KCC Staff

CONCERT CHOIR
  • Director: Bridget Zimmermann
  • Assistant Director: Jordan Black
  • Accompanist: Stephanie Gummersheimer
CAMBIATA SINGERS
  • Director: Jeff Lackey
  • Assistant Director: Samantha Stout
  • Accompanist: Martha Melsha
CHORALIERS
  • Director: Mimi Steele
  • Assistant Director: Becky Browne
  • Accompanist: Judy Coons
CAROLERS
  • Director: Peggy Plesia
  • Assistant Director: Carolyn Calfee
  • Assistant: Jennifer McCoy
  • Accompanist: Shawn Portell
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
  • Mimi Steele
OPERATIONS MANAGER
  • Sarah Hon

Bios

MIMI STEELE

Co-founder, Artistic Director and Director of Choraliers, holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental) from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is certified in the Kodaly Method and the Orff Approach, Level III, and the Choral Music Experience. She has taught Elementary Vocal Music in public schools and churches for 30 years in Mississippi and Missouri. She currently teaches at Robinson Elementary in the Kirkwood District. Mrs. Steele has directed children's choruses and has produced many school musicals She taught instrumental music for 16 years and is a flute soloist. She is certified in the Creative Artistry and Choral Music Education in conducting children's choirs. Mrs. Steele has served on staff for the Indianapolis Children's Choir Summer Festival. She has studied Choral Conducting with Joan Gargorki, Henry Leck, and Dr. Doreen Rao. She is a member of MMEA, MENC, ACDA, and the St. Louis Orff Schulwerk Association, of which she is past President.

BRIDGETTE ZIMMERMANN

Director of Concert Choir, graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Vocal Music and a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.). Mrs. Zimmermann has performed as a member of the Robert Shaw Chorale and previously directed choral ensembles at Washington University. She made her international directing debut when she directed the Kirkwood Children's Chorale Tour Choir through England in 2006. Mrs. Zimmermann holds Level I and II certification in the Orff Approach and has studied choral conducting with internationally known conductor and teacher, Mr. Henry Leck. She is a co-founder and co-director of Xylomania!--a summer music enrichment program for St. Louis students entering grades 1 - 5. Mrs. Zimmermann is the president of the St. Louis American Orff Schulwerk Association and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Missouri Music Educators Association, and MENC--the National Association for Music Education. She is the music specialist at Barretts Elementary School in the Parkway School District where she was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2007.

JEFF LACKEY

Director of Cambiata Singers, received his Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music Education from Missouri State University. He holds a Masters Degree in Music Education and is currently working on his Doctorate in Education at University of Missouri, St. Louis. He previously taught at Lebanon Jr. High School, Lebanon High School, Parkway Central High School and Parkway West High School. He is currently the choir director at Parkway Central Middle School where he directs all choirs 6-8. He is the recipient of the 2003 MCDA Prelude Award and has directed and judged at a variety of conferences in the South Central District. His choirs have performed around the United States and Canada including performing at the 2004 State Music Educators Conference. He is a member of MENC and ACDA.

PEGGY PLESIA

Director of Carolers, graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), a Bachelor of Music (B.M.), a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) and a Master of Arts in Music (M.A.), emphasizing in vocal music performance.  Mrs. Plesia also earned Level I and II certification in the Orff Approach at Webster University.  She is currently the Associate Director of Music for Children and Youth at the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church.  She is also currently an instructor at the STAGES Performing Arts Academy, where she teaches group voice classes, private voice lessons, and Access the Arts courses for special needs students (named in Exceptional Parent magazine in 2008).  Mrs. Plesia is the music specialist at Henry Elementary School in the Parkway School District, where she was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2005.