Sing Omaha Choirs Faculty

Leadership

Dr. Matt Hill

Executive / Artistic Director

Conductor :

Girls Choir, Women’s Choir, Master Chorale

Dr. Matt Hill founded Sing Omaha Inc. in January, 2007. This 501c3 non-profit organization serves as Nebraska’s Premier K-12/adult choral arts organization, and is comprised of nine choirs, which serve more than 200 singers in Douglas and Sarpy County each year. He currently serves the organization as Artistic Director; conducting two choirs, planning the five-to-seven concert season, and managing artistic staff. As Executive Director, Matt coordinates with the Board of Directors on long-range projects, and manages the day-to-day administrative needs of the organization.

At Sing Omaha Studios, Matt teaches private voice and piano lessons, co-directs the 6-10th grade Summer Show Choir Camps, and serve as the curriculum director for the studio’s voice and piano faculty. Matt works in partnership with the studio’s Business Manager to facilitate day-to-day management of the studio, and to bridge the studio and choir operations.

In addition to his work with Sing Omaha, Matt has served in music ministry steadily since 2003, and has performed as a conductor, chorister, and featured soloist with numerous local and regional ensembles.

Matt was honored as the “Choral Director of the Year” in 2019 by the Nebraska Choral Directors Association. The same organization recognized him as the “Young Choral Director of the Year” in 2015.

Matt earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting under the advisement of Dr. Pete Eklund at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2019. Matt earned a Master’s degree in choral conducting as a Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma State University in 2012, under the tutelage of Dr. Z. Randall Stroope.

In September, 2014, Matt was hired to serve Peru State College as the Director of Choral Studies. His teaching duties at PSC include: Music Theory, Music History, Choral Methods, and direction of the Concert Chorale and Women’s Choir. Peru State College recognized Dr. Hill as the 2019 “Teaching Excellence Award” winner. His commencement address is viewable on his YouTube channel here.

Also in 2014, he incorporated “Matt Hill Arts” to promote his work as a composer, conductor, clinician, and lecturer. A new website for the endeavor was launched in July 2019, and is live at www.matthillconductor.com.

Heidi Bush

Sing Omaha
Operations Manager

Middle/High School Choir Conductors

Dr. Matt Hill

 Girls Choir, Women’s Choir, 

Master Chorale

Tyler Bugelwicz

Tyler Buglewicz

Boys Choir
Conductor

Abby Beach

Girls Choir
Assistant Conductor

Papillion K-6 Conductors

Kendra headshot

Kendra Kuster

Children’s Choir (K-2nd)

Heidi Bush headshot

Heidi Bush

Youth Choir (3-6th)

Intern

East (Papillion)

Millard K-6 Conductors

Jackie Havranek

Children’s Choir (K-2nd)

Madeline Henecke

Youth Choir (3-6th)

Intern

West (Millard)

Pianists

Cayce Wilkinson

Girls Choir

Benji Pettiford

Boys Choir

Laurel Mack

Women’s Choir & Master Chorale

Sing Omaha Choirs

Dr. Matt Hill

Adult Choir Conductor, Leadership, Middle-High School Choir Conductor

Dr. Matt Hill founded Sing Omaha Inc. in January, 2007. This 501c3 nonprofit organization serves as Nebraska’s Premier K-12/adult choral arts organization, and is comprised of eight choirs, which serve more than 300 singers in Douglas and Sarpy County each year. He currently serves the organization as Artistic Director; conducting three choirs, planning the eight-concert season, and managing artistic faculty. As Executive Director, Matt coordinates with the Board of Directors on long-range projects, and manages the long-term planning needs of the organization.

 

At Sing Omaha Studios, Matt teaches private voice lessons, co-directs Sing Omaha’s Summer Show Choir Camps, and serve as the curriculum director for the studio’s faculty. Matt works in partnership with the studio’s Operations Manager to facilitate day-to-day management of the studio, and to bridge the studio and choir operations.

 

In addition to his work with Sing Omaha, Dr. Hill serves as Director of Choral Activities at Creighton University where he conducts the Chamber Choir and University Chorus, and teaches music coursework. Matt has also served in music ministry steadily since 2003, and has performed as a conductor, chorister, and featured soloist with numerous local and regional ensembles.

 

Matt was honored as the “Choral Director of the Year” in 2019 by the Nebraska Choral Directors Association. The same organization recognized him as the “Young Choral Director of the Year” in 2015. He was also recognized as the “Teaching Excellence” award winner (faculty member of the year) at Peru State in 2019.

 

Matt earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting under the advisement of Dr. Pete Eklund at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2019. Matt earned a Master’s degree in choral conducting as a Graduate Assistant at Oklahoma State University in 2012, under the tutelage of Dr. Z. Randall Stroope.

 

Also in 2014, he incorporated “Matt Hill Arts” to promote his work as a composer, conductor, clinician, and lecturer. A new website for the endeavor was launched in July 2019, and is live at www.matthillconductor.com.

Heidi Bush

Sing Omaha Operations Manager

Heidi Bush earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at Montana State University-Bozeman (MSU) in 2008, and a Master’s degree in music education from Boston University in 2011. While at MSU Heidi served as President for the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. Heidi taught K-12 music in Montana for four years, and now serves Sing Omaha Studios as the Operations Manager where she manages lesson scheduling, oversees curriculum delivery, and serves as the primary point of contact for studio students and their families. She also serves as a teaching faculty member, maintaining an active studio of piano and voice students of her own at Sing Omaha Studios.
 
Heidi is also heavily involved with the Sing Omaha Choirs program, assisting with many of the administrative duties associated with the organization’s eight choirs. Heidi is grateful to be a stay-at-home mom to two busy children, Kyler and Kaia, and she enjoys singing with the Sing Omaha Women’s Choir each week.

Tyler Bugelwicz

Boys Choir Conductor

Tyler Buglewicz has been teaching choral and instrumental music at Papillion-La Vista High School in Papillion, Nebraska for since 2012. He is the  director of the PLHS tenor-bass ensemble; the select chamber ensemble, “Ardente Voce”; the preparatory tenor-bass show choir “Monarchy”; and the varsity show choir, “Free Spirit”. Tyler also conducts the Papillion La Vista High School Wind Symphony, and music directs the all-school musical.  He has served as a clinician and adjudicator for many show choirs and choirs around Nebraska and Iowa, and is constantly looking to spread the positivity of choral music as far as it can reach. Tyler would love to thank his wife, Sara Warner, for being an incredible partner and a strong supporter of his students.

Abby Beach

Girls Choir Assistant Conductor

Abby Beach is currently teaching K-5th grade music in the Gretna Public School District. In 2020, she earned her Bachelors degree in Music Education from The University of South Dakota. During her time at USD, she performed across the United States and internationally as a member of the USD Chamber Singers and in various opera productions. She is also an active member of Sing Omaha’s Women’s Choir. She teaches piano lessons at Sing Omaha Studios, and is very excited to be a part of the Sing Omaha Choirs faculty team.

Kendra Kuster

Children’s Conductor (Papillion)

Kendra Kuster serves as the Music Specialist for Hickory Hill Elementary in the Papillion La-Vista Community School District. She is a 2011 graduate of Buena Vista University where she earned a degree in K-12 vocal music education. A lifelong lover of learning, she continues to learn and grow as a music educator, most recently beginning a course of study of the Orff Schulwerk approach in 2021 and 2022. Kendra is an also active performing member of the Sing Omaha Women’s Choir. 


She loves spending time with her family: her husband, Travis; her son, Lincoln; and her extended families in Iowa and Minnesota. Kendra enjoys sharing her passions for music and learning with all of her students. Her favorite thing about choir is the creation of a community and the shared experiences unique to a group of people bound by their love of music. She is very excited to continue her journey of making joyful music with the Sing Omaha’s Papillion Children’s Choir.

Heidi Bush

Youth Choir Conductor (Papillion)

Heidi Bush earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at Montana State University-Bozeman (MSU) in 2008, and a Master’s degree in music education from Boston University in 2011. While at MSU Heidi served as President for the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. Heidi taught K-12 music in Montana for four years, and now serves Sing Omaha Studios as the Business Manager where she manages voice and piano faculty, oversees curriculum delivery, and serves as the primary point of contact for studio students and their families. She also serves as a teaching faculty member, maintains an active studio of piano and voice students of her own at Sing Omaha Studios.
 
Heidi is also heavily involved with the Sing Omaha Choirs program, assisting with many of the administrative duties associated with the organization’s eight choirs. Heidi is grateful to be a stay-at-home mom to two busy children, Kyler and Kaia, and she enjoys singing with the Sing Omaha Women’s Choir each week.

Internship

West (Millard)

Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.

Jackie Havranek

Children’s Choir Conductor (Millard)

Jackie Havranek is the K-5 music specialist at J. Sterling Morton Elementary in Millard Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education from Wayne State College in 2014, and her Master of Music degree with a specialization in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020. Jackie has completed levels I-III of Orff Schulwerk certification, and also holds level I certification of Kodaly. She has been involved with Sing Omaha in many different capacities throughout the years, including performing and teaching, and she is very excited to make music with the Sing Omaha Children’s and Youth choirs in Millard!

Madeline Henecke

Youth Choir Conductor (Millard)

Madeline is a K-6 grade general music teacher in Westside Community Schools. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education degree from UNL in 2015, as well as a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Creighton University in 2018. Madeline is an active member of the Sing Omaha Women’s Choir, and is excited to serve the Sing Omaha Choirs faculty as the director of the Millard Youth Choir.

Internship

West (Millard)

Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here. Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.Bio for this internship goes here.

Cayce Wilkinson

Girls Choir Pianist

Cayce Wilkinson is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Production Studies in Performing Arts. She worked as the accompanist at Bellevue East High School for seven years, and has collaborated with several area school musical groups, including Norris Middle School Vocal Music and Iowa Western Community College Jazz Ensemble. She currently plays at ResurrectionLutheran Church in Gretna, and is excited for another year accompanying the Sing Omaha Girls Choir.

Benji Pettiford

Boys Choir Pianist

Benjiman Pettiford is proud to be known as a collaborator, performer, and educator. He earned a degree in Piano Performance from Hastings College, after which he toured internationally with the group “Up With People” as a member of the band, and as the show director intern.  He worked as the accompanist at Papillion La-Vista High School for five years, which ignited his passion for education and encouraged him to make the decision to pursue a teaching certification at Peru State College, where he graduated with a degree Music Education in May of 2022.  
 
Benji is a performance pianist and music director at the Lofte Community Theatre, and has accompanied for Hastings College, Creighton University, and Peru State College. Although performing is a part of his character, he also values the time he spends with his wife Kaitlan, who is also a music educator, and his daughter Cecilia and son Bennett.

Laurel Mack

Women’s Choir & Master Chorale Pianist

Laurel Andersen Mack is a professional accompanist in the Omaha metropolitan area. She has regular gigs with organizations like Opera Omaha, the Omaha Community Playhouse (and other local community theaters), and is in high demand as an audition pianist due to her sight-reading prowess and professionalism.

Laurel has been a member of the Sing Omaha family since 2010, and currently accompanies two of Sing Omaha’s choirs in weekly rehearsals and seasonal performances. Her talent at the keyboard is matched only by her loyalty to Sing Omaha’s mission. Her vocal coaching experience serves the choirs and conductors well, as does her discerning ear, which allows her to serve as a wonderful collaborator in rehearsals.