Cantemos Youth Chorale Board
Our mission is to provide an inclusive and engaging choral experience for Douglas County youth in grades 3-8 by creating opportunities that enhance a multi-cultural musical education and removing the participation barriers of tuition costs and auditions. Our vision is to enrich the lives of youth and foster a life-long appreciation of music and sense of community togetherness.
Sandy Cooper
Chairman of the Board
chair@cychorale.org
Sandy is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as a pianist, choir member, and ESL teacher. She and her husband Jim settled in Lawrence over 20 years ago, after traveling around the world for 25 years as a Navy family. Teaching piano, teaching English, and directing choirs were the constants in her life in those various states and countries.
Barb Bishop
Treasurer
treasurer@cychorale.org
I am old and a diehard fan of The Ohio State university where I got my undergrad before most of you were born. I have been married for almost 55years and am the mother of two, grandmother of 5. I retired at the end of 2019 from my position of Executive Director of The Arc of Douglas County, an organization that provides advocacy and case management support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I managed the finances for that agency as well as those of the Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas, an advocacy organization run by and for people with IDD. Over the years I have served as treasurer of The Big Tent Coalition, The Transition Council of Douglas and Jefferson Counties, and Trinity Lutheran Church. I am new to Cantemos, but love its concept and, of course, its music. I look forward to working with the wonderful folks on the board and their dedicated staff.
Julie Gasper
Board Member
julie@cychorale.org
Julie is a Lawrence native who grew up participating in numerous arts programs from dance and theatre to youth and junior high choirs, band, and more. Although her career path took her in a different direction, she has great memories from each of those and a strong appreciation for the benefits of music. The Cantemos mission to ensure all children can participate is what drew her to be involved with this group in particular .
Julie has a Master's of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Kansas and has experience in consumer marketing, new product development, and strategy. She currently works for Cargill and manages a portfolio of health ingredients used in companion animal products.
Outside of work, Julie is an avid athlete who participates in marathons and triathlons, sings loud solos when driving in the car alone, and is working to rekindle her music appreciation as a beginner violin/fiddle player.
Erika Zimmerman
Board Member
erika@cychorale.org
Erika Zimmerman serves as the executive director for Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. Before taking on the director role, she served in various capacities for Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence including the Development Director and the Director of Grants. Erika is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.S. degree in Sociology.
Erika has always worked in the non-profit field. The early part of her career focused on child development but working toward ensuring everyone has a decent place to live is her true passion. She started with Lawrence Habitat for Humanity by volunteering on the build site. Then she joined the Family Support Committee, where she served as the committee chair and a family partner.
In her free time, Erika serves on the Citizen’s Review Board, and volunteers as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Shamrock Shuffle. She served as the Pinckney PTO treasurer for two years. She also enjoys watching, playing, and reading about sports. She is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, although she has lived in Kansas all her life. Erika has a daughter, Kauvia, who is a fifth grader at Hillcrest Elementary School and has been a member of Cantemos Youth Chorale for two years.
Lysette DeBoard
Co-Chair and Secretary
info@cychorale.org
Lysette has been a part of K-12 education since 2004. During her tenure, she has taught 5-12 vocal music, K-5 general music, an instructional coach, an Interim Assistant Principal at West Middle School and is currently the Billy Mills Middle School Choir Director. In addition to working for Lawrence Public Schools, she is the Music Director at West Side Presbyterian Church. In her free time, Lysette enjoys time with her family, volunteering with Girl Scouts, and teaching archery at Lawrence Hidden Valley Camp.
Greg Ash
Board Member
greg@cychorale.org
Greg Ash is an attorney and partner in the Kansas City-based Spencer Fane law firm, specializing in employee benefits and employment law. He and his wife, Amy, collectively have four degrees from KU and have been Lawrence residents for over 30 years. They have two adult daughters and two dogs, on whom they dote constantly. Greg has a passion for mentoring children, and is a lapsed saxophone player. He and Amy enjoy traveling, art, and cooking.
Cherie Elo
Board Member
cherie@cychorale.org
Growing up in Lawrence I felt fortunate to have a chance to participate in several low cost or no cost music experiences such as bell choir, a children’s choir, recorder club (which met before elementary school) and I was excited when Cantemos organized as it gave one of my kids a chance to have a new musical experience as well as meet kids from all over town.
I joined the Cantemos board in 2023 because I was drawn to the positive energy and drive to help kids be their best selves through music and look forward to seeing the choir to mature and connect with choir alumni in future years.
Lou Flessner
Board Member
lou@cychorale.org
Lou Flessner is a retired Lutheran pastor and member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence. He studied music education at the University of Northern Colorado with a particular interest in Early Music and enthusiasm for children's choirs. Lou has been a member of the Gregorian Singers and played in the Texas Early Music Consort. He makes blankets out of used denim blue jeans, walks old pilgrim roads and is working on a team to design and lead Rites of Passage into Elderhood.
Jennifer Martello
Board Member
jennifer@cychorale.org
Jennifer Martello has practiced music therapy in the Shawnee Mission School District for twenty three years and still loves every minute of it. She has spent the majority of her career helping her students overcome barriers and embrace their strengths in order to be their best selves ever.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Jennifer received her master’s degree in Music therapy from the University of Kansas.
Purple Aces Proud! Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Evansville, IN.
Jennifer has achieved Life -Long Learner Status (LLLS) from course work she has taken in various fields such as Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Autism Spectrum disorders, Neurologic Music Therapy and Trauma Informed Care as well as from presentations given at a variety of conferences on a variety of topics, classes taught here and there, and supervision of music therapy practicum students and interns. In addition to the LLLS, she has competed in a lot of races for a lot of years.
Jennifer continues to train as a wife and mother in Lawrence, Kansas. She plays piano, guitar, ukulele, hammered dulcimer and any rhythm instrument in reach. Her family also enjoys her non-stop singing about anything and everything.