Member Spotlights
Laura M is a Retired phlebotomist and has been singing Alto with us for 25 years.
About Adirondack Voices Laura says, "It is wonderful to participate in a large group that is serious about their work and, as I discovered at music camp, it is a thrill to to hear (and be part of) a large group with all the voices blending together. Adirondack Voices is truly an asset to the community. One of the first concerts I sang in, Lala and I were selected to be narrators. It was a patriotic theme and we performed it at the Old Fort House.
Musical Background: "I took piano lessons for ten years but was never very good at it. I sang in school choruses from the time I was 9 and church choir from age10. I went to a small rural school. I had the opportunity to hear Hudson Falls' production of Amahl and the Night Visitors directed by Joyce Irwin. Afterwards I begged my mother to let me transfer to H.F. but no go. I attended a music camp at Fredonia when I was16. At that time I wanted to be a vocal music teacher. But I found out while there that I would have to continue playing the French horn which I had come to hate. So that was out. I have sung with ACC chorale in the past but am not singing with them at present. I do sing in my church choir.I guess it was my mother who inspired my love of music. She had so many records of classical music, folk music and (my favorite) Christmas music, many choral."
In her free time Laura says, "I garden some but I'm no good at it. Mostly I volunteer at The Baptist Thrift Store in Glens Falls and Open Door Mission."
Kathleen S has been singing Soprano with us for 13 yrs and works as a local school counselor.
Musical Background: I have been singing in choirs since elementary school and continued through college (and toured Europe with my college choir!). I sang with church choirs as well. I do not have a degree in music (mine is in political science). My love of music comes from my dad, who played piano and sang all through my childhood. I used to love to listen to him sing harmony on Christmas hymns.
Kathleen's Favorite Voices Memory: "Singing Bernstein and Beethoven with the Glens Falls Symphony!"
Carol S is a retired RN who has been singing with us for 5 years
Carol plays the piano and says, "I've been singing in choruses all through school and when ever I could after. Singing with Adirondack Voices is fun. I enjoy being with others who love to sing. I missed being away during the height of covid."
She enjoys reading, playing mah-jongg, knitting, and volunteering at community center in her free time.
Jeanie P is the director of Purrs & Paws Cat Shelter and have been singing Alto with us for 7 years.
Jeanie sang in her high school choir and says, "I look forward to singing with Adirondack Voices every Fall and Spring. The people there are so nice and helpful."
In her free time, Jeanie enjoys getting out in her garden.
Carl W has been singing Tenor with us for 1 year and works as a Program Coordinator at Saratoga Bridges.
Carl plays fiddle and mandolin and has been singing since 2nd grade 65 years ago. In his free time he enjoys creating wood carvings of wildfowl.
Deb B is a Retired Nursing Administrator who has been sing Alto with the group for 6 years.
About Adirondack Voices Deb says, "It's a fun yet challenging way to sing with a large group."
When asked about her musicial background she replied, "I play the piano - used to play clarinet as well. I have been singing in church/school choirs all of my life, and still sing in the local Senior chorus, church choir, and I play in the bell choir at church. My inspiration was Mrs. Cote my piano teacher."
In her spare time, Deb says, "I like to knit, crochet, cook, and hang out with my dog!"
Meg G has been singing Soprano with us for over a year. For work she says, "I support individuals with developmental disabilities to live their best life the way that they want!"
Music Background: "Music has always been part of my life. It feeds my soul and just makes me a better person. I was in choir and band from elementary through high school graduation, and in college, as well as performing in my high school's annual musical. I went to college for music education with vocal concentration but life had different plans. I was also the lead singer for a local cover band in my early 20s. Now, I just enjoy performing in my car on my drive to and from work, and also with this wonderful group."
About Adk Voices: This is a wonderful group full of amazing musicians and vocalists. It's challenging and so much fun to be a part of. Singing just makes me happier.
Our Soprano, Pat F has been singing with us for 15+ yrs. She works at the CR Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital as a medical secretary in a department known as Oncology Data Management.
About Adk Voices Pat says, "If you enjoy singing, come join us! Singing is food and therapy for the Soul!!!!! You're part of a team with individual benefits!!"
Pat's Musical Background: "Other than singing in chorus groups I have no other formal musical training. In Catholic grade school, we sang the Mass in Latin on Sunday Mornings at St. Mary's in Hudson Falls. I still remember a lot of the Latin portions of the Masses we sang. I like to say I "play at singing" because so many others know exactly what they are doing at every moment. I simply love to sing and it is part of my personal spirit being. I feel alive when I sing. Singing expresses what I feel, love and at times hate and dread. It is the expression of life for me. That is why I sing. Growing up me and my parents and sisters always sang together as we were doing dishes or other chores. It's one of my fondest memories. My grandmother (mom's mom) enjoyed singing as did one of my Aunts. I have learned a lot about reading music during my years at Adirondack Voices and that has carried over to the singing I do at my church St. Joseph's in Fort Edward. For me singing is me and is just plain FUN!!"
Vicki S works as a school secretary and is one of our founding Adirondack Voices members.
When asked about her music background, she replied, "My father was a music teacher, so I grew up in a household full of music. I have sung in choruses and church choirs since I was in 6th grade. I have also played piano, guitar, clarinet and handbells over the years. Music is a central part in who I am!"
Regarding Adk Voices Vicki says, "It's so awesome that we have this group in our community - both to be a member of, and also for people who are interested in the arts to take advantage of."
Lisa P has been singing Tenor with us for 2 seasons and is one of our librarians.
WORK: "I’ve worn many hats over the years! My favorite (paid) job was working at Glens Falls Music Academy as the studio manager. I made some lifelong friends and learned so much in the time I was there! Currently, I work as a church secretary."
HOBBIES: "I really love creativity of any kind! I crochet, paint and cross stitch among other things, but my favorite hobby is sewing! I am a costumer for a couple of local theatre groups and it’s such a blast! I particularly love working with theatre kids (middle and high school)…they are so fun and are little sponges that love to learn! Teaching future costumers life skills as simple as sewing on a button, or having them problem solve a costuming issue is so satisfying!"
MUSIC BACKGROUND: "Music has been a part of my life since I can remember! My mother definitely influenced both my love of music and my ability as a musician. There was always music playing in our house and she was singing along. I’ve been in choirs (school, church, Jubilate Singers, even a stint in Mastersingers…the parent organization of AV!), performed solo, play clarinet, piano, and ukulele, and been involved in musical theatre. I was also in the Eastern College Touring Choir in the early 90’s.
Kelsey D is a graduate student, new to Adirondack Voices and a wonderful addition to our Soprano section!
When asked about her musical background and joining Voices she has this to say. "I’ve been singing since I was in 4th grade, my first choir being GF Symphony Children’s Chorus. After years of music involvement in school and the community, I graduated from Castleton University with a B.A. in Music. Since graduating from my Bachelors, I wanted to be involved with a music community again.
Starting rehearsals with ADK voices... it’s been really fun to sing with many others and have something going on other than work."
Susan P is a teacher and health coach. She has returned to sing Alto with Adirondack Voices after a number of years away.
When asked about a favorite music memory, Susan replied: "My favorite performances are those that really connect with the audience. I recall a performance at a senior living facility where we sang a patriotic set with music from WWII. The faces of remembering and the stories shared with us afterwards were priceless. That's what good music should do. Connect the heart of the music and the story to the audience's hearts."
A wonderful quote that speaks to Susan is, "Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.” ― Edward Bulwer Lytton
Tisha D has been singing Alto with Adirondack Voices for over 4 years. She is a Historian, Librarian, and Textile Artist in our area.
When asked what she enjoys about singing with our group, Tisha replied: " I love how Adirondack Voices found a way to perform during the pandemic. Singing in my home and uploading my vocal parts to be included in the larger piece that was shared via YouTube was such a treat.
I am glad to be singing live again, though! Having COVID affected my vocal range. I hope getting back into a healthy singing routine can repair some of the damage"
JEB T has been singing Bass with Adirondack Voices and works as a Sales Director for Red Bee Media.
When asked what he enjoys about singing with our group, he responded; "I love the process...from the first rehearsal to the concert itself. It's astonishing when you stop to think about it. Here you have a group of individuals who come together once a week for a few short months and produce something beautiful together. And, wow!, the music we get to sing and share! For me, it approaches the divine, something otherworldly, true bliss, heaven on earth."
Jeb has a great sense of humor and always brings a smile to our rehearsals.
Yanella G is an economist who has been singing Soprano 1 with Adirondack Voices for many years.
Yanella says, "I started singing at very young age and even though I haven’t pursued a professional career in music I always fantasize becoming an opera singer."
When asked about her favorite memory performing with Adirondack Voices, she said, "Our Belshazzar’s Feast rehearsal [with the Glens Falls Symphony and 200 singers] at Glens Falls High School when the Director (Simon Carrington of The Kings Singers) asked us to sing expressing and feeling the lyric."
Yanella's beautiful voice certainly adds to all of our performances.
Susan Hunter: Author and member of our ALTO section.
Susan is an "Author, Anthropologist, Adventurer, Changemaker". Susan has "seven internationally acclaimed AIDS books, five novels, comprehensive reports in 24 countries". Susan has worked on a "variety of assignments for UNICEF and USAID in 30 countries, including three long-term residencies in Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia."
Susan says, "We gotta make this world a better place than the world in which we life in. It’s our responsibility, no one else’s!
Check out all of her amazing work on her webpage > Susan Hunter - Author
Kim S has been singing with Adirondack Voices for many years. Kim is retired from education after teaching Kindergarten for 35 years.
When asked about Adirondack Voices Kim says, "I have found a group of like minded musicians who love to sing, laugh, and make music together. I joined after going through a divorce and needed to have 2 hours a week to myself. I feel I have not only made life long friends, but continue to learn about singing music each time I rehearse with this group-thank you to Penny, Corey, and Carol Ann!
One of my favorite moments is when a group of us donned Chicken Hats and sang the "Chicken Concerto". I am a resident member of the "Back Row Altos" and look forward to each and every Tuesday night, (when I'm not at my vacation house in Myrtle Beach)".
Kenis S began singing tenor with Adirondack Voices when it became an organization in 1998; an original and founding member. Kenis has served on our Board of Directors as President and has been an integral part of making our group the success it is today!
During the weekday, you can find Kenis teaching Junior High & High School Math at one of our local schools. In addition, he is the owner of Event In A Tent (link), a Tipi rental business.
When asked about this favorite Voices memory, he said there are too many to mention but the many times we have performed with the Glens Falls Symphony ranks towards the top.
Carol Ann Elze-Sussdorff has been the accompanist for Adirondack Voices since 1999. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Crane School of Music where she performed both solo and chamber works with acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming.
She is the organist and choir director of the United Methodist Church of Queensbury, and maintains an active accompanying schedule collaborating with area standout students for recitals, auditions, and NYSSMA performances.
Penny Schiek has been leading and singing alto with Adirondack Voices for 20+ years. She is a retired Music Educator after 32 years of service to the districts of Penn Yan, Whitehall and Queensbury. Penny is well known in the Glens Falls, NY area as a choral director, mezzo-contralto soloist, voice teacher and handbell director. Penny serves as the Director of our Adirondack Voices A cappella Ensemble, which is an auditioned small group of singers.
Her choruses have been heard throughout the northeast, the Bahamas and Europe, and several of her students have pursued successful careers in music and the arts. She has been named to Who’s Who Among American Teachers, and is a current member of NYSSMA and the National Association for Music Education.
Her retirement hobbies include motorcycle touring, golf and travel.
Cari Kassebaum has been singing soprano with Adirondack Voices for approximately 22 years and also serves as our President. She is retired from the Glens Falls City School District as an Elementary Music Educator and District Instructional Coach for Technology.
Cari enjoys introducing new people to Adirondack Voices as they join the chorus, become an audience member, or community sponsor.
"One of my favorite things about singing with Adirondack Voices is the friendships that I have made over the years. Singing Bach's "Coffee Cantata" with director Penny Schiek and "Belshazzar's Feast" under the direction of Simon Carrington are some highlights that quickly come to mind. Whether is it is singing with fake moustache's during, "If You've Only Got a Moustache' by Stephen Foster or dressed as a chicken for the "Concerto for Singing Chickens and Piano" by Stephen L Lawrence, we always manage to have a lot of fun and provide quality performances for our audience!"