Basses

Christian Ard graduated from republic high school in 2023 and currently attends OTC for his AA and MSU for his BME. He currently takes voice lessons from Tanner Munson and in the MSU Men’s Chorus. As well as both the Chamber and concerts choirs at OTC. He was in theatre, choir, and band at Republic. He was also in Boys Choir of Springfield and Special Olympics

MEMBER SINCE: 2023

Bryan Berry is a native of Mount Vernon, MO, where he was selected to the Missouri All-StateChoir before graduating William Jewell College (B.A.) in Liberty, MO. He was an auditioned member of Jewell’s Chamber Singers and Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Arnold Epley. He studied and sang at Oxford University and was privileged to perform in the great cathedrals of England and Scotland, including York, Coventry, Lincoln, Ely, St. Giles in Edinburgh and London’s Westminster Abbey. Bryan graduated Southern Seminary (M.Div.) in Louisville, KY and the University of Missouri-Columbia (J.D.), where he was senior editor of the Missouri Law Review. He has practiced law locally since 2002 and served on the board of directors of Boys Choir of Springfield. Bryan is a long time leader of his church’s choir and front line worship team and the proud parent of Rachel, Emma, and Caleb, who share his lifelong love of music, and two dogs, who do not.

MEMBER SINCE: 2023

David Everett is a Mississippi native, and currently lives in Aurora, MO, where he is the piano accompanist for the Aurora Junior High and High School choirs. He is also the pianist and choir director at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora. He has also sung in the choruses in several productions with Ozarks Lyric Opera, and appeared in several community theatre productions in Southwest Missouri. He is married to his wife of 30+ years, Jan, and they have two children, Shane and Miz.

MEMBER SINCE: 2019

Joe Hamm is the proud father of Jessica and Gillian and grandfather of Paisley, the coolest granddaughter on the planet. He holds a BA in Music from St. John’s University, Minnesota, and a Masters in Choral Conducting from UMKC. His many years of teaching choral music and voice span elementary to community college as well as a private voice/piano studio. He is thrilled to be a member of this fine choral ensemble.

MEMBER SINCE: 2018

Connor Gately is from St. Louis, MO, and is currently the Assistant Choir Director at Ozark High School and Junior High School. He graduated from Missouri State University in 2020 with his Bachelor’s in Vocal Music Education. While at MSU, he studied conducting under Dr. Cameron LaBarr and voice under Dr. Chris Thompson. While a member of the Missouri State University Chorale, Connor toured with the ensemble to China, Scandinavia, and across the U.S. Along with directing the choirs at Ozark, Connor also teaches private voice, piano, and guitar lessons.

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Blake Hosman is originally from Ash Grove, MO, and he is currently the choir director and elementary music teacher at Billings R-IV Schools. In addition, Blake assists with the beginning and JH/HS bands. Blake graduated from Missouri State University in 2024 with a double major in Piano Performance and Instrumental Music Education. During his time at MSU, he was a member of Choral Union, Wind Symphony, and the PRIDE Marching Band where he played the saxophone. In addition, he studied piano under the direction of Dr. Wei-Han Su. Blake was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honor society, while attending MSU. Blake currently lives in Clever, MO with his wife, Sydney, and their dog, Lucy. In his free time, Blake enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with his family.

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Maxwell Niemeyer is from Bentonville, AR and ended up in Springfield to attend Drury University. Music has always been a big part of his life, participating in band and choir all through high school and choir in college. He studied finance and accounting and is a CPA at a local accounting firm here in town. His passion for the choral arts is still strong and something he deeply enjoys!

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Shayne Piles is a Missouri-based Baritone who recently graduated with his Masters in Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the tutelage of Grammy Award winner Nathan Gunn. Piles made his South Bend Lyric Opera debut as The Father in the World Premiere of Paul Herman’s The Gift. While at Illinois, he performed the titular role in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. He has also performed roles in selected scenes including: Giorgio Germont from La Traviata, Falstaff from Falstaff, Rodrigo from Don Carlos, Rigoletto from Rigoletto, Count Capulet from Roméo et Juliette, and Escamillo from Carmen. He received his BM in Vocal Performance from Missouri State University studying under Chris Thompson. While at MSU he performed Jupiter in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, Jim in Conte’s Gift of the Magi, F. Scott Fitzgerald in Evan Mack’s Ghost of Gatsby, and Count Carl-Magnus Malcom in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music under the direction of Tony Award Nominee Robert Westenberg. As a Young Artist with the Ozarks Lyric Opera in Springfield, Missouri, under the artistic direction of Sean and Michael Spyres, Shayne was a featured performer at the OLO’s 40th anniversary gala, played Montano and Heraldo in Verdi’s Otello, and Maximillian in Bernstein’s Candide. Other performances include Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Big Deal in Bernstein’s West Side Story at the Bayview Music Festival in Petoskey, Michigan. Shayne has also been a three-time national first place winner in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Scholarship Competition.

MEMBER SINCE: 2023

Jerry Scott is a retired high school choral director and a member of the Missouri Choral Directors Association and Missouri Music Educators Association. He earned his Bachelors and Masters in Music Education from Missouri State University, where he sang under the direction of Dr. Guy Webb. In retirement, he enjoys the opportunity to mentor the next generation of choral music educators and clinic choirs in the Springfield area and around the state.

MEMBER SINCE: 2013

Nick Shannon is from Springfield, Missouri where he lives with his wonderful wife, Morgan. He is currently the choral director and elementary music teacher at Conway, MO. He graduated from Missouri State University in 2021 with his Bachelor’s in Music Education. PWhile attending, he sang under the leadership of Dr. Cameron LaBarr, studied voice under Dr. Carol Chapman, and trombone under Dr. Jason Hausback. Along with SCC, Nick also occasionally performs with the Queen City Chorale, Springfield Little Theater, and the Springfield Community Jazz Ensemble.

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Aaron Coleman coming soon!

MEMBER SINCE: 2024