Springfield Chamber Chorus

Laura Cook is from Joplin, Missouri, where she began participating in various choirs and developed a love for singing. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Biology from Southwest Baptist University in 2023. In her time at SBU, she was able to participate in the chorale, chamber chorus, and university choir. Laura is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at SBU. When she isn’t studying, Laura enjoys reading, spending time with friends and her husband, and spending time outdoors!

MEMBER SINCE: 2024

Sydney Hosman is originally from Osage Beach, Missouri, where she grew her passion for choir and band education. Sydney currently teaches K-12 Vocal Music Education at Crane R-3 Schools. Sydney graduated from Missouri State University in 2024 with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. During  her time at MSU, she participated in the Wind Ensemble, Pride Marching Band, Gospel Choir, and Choral Union. Sydney was also a song leader at a rural Methodist church in Bois D’arc for about two years before teaching full time. Sydney currently teaches piano, clarinet and voice lessons on the side. Sydney currently resides in Clever, MO with her husband, Blake, and her dog, Lucy. In her free time, Sydney enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and doing crafts.

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Sarah Eldridge grew up in Amarillo, Texas with her parents, older sister, and younger brother. At Harding University (Searcy, AR), she majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minored in French. Despite it being just for fun, participating in the Harding University Chorus was an important part of her college experience. She then moved to Lubbock, TX for her graduate program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. Sarah currently works at Select Specialty Hospital. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out/eating with friends, watching tv, walking aimlessly, drinking coffee, and (now) singing in this group! 

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Amy Jane Hoogstraet Safley grew up in Springfield and obtained a BM in vocal performance from Drury University in 1997, having performed extensively both as a soloist and choir member in college. Since graduating, she has continued to perform regularly in Japan, Illinois, and Missouri. She lives in Nixa with her husband, one kiddo, and mini poodle, and also has an adult kiddo who lives in Kansas City. Amy formerly served on Nixa’s City Council and was the youth coordinator for The GLO Center. She has volunteered with and served on the boards of various organizations, and currently serves on the board of the Milly Sawyers Center. Amy has also completed some graduate work at Drury and is currently studying Italian in her spare time. In addition to singing and practicing Italian, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working on diamond paintings, decorating her house, and completing all of the New York Times word games every day. 

MEMBER SINCE: 2018

Liz Jordan grew up in Spokane, MO, and received a K-12 vocal music education degree from College of the Ozarks. While in college, she participated in Chapel Choir and Chorale as well as earned a part in the musical Pirates of Penzance. Liz sang with her college Chorale in Carnegie Hall, and in a convocation with Amy Grant. She has been teaching music for three years, and currently moved to her old high school, Spokane, where she teaches 6th – 12th grade choir. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

MEMBER SINCE: 2023

Lauren Vomund graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she performed with the Mizzou University Singers and Show Me Opera Program. Lauren taught choir in Spokane for two years before moving to her current job teaching choir at Ozark Middle School. Lauren enjoys serving the ensemble soprano section leader. Lauren is incredibly grateful for the opportunities to perform music of high merit and positively impact her community through Springfield Chamber Chorus. 

MEMBER SINCE: 2015

Jordan Stammers graduated with her Bachelor’s in Vocal performance from Drake University in 2017, and her Master’s from the New England Conservatory in 2019. She was a member of the Drake University Concert and Chamber Choirs with whom she was fortunate to travel with to England, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. New to the area, Jordan is excited to bust into the local choral/ music scene, along with her mother and fellow SCC member, Jennifer Stammers! Other credits include Rock of Ages (Springfield Contemporary Theatre), She loves Me, The Secret Garden, The Barber of Seville, L’Elisir D’amore (Quisisana Resort).  Before moving to Springfield, Jordan was up in Minnesota singing back up for up and coming Country/ Rock artist Molly Brandt!

MEMBER SINCE: 2023

Jess Willis coming soon!

MEMBER SINCE: 2024

Rachel Berry coming soon!

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Aubrey Hagedorn (Bauman) was raised in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where she developed a passion for choir and performing at an early age. As a young vocalist, she began her voice training under the guidance of Dr. Verna Brummett. In 2022, Aubrey earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy (BMT) from Drury University. She is a strong advocate for music therapy within her community and held the position of president of the Student Music Therapy Association at Drury. During her time at the university, she was a member of the Drury Chorale and Drury Singers, both directed by Dr. Jim Davidson, and she received voice instruction from Dr. Stephen Bomgardner. Aubrey made her opera debut in March 2022 as a chorus member in Ozark Lyric Opera’s production of Pagliacci. As a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), she provides music therapy services to various populations in the Springfield region. In her personal life, Aubrey enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Blake, and their cat, Riley, as well as going on float trips, watching Chiefs games, reading, practicing guitar, and spending time with friends.

MEMBER SINCE: 2024

Emily Bowen-Marler has sung with choirs throughout the United States and Europe. Emily has also been seen on stage in Springfield Little Theatre’s productions of Cats, Children of Eden, and Rent, and in Springfield Contemporary Theatre’s productions of The Secret Garden and Evita. She sings every chance she gets, and enjoys making up songs with her husband to sing to their little boy.

MEMBER SINCE: 2013

Amy Brammer has been teaching choral music in Missouri public schools since 2006. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in choral conducting from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. She has served as a District or State Choir coordinator for the majority of her career, and currently serves on the State MCDA Board. Amy is blessed to teach choir at Ozark High School, and is active in her church praise team, chancel choir, and hand bell ensemble. She enjoys spending time with her best friend and SCC Artistic Director, Christopher Brammer, and three wonderful children, Wyatt, Will, and Izzy.

MEMBER SINCE: 2009

Shelly Renee’ Reece Clark began singing in church in Harrisonville, Missouri and was active in music under the direction of Ed Roberts (band) and Lisa Walker (choir). While attending Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU), she performed for five years under the direction of Dr. Guy B. Webb in the Concert Chorale,  and Jerry Hoover and Belva Prather with the Bruin Pride Marching Band, Concert Bands and Flute Ensembles.  She has a B.S. in Political Science and an MBA in Economics from Missouri State University.  Shelly attended Oklahoma City University, a private, liberal arts school, for her Juris Doctorate in Law and practices family law and mediation.  She lives in Republic MO with her husband Zane and their two sons Christian and Christopher and enjoys watching live music with local musicians. 

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Katie Kring is a choral composer, writer-of-musicals, and baker. Katie’s choral works and commissions are performed internationally, and she has served as SCC’s Composer-in-Residence for several years. Her piece At the Hour of Closing was the winner of the 2019 MCDA Opus Award. Katie’s musical theatre works include Pearl, Onward, Farmers Market the Musical, In the Swim, Kelly the Destroyer vs. the Springfield Cobras, and Think Big for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Katie is the owner of B+B Boulangerie & Bakery and KatieMade Baking & Cooking School. She received her MFA in Musical Theatre Writing at NYU and her BFA in music at the University of Michigan.

MEMBER SINCE: 2009

Dr. Heather Nelson, mezzo soprano, loves all the things that have to do with the singing voice and telling other voice teachers about all the neat things she learns. Based in Springfield, MO, she works with voice teachers from all over the world to understand the voice better, and use that knowledge to make a positive difference in their studios. She enjoys cooking (and eating) good food, British TV, and spending time with Sis the cat.

MEMBER SINCE: 2022

Molly McGrady is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Mercy Hospital. She earned her Bachelors degree from Truman State in 2020 and Masters degree from MU in 2022. She has been singing in various singing groups her whole life, including choirs at Kickapoo High School here in Springfield, Women’s Chorus and Minor Detail Acapella at Truman State, and the Columbia Community Chorale in Columbia, MO. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog Mazie, cooking, and doing anything outdoors.

MEMBER SINCE: 2022

Vicky Scott is a Music Education methods instructor at Missouri State University, teaching professional education courses, advising, and supervising student teachers. Prior to her full-time position at Missouri State, Vicky had a thirty-year career teaching Elementary Vocal Music in the Springfield Public Schools. She has served as guest clinician for elementary honor choirs in the Springfield area. Vicky is married to fellow SCC member Jerry Scott. They are the proud parents of sons Jacob and Chris, daughter Maddison, daughters-in-law Sydney and Katie, and son-in-law Christopher. Vicky loves singing with the worship team at church, reading, planting flowers, snuggling her Schnauzer puppies, and Florida gulf coast beach time with her family. Most of all, she loves being Nani to her sweet grandbabies.

MEMBER SINCE: 2015

Jennifer Stammers is originally from Denver, Colorado, and holds degrees in Journalism and Music Education from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. She taught middle school and elementary music for the Platte County R-3 School District from 2001-2015. While there, she founded the Paxton Singers – a 60-voice elementary audition choir which performed for the Missouri Music Educators’ Association annual conference in 2007 and 2012, as well as for the 2013 Missouri Verses and Voices Poet Laureate Festival at the Missouri State Capitol building and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Mrs. Stammers was named the Platte County Teacher of the Year for 2013-14, and was the sole recipient of Resolution No. 2598 by unanimous vote of the Missouri House of Representatives, adopted May 1, 2013. Stammers joined the St. Joseph School District as the choral director at Bode Middle School in the fall of 2015. She was named ‘Bode Teacher of the Year,’ in the spring of 2018, and was a finalist for the 2018 St. Joseph School District Teacher of the Year. She was the 2018 recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award for Arts Educator of the Year. She was nominated for the St. Joseph YWCA Women of Excellence Award, Women in the Workplace Category in the spring of 2019. Stammers joined the Nixa High School Choral Department as an assistant director in the fall of 2020. 

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Originally from Raymore, MO, Haley Wilson graduated from Missouri State University in 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology and 2020 with a Graduate Certificate in Statistics and Research Design. Currently, she works at the American Psychological Association, helping to maintain the PsycTESTS database. While at MSU she was a member of the Missouri State University Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Cameron LaBarr from 2014-2018. During that time, the Chorale toured domestically with notable performances including Piccolo Spoleto Festival, MMEA, SWACDA, NCCO, the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, MO and the 2016 Presidential Inauguration. Additionally, the group toured internationally to South Africa, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and China. Since graduating, she continues to sing with Missouri’s States Choral Union, under direction of Dr. Erin Plisco.

MEMBER SINCE: 2022

Tara Snow graduated from Marshfield high school. She attends Ozarks Technical Community College, working on general education until potentially moving forward into the psychology field. She has been singing in choirs since the 4th grade and have been very involved throughout that time, ending her senior year in all three choirs that were offered at her school and receiving the MSHAA Award of Excellence two years in a row. During that time, she was also elected president of the choir program, section leader, and sight reading captain. In her free time she enjoy reading and hanging out with her friends and her two sisters. (She is a triplet!)

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Daphne Tholen is a graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education in 2024. During her time at MSU, she sang with Women’s Chorus, Choral Union, and Chorale. With Chorale, Daphne toured internationally to Spain, South Africa, Canada, South Korea, Chile, and Argentina, as well as regionally in the United States. Passionate about choral music and music education, she is beginning her first year as a K-5 music teacher in the Clever School District. In her free time, Daphne loves to read, bake, play video games, and hang out with her husband and puppy! She is so excited and grateful for the opportunity to sing in SCC! 

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Kelly Johnson

MEMBER SINCE: 2025

Eli Cook joins SCC from Bolivar, MO. He graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a B.S in Psychology in 2024, and will complete a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Evangel University this Fall. He currently serves as an admissions counselor for Southwest Baptist University. Aside from performing in choral ensembles, Eli helps lead worship at Hill City church in Springfield, MO. He spends his free time running long distances and working on cars.

MEMBER SINCE: 2024

Spencer Fleury is thrilled to be singing with Springfield Chamber Chorus. Spencer teaches choir at Willard Middle School. Prior to that, he was an accompanist with North Kansas City Schools. Spencer graduated from College of the Ozarks in 2022 with his degrees in Vocal Music Education and Piano Performance. In his free time, he enjoys flying planes and spending time with friends. Outside of that, he is an active church musician and accompanist for colleges in the Springfield, MO area. Spencer is also an avid composer and orchestral conductor. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support and encouragement. Glory be to God – we are grateful for the gift of music.

MEMBER SINCE: 2024

Brad Groves has been a member of the Springfield Chamber Chorus since its second season, and has had the privilege of being section leader and music librarian for the ensemble. He attended Missouri State University as an instrumental music major and pursued massage therapy thereafter. In his spare time, Brads enjoys kayaking and hiking.

MEMBER SINCE: 2009

Jonathan Schott is a native Michigander who moved to Missouri in 2021. A twice-graduate of Central Michigan University, Jonathan currently teaches music at the Stockton R-1 School District. He is also an experienced pianist, having served as accompanist for choirs, soloists, church, and in pursuit of Dalcroze certification. Aside from music, Jonathan is a published author and his interests include video games, swimming, weightlifting, cross-stitching, dancing, and baking cookies for the chorus. He currently lives in Bolivar with his feline friend, Garnet

MEMBER SINCE: 2021

Dustin Surber is in his first year with SCC. He is originally from Niangua, Missouri. Dustin graduated from Southwest Baptist University in 2016 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education. While there, he performed with the SBU Chorale and Concert Choir. He teaches music at Willard Intermediate South.

MEMBER SINCE: 2016

Ethan Sykes, E.dD has sung with the Milwaukee Master Singers and the Missouri State University Concert Chorale, performing in venues across the world including New York, Paris, Austria, Washington D.C., and Germany. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Springfield Chamber Chorus, where he also contributes his skills as the group’s web designer and supports publicity efforts. Beyond music, Ethan is the Director of Housing and Residential Programs at Drury University, where he oversees housing operations and student engagement initiatives. A lifelong lover of musicals, he never misses a chance to belt out a favorite tune—whether on stage, in rehearsal, or even in the car.

MEMBER SINCE: 2018

Shawn Vomund graduated from Missouri State University in 2017 and is currently teaching band and choir in the Fordland school district. Shawn serves the ensemble as the tenor section leader. Outside of work, Shawn serves on the music staff at University Heights Baptist Church, performs with the Missouri State University Community Band, and plays clarinet in The Brandon Street Stompers Dixieland Band.

MEMBER SINCE: 2016

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