LAUDATE CHOIR

Andrea Grasenick is a dedicated and accomplished music education professional with a deep passion for choral music and student development. She currently serves as the choral director at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she has been since 2019. Prior to that, she spent six years teaching and directing at Arizona Lutheran Academy in Phoenix.

Andrea’s experience in music education is extensive and diverse. Before her time at ALA, she worked with Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee, gaining valuable experience in the music publishing industry while continuing to lead musical ensembles of various ages and levels. She was also involved with the Lakeside Lutheran High School Swing Choir for a decade—an ensemble she once sang in as a student.

An active performer herself, Andrea is a section leader and member of Chant Claire of Milwaukee, and also sings with the Motet Choir at Grace Lutheran Church, where she is an involved member of the church music community.

Andrea holds a Master of Church Music in Choral Conducting from Concordia University Wisconsin, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education from Martin Luther College, with majors in Elementary Education, Secondary Choral Music, and Secondary Instrumental Music.

She lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with her husband Marcus, their two sons, Lukas and Ryan, and their dog Maya.

EXULTATE CHOIR

Jon Hermanson is a 2006 graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Education, with an emphasis in Secondary Choral Music. Jon earned his Master’s Degree in Choral Music Education from VanderCook University in Chicago, IL. Currently, Jon serves as Professor of Music at Martin Luther College. Previously he served as Director of Choral Music at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, in New Ulm, MN, a call he began in 2015. Prior to his work at MVL, Jon served as the Music Director at Illinois Lutheran High School from 2011 to 2015. Before that he taught for five years at Trinity Lutheran School in Kiel, WI

Besides his experience in the public ministry, Jon has extensive experience as a professional singer. In 2003, he sang in the final season of the GRAMMY nominated Dale Warland Singers. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the newly formed group, The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, under the direction of Matthew Culloton. While teaching in Wisconsin, Jon sang a number of seasons with the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee under the direction of Richard Hynson. He was a founding member of the WELS Chamber Chorus, Canticum Novum, and sang for seven summers at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival under the direction of Dale Warland. Jon has had multiple solo opportunities with many of these groups, as well as opportunities to solo for various projects at MLC over the past years.

Last spring, Jon served as chorus master for the Mankato Symphony Orchestra's production of Mozart’s Requiem. He is currently working in the same role as the MSO prepares Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Jon is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association as well as the National Association for Music Educators.

JUBILATE CHOIR

Mike Marquardt, ‘99 graduate of Martin Luther College, has been the choral director at St. Croix Lutheran Academy since 2017.  Before that he enjoyed 17 years of parish ministry as classroom teacher and music director at Peace in Hartford, WI and St. Paul’s in Tomah, WI.  He holds a Master of Church Music degree with a choral emphasis from Concordia University Wisconsin.  Mike is passionate about quality liturgical worship, storytelling through creative concert programming, and guiding students toward independent musicianship through music literacy.