MEET THE NVHS CHORAL MUSIC STAFF

Mrs. Kasprzak    ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )    

Anne Kasprzak received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with highest honors from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1994. While at Saint Mary’s College, she received the top department awards in both Music and Education. Mrs. Kasprzak is also a graduate of VanderCook College of Music with a Master’s Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Kasprzak will be working with the Neuqua Valley Chamber Singers.  Prior to working with students at Neuqua, Mrs. Kasprzak was the choral director at Crone Middle School for seven years. During that time, she directed a choral program of over 350 kids in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. While at Crone, she also directed the Honor Chorus, the school musicals, and she took numerous students to solo and ensemble festivals each year. Mrs. Kasprzak has also taught elementary vocal music in District 204. During her time as a teacher in District 204, she has been named a “Most Influential Teacher”  by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation on several occasions. Most recently, she has helped to coordinate the mentoring of new music teachers in the district.  Mrs. Kasprzak is a member of the artistic staff for the Young Naperville Singers where she directs the Concert Singers.   She also served as guest conductor for the Elgin Children’s Chorus in 2008.  She has been a member of the New Classic Singers at the College of DuPage and serves as a piano accompanist at Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Naperville , Illinois . She is also an active soloist at churches in the Chicagoland area.  Outside of her musical endeavors, Mrs. Kasprzak dedicates all of her time to her husband and their two young children. 

Mr. Kellner         ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )      630.428.6000 ~ ext. 4819

Jay Kellner had the honor of opening Neuqua, starting its vocal program, and is in his 29th year teaching, having previously taught at Elgin High School ('83-'94) and Granger MS ('94-'97). Mr. Kellner is also the Founder/Music Director of the Elgin Children’s Chorus, a 5-choir organization centered at Elgin Community College having just completed its 25^th year anniversary season. Mr. Kellner’s ensembles have toured Europe on eleven occasions, performed with Donny Osmond in a seven month run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Chicago Theatre, sung at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and twice at famed Carnegie Hall in New York. Mr. Kellner and 5 of his students have also led Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the Cubs 7th Inning Stretch from the booth at Wrigley Field. Choirs under his direction have enjoyed private clinics with Chanticleer, Alice Parker, Kitka, Henry Leck, Nick Page, David Flood, Western Wind, and CANTUS. In 2005 Mr. Kellner had the honor of conducting the Vienna Boy's Choir in concert in Vienna. Mr. Kellner earned a Bachelor of Music from the Lawrence University Conservatory ('83) and a Masters of Music Education from Northwestern University ('92). All of his spare time is dedicated to his lovely wife Sue, a special education teacher in Streamwood, and their children, Molly, and Ryan.  Being at Wrigley with his family is always a treat (especially when listening to Paul McCartney).  Go Cubs!

 Mr. Rimington ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )              630.428.6000 ~ ext. 4820

J. Ryan Rimington is a National Board Certified Teacher, conducts curricular choirs, teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory, directs the WildScats Blue vocal jazz ensemble, leads the World Voices multi-cultural ensemble, facilitates the music technology computer lab, and serves as co-Auditorium Manager.  As an educator in the Indian Prairie School District, multiple students have recognized Mr. Rimington as their “Most Influential Educator.”  While earning Bachelors and two Masters degrees from the University of Illinois School of Music and College of Education, Mr. Rimington was honored as the Most Outstanding Student in Music Education and recognized with highest academic honors by being named onto the Bronze Tablet.  In 1999, he earned 2^nd place in the American Choral Director’s Association National Conducting Competition. Mr. Rimington is also a published composer and arranger of several choral works, and frequently receives commissions from midwestern choral ensembles and festivals.  Outside of his musical endeavors, Mr. Rimington dedicates his time to his beautiful wife, Molly, and four young children, Jack, Kate, Sam, and Anna while hopping around on golf courses (in the fairways, of course) and rooting on the Chicago Cubs!

 Mr. Spears           ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )     630.428.6000 ~ ext. 4821

Reid Spears received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Indiana University in December, 1991, and has had the privilege of working as a full-time professional musician ever since. He spent many years performing on the cruise ships at Navy Pier, including a long tenure on the Spirit of Chicago (1992-2001), where, in addition to performing, he also functioned at times as bandleader and assistant music director, and then later on the Odyssey (2001-2008). Since 1996, he has led his own band, Inside Out, which performs for private parties, corporate events, and country club functions, and now also leads "Piano Men: A Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John". He has also been the pianist with the Chicago Skyliners Big Band since 1998, and performs several concerts with them every summer at parks and festivals throughout the Chicagoland area, as well as many other performances throughout the year.  He appeared with the Skyliners in an episode of the CBS television show, "Early Edition".  Over the course of his career, he has had the honor of performing with many well-known artists, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members The Drifters, Peter Frampton, and members of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Dells, and the Phil Collins and Barry Manilow touring bands. He spent some time performing in the contemporary Christian music industry, releasing his own CD entitled A Vision in Mind in 1996.  He has also worked frequently as an accompanist, including auditions for the Broadway and touring productions of The Lion King and Aida. In 2001, he became a permanent accompanist with the Elgin Children’s Chorus, as well as the choral department of Neuqua Valley, while continuing his extensive performing schedule with his own and several other Chicagoland bands. He loves spending his spare time with his wonderful wife, Stacey, and their daughter, Jaidyn, as well as cheering on his favorite teams, the Cubs and the Blackhawks.