Big Dreams and Dedication

Gayle Roschi dreamed of starting a children's choir for many years, but the demands of raising a family and teaching private vocal and piano lessons commanded all her time. Yet, no time was wasted because Gayle had spent 30 years studying, teaching, and refining her musical skills. Finally, a window of opportunity opened to pursue her dream, and she was perfectly equipped to become the founding Artistic Director of the Hancock County Children's Choir. Gayle called on Leanne Cherry, a long-time personal friend and colleague to come aboard as the first HCCC accompanist.

Lisa Heady longed for an opportunity for her children and others to sing in a choir. Road weary from traveling to Indianapolis for lessons and cultural activities, Lisa was convinced that there were plenty of families in east central Indiana who shared her feelings. Together with a handful of dedicated parents, Lisa encouraged Gayle to come to Hancock County to begin her choir.

Sixteen students enrolled in the choir in the fall of 2011, and their first performance was to a standing room only audience at New Palestine Bible Church. It was clear that the talent needed to develop a significant choir was indeed present, and the community expressed its support.

The choir has steadily grown to 8 ensembles serving children ages 5-18. In 2019, our enrollment reached 147 students.  The pandemic and necessary schedule changes reduced our enrollment, but not our commitment!

In its short history, HCCC has performed at New York's famed Carnegie Hall twice and was invited back for two more performances in 2016 and 2017.  Performing for the nationally televised Dove Awards and on Indianapolis Fox affiliate Channel 59 were the highlights of 2017. Though the pandemic interrupted our plans to travel to Europe in the summer of 2021, we look forward to future opportunities.

Joel Davenport

DIRECTOR

Violinist, pianist, and vocalist Mr. Joel Davenport joined the HCCC staff in 2022 as our Ragazzi Coro men'sensemble director. Mr. Davenport studied music intensively through college where he decided to make technology his vocation and music an avocation. He holds a BS in computer science from Purdue University and an MS in computer science from Georgia Tech. During the workday, he serves as a Senior Solutions Engineer for Mulesoft. In his free time he teaches violin lessons and works with basses and tenors under the direction of Amy Fata. Mr. Davenport has perfect pitch, and thus his specialty is pitch and blending. We’re excited to bring his expertise to the choir!

Amy Studabaker

DIRECTOR

Mrs. Studabaker earned her B.M. in music education, magna cum laude, from Butler University, capturing the Outstanding Music Educator: Elementary Award.  An artist with many talents, Mrs. Studabaker has directed choirs of all ages as well as directing theater and handbell choirs, and working as a choreographer. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach music within her community.

Sam Jones
PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST

Mr. Sam Jones holds an M.M. in piano performance and pedagogy from Butler University. He has taught piano at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, Butler Community Arts School, and the International School of  Indianapolis. Currently, Mr. Jones is the Music Director at Franklin Central Christian Church where he serves as the pianist and organist for weekly services, programming musical selections for services, providing special music, and accompanying the choir.

Tiffany Richards

ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTIONS, CHOIR LIBRARIAN

Mrs. Richards holds a B.M. in music education as well as an M.S. in library science.  Her skill set makes her a perfect fit for leading our Belle Voci ladies ensemble as well as managing our choir library.  Additionally, Mrs. Richards serves as our director of productions, managing the myriad details of bringing our productions to the stage.

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Musical Staff

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VISION

Youth are living fulfilled lives through strong character, confidence, and perseverance, and communities are enriched through exposure to the performing arts.

EXPERIENCE

Bringing talented, experienced staff to the communities of east central Indiana. 

mission

Through excellent musical education and mentorship, we equip youth with essential life skills while igniting a community interest in our youth and the arts.

UNIQUENESS

Using the medium of the arts to develop student skills and self-confidence.

Michael Anderson

ACCOMPANIST

Mr. Michael Anderson will be joining the staff as an accompanist. Mr Anderson has been accompanying choirs, ensembles, and soloists since he was in junior high school and is currently the accompanist for the Mt. Vernon High School choirs. He attended Anderson University (Anderson, IN) where he graduated with a Music Business major and met Dawn, who became his wife. They have been married for 33 years and have three adult children and a year-old grandchild. Michael has been a Worship Pastor for over 30 years at churches in Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, currently serving at South Meridian Church of God in the city of Anderson.

Leigh Anderson

SECONDARY DIRECTOR

Mrs. Anderson attended Western Kentucky University earning a B.M. in Music Education, Vocal Music. While at Western Kentucky University, She performed in 5 vocal ensembles including a chamber ensemble, large choral groups, opera and musical theatre, and contemporary a
cappella.

Mrs. Anderson was the assistant director for two academic years at Ballard High School instructing one of the largest choral programs in Jefferson County, Kentucky. While at Ballard, she served as assistant director for two Freshman Women's choruses, the Freshman Men's
Chorus, Intermediate Mixed Chorus, and Advanced Chorus. In addition, Mrs. Anderson began a contemporary a cappella group and helped to facilitate interest in contemporary a cappella music.

Mrs. Anderson is currently teaching music at Mount Vernon High School. She served as a guest clinician for the Hancock County Children’s Choir during the spring 2022 semester.

Skills TAUGHT​

Vocal Production

Sight Singing

Music Theory

Stage Presence

Poise

Etiquette

About Hancock County Children's Choir

Hancock County Children's Choir is a choral performance and education program dedicated to create musical opportunities for youth through the performance of a variety of musical literature including classical, cross-cultural, folk, patriotic, pop, sacred, and secular genres of music.  Students in the choir are taught vocal production, diction, music theory, music history and appreciation, Solfege (sight singing), poise, stage presence, public speaking, and etiquette.  Our interactive programs instill valuable life skills, challenging our students to learn, grow, mature, develop self-confidence, and shine!

Patrick Fata
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Patrick Fata has performed with his wife Amy for over twenty years, releasing five albums, concertizing throughout the US and Europe and leading worship in the local church, currently Harbour Shores Church in Cicero, IN. He served on the faculty of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, for 19 years. He also coaches a string ensemble for Highlands Latin School in Indianapolis, and is an accompanist for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s Master Chorale.

His studies took him from the Conservatoire National de Région de Rueil-Malmaison in Paris to Huntington University and Butler University in Indiana, where he specialized in piano performance. He has published three books with Memoria Press, combining history and theory into a curriculum designed to develop children’s appreciation of classical music. He also composes and arranges works for schools, concert musicians, media, and for the church. His
compositions are published by Colla Voce, ICC Publishing House, and Portion Music. 

Originally from France, Patrick now makes his home in the Midwest with Amy, their two daughters, and their dog, fittingly named Tempo.