The Zion Conservatory of Music Faculty:

A school is only as good as its faculty. The Zion Conservatory of Music maintains a well-qualified staff. New teachers are required to have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in their field or significant professional experience, and are carefully screened before employment. They eagerly work together as a faculty, dedicated to nurturing each student and inspiring them with their own skills.

Constance Allen: piano

Mrs. Allen is a Zion Conservatory of Music graduate. She majored in piano at Mundelein College and has continued studying music and teaching lifelong, attending workshops and master classes to keep up with new methods and stimulating repertoire. She holds a Robert Pace Piano Pedagogy Certificate and has wide teaching experience, in both private and group lessons. A number of her students have graduated from the Conservatory and pursued careers in music as teachers and church musicians. In other musical endeavors, Mrs. Allen was Assistant to the Artistic Director and Coordinator of Educational Programs for the Lake Forest Symphony. She enjoys accompanying and ensemble playing and occasionally performs for various programs and local organizations.

The Zion Conservatory of Music has been a wonderful influence in my life, first as a piano student opening up the world of music to me, and then as a member of the faculty. I enjoy working with students of all ages and trying to develop each student to their fullest potential, whatever the ability level. I emphasize technical skills and musical expression in my teaching, along with a solid background in theory. Through the study of piano, I hope to promote a lifelong love, understanding and appreciation of music in my students.

Angela Ashmore: piano

Mrs. Ashmore is a Zion Conservatory of Music graduate of 1980. She was a piano performance major at Wheaton College, and also studied under Willard Wikowski at Oral Roberts University. She finished her education at Carthage College while teaching at the Conservatory. Along with her love for the piano, she has been involved most of her life in church music. Her involvements in church music range from choir member to choir director, from church pianist to worship leader, from soloist to director of music, etc. As a pianist in church music, she loves the challenges of sight-reading new music, creating arrangements of existing music, improvising, playing-by-ear, and most of all, worshipping the lord.

I believe God has created each of us with individual gifts, talents, personalities and callings. It is my desire to inspire and develop musical talent at the piano. I enjoy working with students, young and old, on an individual basis, using a variety of methods and approaches. At the core of my teaching is a focus on solid technique, a good understanding of music theory, lots of reading, and a tone quality that “sings”. Above all, I desire for my students to be inspired to play the piano the Glory of God.

Barbara Cannon: cello

Mrs. Cannon is an active freelance cellist and private instructor in the Chicago area. She began studying at the age of six, and was a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra by the age of sixteen. Mrs. Cannon earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois, and her Master degree from Southern Methodist University. Some of her teachers have included Nathaniel Rosen, Chris Adkins (Dallas Symphony), Don Moline (Chicago Symphony) and Richard Hirschl (Chicago Symphony). Mrs. Cannon has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, the New Mexico Symphony, the Santa Fe Symphony, and the Helios Quartet. Currently, Mrs. Cannon plays principal cello for the Kenosha Symphony, and is a principal and soloist for Full Score Chamber Orchestra and Around the Cross Concert Series. She is also a member of the Lake Forest symphony, the Allegro Quartet, and the Music in the Mountains Summer Festival in Durango, CO.

Jeff Courtney: guitar

Mr. Courtney has actively performed as a professional guitarist and taught as a private guitar instructor in the north Chicagoland area for many years. He studied guitar with Jamey Buencamino for five years and was on staff as a private guitar instructor for K-Town Music in Kenosha, Wisconsin for three years. He has served as worship leader on his church’s praise team for five years. Professionally, Jeff played guitar for former American Idol contestant/Sony BMG recording artist Brooke Barrettsmith for five years. He has been the opening act for national recording artists such as Sonic Flood, The Guess Who, Jeremy Camp, Mitch Ryder, Local H, and Superchick. Mr. Courtney has played guitar at major record label showcases for Word Records, Tooth & Nail Records, Flicker Records, and Provident/Sony BMG Records. He still enjoys the many opportunities to play guitar professionally around the Chicagoland area.

Jeff takes pleasure in teaching students of every age and style about reading skills, technique, musicianship, and theory. He also likes to provide students with skills to perform, compose, and record music.

Tiffany Desmond: voice, flute

Ms. Desmond began studying music at the age of twelve. She attended Ithaca College in New York as a flute major, changing her concentration to vocal performance and music education during her second year of study.  Her primary mentors to whom she attributes her vocal and flute technique are freelance flute instructor Carron Moroney, Ithaca College voice professor Patrice Pastore, and Roosevelt University voice professor Mark Crayton. Ms. Desmond received a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance and education from Ithaca College and a Masters in Music from The Chicago College for Performing Arts.

Some of the roles Ms. Desmond has performed include the role of Nannetta in Verdi's Falstaff with La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy; Blonde in Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail; and the Second Woman in Handel's Dido and Aeneas.  Most recently, she played Thérèse in the Chicago College for Performing Arts production of Poulenc's surrealist opera Les Mamelles de Tirésias.  Ms. Desmond was invited to attend OperaWorks, a unique "Outside The Box" program for aspiring artists in Los Angeles.  She received the Max Kade Scholarship to attend Middlebury College's German for Singers immersion program in Vermont for two consecutive summers and won first prize two consecutive years in the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition.  In 2009, she was the recipient of the Josephine LiPuma Vocal Scholarship for vocal excellence in Bel Canto singing.

Ms. Desmond is excited about teaching young students both flute and voice. She feels that music is the doorway to universal understanding. Sharing her professional experience and knowledge of both flute and voice is a top priority.

Martin Fiala: violin, viola

Mr. Fiala received his Bachelor of Arts in Violin Performance from Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University where he studied with Debra Wood-Schwartz. Mr. Fiala completed an Accelerated Graduate Teacher Certification program at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. He currently teaches elementary strings and middle school orchestra in the Waukegan public School District. Mr. Fiala has been a member of several orchestras in the area such as Lake Forest Symphony, Chicago chamber Orchestra, and Kenosha Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his classical experience, he has also performed Broadway shows at the Schubert Theater and Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. Mr. Fiala is board president of the Lakeshore Youth Philharmonic in Kenosha, WI. He enjoys playing violin professionally and teaching students who are anxious to learn.

Dennis Hankinson: piano

Mr. Hankinson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in Bible and Theology and has studied at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside toward a certificate of Piano Pedagogy and Literature. He first studied piano with Mrs. Ethel Cliff Stried, herself a Zion Conservatory of Music graduate, from 1979 to 1989. He has accompanied the Bethel College Women's Choir on tour, Moody voice students, and the Christian Youth Theater productions of "Annie", "Narnia" and "The Little Princess". As a past member of Frizane Music Ministries, he has entertained the public at Chicago's Daley Plaza and in Independence Day parades in Elmwood Park, as well as several retirement communities. He has also performed as a soloist for the Von Maur department store in Glenview and the Marcus Cinema in Sturtevant.

Mr. Hankinson was employed at the historic Marshall Field's store in Chicago as a piano and keyboard salesman. He attended the Kircher Technical Training Institute in Oak Park, where he acquired certificates in piano tuning and string repair. In 2003, he began operating a piano technician business, Northern Strings Piano Services, located in Racine. His ongoing projects include rebuilding and refinishing pianos for clients from Chicago to Milwaukee. Mr. Hankinson has been teaching piano since 2001, beginning in Grayslake, and expanding into Kenosha in 2004. In 2004, he was invited to join the Zion Conservatory of Music faculty. A number of his students have participated in the annual National Guild Piano Playing Auditions, receiving Superior ratings.

I want my students to realize that musical talent is a gift from God, meant for blessing their neighbors as well as themselves, and that its ultimate goal is to give glory to the Lord.

Scharema Hannibal: voice

Mrs. Hannibal began singing at age three and playing the piano at age six. She studied at the Zion Conservatory of Music and went on to seek training at Parkland College, forming the Parkland Gospel Ensemble. She completed her Music Education degree at the University of Illinois - Champaign/Urbana and has begun her graduate studies at Vandercook College of Music. She has taught music at Novak-King Middle School in North Chicago, Illinois and the Kings Academy Christian School in Zion, Illinois. Ms. Daniels sang and toured with the University of Illinois Black Chorus, where she also served as assistant conductor and pianist. She has assisted in gospel music recordings and served as a guest vocal clinician. In July, 2004, Mrs. Hannibal starred in the leading role of Tracey in the musical production "T'Morrow Ain't Promised." She also wrote and produced original music for the production. Mrs. Hannibal currently sings with gospel music recording artists Glenn Johnson and the Voices of Innerpeace, Persuaded Ministries, Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak, and Ricky Dillard and New Generation. She is also the Minister of Music at Word of Life Ministries in Beach Park and began teaching at the Conservatory in 2004.

Charles Heberer: baritone, clarinet, French horn, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba

Charles Heberer holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He performed on the trumpet with the University of Missouri Marching Mizzou at Tiger football games, including the Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. College marching band performances also included half-time shows for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a member of the Univeristy of Missouri brass ensemble, he performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Charles was a band director for nine years in the Missouri public school system and the United States Disciplinary Barracks (military prison) at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He was an instrumental music instructor at the Zion Conservatory of Music from 1986 through 1998, where he taught trumpet, trombone, French horn, saxophone, and clarinet. His students received numerous superior ratings at the Illinois High School Association Solo & Ensemble contests. After over thirty years as a curriculum developer at Great Lakes Naval Base, Charles retired from civil service in September 2007.

I think it is essential that instrumental music students learn the fundamentals such as tone quality, intonation, accuracy, and rhythmic skills. A good tone quality is essential for playing in tune with others and having a quality sounding performing group. Strict rhythmic skills are necessary to achieve group precision. Music instructors must insist that students go beyond technical accuracy and perform musically; students perform at what is called a “music” contest and NOT a “note” contest. Instrumentalists should be strongly committed to the success of their performing groups.

Josephine Huber: voice, Mini Maestros preschool program

Ms. Huber first studied voice at the Zion Conservatory of Music. She received a diploma in Church Music with an emphasis in voice from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and graduated with a BA in Music with a concentration in voice from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and has been nominated twice by her students to be published in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She taught voice at the Zion Conservatory of Music from 1981 through 1999, taught music at Our Lady of Humility School in Beach Park, Illinois, and is a voice instructor at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Waukegan, Illinois.

Ms. Huber has sung as a member and soloist with the Moody Chorale, toured with the Continental Singers, member and soloist with the Trinity College Choir, soloist with the Zion Community Singers, and soloist for the Zion Chamber Orchestra Do-It-Yourself Messiah. She has served as choir director in several area churches in Waukegan and Libertyville, Illinois. She enjoys coaching high school and college students for vocal competitions and scholarships. Currently she is very active with the music ministry at Christ Community Church, Zion, Illinois, participating and assisting in the choir, worship team, and various other groups.

My philosophy of teaching is to give my students a solid foundation so that they can apply those principles to any style of singing to the glory of God.

Krysta Hyllberg: clarinet, trumpet, viola, Mini Maestros preschool music program

Krysta Hyllberg received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Ripon College, completing her student teaching in an international school in the Czech Republic. She has extensive experience working with preschool age children as well as older students. She has taught band at the elementary level and private lessons on all instruments to children ages 4-18 years old.

Ms. Hyllberg began her musical training on the piano at the age of seven and later studied trumpet, viola and clarinet. She has been involved with other ensembles including the Waukegan Municipal Band, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, Full Score Chamber Orchestra, Lake Forest College Chamber Orchestra, and both the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble at the College of Lake County.

Diana Iorio: violin

Ms. Iorio earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, followed by post-graduate studies in Cologne, Germany. She has performed in masterclasses for members of the Vermeer String Quartet, cellist Madame Raya Garbousova, Hiroko Yajima, Sergiu Luca and Pinchas Zukerman.

As a private instructor, Ms. Iorio manages a private studio, L'archet String Studio, and performs with her chamber music ensemble, Solaia. She has been the music director and conductor of the Sinfonia String Orchestra under the auspices of the Lakeshore Youth  Philharmonic since 2001. Regularly serving as a guest clinician in the Kenosha and Racine Unified School Districts, Ms. Iorio is also the private and group lesson instructor in violin and viola as well as orchestral clinician at Christian Life School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Active in cultural and performing arts programming, Ms. Iorio established Music in the Wood String Clinic in 2003 and continues to function as its Artistic Director as well as a violin and chamber music instructor. In 2005, she collaborated with violist and international recording artist, Paul Cortese, as part of the clinic, presenting an arts forum for 450 string students held on the campus of Carthage College.

Ms. Iorio has served on the string faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Carthage College, and the Siena Arts and Music Program in Siena, Italy. She is an active member of the American String Teachers Association, Wisconsin String Teachers Association, and the Wisconsin School Music Association. In 2006, she served on the WSMA staff as violin coach for the 2005/2006 Wisconsin Honors Orchestra and has since been invited to return as sectional coach for 2007 and 2008. In 2008, Ms. Iorio joined the string faculty at the Zion Conservatory of Music.

Ms. Iorio has been the concertmaster of the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Concertmaster of the Arizona Opera Company and Musicisti Americani in Rome, Italy. She has been a member of the Elgin Symphony, Rockford Symphony, Illinois Chamber Symphony, Phoenix Chamber Orchestra and Phoenix Bach and Madrigal Society. Performing as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Ms. Iorio served as chamber musician, principal second violin, concertmaster and soloist in Italy and Switzerland in 2005 and 2006 under the auspices of L'Universita` degli Studi of Siena, Italy. In 2006, Diana was invited by Italian colleagues to create a music and cultural arts exchange program, which lead to her position as Artistic Director and program coordinator of Luci Toscane Music & Culture Festival. The festival is based in Siena, Italy, and is held annually in June.

Patricia Jamison: voice

Ms. Jamison holds a Bachelor degree in music education from Milliken University and a Master of Music from Northwestern University. She toured for eight years with the San Carlo Opera Company and in 1965 through 1969 appeared in the Broadway productions of "Bye, Bye Birdie" opposite Dick Van Dyke and as an understudy for Nanette Fabrey in "Mr. President." Still a member of three performing unions in the Chicago area, Ms. Jamison has worked at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Marriot Lincolnshire with Van Johnson as his leading lady, Marion, in "The Music Man." She has appeared in over 150 plays and musicals in an acting and singing career which spans three decades encompassing Broadway, stock productions, summer theater, touring companies and dinner theater. She worked at Tom Curtiss's production asistant for MGM during the filming of "Dr. Zhivago," and worked for Disney Studios doing voice-overs for educational films and commercials. Her latest efforts include raising funds for churches and schools with her own theater company, Premiere Players, of which she is the founder and artistic director.

As for my teaching style, it changes from student to student. That's the nice thing about teaching one-on-one: you can fit the lessons to the student. If I can teach my students to appreciate how hard it is to sing well and recognize good singing in others, then I've accomplished something.

Allan Koetz: piano, guitar

Mr. Koetz is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute (sacred music), holds a Bachelor of Music in piano and a Master of Music in Theory from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and has studied at Northwestern and Concordia Universities. A graduate of the Zion Conservatory himself, Mr. Koetz, joined the ZCM piano faculty from 1980-1985. Subsequently he served as Director of Worship Music and Arts with South Park Church of Park Ridge, IL and recently with the Evangelical Free Church of Libertyville, returning to ZCM in 2010. Throughout his career he has maintained a private studio of piano students and is a member of the MTNA, the Music Teachers National Association. He is also a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and was appointed as the chairperson for the Park Ridge chapter. He apprenticed as a Piano Technician in Chicago and is an associate member of the NPTG, North Shore Chapter. Mr. Koetz returned to the Conservatory faculty in 2010.

I have always enjoyed working with students of all ages as they grow in their ability, appreciation and love for making music. I also enjoy the journey of growing as a teacher. My aim is to inspire students to create music and experience this musical journey together.

Angela Leopold: violin

Angela Leopold is a graduate of the Zion Conservatory of Music and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Butler University in 2003. Ms. Leopold has completed level one Suzuki certification as well as violin pedagogy training at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She has played with the Zion Chamber Orchestra, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony, and the Butler Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Leopold is currently a graduate student at Trinity International University and will receive a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in 2012.

Brian Massimo: percussion

Mr. Massimo's passion for the arts stems as far back as the age of twelve, when he performed as a soloist with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra. He then spent four years with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dudley Powers. He has studied with such greats as Web Dowed, Mike Balter, Bernard and Caryl Stiner, as well as sectional studies with Gordon Peters, a member of the Percussion Hall of Fame and former percussionist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Massimo has been a private percussion teacher in the Lake County area for over twenty years teaching everything from drum set to orchestral percussion. He has been on the staff of LEAP, Learning Everything about Percussion, the 2003 and 2004 World Champions of indoor drum line/ensemble competition of WGI(Winter Guard International) percussion independent class "A". Winning back-to-back gold medals is a first in the twenty-five year history of the WGI. Along with being a percussion instructor for the Zion Conservatory of Music, Mr. Massimo is principal percussionist for the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, the Waukegan Municipal Band and Full Score Chamber Orchestra. He held the principal percussionist position with the Zion Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Massimo continues to perform in several professional projects ranging from classical, contemporary Christian to heavy metal.

Rebecca McCulloch: violin

Ms. McCulloch began studying violin at the Zion Conservatory of Music. Before completing the pre-collegiate musical studies program there, she performed as the winner of the Young Artist Concerto competition with the Zion Chamber Orchestra, and appeared as soloist with the Midwest Chamber Players throughout their concert tour of Europe. Ms. McCulloch continued her violin studies at Butler University with Laurence Shapiro. She performed on numerous honors recitals and chamber music concerts, including a collaboration with Van Cliburn silver medalist Panayis Lyras. She served as concertmaster of the Jordan Sinfonia and the Butler Symphony Orchestra, both at home and on tour in Taiwan.

Ms. McCulloch has held concertmaster positions with the Zion Chamber Orchestra, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, and presently the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra. She studied at the Milwaukee Chamber Music Festival with Myron Kartman, at the Quartet Program with Charles Castleman, and at the Longy Institute of Baroque Music with baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock. An ardent admirer of early music, Ms. McCulloch was featured as soloist and ensemble member of the baroque performing ensemble Bach Babes from 2003 through 2006. During her period of study at the Leonard Sorkin Institute of Chamber Music, Ms. McCulloch completed a Performer's Certificate in Chamber Music while serving as Myron Kartman's teaching assistant, and was a semi-finalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. She holds degrees from Butler University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has taught on the faculty of the Zion Conservatory of Music, the Jack Benny Center for the Performing Arts, and the Indiana Performing Arts Academy.

JoAnne Pekkarinen: piano

Mrs. Pekkarinen has extensive experience teaching piano and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of keeping her students motivated. She is always looking for new material and innovative ways to inspire her students. JoAnne has had students go on to play at the college level and become music teachers themselves including Jennifer Warren, one of our new ZCM piano teachers. Mrs. Pekkarinen received her Bachelor of Music degree from Mundelein College and did additional graduate work at the University of Illinois before transferring to the American Conservatory of Music where she received her Master's Degree.

Mrs. Pekkarinen is involved in performing, accompanying, and teaching, as well as attending workshops and masterclasses. In the last several years she has collaborated with former Conservatory violinist and director, Rebecca Engstrom. Together they have performed the violin/piano sonatas of Poulenc and Faure and transcriptions of Spanish dances by Manuel de Falla as well as arrangements of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess". She enjoys the challenge of fine chamber music, coordinating the musical styles of the performers as well as the notes. Mrs. Pekkarinen also has an affinity for 20th century piano repertoire, but enjoys a variety of music, including the Romantic era composer, Chopin. Mrs. Pekkarinen has been a faculty member at the Zion Conservatory of Music since 1968.

Learning to play any musical instrument requires discipline and dedication. There are so many aspects involved in learning to play the piano--rhythm, phrasing, hand position, etc. At the top of my list is good tone quality, because you don't express music well without beautiful sound.

Donna Poucher, Director of the Zion Conservatory of Music: piano

Mrs. Poucher holds a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education with a piano major from Millikin University, a Master of Arts in Piano Performance from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Arts Equivalency in Pre-med with a chemistry emphasis from Lake Forest College. Her diverse musical experience includes piano performance as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician (piano, harpsichord, keyboard and french horn), and extensive accompanying for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles. She has taught in public and private schools as well as in her own piano studio. In addition, she has been involved in directing several church choirs, church choir festivals and instrumental groups. Donna was the Director of the Zion Chamber Orchestra for 7 years, after having held the Assistant Director position for 7 years.

Donna was appointed Director of the Zion Conservatory of Music in January of 2008, where she also continues to serve as a piano instructor. She is the pianist for Grace Missionary Church, is a member of the Full Score Orchestra, the North Shore Suburban Symphony Orchestra, and does freelancing in the Lake County area. During her tenure in Zion and association with Christ Community Church, her musical activities and projects have been extensive. As director of the Zion Chamber Orchestra, she was involved in presenting the annual “Kids’ Koncerts” for the Zion and neighboring community schools giving them an opportunity to experience the performing arts first hand, involving professional and amateur musicians and actors from their community. Other events sponsored by the orchestra included hosting an annual art show as well as themed dinner concerts featuring music and cuisine from various countries and cultures. From musical theater productions to opera, she has encouraged community participation in promoting the arts at the local level. "Amahl and the Night Visitors", "Hansel and Gretel", "Oliver", "The King and I", "Music Man", "Godspell", and "Cinderella", are some of the productions with which she has been involved.

I believe that God wonderfully blesses individuals with unique musical abilities and talents. My goal in teaching is to help each of my students discover and develop their unique talents and to help channel their musical growth in Christ-honoring and community service venues. I stress the importance of sharing their gifts whether it is playing for church, school, their families, their friends, whatever their “community” is, or simply to express their own emotions. It is not only a gift to them, but for them to use and share with others. In this process, they learn to be disciplined, to hone fine motor skills and aural coordination, to think abstractly on multiple levels, to develop self confidence and composure in performance situations, to enjoy many styles of music, to gain the ability to express themselves musically, and to learn the value of sharing themselves.

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