At the end of this season, Founders, Sharon Augsburger, Jacque Negus and Amy Younts, will be leaving the choir to follow other paths. The new leadership team has been identified to continue to serve the very same need that started the mission 22 years ago. RRCCLC is excited to announce that Cory Thompson will be serving as the new Artistic Director beginning next fall. Her educational background includes a BM in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University and a Master of Music Education, also from Northwestern. Cory is a master educator with a nurturing spirit and a drive for excellence. She has been Choral Director at Mundelein High School for thirteen years and lives in Libertyville with her husband Matt, daughters Emma and Ava, son Jack, and two pups!
Shelly Rodriguez and Nicole Drake are very excited to be taking on the roles of Executive Directors with the Red Rose Children’s Choir of Lake County. Their daughters are currently in Concert Choir and have been with the choir since they were five. Nicole and her husband, Tom, reside in Libertyville with their children Josh (12) and Sarah (9). Nicole is a consultant in Compensation and Benefits, and has spent her career in Human Resources, Operations and Finance roles. Shelly is a Corporate Sales Leader, working with organizations across the US within multiple industries. She lives with her daughter Juliana (10) in Libertyville and is also actively involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Melanie Madsen will join the team as the conductor of Prelude and Concert Choirs. For the past thirteen years, she has taught K-6 Comprehensive Music and Choir at Stuart R. Paddock Elementary in Palatine. She lives in Libertyville with her husband, Chris, who is a Libertyville native and a professional jazz musician. They have a son, Teddy, who will be in Kindergarten at Butterfield next year.