Sing Omaha

CantatE ~ East & West

Cantate is a ‘traditional’ children’s choir for singers in 4th–7th grade, which focuses on proper vocal production and strives for a unified ensemble sound.

Students will have the opportunity to learn music in many different languages and styles. Cantate also places a strong emphasis on sight-reading and hearing harmony.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORs

matt hill

Matt Hill founded Sing Omaha in February, 2007 with the desire to grow and strengthen the choral community in the Omaha-metro area.

As a member of Canticum Novum (now Canticum, the professional adult choir for Sing Omaha) from 2000 – 2006, Matt served as the Baritone section leader, and student conductor. With the departure of Canticum’s founder, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, for Rowan in NJ in the summer of 2006, Matt took the podium as the group’s Artistic Director and enjoyed a fantastic season with this select adult ensemble.

Matt studied applied voice, choral conducting and composition with Dr. Stroope. He also studied piano and composition with Jackson Berkey and Dr. James Johnson.

Matt works as a choral arranger, specializing in custom show choir shows and performs frequently as a pianist and vocalist for weddings and other special events.

Since 2000, he has performed as both a chorister and soloist with numerous Omaha-area ensembles including: Opera Omaha, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Concert Choir, the Omaha Chamber Singers, and Canticum.

As the Executive & Artistic Director of Sing Omaha, Matt is focused on living out the motto of Sing Omaha: “To inspire passionate musicianship and artistic excellence while focusing on people first.”

Lynda laird ~ Cantate east

Lynda Laird has been a music teacher for the Bellevue Public Schools district since 2005, and is currently teaching at Logan Fontenelle Middle School where she teaches choir, general music, show choir, and music for special populations. She conducts the Bellevue Public Schools Saturday Chorus for students in 5th and 6th grade, and the Logan Fontenelle Summer Chorus program.

Lynda earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, and a Masters of Music degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While completing her master’s degree, Lynda made several appearances in the University of Nebraska Opera program. She has completed two levels of the Orff Schulwerk teacher training at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to her teaching and conducting responsibilities, Lynda serves as a member of the worship team at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE. Lynda is a member of the American Choral Directors Association.