Matheus Cruz, Artistic Director
Monteverdi Chorale announces its new Artistic Director, Matheus Cruz. Originally from Brazil, Matheus joins the UW-Stevens Point Department of Music as the Interim Director of Choirs as well as serving as Monteverdi’s Artistic Director.
Cruz received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the State University of Maringa and his master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In Brazil, he worked as a public school teacher, and directed community and church choirs in Parana. Matheus is currently a DMA candidate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he has served as conductor for Canticum Novum, and assistant conductor for the Conservatory Singers.
Débora is honored to have the opportunity to bring her leadership and creative experiences to the Monteverdi Chorale as the new Executive Director. Débora graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Since graduating and remaining in the Stevens Point area, she has come to appreciate how much the communities in Central Wisconsin have to offer, and she looks forward to working with the Monteverdi Chorale to offer our communities great choral music in return.
Joyce Heintz, President
Joyce joined the Monteverdi board in 2020. While she is not a member of the Chorale, she has a passion for music in many forms, including attending the Chorale's concerts and Cabaret. With degrees in music from Capital University and Bowling Green State University, she knows that music feeds the soul of both performer and listener. Joyce is a retired pastor living in Wisconsin Rapids
Bethany Slembarski, Secretary
Bethany joined the board during the summer of 2022. She was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago with music and nature always playing a major role in her life. Bethany started her undergraduate career at UW-Stevens Point as a Biology and Wildlife major and Piano Performance minor, but ended up transferring to North Carolina State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology. After working 3 years as an environmental education specialist, Bethany returned back to UW-Stevens Point to earn her Master's of Natural Resources and Environmental Education Certificate and to complete her Piano Performance minor. Currently, she works for the Wisconsin Forestry Center at UW-Stevens Point and helps accompany some of the students at UWSP
Beth Omernik, Treasurer
Beth joins the Monteverdi Board as a small business owner, teacher and life-long musician. Born and raised in Stevens Point, Beth feels a great connection to central Wisconsin and its people. Beth has been joyfully teaching piano lessons for the past 20 years, and worked at Mitchell Piano Works for 15 years, making her a familiar face to many local musicians, In 2018, pursuing yet another entrepreneurial venture, Beth opened Apron Ties Kitchen creating gourmet bakery mixes for gift giving and home baking. Living in the Rosholt area with her husband and two sons, Beth is always thinking outside the box, trying new hobbies, and bringing a creative heart to central Wisconsin through music, theater and community connection.
Beth Gardner
Beth is an alto in the choir and recently joined the board of directors. Originally from the Milwaukee area, Beth graduated in 2001 with a degree in Arts Management. She has a background in vocal jazz performance and non-profit management, with more than ten years experience in community engagement, arts education, and nonprofit leadership roles. She currently works in the admission office at UW-Stevens Point and is working towards a certification in ADHD coaching with the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA), an internationally recognized and accredited coach training program. She also volunteers for NAMI Portage County (National Alliance on Mental Health). Beth and her husband live in Stevens Point with their three boys.
Ted Johanson
Ted’s undergraduate degree is instrumental music education (trumpet). He retired in 2020 after 44 years of ministry in the Lutheran Church. He and his family moved to Stevens Point in 1995 when he began specializing in transitional leadership. He and his high school son, Luke, sang with the Monteverdi Chorale from 2001 to 2004
Ann Kleifgen
Ann is a soprano in the chorale, a new member to the board, and a lifelong lover of choral music. She finds great joy in blending her voice with others to create meaningful musical experiences. She works at a local nonprofit and in her free time enjoys playing the folk harp and spending time outdoors with her husband and two young sons.
Dr. Matthew Markham
Baritone Matthew Markham enjoys an active award-winning career on operatic, concert, and recital stages. Markham holds the B.A. and the Doctor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University College of Music, Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.
Dr. Markham joined the voice faculty at the UW-Stevens Point in 2012. Prior to UWSP, he maintained private studios and taught at the Purnell School in New Jersey, Florida State University, DePauw University School of Music, and the Steinhardt School at NYU.
He is an active member and adjudicator of various competitions of NATS where he currently serves on the Wisconsin NATS Board as Treasurer. He is also a member of the New York Singing Teachers Association (NYSTA), College Music Society (CMS), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and the Dvořák Society of London.
David Ray
Dave has been a Monteverdi choir member (Bass) for many years. He is also returning to the board this year after serving several board terms in the past.
Dave grew up in Wausau and is a life-long singer. He sang in choirs for
four years at Wausau West High School, sang in Wisconsin's High School Honors Choir, and sang in choir at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He was also a percussionist in a previous life (high school days).
He is a recently retired attorney who practiced law in Stevens Point for
thirty-five years, is active in his church (Trinity Lutheran, Stevens
Point), and looks forward to working with his fellow Monteverdi Board
members this season and beyond."
Pete Sanderson
Pete Sanderson returns to the Monteverdi Board of Directors. Having previously served as the Board President, Pete brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role.
His wife, Catherine, has been a vocalist with Monteverdi for countless years. Their unwavering dedication and passion for the art form have made them invaluable assets to the organization. Furthermore, Pete and his wife have been ardent supporters of the UWSP Vocal Performance and Opera Workshop, fostering a nurturing environment for aspiring musicians. Their enduring commitment to these programs has greatly enriched the musical community and paved the way for future talents to thrive.
Andy Slembarski
A native of the Stevens Point area, Andrew Slembarski has long been involved with many of the regional community music ensembles. He's excited to become a new member of the Monteverdi board. Returning to Stevens Point in 2021, he became the Administrative Specialist of the Music Department for the UWSP School of Performing Arts. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from UWSP and an M.M. in French Horn Performance from UW-Milwaukee. Prior to accepting his role at UWSP, Andrew was the Coordinator of Music Programs and Director of Bands at Milwaukee School of Engineering and the Adjunct Professor of Applied Horn and Brass Repertoire at Maranatha Baptist University, Watertown, Wi. He maintains an active teaching and performing schedule throughout Wisconsin, having been asked to be a Substitute with the CWSO, Wausau Symphony and Band, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Kettle Moraine Symphony, Wisconsin Philharmonic, Southwest Suburban Symphony Orchestra, Present Music Ensemble of Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Philharmonic where Andrew has been appointed Principal Horn.
Joan Johanson
Joan joined the board during the summer of 2021 and is happy to see performances returning to our community. While she did not study music in college, her husband was a music major and all four of their children followed in his footsteps. Music was a cornerstone of their family life. Adult education, non-profit management, conflict consultation and leadership support were woven together during Joan’s professional life.