck
Kim Schroerlucke & Jeanne Thompson
Renee Schultz
Donna Schick
Katherine Sinclair
Grace Starcke
Erik Stark
Evalyn & David Stitt
Deve Vetter
Kimberly Watson
Constance Wernersbach
Judy Wolf
Cara Yoder

MEMORIAL GIFTS
In Memory of Phillis D. Green, IWC's first Volunteer Coordinator
Angela Cosentino, IWC's first President, 1994-1995

In Memory of Lorry Roantree
Loretta Berndt
In Memory of Andrew J. Weidekamp
Lisa Weidekamp
In Loving Memory of Christy Stossmeister
Hache Stossmeister

ANGEL FUND (scholarship help for singers)
Sara Kurtz Allaei
Bri Booram & Daniel Sheehan
Judith Carson
Andrea & Todd Grotenhuis
Janet McCabe & Jon Laramore
Marty Miles
Claire Scheele
Mitchell Showalter
Maria Valentine

SPECIAL OCCASION GIFTS
In Honor of Holly Miller
Angela Miller

To Honor Kate Roelecke and all IWC Singers
Rebecca Walter

In Honor of Marty Miles
George Hanlin and Beth Kloote

In Honor of Jodie Barnett's Birthday
Kimberly Butrum

Happy Birthday to Sarah Rowley!
Deborah Rowley