MCCL is pleased to announce the appointment of three Advisory Board Members. Meeting five times each year, the MCCL Advisory Board, provides counsel to staff, assists with fundraising, and guides the mission and vision of MCCL. Throughout the choir season, Board members also serve in various roles such as rehearsal assistants, concert speakers, summer tour chaperones, and more. The expertise and wisdom they offer help MCCL flourish.
MCCL Advisory Board Members
Lorri Bentch serves as the Mission Team Director at Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM). Previously, she was the Vice President of Operations at Christian Union and was an EMM long-term worker in Eastern Europe. She has a B.A. from Princeton University and a LL.M. from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.
Lorri expresses eagerness to be a part of MCCL because she “loves the combination of good music and Jesus.” Additionally, she is “thankful for the way MCCL and EMM have collaborated on international tours to various locations” throughout the past decade. A song that has been meaningful in her faith journey is “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
John Denlinger is a grandparent to two current MCCL singers and one former MCCL singer. He has served in many educational and leadership roles within the Mennonite church including, co-director of activities and Athletic director at Eastern Mennonite University, Advancement and Church Relations at Lancaster Mennonite School, pastor at Ridgeview Mennonite Church and Mellinger Mennonite Church, and Executive Director at the Laurelville Retreat Center.
John is interested in being part of MCCL because of the way “children, youth, music, community faith sharing and learning all come together in MCCL.” The song, “The Love of God,” has been significant to his faith journey.
Kathy Keener Shantz is a music therapist and works at Hershey Medical Center and Masonic Villages. She has a B.A. in vocal performance from Goshen College, an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and an M.A. in music therapy from Immaculata College. Previously she served in leadership at James Street Mennonite Church and Trinity Mennonite Church (AZ).
Kathy looks forward to joining the MCCL board because “music has been such a significant part of my life, and I am especially excited to support children and youth from a variety of Mennonite and denominational traditions uniting to sing together.” She has been encouraged in her faith journey by the song, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
We are thrilled to share that five new part-time staff have joined the MCCL staff team. As enrollment increases so does the need for small group instruction, which provides space for singers to learn in a more individualized setting. These new staff positions will serve while the choir season is in session from late-August through early May. Please help us warmly welcome each one.
MCCL Staff Members
Leah Bowman is serving as the Carol and Concert choir rehearsal assistant. She is a recent Bluffton University graduate with a B.A. in social work. She works as a teacher assistant at Diamond Street Early Learning Center.
She shares, “I am excited to be a part of a team that is passionate about the importance of music education and the power music holds in worship and storytelling! I am also looking forward to building relationships with singers and encouraging them as they learn about different kinds of music.” A song that helped to shape her faith is, “No More Faith” by Andrew Peterson because it reminds her how following Jesus is hard and good and beautiful.
Jeremiah Denlinger joins MCCL as the Volunteer Coordinator. He holds an M.A. in History and a B.A. in History Education with a minor in Spanish. In addition to his role with MCCL, he is an educator with Compass Mark. He has served in various educational settings as a History and Spanish teacher, as well as a guidance counselor and chapel coordinator.
Jeremiah shared, “I’m excited to join MCCL because as an MCCL parent, a concertgoer, and a former educator, I have seen the positive role it has played in the lives of singers and the community. I have seen students grow musically, socially, spiritually, and as leaders. I am eager to support the families of MCCL and the community through my role with MCCL.” Many songs have been significant to his faith story, two of them are the hymn, “I Bind My Heart This Tide” and a newly written song by Nate Grieser (MCCL parent) entitled, “Together.”
Roxanne Dixon is serving as the Interim Assistant Director for Carol and Concert choirs and as a musicianship instructor. She is an adjunct professor of music education at Messiah University and teaches music at The Londonderry School in Harrisburg, PA. She holds an M.A. in Music Education and a B.A. in Music Performance and Music Education. Roxanne has more than 20 years of experience teaching public school K-8 general and vocal music. Her professional education includes training in the Orff Schulwerk Approach, the Kodaly Concept, Dalcroze Education, and teaching children’s choirs.
She says, “I am excited to work with the great kids and staff making music together!” A song that is meaningful to her faith journey is “Here I Am Lord.”
Pat Gruber joins the MCCL team as a musicianship instructor. She holds a B.A. in Music Education from Millersville University. Pat has served as a music educator and worship leader for over 25 years at Kraybill Mennonite School, Akron Mennonite Church, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Diamond Street Early Learning Center, and Florin Church of the Brethren.
She looks forward to being a part of MCCL because, “I have attended concerts over the years and have been impressed with the quality of leadership, song selection, and vocal expression.” One song that has encouraged her faith journey is, “O Rest in the Lord,” by Mendelssohn.
Phil Warner is serving as a musicianship instructor. He holds an MEd from Liberty University and a B.A. in Music Education from West Chester University. He has spent the past 20 years in education and educational leadership. He taught K – 12 general music, choir, band, and ensembles at Berks Christian School and served as the director of Fine Arts in the Alliance Christian School District.
Phil looks forward to being a part of the music team at MCCL because, “creating music together has been one of the primary ways I have experienced the joy of the Lord throughout my life. I’m excited to continue to share in that gift with the young musicians at MCCL.” A song that has been meaningful to his faith is, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”
Additionally, we are grateful to share that three current staff expanded their roles with MCCL to support the music program and musicianship class. Carrie Warner, Accompanist, will also serve as Music Program Assistant and Tour Planner. Galen Kauffman, Men’s Ensemble Director, and Monica Carlson, Prelude Music director, are both also serving as musicianship instructors.