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Jon C. PetersonDirectorJon C. Peterson, D.M.A. is now in his 9th year as Director of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. Dr. Peterson serves as Director of Music Ministries at First Congregational Church of Hudson (FCCH), where he oversees a growing program that includes six adult ensembles in addition to several musical opportunities for youth and children. For the last year he has served as interim director of the Master Singers Chorale of Northeast Ohio. Prior to coming to FCCH in the fall of 2020, Dr. Peterson served as Associate Professor of Music at Malone University and, previously, as Assistant Professor of Music at Bluffton University. 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, Karen, and two sons – Ian and Henry.
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Edward P. GallagherDirector of operationsEd Gallagher is in his 8th year on the staff serving as Director of Operations for both the AOSFYC and All-Ohio State Fair Band. Mr. Gallagher was a 4-year member of the AOSFB has been on the Band staff for 36 years having served in several roles. He received his degree in music therapy from Cleveland State University and received his Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, he is Director of Education at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, serves on the Board of Directors for CreativeOhio, is on the Executive Committee of the Cleveland Arts Education Consortium, and is past president of the Ohio Association for Music Therapy. He received the 2015 Director’s 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, a 24 year members of the AOSFB staff, are parents of Megan who serves on the staff of the AOSFB and AOSFYC.
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Music Staff
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Cynthia Snyder RamsdellAssistant Music Director / Collaborative PianistCynthia Snyder Ramsdell returns for a 9th year on the staff serving as Assistant Music Director and Collaborative Pianist. She is a passionate teacher who has given private music instruction in piano and voice to students of all ages and stages for 30 years. A professor at Heidelberg University, she teaches group piano instruction and major and non major piano lessons and serves as the choral accompanist. She is also the collaborative pianist at Fremont Ross High School and is a freelance pianist in the Tiffin area. She formerly served as the Assistant Director of Music at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Findlay, Ohio. She received her Bachelor and Master degrees in music education from Bowling Green State University where she studied piano with distinguished teaching professor Virginia Marks. She is married to Dr. Greg Ramsdell and is the proud parent of four wonderful adult children and two lazy cats.
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Charles BattagliaPercussion & Drum LINE and equipment ManagerCharles Battaglia returns for his 8th year with the AOSFYC. This year he adds Equipment Manager to his work as Percussion & Drum Line Manager. Charles received his BA in English with a minor in music at Youngstown State University, and works at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood as Associate Director of Development. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Carina, and son, Benjamin
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Betsy HarbenCollaborative PianistBetsy Harben is excited to return for a 2nd year on the AOSFYC as a collaborative pianist. Mrs. Harben has a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance from DePauw University and a Masters of Music Education from Bowling Green State University. She has been a public school music teacher for 29 years and has found a special passion for K-2 music at Wauseon Schools. She plays frequently for churches, musicals, large group choir, and solo and ensemble events. Mrs. Harben is continuing a family tradition as her husband Chris was a member of AOSFYB in '86 and '87 as well her step-daughters Cara and Cami Harben. Their son Carson Wenger also is joining this summer as a Bass II.
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Audrey LAMBertconducting staff
Audrey Lambert is in her 6th year with the AOSFYC, serving on the conducting staff. Mrs. Lambert graduated from Kent State University in 2016 with a degree in Music Education, and in 2021 from Messiah University with a Master’s of Music in Choral Conducting. Currently, she directs six choirs at St. Marys City Schools for grades 6-12. Her students have consistently participated in Honors Choirs, Solo and Ensemble, Large Group Adjudicated Event, and OMEA All-State Choir. Additionally, Mrs. Lambert is a private voice and piano teacher, and serves as the Assistant Director for her school’s musicals.
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Parker J. MaasCollaborative PianistParker J. Maas is now in his 5th year as a Collaborative Pianist. A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Music Education, he is currently Music Director for St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, IN serving as choir director and organist. Mr. Maas is director of the Putnam County Community Band and is also a piano technician. He is a 3-year alum of the AOSFB (’10-’12) where he played Bassoon and served on the Band staff for 5 years (’14-’18).
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Darius McBrideConducting staffDarius McBride is an 9th year member of the AOSFYC team serving on the Conducting Staff and leading the tenors. Mr. McBride, who hails from Rochester, NY, is a graduate of Malone University in Canton where he majored in Music Education. He recently completed his5th year as the Junior High and High School choir director at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School and will be relocating to Central Ohio to begin serving as the Vocal Music Director at Westerville South High School. He has been on the staff of Forte Music School in Toledo, OH as a voice and beginner piano instructor and sang with the College First Church’s Worship Choir and the Findlay Civic Choir.
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Dr. Greg Ramsdellconducting staffGreg Ramsdell, D.M.A returns for a 5th year as an AOSFYC staff as a member of the Conducting Staff leading the Basses. Dr. Ramsdell serves as the director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music Education at Heidelberg University where he conducts the Concert Choir, the Chamber Singers and the University-Community Chorus, as well as teaching courses in conducting and secondary choral methods. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from Bowling Green State University and his doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Kansas. An active music educator, he taught junior high and high school choral programs in Greenville, Pa. as well as at the collegiate level at Westminster College and the University of Central Arkansas. During the spring of 2018, Dr. Ramsdell received Heidelberg’s prestigious Ream-Paradiso Distinguished Teaching Award, and in the spring of 2021, the student body recognized him with a Faculty Member of the Year Award. Under Dr. Ramsdell’s direction, the Concert Choir has undertaken yearly domestic tours, and in 2022, they were honored with an invitation to perform a live concert at the Ohio Music Educators Association’s annual professional development conference.
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Operations Staff
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Colton ConleyOperations staffColton Conley (Bass II, ‘15) is now in his 8th year as a member of the Operations Staff. He is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and attended River Valley High School in Marion. Mr. Conley is entering his 4th year serving as a kindergarten teacher with the North Union Local School District in Richwood, Ohio.
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courtney coxOperations staffCourtney Cox (Soprano, ‘17, ‘19-‘20) is returning to the operations staff for her 2nd year. She is going into her fourth year at Ohio University studying choral music education. Courtney has been involved with many ensembles at Ohio University including the Marching 110, Choral Union, Bella Voce, and University Singers. She is also an Ohio University School of Music Ambassador along with being the President for their Chapter of NAfME Collegiate.
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Megan GallagherSocial Media CoordinatorMegan Gallagher returns for her 4th year as Social Media Coordinator. An All-Ohio State Fair Band member for 6 years (Flag ’11-’12, Trumpet, ’13-’16), she serves as the Social Media Coordinator and on the Operations Staff for the AOSFB. She is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship while also minoring in Dance. She owns her own social media agency, MMCGStudios, where she works with a variety of organizations and brands. In addition, she is also a Freelance Photographer and works at Francesca's. Megan is a graduate of Magnificat High School where she was presented with the John Philip Sousa Award.
Cody KemperOperations StaffCody Kemper (Baritone, '14-'17) is back for a 5th with the Youth Choir Operations Staff. During his four years as a singer in the AOSFYC, he was active in leadership positions. This included serving in the Honor Guard, as a Choral Assistant, Opus Assistant, and Dorm Assistant. He was honored to sing with the Scarlet Singers. Cody is employed by The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH as a Patient Care Assistant and Heart Monitor Reader. In April, 2022, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. He is an alumnus of the Eta-Omicron Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He continues his career at The Christ Hospital by recently accepting his first Nursing position on a Medical Stepdown Unit.
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Christopher NethersHealth & Safety DirectorChristopher Nethers is the Choir’s Director of Health & Safety and returns for his 32nd year with the AOSFYC. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Muskingum University and has been teaching music in the Licking Valley Local Schools for 25 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; a lifeguard and Red Cross Instructor of CPR, First-Aid, Lifeguard and Water Safety, for the City of Heath. 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 have been members of the Choir.
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Karen R. PetersonOperations StaffKaren Peterson is now in her 10th year as a volunteer on the Operations Staff. She currently works full time as an acute care Physical Therapist at Aultman Health Foundation in Canton, OH. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Karen currently serves on the board of Deacons at Christ Presbyterian Church of Canton and is involved with the children’s and young family’s ministries. She enjoys hiking, biking and reading and is the proud mom of Ian and Henry.
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Brian SkidmoreAdministrative AssistantBrian Skidmore is in his 23rd year on the staff, serving as Administrative Assistant. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Mount Union, a Master’s in Education from Marygrove College, and was ordained a Stephen’s Minister through Cal State. Mr. Skidmore is in his 38th year as a teacher, currently serving as Coordinator for Digital Learning in the Alliance City School District. He served on the staff from 1979-1992 (under Glenville Thomas and Charles Snyder) and returned with Dr. Peterson in 2014. He performed with the Youth Choir on the 1979 European Tour, in the 1980 Rose Bowl Parade, and received the AOSFYC Alumni Presidential Award in 2013. He and his wife Joan, also an AOSFYC staff member, are proud parents of Choir alumnus and former staff member, Nicholas (Bass, ‘12-’13 / Jr. Staff '14-'15) and Bryce who passed away in 2013. |
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Joan SkidmoreOperations StaffJoan Skidmore is in her 9th year as a member of the Operations Staff. year as a member of the Operations Staff. She received her undergraduate degree from Muskingum College and Master’s in Education from Marygrove College. She taught for 40 years before retiring in the Alliance City School District. She is now serves as a math tutor for Alliance Elementary School. She and her husband Brian have two sons - Nicholas (Bass, '12-'13 / Jr. Staff '14-'15) who is the Director of Media for Athletics at Marist College and lives with his wife, Meredith, in Poughkeepsee, NY. and their son, Bryce, who passed away, at the age of 9, in October of 2013 in an accident. She has come to love the AOSFYC through her family and their excitement of being part of the organization.
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Equipment Staff
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Eric EvansEquipment StaffEric Evans (Tenor, '17-'20) returns for a 2nd year. He is entering his third year at Heidelberg University in the school of music and theater as a popular music major with a focus in Vocal music. During his four years in the AOSFYC he sang with Scarlet Singers for two years and spent one year on Riser Crew. Outside of his studies, he also works part-time as an instrument repair apprentice at a local repair shop.
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Onyx DavisEquipment StaffOnyx Kraner Davis (Alto II, '16-‘18) is in her 4th year as part of the AOSFYC staff as part of the equipment staff. She is a 3-year alumna of the AOSFYC and was section leader in 2018. She has been serving on the AOSFYC Alumni Board since 2019. A native of Jamestown, she is a graduate of Greeneview High School where she participated in OHC Honors Chorus, all of her school’s choirs, musicals, and plays. Currently, she is a Lead Business Services Specialist for Cox Automotive. In her free time, she continues to enjoy participating in shows at her local community theatre XACT, traveling, and getting into music any way she can.
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karissa frischeSound coordinatorKarissa Frische is in her 2nd year on the staff as Sound Coordinator, part of the Equipment Staff. She is the current 7th-12th grade Choir director at Loudonville High School in Loudonville, OH. She is a 2022 graduate of Capital University with a Bachelor of Music in Dual Music Education. While at Capital, she was an active member of Chapel Choir, Wind Symphony, and Capital’s Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. She is also a member of the Ohio Music Educators Association and the Ohio Choral Directors Association. Throughout college, she has been involved with operating audio and video equipment for multiple live events that include concerts, recording studio sessions, and live worship. She is a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School, where she was also active in choir, show choir, band, and marching band.
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