Joanna Ericson
lives with her husband, Nathan, and two daughters in Oshkosh, WI. She
studied voice at St. Olaf College with Tony Holt, in La Crosse, WI with Amy
Johnson, and at Martin Luther College with Roger Hermanson. After graduating
from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, she had the
privilege of teaching elementary band at Luther High School in Onalaska, WI,
and high school band at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm,
MN. She currently teaches piano in her home studio and is an active musician
in her congregation.
Kari Hahm has been a member of Canticum Novum since 2006.
She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2000 with a degree in secondary
education emphasizing in music. She studied piano under Sharon Laabs
who taught that music is best treasured when used in service to our God.
Kari's faith and skills were strengthened as she studied organ under Joyce
Schubkegel and voice under Roger Hermanson. She also sang with the
Martin Luther College Choir. Since college she has served her
congregations as organist, accompanist, soloist, sung and directed her
church choirs and served on worship committees. Kari currently sings
with the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee. She and her husband James sing
daily with their four children Isaiah, Lydia, Mary and Paul.
Katie Hefti, soprano, is returning for her third
season with Canticum Novum. She graduated from Martin Luther College
in 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education where she sang three years in
the College Chorale and studied voice with Roger Hermanson and Jodi Rowe.
After graduation, she spent two years teaching K-4 and school music at Zion
Lutheran School in Toledo, Ohio. She now resides in Copperas Cove,
Texas with her husband Michael.
Becky Horn, soprano, is excited to be singing
in her first season with Canticum Novum.
Since graduating from MLC in 2001 with a degree in elementary
education with an emphasis in music, Becky
has taught violin and voice lessons in the New Ulm area and also in KY where
she currently resides. Becky is
a leader in her church music programs for adults and children.
She also enjoys community theatre and is currently in the cast of the
Music Man. From 1999-2000 Becky
emergency taught grades K-2 in Hopkins, MI.
After graduating, she taught grades 5-6, and upper grade music, art,
and phy-ed in Cudahy, WI. She
currently resides in Radcliff, KY, where her husband Paul is a pastor at
Faith Lutheran Church. They have
four children, Ethan, Jason, Sophia, and Calliope.
Erin Laabs,
has sung with Canticum Novum since 2009.
She is a 2008 graduate of Martin Luther College where she studied
elementary education along with secondary choral and instrumental music.
Erin currently teaches Composition and Literature at Kettle Moraine
Lutheran High School and teaches voice lessons.
She also performs as a soprano section leader with the Bel Canto
Chorus of Milwaukee. She and her
husband Jon live in Jackson, WI.
Amy Leisten joined Canticum Novum in 2010. Amy is a
2001 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College, with a communication major and
music minor. She is an active accompanist and soloist at her
congregation, as well as the director of her congregation’s Praise Team
since 2005. Amy was a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus from
2002-2004, and has been a member of the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee since
2001. Amy works at the Medical College of Wisconsin as an educational
program coordinator. She resides in Wauwatosa where she also teaches
private piano lessons.
Jodi Rowe, soprano, is currently in her second
season with Canticum Novum. Jodi is an active singer in the Twin
Cities area. She will be singing in the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Anniversary choir, under the direction of Dale Warland this fall. Jodi
is also in her fourth season with The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists,
where she serves as soprano section leader. Prior to that, Jodi performed as
a soprano with the Dale Warland Singers. Jodi holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Education and Choral Music from Dr. Martin Luther College
in New Ulm, MN. Jodi served as a Professor of Music for 7 years at Martin
Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where she conducted the College Chorale, and
taught voice lessons and music theory classes. Prior to that, she taught 2nd
Grade for 5 years in San Jose, CA, where she also directed several adult and
children's choirs. Jodi continues to teach private voice lessons and is the
conductor of Harmonic Relief, a vocal ensemble based in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Jodi currently lives in Coon Rapids, MN, with her husband, Cameron, and
their two children, Vincent and Madeline.
Lisa Uttech
is a 2002 graduate of Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science in
elementary education, with a concentration in music. Lisa studied voice
under Susan Wong of Kalamazoo College, Carolyn Fonz of Wisconsin Lutheran
College, and Roger Hermanson of Martin Luther College. From 2002-2005, Lisa
taught at Bethany Lutheran School in Manitowoc, where she was also an
organist and choir director. As former Music Coordinator at Grace Lutheran
Church, Manitowoc, Lisa directed various choirs, served as organist, and
coordinated music for worship. In addition to being a member of the
Lakeshore Lutheran Chorale in Manitowoc from 2003-2009, she also served as
accompanist, soloist, and co-director. Lisa currently teaches private voice
lessons from her home studio and is an active organist and soloist in her
congregation. Lisa resides in Brookfield with her husband, Josh, and their
three children. Lisa has been a member of Canticum Novum since 2008.
Soprano Bios
