Barrington Resident Named to Elgin Opera Leadership

A dynamic team of creative directors and board members are ushering in a new era at Elgin Opera.  The not-for-profit opera company announced its new leadership team: Interim Executive Director and Assistant Music Director Katherine Dalin of Elgin, Artistic Director and Music Director Susan Dennis of Bartlett, and, Executive Producer and Publicist Kimberly Albrecht of Barrington.  In addition, the Elgin Opera Board of Directors welcomes its new President, Craig Dresang of Elgin, and members Sylvia Boeder of West Dundee, and Mary Kirkman of Elgin. 

Mezzo Soprano, Katherine Dalin, recently worked as Assistant Music Director and Stage Director of the Elgin Opera Training and Performing Ensemble (EOTPE).  She performs regularly throughout the Chicago, Milwaukee and Quad Cities areas, and holds a Master’s in Music from Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor’s in Music from Milliken University.   

Soprano Susan Dennis, is an active soloist of classical as well as Broadway repertoire.  She has held many positions with Elgin Opera, and most recently worked as Music/Artistic Director of the EOTPE.  Ms. Dennis is a Professor of Vocal Studies at Harper and Elmhurst Colleges, and holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Illinois University.  Ms. Dennis is Director of Choirs at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg. 

Soprano Kimberly Albrecht, was recently Chairman/Producer/Publicist of the EOTPE. Besides Elgin Opera, she sings for community events, Barrington Village Singers, and Lutheran Church of the Atonement.  A Pioneer Press columnist, she was Communication and Cherub Choir Director at Barrington United Methodist; a TV writer-producer in the eighties. She recently studied Vocal Performance at Harper; holds an M.A. in Radio, TV, Film from Northwestern, and a B.A. in Theatre Arts/ English from University of Michigan.      

The three will be working with the current Office Administrator and new Guild President, Mary Lou Baldwin, of Elgin , longstanding accompanist Dr. Chiayi Lee of Batavia, and Valerie Meachum, Electronic Media Coordinator. 

Ms. Baldwin, who has a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Lewis University has spent more than 25 years as an Office Administrator/Manager working for such diverse organizations as Argonne National Laboratory, Precious Moments corporate office, Fox Valley Hospice and the office of a State Representative. Upon retirement in 2008, she began volunteering at Elgin OPERA as an usher and volunteer coordinator, then worked as assistant bookkeeper, secretary, and administrative assistant.

Dr. Chiayi Lee, collaborative pianist, received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa.  She also holds both a Master’s of Music in Piano Performance and a Performer’s Certificate from Northern Illinois University.  An active pianist in solo and chamber music, Dr. Lee has served as Harper College accompanist, a member of the Coe College piano faculty, and staff accompanist at Cornell College.   She has also worked for Cedar Rapid Opera Threatre, DuPage Opera Theatre, and the Interactive Opera Company.

As her blog states, Soprano Valerie Meachum of Elgin is “one Chicago actress, writer, singer, and occasional costume designer, director and dancer. Plays with swords, sobs on cue, and leaps high Cs in a single bound.”  She is currently appearing as Marmee in “Little Women” for Greenroom Productions at the Cosman Theatre in Huntley.  A multifaceted multi-tasker, Ms. Meachum oversees all the Elgin Opera website, Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

Board President Craig Dresang, is the vice president for community development at Midwest CareCenter, the State of Illinois’ largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization.  He is also an artist who has been represented by Leigh Gallery in Chicago for the past eight years, and serves on the City of Elgin’s cultural arts commission and the Illinois Arts Council.

Sylvia (Syl) Boeder is the recently retired director of community relations and older adult services at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.  She now works as a consultant with expertise in governance, strategic planning and leadership development; and serves on the boards of Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, the Barrington Area Council on Aging, and HERE in Barrington, a community coalition which provides information and resources on family mental health and teen suicide prevention.

Mary Kirkman is an account executive for Fox Valley Broadcasting Company.  She also serves on the City of Elgin’s cultural arts commission and is a member of the American Association of University Women.  As an actress she has had several lead roles with the Elgin Theatre Company, Vex Theartre, and Independent Players. 

They join long-standing board members:

Lois R Myers-Bauer, Vice-President, of Elgin, has been a board member since the opera company’s conception.  She is an Interior Designer by profession, and recently completed 31 years singing with Elgin Choral Union, where she was a board member and special events chair.  Ms. Myers-Bauer was awarded the 'Heart of Gold' for outstanding contribution to Elgin Choral Union in the year 2000.  She has also been affiliated with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra League since 1973, was president from 2001 – 2003, chairs various projects, and continues as a board member. She has served Elgin Opera in many positions, and provided leadership on projects such as the annual vocal competition, publicity, the July 4th parade, backstage coordination, and started up the boutique and cafe.  Ms. Myers-Bauer has also chaired the Annual Gala Benefit since its inception and was the first president of the Guild.

A musician, William G. Kowalski, of Hoffman Estates, is Director of Business Development for Greystone Consumer Empowerment Systems, a national company utilizing technology to better government health programs. He also administered various Human Service programs for the state of New Jersey, such as Child Protection Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid, Mental Health, Public Assistance and Veteran’s Services.  An Elgin Opera board member since 2009, Mr. Kowalski has also served on the United Way and Child Welfare League of America, is an Ambassador for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce.  

Dorothea (Dori) Poulos, MD has been part of the Elgin community for over 25 years as a busy family doctor with Elgin Family Physicians.  She recently finished a term as President of the Medical Staff of Sherman Hospital and has served a number of community organizations, including the Well Child Conference, the Open Door Clinic, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Kane County Health Department Advisory Committee. Dr. Poulos has served on the Board of Directors of Elgin OPERA since 2008. 

Brad Epstein,  M.D., F.A.C.O.G., is the founder and Medical Director of Suburban Women's Health Specialists, Ltd., a Diplomat and Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and a member of the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine.   Dr. Epstein earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago, conducted published research in cellular immunology at Michael Reese Hospital, and continued his studies at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, and his post-graduate training followed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center in Chicago. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force Medical Corp and participated in clinical trials of exercise physiology in military works.   Dr. Epstein has served on the Elgin Opera board since 2008.         . 

Soprano Meghan Smeenge, of Elgin is an Account Promotion Manager for PromoWorks, LLC, a national leading in-store marketing company.  She has been singing with Elgin OPERA since 2007, on the board of directors since 2008, and secretary of the board since 2009.    She is also the chairperson for the year round coffee/tea fundraiser.  Meghan sings with several other opera and chorus groups in the Chicagoland area as well as two area Catholic churches.

Opera enthusiast and long-time Elgin Opera Board Member, Nick Bruno of Geneva is a retired business owner.  He continues to be a devoted supporter of the performing arts throughout the Fox Valley area. 

The entire Board and new directors wish to thank Founding Executive and Artistic Director, Solange Sior for her vision in spearheading the creation of   O.P.E.R.A. over a decade ago, and her tireless leadership of this vital organization.   With the financial support of the City of Elgin, the name was changed to Elgin Opera in the fall of 2008.  The Board is also grateful for the years of service that recently retired board members Rosemary Schroeder and Honorary Member Norm McCabe have devoted to the organization.

Plans are already under way for new performance programming, recitals, and educational opportunities in 2012.

Elgin Opera, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. For more information and/or to join the Elgin Opera Guild, please call (847) 695-5014, e-mail: office@elginopera.org.  visit: www.elginopera.org.    Help support Elgin Opera’s new endeavors, by sending donations to:  Elgin Opera, The Rider Center, 350 Park Street, Suite 207, Elgin, Illinois 60120.

This news release was provided by the Elgin Opera.