Lotty Chmielak
“I have been blessed to sing with the Chamber Chorale since 1987 and haven’t missed a concert since! I am not a classically trained musician and have never had a voice lesson, just a deep passion for joining my voice with others to create a wall of beautiful sound that uplifts us all! I started singing in grade school when I made the singing choir instead of the speaking choir for our 6th grade spring concert in 1976 and haven’t looked back.
I have sung with the UWL Women’s Chorus, UW Camarata Singers, and Choral Union prior to joining the Chamber Chorale. I was a board member for 20 years and have been the chair person for May Feaste slightly less than that.
When I’m not singing with the Chorale I work at Chileda as a Shift Supervisor (for 35 years this February). Off season is filled with gardening and walks with my dog Boo.”
Deb Daehn Zellmer
“I have been a member of the La Crosse Chamber Chorale since 2004.
Musically, I have been influenced by the strong Lutheran tradition of choral singing under the direction of Dr. Paul Manz in the children’s choir at Mount Olive Lutheran and under Dr. Leland Sateren at Augsburg College. I also sang in Madrigals and the Concert Choir under Bill Lydell at Washburn High School, Minneapolis. All three of these outstanding music directors helped developed my love of choral music and skill as a singer.
I like all kinds of music, but especially enjoy choral music. I love the caliber and variety of music the Chamber Chorale sings and the privilege of being part of a group with such talent and commitment. Singing in the group refreshes my soul and energizes me!”
Elizabeth Fox
“I have enjoyed making music with the wonderful people of the Chorale since 1990.
I started playing the piano at the age of three, and studied with my mother Phyllis Billington, Mathilde McKinney of Westminster Choir College, Nadia Reisenberg, and Karl Ulrich Schnabel, both of New York City. I sang in the Princeton University Glee Club, and with the Ameni Choir of Torino, Italy.
I teach piano, and am a part-time instructor in the Viterbo music department. My husband Donald Fox, is a pastor and hospital chaplain. He has written the program notes for the Chorale for over 20 years. Our daughter Susannah is an event planner in Chicago.”
Julia Kreitzer
“This is my first season with the Chorale and I’m so glad & honored to be a part of it! I’ve been singing in choirs, taking private voice lessons, and performing in musicals since I was about 10. Additionally, I minored in vocal performance at UW-Green Bay (shout out to Dr. Courtney Sherman and Dr. Randall Meder!).
In my free time I like to read, go for hikes, take naps, and think about my next tattoo. Fun fact: I am the youngest of 5 kids and all of our names start with “J”!
Amanda Kubusta-Owen
“I have been living in La Crosse since 2014. I have been singing for most of my life. For the past three years I’ve been singing with the Chamber Chorale and have loved being a part of a singing group again.
Vocal music was actually my first major in college, but I decided to become a social worker instead. I currently work at Mayo Clinic Health System as the supervisor in their social work department.
I am married, I have a bonus son who is 17 and will be graduating high school this year. I also have two dogs, which I adore.”
Jane Powell
“Originally from Illinois, I moved to La Crosse in 1983 and began singing with the UWL Choral Union. Around 2001, I joined the Chamber Chorale and have enjoyed the wide variety of music and the fellowship of the rich singing community here in La Crosse.
Dr. Paul Rusterholz and Dr. Jerry Benser have both been generous in sharing with me their knowledge and love of music.
I’m recently retired from nursing and enjoy spending time in the outdoors with my husband, Bill.”
