Wendi Dicken-Bradshaw
Artistic Director of Concert Arts Association
Musical Director of Choral Arts Singers
Wendi began her performance career at the age 4 of in Cincinnati, Ohio in such shows as THE SOUND OF MUSIC and PETER PAN. By the time she was 13, she founded the Heritage Community Theater in Cincinnati.
Wendi studied dance at the Janet Carleton School in Cincinnati, voice with Joan Moynagh and Russell Hosler, and piano with Peg Styling. She holds degrees in vocal music performance from Miami University. She was privileged to work and study under such conductors as John Wabrick, Thomas Schippers and Margaret Hillis.
Along with performances at Heritage Theater, she has performed with the Bigfork Repertory Theater in Montana, and Boris Goldovsky's Young Artists Opera Theater in New York. She has performed principal roles in opera and theaters across the United States and Europe in such productions as LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, SUOR ANGELICA, WOZZECK, AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, BARNUM, OKLAHOMA, and BRIGADOON. Wendi has directed musicals for schools in the Cincinnati area as well as for the Flathead Valley Children's Theater in Montana.
As Artistic Director of the Concert Arts Association, she has led the adult SATB performance group, Choral Arts Singers, in performances at Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center. A piano, voice and flute instructor at Townsend Music School, she has guided more than 18 students to successful careers in music over the past 20 years. Her company, Imagination Destination Music, develops music curriculum for children and adults of all abilities. She lives with her very own band, "Asaph's Brothers"...her three 17 year old children, Mark, Matthew, and Molly, and her husband, David Bradshaw
Heather McCarty
Musical Director of Choral Arts Youth
Heather was born and grew up in Salem, Illinois. She has been performing and directing since the age of 10. After graduation from Salem Community High School, where she was active in musicals and band, she was accepted at Eastern Illinois University. There she studied music education and voice under Professor Jerry Daniels and Professor Robert Hills.
Heather went on to teach K-8 music for the Moore County school system in North Carolina. After moving back to the Midwest, she became of member of the Choral Arts Singers, and in 2006 assumed the responsibility of Music Director for the Choral Arts Youth choir. Heather teaches music in the Wentzville School District, and serves as cantor at St. Patrick Catholic Church also in Wentzville.
Robin Robertson
Kidz Muzik Coordinator
Kinder Chor Director
Robin holds a BS in Music Education from Bob Jones University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of New Orleans. Robin has over 10 years experience working with children's music and early childhood education. Robin's professional experience ranges from director of music ministries for several churches to music program director for pre-school and kindergarten educational programs. Robin has a bright and warm personality, a passion for music and a love of teaching children.
Cindy Kessler
Director Youth Jazz Ensemble
Director Women's Barbershop Singers
Instructor of Music History
Cindy has been studying music since the age of five, though she has been a music lover for much longer than that. She is currently teaching middle school and high school music classes at a local private school. She enjoys music directing for theatrical productions, her most recent being “Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” She is an avid singer, pianist, cellist, violinist, and has recently started playing the trumpet. She also edits a history website in her spare time.
Andrea Leach
Accompanist Choral Arts Singers
A lifelong love of music began for Andrea at the age of four, when she sang duets with her mother in church. Soon thereafter, she began piano lessons under the direction of Julie Brokaw. A 2004 graduate of Winfield High School, Andrea was an active accompanist and member of various bands and choirs. She also performed as the principal bassoonist for the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra.
Currently, Andrea is enrolled at Lindenwood University and pursing a degree in music education with a primary emphasis in voice and an instrumental endorsement. She has studied voice with Marella Briones and bassoon with Dr. Robert Carter. She successfully auditioned for the St. Louis Symphony Chorus in 2007. Andrea is also serving as a piano, voice, and woodwind teacher for Band Instrument Service Company in O’Fallon and St. Charles, and as pianist for the Wentzville United Methodist Church. Andrea resides in Foley with her wonderful parents and Boston Terrier named Beano.
Jessica Lange
Accompanist for Choral Arts Youth
Jessica began her association with the Concert Arts Association at the age of 11 when she accompanied the Choral Arts Singers in a special Mother’s Day Tribute. In 2002, She sang the title role in the Choral Arts Singers performance of Gian Carlo-Mennotti’s Amahl and Night Visitors.
In 2006, as a high school junior, she accepted the position of Accompanist for the Choral Arts Youth; and at the same time continued her in depth study of the piano works of Mozart and Liszt. Jessica has studied piano with the Townsend School of Music since the age of 6, and has performed over 20 piano recitals. She lives in Chesterfield, Missouri with her parents and sister, Rebecca.
Rebecca Lange
Kinder Chor Accompanist
Rebecca has studied piano for more than 11 years at the Townsend Music Studios in Ballwin, MO. She has participated in over 22 recitals, and has accompanied the Stages Repertory Theatre "Sing Broadway" classes in several performances. Rebecca assists with Concert Arts Youth Jazz Ensemble, and has provided intermission music for several concerts as well