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Jon C. PetersonDirectorJon C. Peterson, D.M.A. is now in his fifth year as Director of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. Dr. Peterson also serves as assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Malone University, were he conducts the University Chorale and the Chamber Choir. At Malone he teaches courses in choral music (including literature, methods and conducting) as well as coursework in music ministry. He received doctoral and master degrees in choral conducting with a doctoral minor in historical musicology from The University of Arizona and Southern Methodist University, respectively. He graduated from Austin College with an undergraduate degree in vocal performance. Previously, he served on the music faculty at Bluffton University and as artistic director of The Magpie Consort, a Columbus-based chamber chorus. His vast experiences in choral conducting, performance and music ministry have provided him the opportunity to work with such ensembles as the Canton Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, and Dallas Symphony Chorus among others. Away from music, Dr. Peterson enjoys cycling, cooking and spending time with his wife and two sons.
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Edward P. GallagherDirector of operationsEdward P. Gallagher is in his 3rd year on the staff serving as Director of Operations for both the AOSFYC and All-Ohio State Fair Band. Mr. Gallagher has been on the Band staff for 31 years having served in a number of roles. He received his degree in music therapy from Cleveland State University and his Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is Director of Education at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Citizens for the Arts, is Past President of the Cleveland Arts Education Consortium, and has been appointed to serve as a review panelist for two of the Ohio Arts Council’s grants programs. He received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the AOSFYC, 2007 Service Award from the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association and was inducted into The Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame in 2007. He and his wife Lisa are parents of Megan, an arts management major at Baldwin Wallace University.
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Russell nuttassistant directorRussell Nutt (Tenor, '95-'98) returns for a 5th year on the staff serving as Assistant Director. Mr. Nutt is the director of choirs for Newark High School in Licking County and is Director of Music at Utica United Methodist Church. He received his undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communications with a focus in Music from Bowling Green and his Master of Education degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Russ has had various roles in several local performances in the Knox County area. As a member of the AOSFYC he was a soloist, performed with the Cardinal Chorale in '97-'98, and was part of the ensemble’s '98 European Tour. He and his wife, Jackie, live in Mount Vernon with their three sons, Evan, Maxwell, and Wesley.
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Music Staff
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Charles BattagliaPercussionCharles Battaglia returns for a 3rd year on the staff and will be serving, once again, as a member of the music staff in charge of percussion. Mr. Battaglia is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Music at Youngstown State University.
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Darius McBrideConducting staffDarius McBride is a fourth-year member of the AOSFYC team serving on the Conducting Staff. Mr. McBride, who hails from Rochester, NY, is a graduate of Malone University in Canton where he majored in Music Education. He currently serves as the K-12 Music Teacher (Choral/Instrumental) at Kingsway Christian School. He also directs Malone University's Men's Glee Club and co-directs the Malone University Alumni Choir. Outside of the education world, he sings in the chancel choir and directs the Children Youth Choirs at Rocky River United Methodist Church.
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Savannah OverlyCollaborative PianistSavannah Overly (Soprano, '15-'16) returns to the staff for a 2nd year as a Collaborative Pianist. She is a junior at Kenyon College, where she is pursuing a major in International Studies. When she is not accompanying soloists and ensembles, she enjoys traveling, arranging piano solos, and acting in theatre productions in her area. Ms. Overly has been accompanying choirs since her sophomore year at Centerburg High School.
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Cynthia RamsdellCollaborative PianistCynthia Snyder Ramsdell returns for a 4th year on the staff as a Collaborative Pianist. She is Staff Accompanist at Heidelberg University and an adjunct professor of voice and piano at Tiffin University. Mrs. Ramsdell is also a collaborative pianist at Tiffin Columbian High School and Seneca East High School. In addition, she maintains a large private studio of piano and voice students. She received her Bachelor and Master degrees in music education from Bowling Green State University. With her husband, Dr. Greg Ramsdell, she sings and plays on the praise team at The Journey Church in Tiffin, and is mother to four children.
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Audrey SChusslercollaborative pianistAudrey Shussler starts her first year on staff as a Collaborative Pianist. She graduated from Kent State University in 2016 with a degree in Music Education. Currently, Ms. Schussler directs five choirs in the Willard City Schools for grades 7-12. Additionally, she directs the pit orchestra for the musical, serves as an assistant band director, and sings in Heidelberg’s Community Choir.
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Heather WilkinsConducting staffHeather Wilkins is returning for a third year with the AOSFYC. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education. Currently she is in her 10th year of teacher and is the vocal music director at Pickerington High School Central. Mrs. Wilkins’ choirs have consistently received superior ratings at the Ohio Music Education Association adjudicated events. Heather is a resident of Gahanna where she resides with her husband Zak and their son, Phillip.
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Operations Staff
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Colton ConleyOperations CoordinatorColton Conley (Bass II, ‘15) is now in his 3rd year as a member of the Operations Staff. He is a graduate of River Valley High School in Marion, Ohio. He is attending The Ohio State University Marion campus majoring in Early Childhood Education. Outside of school Mr. Conley works at 29 Brew Pub in Marion as a server.
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Karen HildrethAlumni & PhotographyKaren Hildreth (Soprano, '78) enters her 17th year on the staff serving as Alumni Coordinator and Photographer. She works in the Licking Heights Schools System as a cook and is a graduate of Hopewell-Loudon High School and Terra Technical College. She has sung in the Coshocton Community Choir since 1987, is Treasurer of the AOSFYC Alumni Association and has held numerous volunteer positions. She and her husband Steve received the AOSFYC Distinguished Service Award in 2009 and she performed with the Choir in the 1980 Rose Bowl Parade. She is a happy parent of 3 children who have all been part of the Choir. Often called "Momma" by Choir members it’s the Youth Choir family and seeing her "kids" that keeps her coming back.
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Isaac LoffingOperations StaffIsaac Loffing (Tenor, ’13-‘16) joins the the AOSFYC as a member of the Operations Staff. He will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall to study Human Resources and Spanish. He is a graduate of UWC-USA, an IB school located in Montezuma, New Mexico. Mr. Loffing was a four-year member of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, sang with the Scarlet Singers and served as a section leader for the tenors. Currently, Isaac works as a server at Bob Evan's.
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Christopher NethersHealth & Safety DirectorChristopher Nethers is the Choir’s Director of Health & Safety and returns for his 26th year with the AOSFYC. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Muskingum College and has been teaching music in the Licking Valley Local Schools for 20 years. Mr. Nethers is a general music teacher for grades K-5 at Licking Valley Elementary School and previously taught vocal and general music for grades 7-12. His work in public safety has him serving Madison Twp. as an Emergency Medical Technician / Firefighter with the title of Captain of EMS; a lifeguard and Instructor of CPR, First-Aid, Lifeguard and Water Safety, for the City of Heath, and American Red Cross with Aquatics safety committee. He serves as a NOAA severe weather spotter and is a member of the Ohio Crisis Response Team. Mr. Nethers was inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame in 2011 and was awarded the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir’s Distinguished Service Award in 2005. He and his wife reside in Newark, with their three daughters - including Ellie and Alex who are members of the Choir this summer.
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Semajah Parkeroperations staffSemajah Parker (Alto II, ‘15) is new to the staff, working as a member of the Operations Staff in the AOSFYC office. She is a sophomore at Ohio University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Choral Music Education with the goal of receiving her Doctorate in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Next summer she will be studying abroad in Grenoble, France. At Ohio University she is as a Resident Assistant and involved in Cru campus ministry, Ohio University Women's Ensemble, Title IX A Capella, and has started her own collegiate level show choir - Ohio University Vocal Adrenaline. Ms. Parker is a 2017 graduate of Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth and while in the AOSFYC, she was a member of the Scarlet Singers.
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Equipment Staff
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Ralen ClevelandEquipment StaffRalen Cleveland (Bass II, ’15-‘17) joins the staff as a member of the Equipment Staff. He is pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Military Science at Bowling Green State University. Mr. Cleveland is an Army Cadet at BGSU and is entering his MS2 year. He is also a Pershing Rifleman 2nd lieutenant where the mission is Drill and Ceremony. During his years in the AOSFYC he was a choral assistant and a part of the Honor Guard.
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Sarah dillonEquipment StaffSarah Dillon (Alto, '13-'16) enters her second year working with the AOSFYC as a member of the Equipment Staff. She is entering her junior year at Ohio University where she is a double major in Music and Anthropology. She performs in both the Women’s Ensemble and the Choral Union.
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Devon DulingEquipment ManagerDevon Duling (Bass, '97-'00) is in his 18th year on the Choir staff where he serves as Equipment Manager. This summer he was married to the love of his life, Lizz. They have two puppies, Athena and Koda. He has been an elementary school teacher since 2005 and currently serves as the 4th grade Math Teacher at Ridgewood Middle School. He received his Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Muskingum College and a Master’s in Education, also from Muskingum University. He is also a high school, college, and professional soccer referee.
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Jamie DulingSound ManagerJamie Dulling (Baritone, '97-'00) enters his 18th year on the Choir staff as Sound Manager, part of the Equipment Staff. He is a Physical Education Teacher for grades K-6 in the Coshocton City Schools. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Health Education from Muskingum University and Master's in Education, with a focus on Pre-K to 12th grade Adaptive Physical Education, from Ashland University. Mr. Duling is an avid runner, an active soccer referee and was JV girls Basketball Coach at Coshocton H.S. He continues to share his vocal talents as a member of the Roscoe UMC Chancel Choir and the Coshocton Community Choir of which he has been a member since 1998. He received the Alumni of the Year Award from the AOSFYC and, as a member of the Choir, he sang with the Cardinal Chorale for 2 years, 1999-2000.
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Allie EvansEquipment StaffAllie Evans (Soprano, ’14-’15) returns for a third year with the AOSFYC team as a part of the Equipment Staff. She is a graduate of Greeneview High School in Jamestown, OH. Currently, she is attending the University of Cincinnati where she is studying fashion design with a focus in costume design for period pieces. She is also involved in H2O campus ministries and Hep Cats Swing Dance.
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William NowakEquipment StaffWilliam Nowak (Tenor/Baritone, '13-'16) is joining the Choir staff as a member of the Equipment Staff. He is a graduate of Dover High School and is currently attending Kent State University, majoring in Integrated Mathematics Education. While taking classes, he also sings in the choir at the Kent State Tuscarawas Regional Campus. Mr. Nowak is an avid runner and plans to walk on to the KSU Men's Track and Field team this upcoming spring. As a member of the AOSFYC, he served as one of the drum majors. This past year, he served as assistant freshmen basketball coach and the head middle school distance coach at Dover High School.
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