About the Choir
DeWitt Community Singers is offered as a class through DeWitt Community Education. The group meets weekly to learn and rehearse vocal techniques in preparation for annual concerts in the winter and spring.
We occasionally perform outside of our regularly scheduled concerts, each season is different! Performances in the past include the Annual Ox Roast ; Community Choral Festival; DeWitt Christmas Market; and, most recently, a collaborative performance with the DeWitt Middle School Treble Choirs with a professional orchestra.
We embarked on our first European Choral Tour by traveling through Italy (Venice, Florence, Lucca, Rome) in April 2024. We were honored to have sung Mass at the Vatican.
Our next choral tour will be in August 2026 - Scotland and England.
Auditions are not necessary to join; the only requirement is a love of music and willingness to strive for high standards through participation in rehearsals and performances. Chant, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, contemporary Christian, folk, opera, jazz and blues, popular and twentieth century (modern) are all styles the group has performed.
Founded in 2000 by director Lydia Erickson the Dewitt Community Singers is currently under the direction of Megan Higle.
Recent performance included works by: Tomas Vittoria, Elaine Hagenberg, Morton Laurdisen, Bob Chilcott, Rosephanye Powell, Michael McGlynn, Irving Berlin, Jocelyn Hagen, David Dickau, Jacob Narverud, Lee Kesselman, Frode Fjellheim, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Andrea Ramsey, Kirke Mechem, Reena Esmail, John Rutter, Melissa Dunphy, Kyle Peterson, and others.
DeWitt Community Singers is a 501(c)3. Please consider making a donation.
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Artistic Staff
Musically Exceptional
DeWitt Community Singers is comprised of dynamic voices and musicians, some young and some with years of experience. As a choir, their main goal is to inspire with their performances and provide their audience with an enjoyable musical experience. Meet the team that has dedicated their lives to creating beautiful harmonies.
Section Leaders
Who We Are
Linda Beachnau
Soprano
Mary Weinzweig
Alto
Alex Wassom
Tenor
Ian Broughton
Bass
Board of Directors
Bringing Music to Our Community
Amanda Masters
President
Amanda is the Associate Director of Development at Michigan State University's College of Education. She's all about mission-centric work and loves bringing that passion to life through the arts. Singing, dancing, and theater have always been part of her world.
Amanda trained at the Flint Institute of Music, studied under Nathan Degner at Flushing Community Schools, and continued her education at Grand Valley State University. She has produced the Grand Ledge Community holiday production and serves on the Worship Team at Northpointe Community Church. When she's not busy with work or community projects, you'll find her hanging out with her amazing friends and family, enjoying every moment.
Paul Brandell
Vice Presidnet
Susan Mahoney
Vice Presidnet
Susan Mahoney has been a member of the DeWitt Community Singers since 2014 and has sung with the Mint City Singers and her church’s funeral choir. She has also been a supporter of the arts through community theater productions, board membership of Clinton County Arts Council, and as a teacher of watercolor painting. When not singing, painting, or working as a Business Manager for St. Joseph Parish, she enjoys reading. She resides in the St. Johns are
Mary Weinzweig
Treasurer
Mary Weinzweig is a lifelong mid-Michigan resident and is the Budget Director for MSU AgBioResearch at Michigan State University. She attended Waverly school district and developed a love for music starting with Mr. Hanson’s lunch choir in 6th grade. She studied under Denise Sauter at Waverly High School performing in the Madigral ensemble. She has been a member of the DeWitt Community choir for twelve years studying under Lydia Erickson and now Megan Higle and has been a board member for five years. She loves growing musically, accomplishing challenging pieces and the sound of voices blending on a truly beautiful piece of music. Spare time is spent on family sport events and long weekends at the cottage in summer.
Marsha Turner
Secretary
Marsha has worked in Clinical Laboratory Medicine for forty years.
She is recenlty retired and working as a volunteer in the Court Appointed Special Advocate program in Gratiot County and as co-manager of the Food Pantry at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Alma, Michigan.
She has enjoyed music her entire life. She played violin for 12 years through grade school and high school. And has participated in several choral groups throughout her life.
She has been a member of the Dewitt Community Singers since 2003.
Tim Gates
At Large
Tim Gates is a professor of civil engineering at Michigan State University. Tim has been a member of DCS since Fall 2018 and has participated in other choral and musical theater ensembles in the Lansing area. In his spare time, Tim enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
Elyse Staebell
At Large
Elyse is amazing.
Artistic Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The DCS Artistic Board selects repertory, works alongside the Artistic Director and Assistant Director in shaping a choral session, recruiting new members and communicates to the choir on a weekly basis.
