Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire

Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire is a 12-voice chamber ensemble in the Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley area dedicated to the historically informed performance of a cappella vocal music of the medieval, renaissance, and baroque.

Founded in fall of 2014, Schola has been presenting two programs per year, with themes ranging from the sacred to the profane. Besides performing in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls, the ensemble has been invited to sing for the Madison Diocese, Wisconsin Choral Directors Association winter conference, and the Madison Early Music Festival.

Photo credits: Jonathan Gandrud

Singers

Christine Emerson, soprano
Lauren Lierman, soprano
Anna Rybicki, soprano

Amanda Durst, alto
Jerry Hui, alto/director
Laurie Wheeldon, alto

Jerry Hui, Director

Jerry (Chiwei) Hui has written a wide variety of music that ranges from serious concert art music to humorous choral arrangements. His music has been performed in the United States, Germany, France, Scotland, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong by community choirs, campus ensembles, and professional groups. Described by critics as “seriously fun”, and with “accomplished contrapuntal texture.”, his composition has won prizes including the Robert Helps Prize 2008, and received commission that was featured at the World Saxophone Congress.

As a conductor, Dr. Hui has founded and directed various community choirs, church choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestras. At home in both early and contemporary music, he has performed often as baritone and countertenor, actively premiering works by fellow composers. Performances by his ensembles have been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Choral Directors Association conference, and the Fringe Series of Madison Early Music Festival. He is currently the director of choral activities at University of Wisconsin-Stout, assistant conductor at the Madison Early Music Festival, and director of the Chippewa Valley Festival Choir.

A native of Hong Kong, Jerry Hui received his DMA degree in music composition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Hui's principal composition teachers include David Crumb, Stephen Dembski, Robert Kyr, Joel Naumann and Laura Schwendinger. His conducting teachers are Beverly Taylor , Sharon Paul, and Bruce Gladstone.

Seth Berrier, tenor

Seth started singing with choirs at a young age as a soprano with the St. Louis Children’s Choir.  He has sung in a choir at every school he attended since taking leadership roles in his high school concert choir and swing choir.  He performed in community theater in St. Louis playing a crapshooter in Guys ’n Dolls, a ghost in The Secret Garden, a brother in Joseph and that Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Joe Cable in South Pacific and Charlie Dalrymple in Brigadoon.  He was the first freshmen member of Jordan Jazz at Butler University and remained a member for three years (as well as the madrigal singers) while earning his bachelor or arts in music.  He earned a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Minnesota and now teaches computer science at Stout while making regular appearances at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts (including Jesus in JC Superstar and Jamie Wellerstein in The Last 5 Years) and is a founding member of South of the River Theater Company.  He lives in Menomonie with his wife Monica and two children Christopher and Julianne who continually sacrifice as much as he does so that he can be part of wonderful ensembles like Schola.

Jim Boulter, bass

Jim Boulter, baritone, is an associate professor of chemistry and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and director of the Watershed Institute for Collaborative Environmental Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry with an emphasis in atmospheric science and a B.S. from Pacific Lutheran University in chemistry with an emphasis in environmental studies. In Eau Claire, he sang with the Master Singers for 10 seasons. His performances on trumpet with other ensembles have included the Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, Bellevue Symphony, Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society and Seattle’s Philharmonia Northwest. Other musical highlights include performing for composers Alan Hovhaness on trumpet and Dan Forrest with the Mastersingers. He is married to soprano, Christine Emerson, who he met while performing J.S. Bach’s Cantata #51 at Pacific Lutheran University.

Christine Emerson, soprano

Christine Emerson, soprano is thrilled to begin her third season with Schola Cantorum.  Ms. Emerson is not new to the early music scene, having performed with such notable artists as Margriet Tindemans, Dalton Sand, the Boulder Bach Festival and the early music ensemble Fiori Musicali, just to name a few. Ms. Emerson received a bachelor of music from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s of Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder, specializing primarily in early repertoire. Having shown great passion for music from the medieval through the baroque, Ms. Emerson is excited that the Chippewa Valley has a professional ensemble with this appeal. She resides in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with baritone James Boulter and adorable goldendoodle Luna and is an ordained pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

Amanda Durst, alto

Amanda L. Durst earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and Music from the University of South Dakota where she studied horn with Gary Reeves and piano with Susan Keith Gray.   Mrs. Durst has played with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, Athens Symphony Orchestra, and the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, and has sung with the Athena Grand Opera.  She currently performs with Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire, WI, and the Ludington Guard Band of Menomonie, WI, while guiding her three talented daughters and maintaining a burgeoning sewing and quilting business.

David Huber, tenor

Rev. David Huber is a theological agitator, writer, singer, and cook. He is thankful to serve as pastor of Plymouth Church (Eau Claire), a small church with a big heart making a more loving world. He loves to lobby/annoy our politicians on many aspects of social justice and climate change, and serves on the boards of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, Stand in the Light Memory Choir (for people with dementia/memory issues), Northern Spirit Radio, and JONAH, and is the community clergy representative to Eau Claire County’s Coordinated Services Team. He previously sang with the Master Singers and his seminary's chancel choir and gospel choir. He graduated from Union Theological Seminary in NYC with an M.Div. and from the GMI Engineering & Management Institute with a BSEE. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting art and being a dungeon master for a D&D group he's played with for 40+ years.

Lauren Lierman, soprano

Lauren was born and raised in Waukesha, WI. She graduated in May 2014 with her BME and is currently teaching music in the School District of Altoona. Lauren has toured with choirs nationally and internationally. She has performed alongside many groups, including the Chicago Children's Choir and The Rose Ensemble. She is excited to be performing with Schola Cantorum.

Mark Lundin, bass

Mark Lundin, bass, is returning to performing after completing a long tenure as Cantor and Director of Liturgical Music for the Newman Parish in Eau Claire, Wis. He has a special interest in early music and is thankful for an experience such as Schola Cantorum in the Chippewa Valley. Mark is the vocal music teacher at Memorial High School in Eau Claire where he conducts the Treble, Mixed and Concert Choirs as well as the Old Abe Show Choir and highly acclaimed Memorial Madrigals and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He also serves as music director for the musical theatre program. Prior to teaching, Mark was the Membership and Communications Manager for the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras in Madison, Wis. Mark holds degrees in Music and Mass Communications from UW-Eau Claire and Music Education from Edgewood College in Madison. In addition to his work responsibilities, he is an active advocate for music education and recently finished a 3-year tenure as Vice President of the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony Board of Directors. Mark lives in Eau Claire with his multi-talented wife Trisha.

Matt Nyman, tenor

Matt's passion for music spans over a decade, beginning with his early involvement in high school choirs. His musical journey flourished at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where he pursued a degree in Business but found his heart deeply rooted in the university's vibrant choral community. From 2014 to 2018, Matt was an active member of the Singing Statesmen, serving as President of the ensemble during his final year.

While at UWEC, Matt's dedication to choral arts extended beyond the Statesmen. He was also a member of the Chamber Ensemble and played the role of the Jester in the University's Madrigal Dinner, a unique event blending renaissance music and theater during the holiday season. His involvement in these performances deepened his appreciation for blending music with cultural and historical elements.

Professionally, Matt is a Senior Information Security Engineer at Jamf in Eau Claire. Beyond his work in the tech field, Matt has been a part of The Master Singers for the past four years, where he serves as both a choir member and the Secretary of their Board of Directors for the last two years.

Matt currently resides in Eau Claire, WI with his husband, Sam, and their two beloved dogs, Hugo and Rhaena. This year marks his first as a participant in Schola Cantorum, and he is excited to continue growing as a vocalist within the ensemble, looking forward to contributing to many more seasons of choral music.

Anna Rybicki, soprano

Anna studied voice at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. After college, she attended the University of Michigan Law School. She is an attorney licensed in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, though she is currently practicing mothering instead of law. Anna has sung with IWU’s Collegiate Choir, University of Michigan’s Outreach in the Performing Arts, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, jazz combo Just Brewed Jazz, and The Master Singers. Anna is delighted to be joining Schola Cantorum for its second season. In addition to singing with Schola, she performs with Chippewa Skiffle Orchestra. Anna and her husband, Jim, live in Eau Claire with their three children.

Mark Wacek, bass

Mark has sung with Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire since 2018.

Laurie Wheeldon, Alto

Laurie started singing choral music with the Northfield, MN children's choir and continued through High School and the University of North Dakota. Laurie returned to choral music, ,singing with the Menomonie Singers, after an eight year hiatus for family and work. Choral music is one of Laurie's favorite ways to collaborate with community members.

Laurie lives in Boyceville, WI with her husband and any number of her 5 kids which happen to be living at home. She works for the Boyceville Public Library.

Alumni

Annie Bailey, alto

Annie Bailey, alto, is a certified nurse midwife at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Hamline University, a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance, and a Master of Science degree in Nurse Midwifery, both from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She is also a member of the Master Singers and the Chancel Choir at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eau Claire.

Michael Loes, bass

Michael Loes is a Junior Applied Science student from Ramsey, MN studying Material Physics and Nanoscience at UW-Stout. Michael has been singing in choirs wherever he has been since age 9, and has toured with such choirs as the Land of Lakes Choirboys and the National Catholic Youth Choir. The musical experience from St. Agnes High School in St. Paul, MN provided him with a background in Renaissance and Baroque music. A member of the USA Junior Olympic gymnastics program for nearly a decade, he continues his athletic career as a student with the UW-Stout Cheer and Stunt Team. Currently performing with the UW-Stout Chamber Choir and Devil Tones Acappella, he is excited to join the Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire and extend his musical pursuit.

Brendon Rohloff, tenor

Brendan Rohloff is a fourth-year student at UW-Eau Claire studying Choral Music Education and Spanish Education. He keeps busy as an assistant director of the Eau Claire Memorial High School Old Abe Show Choir and intern for the Chippewa Valley Youth Choirs. In his free time, he enjoys taking walks outside and playing the piano.

Brian Teague, tenor

Brian joined Schola Cantorum of Eau Claire in 2019.

Beth Wacek, Alto

Beth Wacek studied piano and percussion at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, graduating with a B.M.E with an instrumental focus. She performed locally and internationally with Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music, the UW-Whitewater Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble I, Warhawk Jazz Combo, and served as percussion section leader for the Warhawk Marching Band. She taught elementary general music, band and choir in several schools throughout Wisconsin. She now serves as the Director of Music and Liturgy for Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie, WI and directs three of the parish choirs. Beth is proficient on eight instruments. She performs locally with the Chippewa Valley Concert Band, the Menomonie Art Music Society, and the Ludington Guard Band, where she has played for 16 years and served as music librarian for six years. She has accompanied soloists and ensembles throughout Wisconsin. Beth lives in Menomonie with her equally talented husband, Mark, and their two children Zachary and Miriam.