Artistic Staff

Rosemary Siegrist Blessing
Artistic Director / Director, Chamber Choir
Rosemary holds degrees in piano performance and business administration from Eastern Mennonite University and has pursued graduate study in choral music. She is an adjunct instructor of piano at Franklin and Marshall College, maintains a thriving private piano studio, and has taught piano through Eastern Mennonite University’s Preparatory Program and was on music staff at the former Pennsylvania Academy of Music. Rosemary is an active pianist in the Lancaster area, having accompanied choral groups, musical theater groups, and currently plays with the Allegro Orchestra Lancaster.

Monica Hochstedler Carlson
Director, Prelude Music
Monica holds a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Goshen College. She teaches third through sixth grade general elementary music at Lancaster Mennonite School. In addition, Monica taught general music in public and private schools in VA, built a thriving private piano studio in VA and served as a private and group piano instructor at Goshen College (IN), Southern Methodist University (TX), Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music (VA), and Woodberry Forest School (VA).

Elisa Chodan
Voice Lesson Instructor and Program Assistant
Elisa holds a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Drexel University, a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Bob Jones University with additional graduate credits from Westminster Choir College, and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She has served as the Carol and Concert Choir rehearsal assistant and as the Choristers director in MCCL before serving in her current roles. Previously she served as music educator, teaching choir and general music at Veritas Academy and she led the women’s chorus at Lancaster Bible College. She was a 2019-20 VOCES8 US Scholar and two-times summer intern with VOCES8 in Europe.

Roxanne Dixon
Assistant Director, Carol and Concert choirs / Musicianship Instructor
Roxanne holds a Masters in Music Education from University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s in Music Performance from Miami University. She has more than 20 years experience teaching public school K-8 general and vocal music, in addition to teaching Music Education and Interdisciplinary courses at Messiah University. Her professional education includes training in the Orff Schulwerk Approach, the Kodaly Concept, Dalcroze Education, and teaching children’s choirs. Roxanne is an active writer and editor and currently serves on the editorial board of The Orff Echo.

Pat Gruber
Musicianship Instructor
Pat earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Millersville University. Currently, she is the choir director at Florin Church of the Brethren in Mount Joy. Her experience as a music educator includes roles as the music teacher at Diamond Street Early Learning Center and Kraybill Mennonite School. In her capacity as a church music leader, she has acted as the Minister of Worship and Music at Akron Mennonite Church and served as the Director of Church Music at St. Paul Evangelical Church. Alongside her musical endeavors, Pat has also pursued studies in sign language and pastoral studies.

Katrina King
Accompanist, Chamber Choir / Musicianship Instructor
Katrina King holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Lancaster Bible College. She is passionate about playing piano collaboratively with others, has appeared as a soloist with local orchestras, serves as the pianist for Perfect Harmony, has taught group theory courses, and maintains a successful private piano studio.

Laura Metzler
Assistant, Choristers
Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (Spanish concentration) from Houghton College and a Masters in Education (ESL track) from Eastern Mennonite University. She taught 4th grade at Lititz Area Mennonite for 5 years followed by one year of teaching ESL with Youth With a Mission in St. Marc, Haiti. She has enjoyed teaching private piano, guitar, and violin lessons over the last 20 years and leads worship in her home congregation. Laura works part time as manager at the Mennonite Life Visitors Center (and Biblical Tabernacle Experience). She enjoys adventuring and exploring the natural world with her husband and four children.

Tania Rush
Assistant, Prelude Music and Carol/Concert Choirs
Tania has studied piano performance, music education, and health information technology. Previously, she taught music and served as an accompanist in a local homeschool co-op. Currently, she teaches private piano and flute lessons.

Jonathan Shoff
Interim Director, Choristers
Jonathan holds a Master of Music from West Chester University and earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Millersville University with a concentration in piano and a minor in voice. Jonathan has 20 years experience teaching vocal, instrumental, and general music with all age levels ranging from Pre-K through adult. He has worked with many local music programs including Music for Everyone, S.W.A.N., and numerous community theaters. Previously he served as the MCCL Men’s Ensemble Director, Chamber Choir accompanist, and Choristers Director. Currently, he is the Choral Director at Warwick High School.

Carrie Warner
Accompanist, Carol and Concert choirs / Music Program Assistant / Tour Planner / Musicianship Instructor
Carrie holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (piano concentration) from West Chester University. She has taught general music and directed middle school and high school choirs at West-Mont Christian Academy, Berks Christian School, and Conestoga Christian School. For the past several years, she served as accompanist for school musicals at Berks Christian School and has accompanied productions for other organizations throughout her music career. In addition, Carrie was the accompanist for an MCCL summer tour in 2004.

Phil Warner
Musicianship Instructor
Phil holds a Master’s in Education from Liberty University, undergraduate degree in Music Education from West Chester University, and his Pennsylvania K-12 Teaching Certificate and Principal Certification. 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.

Sarah Wingard
Director, Carol and Concert Choirs
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Messiah College with a concentration in voice and extensive study in piano. Growing up in Virginia, Sarah gained early musical experience singing with the nationally acclaimed Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir. Sarah teaches elementary general music at Lancaster Mennonite School and has more than ten years of experience teaching middle school classroom music and choir. In addition to helping with local music camps and events, she has taught private voice and piano lessons. Sarah local choral experience includes singing with the Susquehanna Chorale and Wheatland Chorale.
Administrative Staff

Maria Bowman
Managing Director
Maria holds a B.A. with concentrations in psychology, education, and English from Eastern Mennonite University. She is pursuing graduate work in business administration and strategic leadership through Messiah University. Previously she worked in Human Resources, served as a Family Life Educator at COBYS Family Services, and taught in a middle school special education classroom.

Jeremiah Denlinger
Volunteer Coordinator
Jeremiah holds a Master’s of Arts 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. Most recently he worked for Lancaster Mennonite School as a Guidance Counselor, Spanish teacher, and Chapel Coordinator.

Kendra Guengerich
Bookkeeper
Kendra serves at the Office Administrator at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church in addition to her role with MCCL. She previously worked for the Hempfield School District and for Williams Apothecary and served at the treasurer for a school PTO.

Audrey Livengood
Editor (volunteer)
Audrey holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Millersville University and a master’s degree in education from Eastern Mennonite University. She taught at Lititz Area Mennonite School, served on the MCCL Advisory board, served on MCCL staff, and now homeschools her four children who are current MCCL singers. She has a small piano studio. In addition, she and her husband, along with their children, own and operate Livengood Family Farm, a regenerative farm in Lancaster, PA.

Dori Preheim
Music Librarian (volunteer)
Dori holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Millersville University. She recently retired after working many years for the Lancaster Lebanon IU13. As a teacher and PCA, music was a part of her classroom. Her daughter is an MCCL alum.

Donna Reinford
Office Assistant (volunteer)
Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Messiah College and an master’s degree in Kinesiology from James Madison University. She currently coordinates Activate Kids!, a pediatric healthy weight program at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. She also enjoys coaching youth sports and supporting the growth and development of young people.
Advisory Board
Lyn Carlson, chair
Larry Guengerich, vice chair
Doug Garrett, treasurer
Lorri Bentch, secretary
John Denlinger
Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell (emeritus)
Kate Grieser
Seth Hake
Durelle Leaman
Kathy Keener Shantz