MYAC’S CHORAL PROGRAM
The MYAC Choral Program is for passionate students who want the best vocal preparation possible and who wish to be exposed to the finest choral literature.
The MYAC Choral Program includes Maestros, and auditioned ensembles: Voices Rising and VocalPoint.
Each ensemble sings a wide variety of choral literature from classical to jazz and newly composed or arranged works. Students experience professional vocal training, spirited direction, and intensive choral instruction. Students may also participate in sight-singing and vocal musicianship classes.
Maestros
Conducted by Meghan Mullins, Maestros provides a nurturing environment that fosters creative growth and musical development for 1st-4th grade students. Through singing activities and various children's choir repertoire, students will begin learning how to read music and develop healthy singing techniques.
Students also learn how to perform in a group setting and experience the joy and camaraderie of participating in a choral ensemble.
Maestros rehearses on Sundays from 1:00 - 1:45pm.
Kindergartners are accepted on a per case basis - email mya@mya.org if your kindergartner would like to join us!
Voices Rising
Conducted by Daniel Ermel, the talented members of Voices Rising will build musicianship and vocal skills in a nurturing and professional environment by continually seeking excellence in music of diverse styles. Voices Rising accepts unchanged voices beginning in the 5th grade through 8th grade.
This joyous group has taken the stage around the world, most notably at the Symphony Center with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, International tours to China and Korea, the United Nations, and most recently to the Festival of Lights in Bulgaria.
Voices Rising rehearses on Sundays from 1:00 - 2:45pm.
VocalPoint
Conducted by Daniel Ermel, VocalPoint is a high school chamber choir for high school vocalists.
VocalPoint focuses on a wide range of vocal styles from Classical to Jazz to Broadway, providing performance and growth opportunities for high-school level students.
VocalPoint rehearses on Sundays from 3:30 - 5:30pm.
Meet MYAC’s Choral Faculty
Daniel Ermel has joined MYAC’s faculty as our new choral director of VocalPoint and Voices Rising! Ermel is a Chicago-based vocalist and educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
An accomplished singer and actor, Daniel has performed with a variety of esteemed companies, including Uptown Musical Theater, Metropolis Performing Arts, Jedlicka PAC, Chicago Kids Center, Madcap Puppets Theatre, and Canterbury Summer Theater. His career as a chorister has led him to prestigious venues across North America and Europe, such as Carnegie Hall, the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Wittenberg’s Castle Church, and the good ol’ Walt Disney Theater.
A native of the Chicago area and a Glenbrook North High School alumnus, Daniel has extensive teaching experience. He has taught K-2 General Music at Oak Terrace Elementary School in Highwood and held positions at Lakes Community High School and Glenbrook South High School, where he directed choirs, led a glee club, and taught AP Music Theory. Currently, he serves as a voice teacher, accompanist, and sectional leader at Niles North High School, while also maintaining a private voice studio in Mundelein, IL.
Ms. Meghan Mullins is the director for Maestros at MYAC. Meghan holds a Bachelor's Degree in music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Meghan works as the beginning orchestra teacher for North Shore District 112 in Highland Park, IL. In her position, Meghan serves 4th and 5th grade students at 5 different schools in the Highwood and Highland Park areas. She has experience teaching K-5 general music, guitar, and concert band in the Minneapolis/St. Paul school districts. She has also worked with Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival in Valparaiso, IN, the Jack Benny Center and Waukegan Symphony Orchestra in Waukegan, IL, and taught vocal and general music to high schoolers in Angoulême, France. Meghan's primary instruments are cello and piano, but she enjoys playing percussion, guitar, violin, viola, double bass, and singing in choir. Meghan is from Libertyville, IL and is an alumni of the MYAC orchestra program (2013-2017).