St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has long regarded music to be an integral part of its liturgical expression. For years, the church maintained a choir of men and boys who sang regularly at services.
The focus changed in the latter half of the twentieth century to an adult choir of professional and highly skilled amateur singers, with a reputation for high standards and beautiful music making drawn from the Anglican heritage. They sing regularly at the Sunday Eucharist, Monthly Evensong (first Sunday of the Month: October through May) and special performances throughout the year.
Meet St. Paul’s Choir 2023-2024
Austin has been singing with St. Paul’s Choir since April 2020. He is a member of Aperi Animam and has appeared in numerous musical productions. His middle name is not “Powers”.
Camille Crossot is a soprano who grew up singing in Milwaukee area ensembles. She holds a MM in Voice from the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, where she sang in the choir at Grace & St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She is delighted to sing at St. Paul’s.
Since graduating from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Vocal Performance, Danielle Gedemer, soprano, has enjoyed working with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in their Connections program, writing a libretto for the Florentine Opera Company for their children’s show Cinderella, singing at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and annually composing songs with her mother for West Bend Parks and Rec Department’s summer theatre show. She is currently studying psychology at Mount Mary University. In her free time, she loves spending time with her incredible family and friends.
Deme Hellwig is a graduate of Lawrence University with a Bachelor’s in Music. She is a member of Milwaukee based early music ensemble Aperi Animam and has been singing with St. Paul’s choir for a few years. It’s her hope to continue professionally in her passion for early music performance.
Todd and Matt started their Episcopal experience singing at St. Paul’s many years ago. We are both delighted to be a part of this choir and parish.
Jennifer Jakubowski, alto, holds a degree in Exercise Science from Carroll University and a license in Massage Therapy. Having studied voice at UW-Milwaukee, Jennifer has cultivated a love and skill set in early music that has led her to perform with several groups in the Milwaukee area. From 2012-2019 Jennifer attended the Madison Early Music Festival, taking part in classes ranging from 13th century Gregorian chant to 17th century Italian motets, further nurturing her knowledge and embodiment of early music.
John Kalajian was born and raised in New Jersey and came to Milwaukee in July. He developed a love of singing sacred choral music in high school and participated in touring choir and chamber singers at Grove City College. He also sang in choir during his time in seminary and at a benedictine monastery. He graduated in 2020 with a biology degree and his work experience includes microbiology research, biopharmaceuticals, and construction materials testing.
Tedd has a master’s degree in music and a master’s degree in computer science. He has been singing in choirs since the 6th grade and playing keyboard instruments since 5. For him, music, whether vocal or instrumental, is the soul’s way of conveying spiritual thought and expression. He is semi-retired from a career in IT and is currently working at Wild Birds Unlimited keeping our feathered friends well supplied with bird seed, houses, and feeding stations.
Sarah Knox is a Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at Marquette University. In her free time, she loves to exercise, read, and travel. She is also a rabid Ohio State Buckeye!
Sam Mullooly, a Milwaukee native, holds an MM degree in Music Theory from IU Jacobs School of Music. He currently teaches music theory and musicianship at the private and collegiate level. He previously sang with St. Paul’s from 2020-2021 and is happy to be back.
I am one of the longtime choir members, singing bass. I recently retired after 45 years as a funeral director. With all my new found free-time, I will be enjoying traveling, gardening, being a dog dad to four fur babies and spending time with my husband Rand.
Rand is a retired Special Education teacher who began singing in church choirs as a teenager. He is starting his 34th year with the St. Paul’s Choir. Besides singing, gardening is his passion.
I am a cradle Episcopalian and have been a member of St. Paul’s since August 2019. It’s been my joy to sing in our choir and be our Choir Librarian. I retired in 2016 after working 33 years for (Ascension) Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare as their Medical Alert Services Coordinator. I am a member of Cairn Rescue USA and have two dogs, Cookie and Daisy. I’m blessed to have a close-knit family and love getting together with them often.
This is Jackie’s fifth year at St Paul’s. She is currently studying Library Sciences at UWM. Jackie is the Production Designer for Milwaukee’s vocal early music ensemble, APERI ANIMAM, which translates to “open your soul”. She enjoys reading, spending time with her cat, and exploring new places with her partner, Christal.
Chris has sung in Episcopal Church choirs for several years. Since moving to the Milwaukee area in 2011, he has sung at St. Paul’s and at All Saints’ Cathedral. Prior to that, Chris was at Holy Spirit Lake Forest in Illinois. Chris lives in Waukesha with his wife and assorted pets.
Terry is a member at St. Paul’s. He has been active in church music for most of the last 30 years. He is usually in the middle of four or five books, and now that he is retired, has gone back to school to study music composition.
