Board | Lake Superior Youth Chorus

The Board of Directors consists of dedicated community members who are invested in choral excellence and will advance the mission and vision of LSYC.

For more information on the LSYC Board of Directors, please contact the Executive Director, Jenna Kelly, at jkelly@lsyouthchorus.org.

Members feature from left to right beginning with the back row include: Ryan Kern (Director), Kelly Roeser (former Director), Sheila Shusterich (Recorder), Joey DeVlieger (former Director), Penny Mayer (Director), Gina Bortnem (former Director), Lindsay Kern (former Director), Marilyn Odean (Treasurer), Grace Nelson (President).
*Nicole Ottjes (Vice President, not pictured).

*Meghan Caine (Parent Representative, not pictured).

*Stacy Jardine (Parent Representative, not pictured).

Board Member Application Form

Contact your parent representatives so your voice can be heard at the next Board meeting:

Meghan Caine, mcaine@lsyouthchorus.org

Stacy Jardine, sjardine@lsyouthchorus.org

LSYC BOARD

Grace Nelson

President

Grace began her involvement with LSYC in 2018 by participating in various volunteer opportunities throughout the season. The positive experiences she had and the connections she was able to make with other LSYC parents prompted Grace to seek out ways to become even more involved with the organization. She is grateful for the opportunity to represent the parent community as a part of the LSYC Board while furthering the mission and values of the program.

Nicole Ottjes

Vice President

Nicole 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!

Marilyn Odean

Treasurer

Marilyn has a long history with the organization, now in its 27th year. She was an important part of the organization’s incorporation in 2005 and the development of the Executive Director position in 2018. Marilyn was the recipient of LSYC’s Outstanding Service Award in 2019 for her invaluable support and dedication to LSYC. Marilyn continues to play a critical role in financial developments for the organization.

Sheila Shusterich

Recorder

Sheila K. Shusterich retired as the middle school choir director at Ordean East in 2019 after having taught music for 37 years at both the K-12 and collegiate levels. The Ordean Grade 8 Choir, under Mrs. Shusterich’s direction, collaborated with the Lake Superior Youth Chorus and their guest artists in 2009 (Sowah Mensah concert). Sheila selected students to participate in the Lake Superior Youth Chorus Honor Choir program from its inception through 2019 and continues to encourage students to sing in LSYC.

Ryan
Kern

Director

Ryan is the founder of Minnesota’s largest special events company, and is the driving force behind the award winning and nationally recognized Duluth Airshow, regional events such as the Duluth Oktoberfestival, Duluth Drag Race & Carshow and a variety of artistic events in the Duluth area. Ryan also serves on the board of the Bong Veterans Historical Center and is a bagpiper with the Aad Shrine and Duluth Scottish Heritage Associations. Ryan and his wife Lindsay have two daughters who have been involved in the Lake Superior Youth Chorus Resident Choral Program.

Penny
Mayer

Director

Penny joins the board as our parent representative and is eager to provide her perspective on reaching low-income families and valuing our mission of inclusivity.

Meghan Caine

Parent Representative

Meghan 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.

Stacy Jardine