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.
EMILY BENSON
MARTHA BROWN
Retired from a 40-year career in Milwaukee City government, Martha has had musical interests and involvement since childhood. She's been employed as a part-time church musician since she was a teenager; she currently serves Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church as organist/pianist, where she plays for weekly services and accompanies the Chancel Choir and soloists. She also 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.
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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SARAH GETTEL
Sarah joins the Collegium Ladyes as a singer, percussionist, and web designer. She has been surrounded by music her whole life and has enjoyed singing, playing, musical study, and performing throughout. As a social justice organizer, Sarah is passionate about the power of music to bring people together in community.
SUZANNE GRABER
It is a joy to sing with the talented singers of the Collegium Ladyes. My choral experiences started at an early age and have been an important part of my musical education and experiences. As a general music teacher and conductor of three elementary school choirs I enjoy spreading my love of singing to children.
GIOVANNA GRECO
Giovanna has been singing for as long as she can remember. She grew up in a musical household and has been a part of choirs and orchestras her whole life. She recently earned her degree in Music from Concordia University - Mequon in 2022 and plans to continue her education in musical theatre. In her free time, she produces jingles and is involved in theatre across Wisconsin.
JENNIFER HARTLAUB
CHARLOTTE HEIDENREICH
ERIN HUTCHINS
JENNIFER JAKUBOWSKI
Jennifer Jakubowski holds a degree in exercise science from Carroll University and is a licensed massage therapist and therapeutic bodyworker. Jennifer's love for early music has led her to perform with numerous groups in the Milwaukee area including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus, The Master Singers, Music by the Lake Singers, St. Johns Cathedral Choir, Milwaukee Opera Theater, and Aperi Animam. For the past seven years, she has attended the Madison Early Music Festival, gaining experience and knowledge in early music from across the world.
ANNETTE JENSEN
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.
JENNIFER KOZELOU
Jennifer Kozelou holds degrees in Music History and Literature and Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She is currently working as a public librarian and has been performing with the Collegium Ladyes since 2017.
LEXI LEE
Lexi Lee has been singing for 13 years and is so excited to join the Collegium Ladyes during her gap year. A ‘22 graduate of University School of Milwaukee, Lexi participated in the school’s choir for 12 years, as well as the UWM Vocal Arts Festival, and currently sings with the St. Christophers Episcopal Church choir. Lexi has also participated in several vocal exhibitions such as WSMA Solo/Ensemble, WFMC, NATS, and currently sings at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Lexi is passionate about musical theatre and won multiple Jerry Awards for her performances in Fiddler on the Roof and The Addams Family respectively. Lexi is currently working as a Program Coordinator at the Milwaukee Turners before entering New York University - Tisch School of the Arts in the ‘23-’24 school year.
CYNTHIA MATCHETTE
KRISTA PARRAN
ELIZABETH PIERSON
Elizabeth Pierson grew up in a musical household and has enjoyed singing in choirs since high school. A public interest attorney working in Milwaukee, she treasures the spaces the Ladyes create for beauty and community. She lives in Bay View with her perfect dog, who usually falls asleep while she practices.
ELLICE PLANT
Since childhood, Ellice has relied on music and singing as a form of contemplation, introspection, and magic. Ellice is thrilled to join the Collegium Ladyes to make musical magic in community.
AMELIA SPIERER
Amelia Spierer earned her Master's of Music in vocal performance at Rutgers University. She is a vocal instructor at Cardinal Stritch University. She is a long-time member of Collegium Ladyes, is a soloist and cantor at the Basilica of St. Josaphat, and has collaborated with groups such as Aperi Animam, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Present Music, and Concord Chamber Orchestra.
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), and this summer will be teaching Solfege I at Lakeland University’s Kodaly Summer Graduate Music Program. 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.