WHAT WE DO
The Collegium Ladyes ensemble is comprised of approximately 16 singers and sings a wide variety of repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to traditional carols. Many of the Ladyes are professional soloists, music teachers, or choral musicians; all are experienced choral singers. We share a love of a cappella vocal music and are especially fascinated by medieval and Renaissance repertoire. The Ladyes rehearse and perform in an encouraging, respectful, and creative environment, and actively share our music with a wide audience in diverse venues.
OUR ROOTS
The Collegium Ladyes began in early 2011 in collaboration with the student Collegium at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We have since branched out on our own as an all-women's early music vocal ensemble. Concerts have included music from this early repertoire (c. 1100-1600) as well as selections by contemporary composers such as Joan Szymko, Abbie Betinis, Linda Kachelmeier, John Tavener, and Daniel Pinkham. The Ladyes sing programs at a variety of Milwaukee-area venues. Our CD Knowing She Hath Wings was recorded in 2017.
HOW IS OUR NAME PRONOUNCED?
koh-LEG-ee-um LAY-deez
The Collegium Ladyes is a women's a cappella ensemble based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our mission is to perform choral music in a broad spectrum of styles, ranging from medieval to contemporary. We reach out to a wide audience in diverse venues, conveying themes of beauty, peace, and unity through rich and expressive singing. We are dedicated to developing each singer's vocal and musical skills and studying relevant contextual and historical materials.
JENNY GETTEL, Artistic Director
Jenny Gettel is Artistic Director for The Collegium Ladyes. She has served as music director at Christ Episcopal Church and at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, where she directed adult and children’s choirs and led a contemporary band. Additionally, she directed the Jubilate Choir of the Milwaukee Children’s Choir. Ms. Gettel has served as soprano soloist with the Bach Babes and Ensemble Musical Offering. She has appeared as soloist at the Washington Island Music Festival, with the Prometheus Trio, Present Music, and with Skylight Opera. Ms. Gettel teaches private voice lessons at Concordia University, at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and at her home in Grafton, and has also taught at UWM and Alverno College, as well as taught general music in Milwaukee area public schools. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a Bachelor of Music in Choral Education from Lawrence University.
BARBARA AHLF
Barbara Ahlf is a private music teacher for varied instruments and ages. She regularly cantors for Masses at the Cathedral of St. John’s, downtown Milwaukee, and participates in the choirs. Barbara has a BFA in Music Therapy from UW-Milwaukee, with majors in voice and violin. She was a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus since January 1986, and was a section leader and part of the professional core. She was honored to have performed solos with the MSO-C, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the Sheboygan Chorale, and other groups. Barbara is a Registered Music Therapist and a Lifetime member of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity.
REBECCA BARK
Rebecca Bark is a dedicated liturgical artist and seasoned music leader with a profound,
multi-decade commitment to sacred music and the arts. Her professional foundation was established over 25 years of service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, where she distinguished herself as a cantor, a soloist, a chamber singer and choir member to the Cathedral’s vibrant musical life. This commitment extends beyond the local church, highlighted by significant international experiences, including a memorable pilgrimage to Rome with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and a dedicated choral study tour in Austria in 2016.
In addition to her vocal contributions, Rebecca provided crucial institutional leadership, chairing the Cathedral's Fine Arts Commission for a decade. In this role, she stewarded the artistic and cultural integrity of Cathedral Music, bridging the worlds of sacred tradition and contemporary artistic expression.
Rebecca’s comprehensive background is supported by a distinctive academic foundation, encompassing studies in Biology, Chemistry, and Music at Alverno College. Having begun choir singing in the second grade, her lifelong musical journey is a testament to the power of continuous engagement and service through song.
EMILY BENSON
Emily Benson has enjoyed being part of the Milwaukee's musical community for over 20 years. Teaching special education for Milwaukee Public Schools takes up most of her time these days, but she is a long time soloist for Christ Church choir, as well as a long-standing member of the Collegium Ladyes. In her free time, she enjoys a variety of hobbies, including gardening, knitting, and reading. Her favorite moments are spent with her daughter, Elizabeth, and her two crazy dogs, Bella and Dozer.
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LEA BLACKNEY
Lea is delighted by the turns in life to find herself singing with the Collegium Ladyes. Her musical training is primarily in cello, with performance degrees from Hope College and UW-Milwaukee. She has taught and performed orchestral and chamber music across the Midwest in every genre you could imagine. These days, Lea is a board-certified music therapist working in hospice, supporting people at end of life with a broad musical toolkit. She teaches music therapy and cello at Carroll University, and studies voice with Jill Bruss. She enjoys knitting, sewing, and joining in taekwondo class with her kids Walter and Mabel.
DANIELLE BRIDGES
Danielle Bridges is a self-proclaimed choir nerd. She holds a B.M. in Vocal Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas and an M.A. in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. Danielle has taught choral music in contexts ranging from public middle schools to private retirement communities, from colleges to churches. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Waukesha Choral Union and the Director of Music at Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove, where she conducts the Chancel Choir, Clarion Bells, and Festival Choir. In addition, Danielle is an advocate for music by women composers and has shared her research at a variety of conferences—highlights include the International Voice Foundation Symposium and the inaugural Theorizing African-American Music conference.
MARTHA BROWN
Retired from a 40-year career in Milwaukee City government, Martha has had musical interests and involvement since childhood. Beginning as a teenager, she served multiple Wisconsin churches for nearly 50 years as a part-time keyboard musician and accompanist, and now serves as a substitute organist for several Milwaukee-area congregations. She also writes classical music performance previews for Urban Milwaukee, and has been active with
PianoArts of Wisconsin, Inc., serving as board president from 2014 to 2022. Martha joined the Ladyes in 2021 and enjoys teaming up with fellow second altos to provide a solid foundation for higher voices.
JILLIAN BRUSS
Jill is originally from Wisconsin and has sung for audiences since she was in grade school. Over the years she’s had the opportunity to perform as a soloist and in the ensembles of the Florentine Opera, Wisconsin Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Rockford Bach Chamber Choir, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Milwaukee Youth Symphony, Waukesha Choral Society, MasterSingers, Bel Canto and Lutheran Acapella. She recently performed with Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra. One of her performing highlights was a concert tour, in the countries of her grandfathers, Norway & Denmark. Jill has worked with many students in the area – Carroll University, UW-Parkside, Pius XI High School, the Conservatory of Music and privately in Elm Grove. Her students have gone on to study in New York City, Luther College, UW-Madison, Lawrence University and have performed at the Skylight and First Stage.
CHELSEY DANIELS
Chelsey is thrilled to be singing with the Ladyes! She has been performing since middle school and has always had a deep love for musical theater and choral music. A physician assistant by day and a full-time mom to two young girls, Chelsey feels privileged to keep music as a meaningful part of her life. This is her first all-women’s ensemble, and it has brought a uniquely joyful and inspiring perspective to performing.
ELIZA DAWN
Eliza Dawn Imbrie has had a passion for music ever since she starting singing in her school’s choir in 5th grade, and has been participating in vocal groups for over 10 years! Although she is an HVAC service technician by trade, she finds a great deal of joy in creating music with others, and in sharing that music with her community.
JULIE GAULKE
Julie Gaulke is a composer, arranger, pianist, and vocalist. She earned her degree in Music Theory/Composition from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1988, and has gone on to work as a private piano instructor, organist, and choir director, as well as an editor and writer for Plank Road Publishing (MusicK8 Magazine). Currently she is self-employed recording learning tracks packages, writing and arranging a cappella music, and creating multitrack videos on her YouTube Channel.
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SUZANNE GRABER
Suzanne Graber has been singing in choirs since 5th grade. She recently retired as a general music teacher in the Wauwatosa School District, where she directed three elementary children's choirs, sharing her love of singing with children. Suzanne has been a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Choir and the Milwaukee Chamber Choir. She enjoys hiking, biking and kayaking with friends and spending time traveling to visit her children and grandchild. As a member of Collegium Ladyes, she is thrilled to sing with such talented women!
ELIZABETH GREEN, accompanist
Elizabeth Green, who earned a doctorate in piano performance from the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, currently teaches piano performance at her private studio in Germantown, and at the Steinway Gallery in Wauwatosa. She is an active chamber music performer and enjoys working with local music students as an accompanist . Elizabeth is the music director and organist at two different parishes on the south side of Milwaukee, and she loves accompanying the Collegium Ladyes!
JENNIFER HARTLAUB
Jenny is a lifelong choral and chamber singer. She is a Family Medicine nurse practitioner and professional development leader within a large local health system. Jenny also enjoys yoga, gardening, and time with her husband, four grown children and beautiful grandchildren.
CHARLOTTE HEIDENREICH
Charlotte is honored to be one of the original members of the Ladyes. She has been singing in Episcopal church choirs ever since her mother made her go to children’s choir every Saturday morning at Saint Paul’s in Elkins Park, PA. Charlotte has studied voice with Lucy Shelton, Jeremy Slavin, and Marlys Grienke. As a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus she was a section leader and in the Professional Core. In addition to the Ladyes, Charlotte belongs to the All Saint’s Episcopal Cathedral Choir. When she isn’t singing, you’ll find her working as an administrative physician, or at an ice rink where she is an official judge for US Figure Skating.
SARAH KNOX
Sarah Knox is a Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at Marquette University. She earned her doctoral degree at the University of Maryland, and completed prior degrees at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia. She grew up in a home filled with classical music, and especially loves choral music. Sarah has been a Ladye since the group’s inception, and she also sings in an Episcopal church choir. In her free time, she is an avid exerciser, reader, and traveler.
AMY KRZYKOWSKI
Amy is very pleased to be singing with the Collegium Ladyes. With degrees in Secondary Education-English and Library and Information Science, she has had careers as a mother of six, an English teacher, and a high school library media specialist. Concurrent with those careers, she has enjoyed singing in a variety of choral groups and church choirs, as well as being part of the handbell choir at a Catholic church in Cedarburg. She follows in the footsteps of several generations of family members who loved to harmonize. Since her retirement, she has been enjoying playing tennis, traveling, reading, crocheting, hugging grandchildren, and, of course, singing.
CYNTHIA MATCHETTE
Cynthia Matchette, soprano, is a founding member of The Collegium Ladyes. Cynthia graduated from Westminster Choir College, where she was a member of the world-famous Westminster and Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi choruses. She has sung under renowned symphony conductors Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, Pierre Boulez, and Krzysztof Penderecki, among others. In addition, Cynthia has sung with Dayton, Cincinnati, and Florentine Opera companies. She served as a soprano section leader for 45 years in churches in New Jersey, Ohio, and Milwaukee. For fifteen years, she sang with the Milwaukee Choral Artists, a professional women’s chorus. Currently she sings with the Master Singers of Milwaukee as well as The Collegium Ladyes. Since 2004, Cynthia has been president of her own business, SmArt Sales, a sales representation firm, serving the giftware market.
KATIE PROM
Katie has had a love for singing since she could vocalize sounds. She formally joined choir in high school and has been part of many singing groups since, including church choirs, Lakeshore Chorale, and the Cedarburg Women’s Choir. She has shared her passion for music by assisting with school and church youth choirs and singing alongside her 5 children and 5 granddaughters. When she is not singing, you can find Katie caring for grandchildren, taking care of her horses and dogs, reading, gardening, and flying with her husband.
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SARAH RICHARDSON
Soprano, Dr. Sarah Richardson is an active voice educator and performer in the Milwaukee area, having sung with various vocal ensembles including the Collegium Ladyes, Aperi Animam, Milwaukee Chamber Choir, Present Music, and the Milwaukee Choral artists. She has also performed roles with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, notably as the Queen of the Night (ZIE MAGIC FLUTE) and Danica (SVADBA). Sarah holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from UW-Madison where she performed for numerous recitals, concerts, and opera productions, including Miss Wordsworth (ALBERT HERRING), and chamber works of Schubert, Ravel, and Webern. Her dissertation project centered on the commission, premiere, and recording of a song cycle to honor her upbringing on a dairy farm and feed mill in north-central Wisconsin, composed by local composer, Paula Foley Tillen. Sarah holds a Master of Music degree from UW-Milwaukee and Bachelor of Music degree from Viterbo University. She is currently the voice instructor and performance coordinator at Alverno College, teaching vocal health and techniques for all styles
​and levels.
LIZ SHICKLES
Liz has been singing her whole entire life, and is never happier than when performing a cappella music. A native of the Chicago area, she studied voice with MaryJean Allen, prior to joining and touring with the Collegiate Choir of Illinois Wesleyan University. Liz then sang with Apollo Chorus, Allegrezza, Lakeside Singers, and Faces for Radio. Since adopting Milwaukee as her hometown, she has sung with Lutheran A Cappella, and joined the Ladyes in 2023. In between rehearsals, Liz recruits top-tier talent for Milliman, drives her active son Toby all over creation, and joins her husband Chris on the occasional bike ride – especially if it will end at a beer garden.
CAROL STORCK
Carol Storck is the Director of Music and Choir Director at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg, WI, and teaches piano and voice lessons to children in her home music studio in Cedarburg. A certified music teacher, Carol has taught general music and choir in parochial and public schools in the Milwaukee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan areas, including elementary, middle, and high school. She has also taught infant, toddler, and early childhood music classes, and she directed children’s choirs for the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, Silver Lake Children’s Choir, Holy Family Conservatory of Music, and St. Francis Borgia Church. She taught courses including Solfege and Music Education Methods classes to undergraduate and graduate students at Silver Lake College (Holy Family College). Carol has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a Master of Music with a Kodaly emphasis from Silver Lake College (Holy Family College).
ELIZABETH VOGEL
Elizabeth (Libby) earned degrees in voice from UW Eau Claire and Ohio State University. She is most happy these days singing beautiful choral music with Christ Church choir in Whitefish Bay and with the Collegium Ladyes. Libby is a retired teacher from Milwaukee Public Schools and stays busy studying music and Alexander technique, as well as doing odd jobs for friends and family.