Sean Hackett |
Sean Hackett is the artistic director of the Lebanon County Choral Society and conducts the Adult Chorus.
Sean has been a music teacher in the Conrad Weiser School District in western Berks County for more than twenty-five years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from West Chester University, and a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from Messiah College. As current artistic director of the Lebanon County Choral Society, he has conducted a variety of masterworks, including the Pinkham Christmas Cantata, Vaughan Williams's Dona Nobis Pacem, Fauré's Requiem, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Sean is also the founding director of the Hershey Symphony Festival Chorus. In 2015 he prepared the chorus for its inaugural season’s performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and in 2019 prepared the chorus to perform Verdi's Requiem. In addition, he was the artistic director of the Cumberland Singers for several years and has guest-conducted choral festivals in Pennsylvania and Delaware. As a member of the Susquehanna Chorale, Sean has performed several major choral works with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. He has served as an adjunct professor at Alvernia College and is a regular cooperating teacher for Lebanon Valley College and West Chester University. Sean also plays the guitar for the informal service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Lebanon. Sean lives in Palmyra with his wife and daughter. |
Gabrielle Quandel Umholtz |
Gabrielle Quandel Umholtz conducts the Youth Chorus.
She is a native of the beautiful Schuylkill County, PA. A 2020 B. S. in Music Education, cum laude graduate of Messiah College (University), she currently resides in central Pennsylvania and serves as a vocal and elective music teacher at Ephrata High School. There, Umholtz conducts an open Concert Choir for students grades 9-12 and a grades 10-12 auditioned chamber ensemble, “Camerata Singers.” Through Ephrata High School Theater Department, Gabby fulfills the roles of vocal and orchestral director with titles under her belt such as Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Apollo Award nominee for “Best Student Pit Orchestra”, 2022). Umholtz’s high school voice students have experienced much success beyond the curriculum, having earned seats in LLMEA Co-County Chorus, PMEA District 7 Chorus, PMEA Region V Chorus, and PMEA All State Chorus. A 2023 graduate of Messiah University with a Master of Music in Conducting (Choral), Gabrielle has recently embraced the role of Director for the Lebanon County Choral Society Youth Chorus. When not making music, Gabby can be found pursuing her favorite activities, scratch cooking, gardening, and WWII reenactments (American Homefront) with the Victory Society. |
Karen Umberger |
Karen Umberger is the accompanist for the Adult Chorus.
Since she was a high school senior, Karen has been church organist for various churches in and around the area, as well as conference organist for the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ. She recently retired from St Luke’s United Church of Christ in Lititz and is now the director of music for Salem United Church of Christ in Campbelltown. Karen also volunteers at Londonderry Village in Palmyra as the director of the chorus and the handbell choir. Since 1980, Karen has provided private piano instruction for children and adults. She currently teaches piano at the Lititz Academy of Music and the Campbelltown Academy of Music and Arts. She accompanies students of other teachers at both locations for recital performances. Karen was the founding director of the Lebanon County Choral Society Children’s Chorus, which later merged with the Youth Chorus under Karen’s leadership. |
Lisa Meyer |
Lisa Meyer is the accompanist for the Youth Chorus.
In addition to her work with LCCS, Lisa is the organist for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Lebanon. She enjoyed teaching elementary music, classroom, chorus, band, honor band, and strings for 37 years in the Lower Dauphin School District. Along the way, she served as Chair of the Dauphin County Choral Festival for 25 years. During several summers, Lisa completed graduate classes and spent time traveling in Europe with a 300-member concert band. She joined the Perseverance Town Band, where she continues to enjoy playing in the percussion section. Lisa has served as Minister of Music and Organist at several local churches. She has also directed children, youth, and adult choirs, as well as handbell choirs. |