Robert Nance began his musical career at age 8 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Early training as a boy chorister and ¬pianist led to serving as an organistmaster at church, concert and marching band experience as a trumpet and French horn player, then to Interlochen Music Camp as a pianist and singer. While at Interlochen, Nance received a scholarship to attend DePauw University’s School of Music, where he earned highest honors as a keyboardist and conductor. Nance then studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he earned a degree in orchestral conducting with an emphasis in opera and vocal coaching. Following a four-year appointment as the organist/choirmaster of First Presbyterian Church in Hampton, Virginia, he joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, where he served as minister of music for a decade.

Nance is currently a freelance performing musician, serving the community in many ways. He is the founding artistic director of Heartland Chamber Chorale, a group started in 1997 under his direction. He continues to develop the organization and the encouragement of choral opportunities in the Northeastern Indiana region. Under his direction, HCC has experienced exceptional growth and has earned a solid reputation for excellence in choral performance, music education and advocacy.

In addition to his work with the Heartland Chamber Chorale and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, Nance serves as director of music for Plymouth Congregational Church, and professional choir director/organist of Temple Achduth Vesholom. His musical leadership in the community, coupled with teaching in his master music studio and performing regularly makes for a richly diverse and dynamic artistry.

Nance has received many honors and awards, including guest conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a recipient of the Indiana Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Nance considers himself a lifetime student of music, honored to have regular advice and council from artists such as Robert Page, Glynn Page, Albert McNeil, Vance George, Alice Parker, Craig Jessop, Jerry Rubino, Carver Cossey, Nancy Menk, and Stephen Paulus.

Dan is in his 11th season with HCC. A lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, he graduated from IPFW with a BA in Vocal Performance. Dan studied with Dr. Joseph Meyers and Violette Meyers. He has sung with the University Singers, the Opera Workshop, FW Philharmonic Chorus, and the Achduth Vesholom and Trinity Episcopal choirs. He is the Kitchen manager for Aramark at DePuy Orthopaedics.

Richelle is thrilled to be performing with HCC in her third season. She resides in Churubusco with her husband Matthew and three wonderful children: Jeremiah, Taylor and Alayna. Richelle graduated from IPFW's Dental Assisting program in 2000 and is employed in Columbia City. She is active in music ministries at St Joseph UMC in Fort Wayne where Matt is the youth director. She has performed with Churubusco's Turtle Town Players in years past, remembering her role as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors as her favorite. Richelle thanks Matt and her family for their love, support and sacrifice (and lots of babysitting!) to allow her to do what she loves.

Phyllis is a life-long resident of Fort Wayne and a recent music ed graduate of IPFW studying with Dr. Allen Saunders. Phyllis teaches music for Fort Wayne Community Schools, is Associate Music Director at First Wayne Street UM Church and directs the Lyric Choir of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. Phyllis is married with 2 sons in college. This is her 7th season with HCC.

Tim is the handbell director at Plymouth UCC. Tim earned a degree in Music Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master’s in Elementary Ed from IPFW. He is currently a nursing student at the University of St. Francis. Tim received his vocal training from Skaidrite Hildebrants and Dr. Christopher Cock. This is his 7th season with HCC.

Janice is Music Director of Northeast Indiana Public Radio and is heard weekdays on Con Brio and is the producer/host of In the Spotlight. As a soloist she performs traditional Scottish music, art songs, and opera. Janice also maintains a studio as a paper cutting artist. Married to David Mendenhall, they have 2 children, Michael and Kyra. This is Janice’s 4th season with HCC.

Heather and husband Jon reside in Huntertown with their 4 children. A native of Ohio, Heather graduated from Bluffton University with a degree in vocal performance. She is involved in church music ministry and teaches vocal and piano students. She was coached by Gib Brooks (choral director of the Cleveland Institute of Music) and currently studies with Robert Nance. This is her second season with HCC.

A resident of Warren, Barry is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Ball State University. Currently a music educator for Huntington County Schools, he has performed and/or directed at Pulse Opera House, Civic Theatre, Bearcreek Farms and Huntington University. Barry is active in music ministry at Huntington First Church of the Nazarene. This is his 4th season with HCC.

As a former voice student of William Warfield and William Miller, Dr. Patricia Kennedy has appeared as soloist with noted conductors Sir David Willcocks (Green Lake Music Festival), Paul Stamitz (London Bach Society), Fiora Contino (Aspen Music Festival) as well as with numerous orchestras throughout the mid west. She has been a long standing professional chorister with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale (New Mexico) and the Robert Shaw Festival Singers both in southern France and at Carnegie Hall. She has held teaching positions at the College of Saint Rose (Albany, York), University of Kentucky (Henderson Campus), and R. Nelson Snider High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana). She received a DMA in choral conducting from Michigan State University, two masters degrees in choral conducting and music education from the University of Illinois, and an undergraduate degree in music education from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.

This is Katie's second year in the Chorale and she is excited to continue using her talents in such a fun and rewarding avenue. Katie is an English teacher hailing from her home town of Warsaw. She has been involved in music her entire life including choirs, musicals, and piano performance. Her and her husband, Curt, are excited and proud to be adding a member to their family, due in February. Katie offers a special thanks to her loving husband for his support in her artistic endeavors.

A native of Ukraine, Alexander began music studies at age 5 and first appeared with the symphony at age 12. He studied with Emil Gilels at Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, earning his DM degree. Alex is the pianist for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He and his wife, violinist Olga Yurkova, live in Fort Wayne with children Alisa and Emil. This is Alex’s 4th season with HCC.

Chris is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Psychology and Indiana University with an MS in Social Work. A therapist in private practice, Chris is also a dancer known for his distinctive performances and choreography. He continues to perform periodically as a guest artist with the Fort Wayne Ballet. Chris has been signing with the HCC for ten years.

Cathie values the training she received from Violette Vernaud Meyers and has sung 18 years with this group (8 of them as Opus 18.) She appreciates so much the support of her husband, Fred, and their 3 boys. (“Going to rehearsal again, Mom?") Cathie enjoys escaping from the real world via novels. This is Cathie’s 11th season.

Kristen is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a BS, and is now a radiation therapist at Parkview Regional Cancer Center. Although her first years of musical training developed with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, she is a proud alumnus of the Ball State University Singers and Chamber Choir. Kristen is excited to be singing in her fourth season, joined by her husband Eric.

Eric is excited to start his second season with Heartland. A graduate of Ball State University, Eric now works as a customer service representative for Marching Show Concepts. He has been in choirs since the age of 8 and is thrilled to continue singing. In his spare time he enjoys working on his first home, enjoying a good bottle of wine, and playing golf, badly! As always, Eric relies on the love and support of his wife, Kristen, and is grateful to be continuing this adventure with her.

A Fort Wayne native whose day jobs include proprietorships of his architectural practice, varied investment interests, and is the sole member of the maintenance crew at his mini-estate Eulenhektar. Mike sang with Yale Glee Club and Yale Russian Chorus, continues to sing with Fort Wayne Männerchor-Damenchor, Plymouth Church Choir, and the Boar’s Head Festival. This is Mike’s 8th season with HCC.

An Iowa native, Ann has been a member of HCC since 1997. She holds a MS degree in Learning Disabilities from Iowa State, is a psychometrist at Fort Wayne Neurological Center, and maintains a private vocal studio. In addition to HCC, Ann sings in her church choir and is an active area soloist. She has two children; Lydia, a recent Purdue graduate, and Andrew, currently a Purdue student. In her free time, Ann enjoys riding her horse Lil' Rascal and spending time with husband Phil (not necessarily in that order). She is currently the Side by Side coordinator for HCC.

This is Nick’s second year with the HCC. Nick holds a BA in vocal performance from IPFW and a BA in Communication from Manchester College. In ‘01 Nick sang a solo at Carnegie Hall. He is currently the choir director for Aboite Baptist Church and has studied voice under Dr. Debra Lynn and Dr. Allen Saunders. Nick would like to thank God and his beautiful wife, Amber, for their support.

Jean is a graduate of Purdue with a BA in Sociology and IU with an MS in Nursing. With the support of a musical family she studied voice, is active in musical theatre and church choir, sang in the Lafayette Bach Chorale and Opus 18, directed a children’s choir, and sang whenever possible with her three sisters. She currently works in family practice and loves collecting antiques and dolls. She is celebrating her 11th season with HCC.

Steve has been singing in his church choirs ever since he was a cherub in the Cherub Choir some 50 years ago. A founding member of the HCC, he is pleased to be singing in his 11th season (and some 20 years it’s founding as Opus 18.) Steve volunteers with the Little River Wetlands Project, a land trust organization working to restore Eagle Marsh on Engle Road here in SW Fort Wayne.

Mary is a Fort Wayne native and a graduate of Purdue University. She travels throughout northeast Indiana in her job with the Indiana State Board of Accounts where she is a CPA. Mary enjoys running with her husband, Rob and her daughter Cecelia (who also has a love of singing and is a member of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir). This is Mary’s 11th season with HCC.

Ryan’s dual passion for music and business brought him to Fort Wayne this spring to work in Operations for Marching Show Concepts. He has sung with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, performed in musicals, and led worship teams throughout the past 15 years. Ryan & his wife Alicia recently had a baby (Isaac), and the entire family is excited about his first season with the HCC.