Matt Hoeschen has served on several boards during his time in Duluth, including expanding the full-services community school model through the Duluth Community School Collaborative. He has done extensive work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives as an Eue Fellow at The College of St. Scholastica.

Matt has dedicated many years to youth development, and as a parent of two singers he knows all about the amazing work done by the Lake Superior Youth Chorus. Matt is excited to serve and give back to the LSYC community in this way.

Nicole Ottjes is a music teacher currently teaching 9-12 music at Harbor City International School in Duluth. She teaches choir, chamber ensemble, jazz band, music history, African drumming, introduction to guitar, and private lessons. Nicole also enjoys helping with the music direction for musicals at her school and the Duluth Playhouse. Before returning to her hometown of Duluth in 2016, Nicole spent fifteen years in the Twin Cities teaching at colleges and k-12 schools while earning a master’s degree in musicology from the University of Minnesota. She is happy to be joining the LSYC community this year as a board member and a parent!

Stacy Jardine and her family were instantly drawn to the LSYC family back in 2016 after their son was invited to participate in the Honor Choir event by his 4th grade music teacher! After experiencing a fun filled day and an amazing performance...the family was hooked. Stacy looks forward to working as a parent representative on the board to encourage whole family involvement as we all work together to help our youth find their voice; not only in the arts but in their daily life as well.

Kelly Lacore manages the northern Minnesota office for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, supporting more than 200 nonprofits of all sizes and services across the northern strip of the state. In this role she provides resources, information, connections and training to help organizations better meet their missions. Kelly is the proud parent of a Concert Choir singer and is excited to serve on the board to support the mission of LSYC.

Matt Kiminski is excited to join the Lake Superior Youth Chorus Board of Directors as an active music educator. He teaches choir at Becker Middle School in Becker, MN, and also serves as an Associate Artistic Director with the St. John's Boys' Choir. In addition, Matt regularly accompanies various choirs around Central Minnesota. He is honored to be a part of the thriving LSYC community!

Iris Kolodji is Choral Director at Marshall School, where she directs three curricular choirs and two extra-curricular groups. She also directs the musical at Marshall School. Prior to teaching at Marshall, she taught choir and general music at Lincoln School in Kathmandu, Nepal and choir at Pierz High School in Pierz, MN. She received an undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Arts in Music Education- Choral emphasis from the University of St. Thomas. Originally from Hibbing, MN Iris is happy to be back in the Northland! She is excited to be a part of the LSYC community and support the mission of the choir.

Nikki Staton is excited to join LSYC because she values the mission of LSYC and the community it creates with children, families, and staff. She has had a love for music since she was a very young child and would have loved to have an opportunity to be part of a group like LSYC when she was young. Nikki is also on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Duluth and is passionate about giving back and helping to enrich the community.

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