2024 WELS East Regional Choral Fest
November 8-10, 2024
“Deep Waters”
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Livestream - Pops
Please join us in person at Illinois Lutheran High School in Crete, IL on Friday, November 8 at 7pm (Central) or online via our Livestream.
Livestream - Sacred
Please join us in person at Illinois Lutheran High School in Crete, IL on Sunday, November 10 at 2pm (Central) or online via our Livestream.
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Lisa Uttech
CLINICIAN
Lisa Uttech is a Fine Arts Music Instructor and the Choral Director at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, where she directs the Freshman Choir, A Cappella Choir, and Wisco Kids Show Choir.
Upon graduation from Martin Luther College in 2002, Lisa was assigned to Bethany Lutheran School in Manitowoc, WI where she taught 3rd grade, then 6th grade and departmentalized upper grades English. She also assisted with the school and church music programs by directing adult and children’s choirs, handbells, the school musical, and serving as an organist.
In 2005, Lisa transitioned to serving in parish ministry as the part-time Music Coordinator at Grace Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. At this time, she also expanded her private voice and piano studio, which she would maintain for over 15 years while raising their 4 children. In 2009, a work relocation brought their family to the Milwaukee area. In addition to rebuilding and maintaining her private voice studio, Lisa began teaching class voice and individual voice lessons at Pewaukee High School (WI) and New Berlin Eisenhower High School (WI).
Lisa accepted a call to serve as the part-time Director of Parish Music at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield in 2016, where she oversaw the congregational music ministry, taught Grades 1-8 music, directed the adult choir, Sunday School choir, handbell choir, and school musical, and also served as an organist. In 2018, she accepted a full-time call to CTL, where she continued to serve until she was called to Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 2021.
In addition to teaching, Lisa has been privileged to serve the church and community as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, soloist, and presenter for a variety of workshops and conferences. Some of these include the WELS National Conference on Worship Music and the Arts, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary's Mission and Ministry Conference, WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers Conference, and the WELS National Youth Rally. Lisa has enjoyed serving as a member and co-director of the Lakeshore Lutheran Chorale (Manitowoc, WI) and singing many seasons in the soprano section of Canticum Novum, a WELS chamber choir.
Lisa resides in Waukesha, WI with her husband, Josh, and their four children, Eviana ('24), Jocelyn ('27), Gabe ('28), and Nolan ('31).
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Josh Severeid
CLINICIAN
Joshua M. Severeid is the Fine Arts Director at Arizona Lutheran Academy where he directs A Cappella Choir, Concert Choir, Freshman Choir, Band, and drama productions. He also teaches Music Fundamentals and Personal Finance and serves on the Worship Committee.
Josh was born and raised in Federal Way, WA, where he was in band and choir in grade school and high school. He began learning saxophone in seventh grade and taught himself piano while attending Evergreen Lutheran High School, graduating in 2012. His truest interest in music began because of a video game soundtrack, setting him on the path to his current profession.
He then attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. There he studied saxophone with Miles Wurster and Donnie Norton, conducting with Miles Wurster and Kermit Moldenhuaer, voice with Jenny Haugen, and keyboard with Joyce Schubkegel. His studies culminated in a Bachelor of Science in Education, double-majoring in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education.
After graduating in 2017, he was assigned to California Lutheran High School. He served there for one year as a dorm supervisor and taught Freshman Music, Algebra 1, Sophomore English, Drama class, and codirected two drama productions. He also helped direct the handbell choir. While at CLHS, he helped lead worship music at the Reformation 500 Festival for the San Diego Circuit as adult choir director, instrumentalist, and soloist.
In 2018, Josh transitioned to Cedar Mountain Elementary School in Franklin, MN. While there, he taught general music and technology to grades K-5. He also taught instrument lessons to fifth graders and directed the fifth grade band. Following the school year, he was assigned to Arizona Lutheran Academy.
At Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tempe, Josh is musically active in church choir and as an instrumentalist and soloist. He also enjoys composing music for a variety of mediums and purposes. In 2020, Josh was honored to have his composition for wind band, “Our Great Heritage,” performed at the WELS Regional Band Festival at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School.
Josh resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife, Rachel. They married in 2018 and enjoy board games, hiking, cooking, and, of course, making music together.