Meet Our Artistic

Staff

Dr. Amanda Huntleigh

Artistic Director

Dr. Amanda Huntleigh is Artistic Director of the Dubuque Chorale, and serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Clarke University.

Huntleigh holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Washington, a Master of Music degree in conducting from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College. In January 2016 she earned her certification as a Laban/ Bartenieff Movement Analyst through Integrated Movement Studies. She is thankful for her conducting mentors, Drs. Lisa A. Billingham, Geoffrey Boers, and Giselle Wyers, as well as her movement mentors, Colleen Wahl and the late Cadence Whittier. Huntleigh has conducted choirs touring in Chile, Iceland, Italy, and Latvia, and taught choral, instrumental, and general music in Illinois, Virginia, and Delaware public schools earlier in her career.

Karmella Sellers

Children’s Choirs Program Director

Karmella Sellers is the Children’s Choirs Program Director for the Dubuque Chorale and conducts the Legati Singers, the more advanced of the two Children’s Choirs.

Having been a music educator for over 34 years, she brings a wealth of experience with her to this position and firmly believes that music not only enriches lives, but also teaches discipline, team work, and responsibility. As a music specialist in the Dubuque Community School District since 2005, she has served the community through teaching elementary children about the wonders of music and choral singing.

Sellers is originally from Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Arizona) and her Masters in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. In 2009, Sellers achieved National Board Certification.

When she is not sharing in music-making with children, Sellers likes to read, to travel with her husband, Rory, and to spend time with her grown children and not-so-grown grandchildren.

Victoria Bausman

Staccati Singers Conductor

Victoria Bausman is the director of the Staccati Singers of the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choirs. In addition to directing the Staccati Singers, Bausman teaches K-5 General Music at Bellevue Elementary School. Apart from teaching and directing, Bausman enjoys singing with the Dubuque Chorale and Cadenza.

Bausman earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education as well as a Vocal Performance Certificate at Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL. During her studies, Bausman had multiple opportunities to travel to other countries, such as Jamaica, Austria, and the Czech Republic, to widen her horizons as well as further her experience in music and teaching. Prior to teaching in Bellevue, Bausman was the general music teacher and choral director at Galena Middle School and Galena High School.

Than Chesher

Associate Director

Than Chesher is the Associate Director for the Dubuque Chorale. In addition to the Dubuque Chorale, Chesher directs the choirs of Dubuque Senior High School and teaches a Modern Band class introducing students to contemporary instruments and recording techniques. He has directed choirs in Iowa and Minnesota, where students earned honors in conference, state, and national honor choirs.

Chesher comes to Dubuque with 28 years of professional musical experience performing for amusement parks, cruise ships, and onstage as a vocalist and bassist. His academic research includes individual well-being through music, student musician identity, and popular music in schools. Chesher received his Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Iowa and his Bachelor of Music Education from Morningside College.

Sharon Jensen

Chorale Accompanist

Dr. Sharon Jensen holds music degrees from Calvin College, the University of Texas, and the University of Michigan. The recipient of a Rotary Fellowship, she studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, Austria, where she received the Artist’s Diploma.

She has performed with orchestras throughout the Midwest and at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall for four consecutive years. In July 2016, she was a pianist for the Prague Choral Festival and performed with members of the Czech Philharmonic in Smetana Hall. Jensen has also been heard on Chicago’s WFMT Dame Myra Hess series and NPR’s Live from Landmark Center and Live from the Chazen.

Recently retired from a 35-year university teaching career, Jensen maintains a piano studio in Dubuque, IA. In 2015, she was honored as the Nationally Certified Teacher of the Year from the state of Iowa and in 2020 as the Iowa Foundation Fellow.

Amanda Hauta

Children's Choirs Accompanist

Amanda Hauta, MM, is an adjunct professor at the University of Dubuque where she has taught World Music. She sings with the Julien Chamber Choir and teaches piano and accordion lessons. She loves accompanying the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choirs. She completed a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Hauta’s current project is learning how to play bagpipes with the Dubuque Fire Pipes and Drums. She lives in Dubuque with her husband and two sons.

Keisy Peyerl Xavier

Cadenza Accompanist

Brazilian pianist Dr. Keisy Peyerl Xavier has established herself as a distinguished solo and collaborative pianist. With a diverse artistic background and a robust foundation in Classical piano, Peyerl Xavier’s journey culminated in the attainment of a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi, complementing her earlier degrees obtained in her homeland. Peyerl Xavier’s accomplishments include clinching First Prize in the MMTA Collegiate Competition and securing high positions in prestigious contests, like the “National Piano Competition from the Brazilian Academy of Music” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has enriched her skills through masterclasses with eminent pianists globally, from École Normale de Musique de Paris, the San Francisco Opera Center, and Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany. Currently Assistant Professor of Music and Collaborative Pianist at Clarke University, Peyerl Xavier’s achievements are amplified through her dynamic artistry and profound connection to music.

Board of

Directors

Click on an individual's name if you wish to send them an email.

Mark Niemer, President
Tara Dunn, Vice President
Mia Scott, Secretary
Joe Amato, Treasurer
Jeannie Adams
Macayla Albee
Nicholas Anderson
Doug Henry
Greg Orwoll
Sarah Slaughter
Susan Tonn

Committee

Chairs

Artistic Planning: Amanda Huntleigh
Education and Outreach: Mary Beth Ferring
Finance, Auditing: Greg Orwoll
Fundraising: Terry Eckhart
Governance and Personnel: Terry Eckhart
Librarian: Mary Beth Ferring
Logistics: Mark Niemer
Membership: Nicholas Anderson
Publicity: Sarah Slaughter

Board Documents

Handbook	The handbook gives a welcome to the organization, and covers topics like dues, attendance, and concert attire.
Strategic Plan	The Strategic Plan defines goals and objectives for the next five years in order to achieve our mission.
By-Laws	The Dubuque Chorale’s by-laws are the operating manual of the organization. The Board encourages the members of the Chorale to be familiar with them.