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.

Meghan Caine is a preschool teacher and also has worked as a parent and family educator. She has been involved with LSYC since 2019, when her daughter joined the resident choir program. Meghan looks forward to the opportunity to support families in LSYC as well as help reach prospective families. Meghan values the mission of LSYC and the community it creates with children, families, and staff.

Lindsey Dueland has been a part of LSYC for many years as a member in the infancy of the program. Her love of music started as a toddler in the Suzuki program playing violin and continued throughout adolescence in the Symphonia Youth Orchestra and a number of choirs throughout her school years. Lindsey is excited to pass down her musical prowess to her son who has joined the newest resident choir program. In her day to day Lindsey works at Northwestern Mutual Duluth helping create impact not only in the lives of the clients they work with but the communities they live in as well.

Jenn Moses joined the Board after seeing the demonstrated, transformative impact LSYC has on our youth. Jenn grew up playing violin in school ensembles and the DSSO’s Sinfonia and Youth Orchestras, and as an adult has enjoyed singing with choirs. She believes music and the arts are a vital way to foster creativity, community, and self-expression. She works as a city planner for the City of Duluth, is a Past President of Junior League of Duluth, and is also a proud LSYC parent.

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.

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