Personnel

Heather Hammond

Conductor

Heather Hammond received her Bachelor of Arts from Carthage College and her Master of Music Education in choral conducting and literature from UW-Milwaukee.

As a performer, Heather has been seen on stage in the JMKAC’s production of Cinderella, in Swingtime Canteen for the Broadway Baby Dinner Theater, and has been featured in a number of shows with Spotlight Productions of West Bend dinner theater. She continues to present recitals, to further her education through workshops, and is active in a variety of musical organizations both as a participant and guest clinician.

Heather has been a music teacher at Barton Elementary and Badger Middle School in West Bend, and was employed as an adjunct voice instructor at Lakeland College. She currently teaches elementary music in the Cedar Grove-Belgium school district. She has been a singing member of the Lakeshore Chorale for the past fifteen years and serves in the music ministry at First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. Heather is also a member of the faculty of Lakeland College as an adjunct general music specialist.

She is delighted and honored to begin her fourteenth year as the Lakeshore Youth Chorale Conductor.

Bill Born

Accompanist

Bill Born is a graduate of Lakeland University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He is a retired choir director most recently from Sheboygan Falls High School. Bill has served as a member of the executive board of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. He also performs with the Lakeshore Chorale and has performed with the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus as well as accompanied the Lakeshore Youth Chorale.

In addition, Bill has been a guest organist at numerous churches for dedications, concerts and weddings. He accompanies local high school students for festivals, college and scholarship auditions. Bill currently is the organist at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sheboygan.

Bill and his wife Jean live in Sheboygan Falls. They have a son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Ashley and a daughter, Brianna.

Seth Gillis

Conductor

Seth Gillis conducts the Lakeshore Youth Chorale's Lyric and Jubilate ensembles. He is also the music director for Carmen Southeast's choir, band, drumline, guitar, and survey classes. Gillis also leads FCC Sheboygan's children's music program.

Prior to living in Wisconsin, Gillis has conducted elementary, middle, high school, college, and professional ensembles. Additionally, he was a board member for Buckhannon Community Theatre, the high school R&R Chair for West Virginia ACDA , a Regional Chair for Solo and Ensemble, and a founding member/co-conductor for Maestri Vocale: West Virginia's Premiere Bass Choir. Gillis is also a private voice and brass instructor whose student's have received superior ratings at festivals, scholarships, and showcased in the West Virginia State Recital.

Gillis received Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Glenville State University, and a Master’s in Voice Performance from Georgia Southern University.

Max Becker

Accompanist

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Max Becker moved to Sheboygan with the intention to bring music back to the forefront of his identity. Since moving, Max has joined and provided his skills to numerous organizations in the Sheboygan area in employed and volunteer capacities. He is currently singing with the Lakeshore Chorale and Immanuel Lutheran Church choir ensembles.

Max is the full-time organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church where he also serves as director of the hand bell choir and provides guitar and piano for contemporary worship services.

When he’s not making music or working full-time as a bartender at Trattoria Stefano in downtown Sheboygan, he enjoys cycling, reading, cooking, and spending time with his wife Kayla and cats Bruce, Paul, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.