Cory Thompson is the Artistic Director of RRCCLC for the Master Singers and Bella Rosa Choirs. She is a 2002 and 2005 graduate of Northwestern University with an undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance and a Masters in Music Education. Since the age of 10, Mrs. Thompson has been singing, dancing and performing on stage in over 40 productions, first in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later with Northwestern’s premiere a capella group, Melodious Thunk. She’s sung the National Anthem at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs since 2006, as well as at several American Cancer Society National Medal of Honor Ceremonies across the country. At these events, she has had the opportunity to sing for former President George H.W. Bush, Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, and other leading political and scientific figures. Mrs. Thompson has been the Choral Director at Mundelein High School since the fall of 2006, where is the director of Master Singers, Bella Voce, Sound, and SoundFX, teaches AP Music Theory, and does vocal direction for the Spring Musical. In additional to her singing and teaching engagements, Mrs. Thompson and her husband have run over twelve marathons for the American Cancer Society, raising over $75,000 in the process. Mrs. Thompson’s journey with Red Rose stared in 2013 when her oldest daughter, Emma, started singing in the RRCCLC Concertina Choir!
Jonathan Weppler is the Artistic Director of the Lake County Boys Choir. He is a graduate of Hope College with a BA in music education. He has a MA in general music from Vandercook College of Music. Jonathan currently teaches K-5 General Music at Butterfield Elementary School in Libertyville School District 70. Jonathan has worked professionally as a voice teacher, musical theater vocal director, and sings with the Lakeside Singers of Evanston, Illinois.
Nicole Drake is the Executive Director of RRCCLC & LCBC choir since the founders retirement in 2019. She has a BS from Northern Illinois University in Sociology and a MBA in Human Resources from Loyola University Chicago. Nicole works as a Compensation, Benefits and Human Resources Consultant. Nicole’s “unofficial” tenure with the choir began in 2014 when her daughter, Sarah, began singing in the RRCCLC Concertina Choir.
Pat Cole is the conductor for Prelude Choir. She has a BA in vocal performance from DePaul University. She cantors at St. Mary of the Annunciation and teaches K-5 music at St. Francis deSales School in Lake Zurich. She has been with RRCCLC since 1998.
Erika Brown-Thomas is the conductor for Prelude Choir. Erika joined the choir staff in August 2022 and her four children have been singing with the choir since March 2022.
Isabelle Esquivel is the assistant conductor for Prelude and Concert Choir. She has a BA in music education from Carthage College. Additionally, she directs the Joyful Noise choir at First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville and teaches K-2 general music at East Elementary School in Zion,IL. Isabelle is a 2018 alumnae of Red Rose.
Miranda Farmer is the accompanist for the Prelude, Master Singers and Bella Rosa choirs. Miranda joined the staff in August 2022.
Michele Farmer is the accompanist for the Concert, Boys I and Boys II choirs.
Beth Fashimpaur (Malecha) is the Director of the Bell Choir. She has a B.A. degree in chemistry from Augustana, 2013 and is employed at Medline in Mundelein. She currently plays in the adult handbell choir at 1st Presbyterian Church in Libertyville, is the Bell Director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and is an alumnae of RRCCLC.