Our Director

ANDREW DIONNE holds a doctorate in music composition from Indiana University and is a winner of a BMI Student Composer Award. In addition to his work in composition, Mr. Dionne has conducted the premier performances of the works of many contemporary composers. Currently, Mr. Dionne is the associate pastor at Christ the Word Presbyterian Church in Toledo.

 

Our Pianist

JOY MALONE

A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Joy Malone is a piano teacher, church musician, professional accompanist, composer and arranger, wife, mother of three, and grandmother-to-be.  For the past 12 years she has served as harpsichordist for the Owensboro Choral Society’s annual presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.”  Joy has played for numerous All-State choirs and Festivals at the elementary, middle school, high school and college levels, as well as hundreds of vocal and instrumental solo recitals.  She currently serves as pianist for South Spencer (Indiana) High School and Middle School choirs with her husband, David, as choral director.

Students from her studio have been accepted into the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, and have consistently earned Superior ratings at festivals.

Her compositions and arrangements have been performed in varying venues by choirs at all levels. One of her loves is composing new tunes to existing hymn texts.

Previous Years' Pianists:

2004: Harriet Ribbens

2005: Paul Jones

2006: Nate Filippelli

 

Our Organist

SANDY TAYLOR is presently organist at Christ the Word Presbyterian Church, having served intermittently for 50 years as organist in several other churches. When not playing the organ, Sandy joyfully sang alto in church choirs. The Lord has blessed her and her husband, Art, with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandsons. Sandy retired from the University of Toledo in 2002 where she worked as a secretary.

 

 

Our Vocalists

CURTIS COOK has performed extensively both in the United States and Europe with musical theatre and opera companies. Most recently he sang the part of Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with the Krakow Opera. Mr. Cook holds voice degrees from Oklahoma City University and Indiana University where he studied with Giorgio Tozzi.

EMILY MALONE has soloed in works such as Handel’s “Messiah,” the Haydn “Lord Nelson” Mass, the Bach “Magnificat,” and Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio.” While pursuing a degree in music education at the University Of Louisville School Of Music, Emily was selected to be a part of the elite Cardinal Singers, with whom she sang numerous solos. She has been privileged to work with such teachers as Roberta Veazey, Daniel Weekes, Sarah Dionne, and Beth Stovall. A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Emily is the daughter of David and Joy Malone.

SARAH DIONNE is happily married to Andrew. She holds a Masters Degree in voice performance from Indiana University, where she studied with Costanza Cuccaro. She has since performed as a soloist with orchestras and choirs around the country, including the London Sinfonietta, the New World Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

ROBERT FREDRICK is a family practice physician and the Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs for the Toledo Hospital. He also serves on the faculty of its residency training program. Prior to beginning the long process of medical training, Dr. Fredrick studied voice at Adrian College. He has enjoyed brushing off his vocal skills again for this performance.

DON WHITE is a graduate of the University of Toledo and former student of Samuel Margolis. He has appeared as a soloist with the Toledo Choral Society on many occasions—performing works including Handel’s Messiah , Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Haydn’s Creation . Mr. White currently owns and operates his own commercial voice-over production company donsvoice.com.