Ryan is responsible for creating, promoting and producing some of Minnesota’s largest and most unique events including the award winning and nationally recognized Duluth Airshow drawing over 50,000 spectators, the Duluth Drag Races & Car Show, which is the only legalized drag racing event held on a public street in the entire United States, and Duluth Oktoberfestival coming to Bayfront Festival Park in September of 2019. Ryan and his wife Lindsay have two daughters involved in the Lake Superior Youth Chorus Resident Choral Program.

President

Ryan Kern

Joey is a parent of two choral artists in the Lake Superior Youth Chorus’ resident choir program. He was drawn to this organization by the intentionality it has to develop both community and leadership within the students through such a high caliber music platform.He is a doctor of physical therapy practicing in Duluth, MN and brings to the Lake Superior Youth Chorus a systematic, objective approach to future growth and sustainability.

Vice President

Joey DeVlieger

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.

Treasurer

Marilyn Odean

Kelly’s dedication to the Lake Superior Youth Chorus began as an active parent volunteer and uniform coordinator. While impressed with the caliber of choral education, it was witnessing singers’ enthusiasm, discipline, and standards of excellence that impressed Kelly the most. Her goal is to extend LSYC involvement past graduation and foster a renewed alumni relationship.

Secretary

Kelly Roeser

Gina’s family relocated to the Duluth area in the summer of 2017 where she quickly sought ways to get involved in the local music community. With a strong background in Music, Non-profit Operations and Business Management, Gina comes to the Lake Superior Youth Choir with experience as the former Executive Director of the Red River Boy Choir, based out of Fargo, ND. She was instrumental in merging the organization with the Lake Agassiz Girls Choir to form what is known today as The Fargo-Moorhead Youth Choir. Currently, she is the VP of Business Operations for a private holding company where her focus is in human resources and business relationships, while ensuring policies, procedures and efficiencies are in place for best business practices. She also owns and manages businesses with her husband in the Fargo-Moorhead and Duluth areas. In addition to serving on the LSYC board, she is the Interim Music Director at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth and accompanies the Victory Chorus through Dementia Friendly Duluth.

Member

Gina Bortnem

Lindsay brings a background in Human Resources and Community Relations to the board offering support with policy creation and outreach opportunities. She is responsible for the community relations efforts as well as the day to day business operations at Kern and Kompany Marketing and Special Events. In addition to the LSYC Board, Lindsay serves on the board of the Duluth Airshow and Visit Duluth and is an active in the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador and member of the Volunteer Focus Group. Lindsay believes that a youth choral opportunity provides a rich experience in both teamwork and individual performance and she is thrilled that LSYC exists so that her own children are able to benefit through the organization’s many offerings!

Member

Lindsay Kern

Sheila K. Shusterich, a music educator with a teaching career spanning thirty-seven years, recently retired from the Duluth Public Schools where she directed gr 6-7-8 choirs. While teaching at Ordean, Mrs. Shusterich collaborated with the Lake Superior Youth Chorus and their guest artist Sowah Mensah in the 2009 Music Out of Africa concert. Sheila encouraged singers to become part of the Lake Superior Youth Chorus and selected students to participate in the LSYC Honor Choir program every year since its inception. Sheila is involved with American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota as a Repertoire and Resources Chair for middle school choirs and serves as the secretary for the Duluth Area Retired Educators' Association. Being a board member of the LSYC is a way to give back to the community and to ensure that singing opportunities are available to local youth in addition to their school music programs.

Member

Sheila Shusterich

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.

Parent Representative

Penny Mayer

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.

Parent Representative

Grace Nelson