Singers
Click on each name to go to a brief bio.
Dane Chavers (tenor/baritone) grew up in Cleveland and graduated from Hiram College in Economics. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the Ohio State University in 1981, and has worked for Franklin County as a criminal defense attorney in the felony unit since 1983. Dane has sung in a wide range of choruses in high school, college, church and community. He is also a great sportsman and an avid reader. Single and anticipating retirement from law in 2010, he hopes to teach high school students in Columbus Public Schools. back to top
Ed Crockett (bass/baritone) joined the Magpies in September 2008. A native of Cincinnati, Ed attended The Ohio State University where he was a tuba major in the school of music and a member of TBDBITL - The Ohio State University Marching Band - where he had the honor of dotting the 'i' in Script Ohio (4 times, but who's counting?). Ed has continued his tuba adventures as a member of the Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Company, The Grove City Community Winds, and the Greater Columbus Community Orchestra. Without his tuba, Ed has performed with the Columbus Symphony Chorus, Opera Columbus, Cantari Singers of Columbus, the Lancaster Chorale and the Grove City Chamber Singers. Ed is a web developer at Leader Technologies Incorporated in Lewis Center, and he and his wife, Karen, are the staff photographers for The Ohio State University Marching Band. back to top
David Ehle (bass) David is currently a data manager for the Education Management Information System (EMIS) at the Ohio Department of Education. He previously spent 15 years working in gifted education, including 10 years working with the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue University. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in education from Purdue. David performed over 300 times with the Purdue Men’s Varsity Glee Club during his undergraduate days- and after that run, his vacation from formal singing lasted until he joined the Magpie’s in early 2002! His return to the joy of music-making brought many blessings- including meeting his wife in the Magpies. In the limited free time left after spending time with his son and newly arrived daughter, he enjoys computers, hiking, and gourmet cooking and baking. back to top
Kathryn Ehle (soprano) Kathryn graduated from Hiram College with majors in both music education and elementary education and recently earned her Master’s in education from The Ohio State University. She currently teaches fourth grade in the Hilliard City Schools and has previously taught music and directed choirs at the Elementary and Middle School levels. At Hiram she studied piano and voice and performed in Opera Workshops and Madrigals. She has also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and served as a cantor at St. Cecilia’s Church in Columbus. Kathryn met her husband, David Ehle, in the Magpies! David and Kathryn have a son Zachary, a daughter Jessica, as well as two pampered cats, Gracie and Zoe. back to top
Brian Franz (bass) Brian grew up in Xenia, Ohio where he began studying music on violin and piano at an early age. Progressing to college, Brian earned a B.A. in Music from the Ohio State University where he became involved in the Medieval and Renaissance Performers Guild. He performs regularly with the Westerville Symphony Orchestra and Minstrelry. He sang with the Cantari Chamber Choir in Dayton, and played violin with various ensembles in the Dayton area. Brian's musical endeavors are supported by a job with Columbus Metropolitan Library, though he hopes to some day support his library habits through musical endeavors. back to top
Jason Grossman (tenor). Jason grew up in Westerville and graduated from Westerville North High School in 2000. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Case Western Reserve University in 2004 and his Juris Doctor degree from Boston University in 2007. Jason has been singing in a variety of choirs since 1990, including the Notables show choir at Westerville North, the Otterbein Kinderchor, with which he performed at Carnegie Hall in 1995, and the Central College Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, in which he is currently a member. back to top
Scott Henderson (tenor). Scott is an anesthesiologist with Midwest Physician Anesthesia Services, Inc., practicing at Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he is Section Head of Obstetrical Anesthesia. His interest in vocal music began as a member of the choir of North Park University in Chicago, IL. Currently he is a member of the choir at Central College Presbyterian Church in Westerville and recently sang with the First Congregational Church Choral Society (Timothy Smith, dir.) for the "Bach Birthday Bash". Scott lives in Gahanna with his wife Elicia and son Tim, who is a High School student at Columbus Academy. Daughter Megan is a college student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. back to top
Angela Kuder Hulligan (soprano). Angela gained both Bachelors and Masters degrees in music (voice) – and a further Masters in Opera Theatre Direction - from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She is also a registered nurse and a qualified paralegal. She works as a nurse care manager for Gates McDonald Health Plus and also in home help care. Her hobbies include photography, gardening, languages and movies – and she is also an avid book collector. back to top
Jennifer Kangas (alto). Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree in music theory and composition and a Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, both from Ohio State University. She works as an Associate Director in the Office of Certification and Licensure at the Ohio Department of Education. She has played flute, piccolo and drums for various ensembles including the folk rock band Campfire Walkers and the ethnic folk dance band Kaj Mi Nuka. She has sung with Rusalka Slavic Folk Ensemble and was bass section leader for the Capitol Showcase Chorus dir. Suzy Harding (barbershop singing). She has also sung with the quartets String of Pearls and Basically Yours. back to top
Dawn Leach (alto). Dawn was a vocal music major at the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, Kentucky. She has a BSN from Mt. Carmel College of Nursing. She also has a BA in Spanish from Hiram College, where she studied music on scholarship. She has performed with the Choral Arts Society of Cleveland, Voices of Kentuckiana, The Sissy Show, and the Columbus Women's Chorus. Dawn is a home health nurse. back to top
Jane Leidheiser (soprano). Jane is an elementary general music teacher teaching in the Hilliard City Schools since 1984. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The Ohio State University. Jane has sung with Opera Columbus, the choir at First Congregational Church in Columbus and various other chorals groups around town. She was even one of the original Victorian Christmas carolers at the Columbus Zoo. Currently she is involved in the music of early America performing music and puppets shows around the country as Jane's Tales and Tunes. back to top
Joan Wells Lombardi (alto). A native of Chicago, Joan has sung professionally over the past 20 years with many of Chicago'’s major musical organizations, including the Chicago Symphony, as well as with numerous chamber music ensembles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in music education and choral conducting, and a Masters degree in vocal performance and pedagogy. Formerly the executive director of the Lake Forest Symphony and, subsequently, of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, both in the Chicago area, Joan moved to Columbus with her husband, Dennis, several years ago. Here she continues her work as a professional Life Coach and Executive Coach, and leads personal growth trainings throughout the country and abroad. Additional passions include ballroom dancing, sailing, and travel. back to top
Janna Marshall (alto) is Director of e-Commerce for Red Roof Inns headquartered in Columbus. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, Janna has balanced several senior management level positions in the direct marketing industry with a lifelong love of music. She has sung with auditioned choirs in Madison and Stevens Point, WI; Omaha; and with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus; but her favorite gig was as lead singer with the “Fortune 500's", a student rock band at Harvard. She enjoys solo as well as ensemble performing and has extensive experience in musical theater. Janna lives in Worthington with her husband Mack, a professional saxophonist; their teenaged son and daughter; and cats Mozart, Riley, and Chance. back to top
Benjamin Minor (bass). Benjamin is a native of Columbus where he has been singing in choir since 1980. In addition to singing with the Magpies he sings with the Capital University Choral Union. Benjamin can often be found wandering the hollows of Clintonville late at night, or playing a lone dijeridu in a concrete culvert. back to top
Regan Oaks (soprano). Regan is a teacher with Columbus City School, having been with the district for over 20 years. Subjects taught include Language Arts, reading, band and choir and she is currently on leave from her position of gifted and talented specialist. She loves reading, music, travel (anyone want to go to India?), films (especially ones with subtitles), and spending time with her dogs. She has volunteered with Goodwill for 19 years and last year was recognized and rewarded for her years of service . Along with being a Magpie, Regan has sung with The Capital University Choral Union, Columbus Chamber Singers, Broad Street Methodist Choir, and is an adjunct choir member of St. Francis of Assisi’s church (Thanks Phil!). back to top
Keith Redmill (tenor). Keith is a research scientist in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University. He holds engineering and mathematics degrees from Duke University (BS, BSE) and OSU (MS and PhD). He is the tenor soloist and section leader at St. John's Episcopal Church of Worthington and section leader for the Temple Israel choir. He has also sung with the Columbus Bach Ensemble (Christine Shumway Mortine), Voice Columbus (Craig Johnson and James Yeager), North Broadway United Methodist Church (Carol Ann Bradley) and in a number of university ensembles. Keith has a particular interest in early music and period instruments, and in the music and building of pipe organs. back to top
Melissa Christophersen Redmill (soprano). After several years of attending Magpie Consort concerts, Melissa has finally joined her husband, tenor, Keith Redmill in singing with this delightful ensemble. A graduate of the OSU Department of Theatre, Melissa is usually seen behind the scenes as a stage manager. She has stage managed for several local theatre companies including JCC Gallery Players, Curtain Players and CATCO. Past singing credits include OSU Symphonic Choir (James Gallagher), Vaud-Villities, Capital University Choral Union (Linda Hassler), VoiceColumbus (James Yeager), and North Broadway UMC (Carol Ann Bradley). Melissa and Keith are the soloists and direct the Children’s Choir at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Worthington. Melissa has a special interest in Big Band music and Musical theatre producing a yearly concert at The Judy Garland Festival in Minnesota. Melissa works as a Medical Billing Specialist at Heart Specialists of Ohio. back to top
Heidi Sherer (soprano) Like many Lutherans, Heidi was surrounded by four part harmonies before she was born, joining in upon arrival. Although most formative years were spent in various Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio Lutheran choirs, one of her early joys was singing with District 279 Children's Chorus in the Twin Cities. She sang four years in Indiana's Valparaiso University Kantorei, doing liturgical music in churches across the country. Fifteen years after coercing family members into practicing, recording and performing for family functions, she joined fellow bossy artists in Songwriters Association of Northern Indiana in the 1990's. From 2000-2005 she enjoyed Columbus Women's Chorus, becoming an original member of their a cappella group AlcheMs. When she isn't making music you may find her in Columbus Public Schools where she's employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Nonschool hours she adores bonding with her cats Salie and Ray, listening to, reading and watching as much comedy as possible, and playing with assorted writing projects. back to top
Doug Slusher (bass) Doug Slusher is a graduate of Westminster Choir College and The Ohio State University, holding degrees in music. He is Minister of Music Emeritus at Indianola Presbyterian Church, Columbus where he directed for 35 years. Doug has sung with the Westminster Choirs, the Cantari Singers of Columbus, the Columbus Madrigal Singers and the Columbus Bach Ensemble. He taught voice and directed choirs at Heidelberg College as a sabbatical replacement. He also taught voice at OSU as a graduate teaching assistant and later at Denison University as adjunct faculty. Doug is now an Academic Advisor for Arts and Sciences at OSU and teaches voice (a little) privately. Hobbies are reading history and working on family tree. He lives with wife Pat, daughter Katie and cats Jake and Sophie. One son, Nathan, escaped to DC. back to top
Benjamin Wiant (baritone/bass). A highly-trained pianist and musician, Benjamin Wiant holds the BM degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and the MM degree from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he studied with Olga Conus. A member of the Piano Technicians Guild, Ben serves as the Principal Technician of the Grand Teton Music Festival, in Jackson Wyoming; is the Chief Technician for The Lancaster Festival in Lancaster, Ohio; and is the resident technician for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. back to top