History
The KCC traces its origin to Carthage College. In 2005 Carthage College offered an evening community choir, known as the Carthage Masterworks Chorale. Under the direction of Dr. Dimitri Shapovalov, the group eventually assumed the name of the Kenosha Choral Arts Society.
In the fall of 2012, the Kenosha Chamber Choir was born. The choir began with new direction, a new venue and a new name. Rehearsals and performances moved to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, where Andrew Wyosnick filled the Artistic Director position and Robert Stevens served as Executive Director.
In the fall of 2014, Dr. Dimitri Shapovalov re-assumed the role as Artistic Director of the Kenosha Chamber Choir. The choir collaborated with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Waukegan Symphony Chorus. Later that spring, the KCC took part in “A Copland Celebration” with the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra and choirs from Tremper High School.
The Kenosha Chamber Choir appointed John Kryl as Director in the fall of 2016. John remained at the helm through the spring of 2018. In May 2018, the KCC performed “Voices for Valor.” The Riverport Chorus, MGV Harmonia, and the Round Lake Community Band joined us to pay tribute to veterans and to provide suicide prevention resources.
As the Kenosha Chamber Choir began its Fall 2018 season, Michelle Nuetzmann took the reins as Director. The KCC hosted its first-ever autumn concert in October, with choirs from Grayslake Central High School as our special guests. In the spring of 2019, Bryan Chung joined Michelle to co-lead our group.
After a long hiatus due to COVID-19 the Kenosha Chamber Choir returned in the fall of 2022 with a new artistic director, Riley Worthen. Riley led the KCC for four seasons, infusing the group with a wealth of knowledge and and a distinctly cultured tone. At the end of his tenure, then accompanist Michelle Nuetzman-Gutierrez and her husband, then choir member Michael Gutierrez, stepped in to usher the choir into the Winter 2024 season as Assistant Artistic Director and Artistic Director, respectively.
Throughout our history, the Kenosha Chamber Choir has received extravagant encouragement from a number of local entities, as well as the uncommonly generous support St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, who host our rehearsals and Spring and Winter concerts.
Last updated October 22, 2024