Board of Directors
2023-24 Officers
President: Dennis Reimer
Vice President: Margaret Allen
Secretary: Kyle Brauer
Treasurer: currently vacant
Saige Beyer
Mark Feldmann
Anne Ritzman
Ashley Tilot
Ex-Officio
Phillip Swan | Artistic Director
Valerie Simonsen
Staff
Phillip A. Swan, DMA
Artistic Director & Conductor
We are thrilled to have Phillip’s expertise and passion for music as our Artistic Director/Conductor! He begins his 15th year as an Associate Professor of Music of the Lawrence University Conservatory faculty. Phillip is Co-Director of Choral Studies where he co-conducts Cantala and Concert Choir, directs Hybrid Ensemble, is the musical director for Lawrence University musicals, and teaches courses in conducting and music theatre. He has received numerous professional awards, is a highly sought-after conductor and clinician, the author of two book chapters for GIA publications, and is currently serving as the National Women's Choir Repertoire and Resources Chair for the American Choral Directors Association. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at El Paso, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Miami (Florida). His doctoral essay is entitled: "In His Own Words: The Choral Music of Eric Whitacre from 1991-2004." His full professional resume is available here.
Valerie Simonsen
Executive Director
Valerie is a classically trained soprano where after completing her Bachelor and Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music, she went to sing with many music festivals and companies such as Aspen Music Festival, Kentucky Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston, Midsummer opera and Opera Slavica New York where she gained an intimate knowledge in the inner workings of musical organizations.
In 2017, she left performing professionally and joined the staff of The Thirteen, a professional choir and orchestra in Washington, DC. As General Manager of The Thirteen for the past five years, she not only managed the daily operations of the organization but led the concert and personnel management, fundraising, marketing and donor development.
Valerie has sung in various choirs since she was a preschooler and is passionate about choral singing and the beauty and community it brings to people of all ages.
Dan Van Sickle
Associate Conductor
Dan steps up from the ranks of the bass section to assist us in directing NEWVoices. Dan is currently music department chair at Appleton East High School where he directs four choirs and advises an extra-curricular contemporary a cappella ensemble. In 2022, he received the Outstanding High School Choral Director Award from the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. Prior to his time at Appleton East, Dan spent six years as the choral director at Appleton’s Xavier High School, taught K-6 general music in the Appleton Area School District, directed with the Lawrence Community Music School Girl Choir Program, and was the pianist at the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Originally from Kansas, he graduated from Lawrence University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral and General Music Education and Piano Performance. He has completed post-graduate work in a variety of music education courses. Dan has also appeared on stage in several Attic Theatre productions. His wife, Elizabeth, also sings with NEWVoices and his daughter, Evelyn, is a frequent attendee at NEWVoices rehearsals.
Dan Dinkler
Accompanist
Dan Dinkler has served as NEWVoices accompanist since 2016. In addition to NEWVoices, he has accompanied extensively with soloists and ensembles from the middle school through the university level. For twenty-three years Dan served as the Worship Arts Pastor at Appleton Alliance Church and has consulted for church music programs both in the U.S. and internationally. He currently resides in Port Washington, Wisconsin where he enjoys accompanying Port Washington Middle and High School choirs as well as supporting their students in District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. Originally from New Jersey, Dan holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Nyack College (NY) and a Master of Arts in Music Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University (NY).
Jenn Leahy
Artistic Administrator
Jenn is thrilled to be working for NEWVoices as the Artistic Administrator. She is beginning her 11th year with the choir, and loves being a part of this talented group. In addition to NewVoices, Jenn is the Choir Director for grades 6-12 in the Shiocton School District. When she is not working, Jenn likes spending her time with her family, reading, playing volleyball, and participating in theater. Jenn lives in Appleton with her husband, Jonathan, son, Elijah, and their cats.