Officers
Lindsay Cummings, President
Josephine Stracek, Vice-President
Chuck Chandler, Secretary
Myron Silberstein, Treasurer
Executive Committee Directors
Kim Woycke, Director of Workshops
Josephine Stracek, Amanda Caban, Kim Woycke, Lindsay Cummings Co-Directors of Auditions
Amanda Cabán, Directors of Membership
Anthony Whitson-Martini, Director of Communications
Supporting Board Members
Alyssa Allgood
Nythia Martinez
Susan Dennis
Lindsay Cummings, President
Josephine Stracek, Vice-President
Chuck Chandler, Secretary
Myron Silberstein, Treasurer
Executive Committee Directors
Kim Woycke, Director of Workshops
Josephine Stracek, Amanda Caban, Kim Woycke, Lindsay Cummings Co-Directors of Auditions
Amanda Cabán, Directors of Membership
Anthony Whitson-Martini, Director of Communications
Supporting Board Members
Alyssa Allgood
Nythia Martinez
Susan Dennis
Lindsay Cummings
Teaching Locations: Chicago Music & Acting Academy, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Loyola University, Online
Musical specialties: Musical Theatre, Pop/Commercial Music, Composition & Arranging
Age of student: All Ages
Musical specialties: Musical Theatre, Pop/Commercial Music, Composition & Arranging
Age of student: All Ages
Lindsay Cummings is a sought-after voice instructor, teaching artist and musician. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and a Master of Musical Theatre and Opera Performance from Arizona State University. She’s worked in theatre and television throughout the country, but teaching young artists has always been her passion.
Lindsay has been seen on stages from L.A. to New York City working in musical theatre and television, and as a vocal coach for "The Voice." She is currently a professor of Musical Theatre Voice at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and Loyola University, Chicago.
In 2019, she founded Chicago Music & Acting Academy in Northwest Chicago. She then went on to found the nonprofit organization, Downstage Arts, which provides free college prep to high school juniors and seniors throughout Chicagoland.
In 2025, Lindsay was named a 40 under 40 music educator by Yamaha Music.
Lindsay has been seen on stages from L.A. to New York City working in musical theatre and television, and as a vocal coach for "The Voice." She is currently a professor of Musical Theatre Voice at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and Loyola University, Chicago.
In 2019, she founded Chicago Music & Acting Academy in Northwest Chicago. She then went on to found the nonprofit organization, Downstage Arts, which provides free college prep to high school juniors and seniors throughout Chicagoland.
In 2025, Lindsay was named a 40 under 40 music educator by Yamaha Music.
JOSEPHINE STRACEK
Teaching Locations: Greater Chicago Area
Music Specialties: Classical, Pop, Musical Theatre
Age of Student: 13 to Adult
Music Specialties: Classical, Pop, Musical Theatre
Age of Student: 13 to Adult
Praised for the dark timbre and agile control of her voice, Minnesota born Josephine Stracek performs for audiences throughout the United States. She enjoys discovering unusual vocal repertoire, sharing new and undiscovered songs with her audiences. Her passion for poetry and language has brought her on a path in exploring art song new and old.
Josephine is favorite as a recitalist and chamber artist in northern Minnesota and the Chicagoland area. She has been featured in series at the Fairlawn Mansion, Glensheen Mansion, Kitchi Gammi Club, ICSJ’s Tunes on a Sunday Afternoon, and in various appearances with the Musician’s Club of Women. Josephine currently runs the vocal quartet The Liederspiel Society and performs regularly in recitals and concerts with various other ensembles.
Josephine’s rich mezzo-soprano voice often enhances sacred services, opera, and choral choruses in the Chicago area. She has appeared in several operas including Zerlina/Don Giovanni (Mozart), Helen/Three Sisters Who are Not Sisters (Rorem), le Bergère and le Rossignol/L’enfant et les sortilèges (Ravel), George de Planteville/Bagatelle (Offenbach), and The Mother/Hansel and Gretel (Humperdink).
Josephine has been a private music instructor throughout her educational and professional careers. She is a firm believer in the well-rounded musician and works with her students to establish technique while simultaneously focusing on what drives them, working to explore and acknowledge hidden passions and new understanding of the many different musical styles. She currently teaches with Lessons by Brooke & Company, runs her own teaching studio, accompanies two different ensembles, and teaches Language Skills at Roosevelt University.
Josephine is favorite as a recitalist and chamber artist in northern Minnesota and the Chicagoland area. She has been featured in series at the Fairlawn Mansion, Glensheen Mansion, Kitchi Gammi Club, ICSJ’s Tunes on a Sunday Afternoon, and in various appearances with the Musician’s Club of Women. Josephine currently runs the vocal quartet The Liederspiel Society and performs regularly in recitals and concerts with various other ensembles.
Josephine’s rich mezzo-soprano voice often enhances sacred services, opera, and choral choruses in the Chicago area. She has appeared in several operas including Zerlina/Don Giovanni (Mozart), Helen/Three Sisters Who are Not Sisters (Rorem), le Bergère and le Rossignol/L’enfant et les sortilèges (Ravel), George de Planteville/Bagatelle (Offenbach), and The Mother/Hansel and Gretel (Humperdink).
Josephine has been a private music instructor throughout her educational and professional careers. She is a firm believer in the well-rounded musician and works with her students to establish technique while simultaneously focusing on what drives them, working to explore and acknowledge hidden passions and new understanding of the many different musical styles. She currently teaches with Lessons by Brooke & Company, runs her own teaching studio, accompanies two different ensembles, and teaches Language Skills at Roosevelt University.
Chuck Chandler
Teaching Locations: DePaul University, Red River Lyric Opera
Musical specialties: Classical, Opera, Pedagogy
Age of student: College and adult
Musical specialties: Classical, Opera, Pedagogy
Age of student: College and adult
Award winning teacher and established authority in fitness training and the singing voice, pedagogue Dr. Chuck Chandler is a highly sought after presenter, master clinician, and consultant. His students have performance credits at the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Atlanta Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Santa Fe Opera among others. He has presented sessions at conferences in the United States and abroad, including The Pedagogy of Pedagogy as well as Fitness Training and the Singing Voice at the 2017 International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden. His article “Modern Opera and Film” was published in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Journal of Singing in March 2019. Chandler has given pedagogical workshops and led round table discussions on topics including the use of Voce Vista which offers real-time spectrogram analysis in the studio, teaching male voices, the use of progressive vocalise, and many others throughout the United States. Further, his presence as an adjudicator for competitions and as an in-demand master clinician nationwide is strong.
As a performer, Chuck Chandler has sung world premieres of operatic roles and art song cycles, and garnered acclaim as a tenor soloist in the performance of such concert works as Uriel in Haydn’s The Creation, Obadiah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the tenor soloist in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bach Cantata # 61, John Stainer’s Crucifixion, the Du Bois Seven Last Words of Christ, and the Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio to name a few. His operatic roles have included Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Emperor Altoum in Turandot, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and many others. He is a frequent recitalist throughout the United States and has appeared at venues such as the Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Scorca Recital Hall at Opera America. Chandler makes regular appearances at the Festival of Music by Women Composers, the National Association of Teachers of Singing national conferences, and continues serving on the faculty at the young artist training program of Red River Lyric Opera since 2016. Additionally, Chandler has taught at the Orvieto Musica Festival as guest artist faculty. He holds a doctorate in vocal performance from University of Kentucky, and has completed levels I and II Singing Voice Specialist training.
As a performer, Chuck Chandler has sung world premieres of operatic roles and art song cycles, and garnered acclaim as a tenor soloist in the performance of such concert works as Uriel in Haydn’s The Creation, Obadiah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the tenor soloist in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bach Cantata # 61, John Stainer’s Crucifixion, the Du Bois Seven Last Words of Christ, and the Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio to name a few. His operatic roles have included Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Emperor Altoum in Turandot, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and many others. He is a frequent recitalist throughout the United States and has appeared at venues such as the Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Scorca Recital Hall at Opera America. Chandler makes regular appearances at the Festival of Music by Women Composers, the National Association of Teachers of Singing national conferences, and continues serving on the faculty at the young artist training program of Red River Lyric Opera since 2016. Additionally, Chandler has taught at the Orvieto Musica Festival as guest artist faculty. He holds a doctorate in vocal performance from University of Kentucky, and has completed levels I and II Singing Voice Specialist training.
myron silberstein
Teaching Location: Northside Chicago (accessible from Red and Brown lines). Currently virtual/online only
Teaching Specialties: Text/character interpretation; Harmony/theory; American/20th/21st century music
Age of student: High school through post-graduate
Teaching Specialties: Text/character interpretation; Harmony/theory; American/20th/21st century music
Age of student: High school through post-graduate
Myron Silberstein’s career as an accompanist and vocal coach spans nearly thirty years. He has been a staff accompanist and vocal coach at North Park University, Resident Music Director of Chicago Opera Vanguard, and Artistic Associate of Storycatchers Theatre. He is a staff accompanist for CS Music’s annual Vocal Competition.
Mr. Silberstein has helped clients prepare successful auditions for numerous Young Artist and performance programs, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Madison Opera’s Studio Artist Program, and Lyric Opera Studio Weimar. Additionally, he has coached clients in preparation for mainstage and Artist-in-Residence roles at Pensacola Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Music of Remembrance, and for roles at local and storefront opera companies.
While being thoroughly steeped in the standard operatic and song repertoire, Myron Silberstein is a specialist in overlooked and contemporary repertoire. He has participated in and coached numerous world premieres. He is also a composer with a wide catalog of vocal works.
Mr. Silberstein’s recording of works by Peter Mennin and Norman Lloyd was acclaimed by Mark Lehman of The American Record Guide as “an indispensable addition to the discography of American piano music.” This recording, and his debut recording of piano works by Franck, Bloch, and Giannini, received mention on Fanfare’s annual Want List.
Mr. Silberstein has helped clients prepare successful auditions for numerous Young Artist and performance programs, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Madison Opera’s Studio Artist Program, and Lyric Opera Studio Weimar. Additionally, he has coached clients in preparation for mainstage and Artist-in-Residence roles at Pensacola Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Music of Remembrance, and for roles at local and storefront opera companies.
While being thoroughly steeped in the standard operatic and song repertoire, Myron Silberstein is a specialist in overlooked and contemporary repertoire. He has participated in and coached numerous world premieres. He is also a composer with a wide catalog of vocal works.
Mr. Silberstein’s recording of works by Peter Mennin and Norman Lloyd was acclaimed by Mark Lehman of The American Record Guide as “an indispensable addition to the discography of American piano music.” This recording, and his debut recording of piano works by Franck, Bloch, and Giannini, received mention on Fanfare’s annual Want List.
Kim Woycke
Teaching Locations: Hawthorn Woods and Lake Zurich, Illinois
Musical specialties: Classical and musical theater
Age of student: Elementary through High School
Musical specialties: Classical and musical theater
Age of student: Elementary through High School
Kim Woycke is a voice teacher and owner of Woycke Voice Studio in Hawthorn Woods, IL as well as at Lake Zurich High School. She teaches students grades 5-12 focusing on vocal technique for classical and musical theater singing. In addition she offers a CCM music recording course each summer.
Kim graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama where she studied musical theater. She has been teaching voice and theater for over 15 years. She also serves as the Spencer Loomis Elementary School chorus director.
Kim graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama where she studied musical theater. She has been teaching voice and theater for over 15 years. She also serves as the Spencer Loomis Elementary School chorus director.
Amanda Cabán
Teaching Locations: Greater Chicago Area
Musical specialties: Classical
Age of student: Junior/senior high school, college and adult
Musical specialties: Classical
Age of student: Junior/senior high school, college and adult
Amanda Cabán is an accomplished performer with an array of experience in both opera and concert repertoire. Her most recent performances are Ma Moss (The Tenderland) with Chicago Summer Opera, and Ericlea (Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria), Old Lady (Candide), & Meg (Falstaff) with DePaul Opera Theatre. Previously, she has performed the title role of Carmen with Peach State Opera in Atlanta, GA. With Central Florida Lyric Opera, Cabán performed the roles of Mercedes (Carmen), Carmen cover (Carmen), Third Lady (The Magic Flute), and Cherubino (Marriage of Figaro). In 2017, Cabán was featured in Capitol City Opera’s Rising Stars concert.
Cabán performed the role of Dorabella in Così fan Tutte with both with Connecticut Lyric Opera’s Greve Opera Festival in Tuscany, and with Capitol City Opera’s Dinner and a Diva. She was selected to perform on New York Opera Workshop’s master class with Robert McFarland, Singing at the International Level. Cabán has appeared as the soloist for works such as: the Ellingboe Requiem, Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and the Mozart Requiem.
At the Stephen Foster Vocal Competition, Cabán earned first place, and has placed in the NATS southeastern division. She earned her master’s degree from DePaul University and her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Stetson University.
Cabán maintains a private studio in Chicago, IL and has been a vocal adjudicator for Atlanta Music Project and Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Cabán is currently performing with Zarzuela USA for their 2023 festival in Los Angeles.
Cabán performed the role of Dorabella in Così fan Tutte with both with Connecticut Lyric Opera’s Greve Opera Festival in Tuscany, and with Capitol City Opera’s Dinner and a Diva. She was selected to perform on New York Opera Workshop’s master class with Robert McFarland, Singing at the International Level. Cabán has appeared as the soloist for works such as: the Ellingboe Requiem, Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and the Mozart Requiem.
At the Stephen Foster Vocal Competition, Cabán earned first place, and has placed in the NATS southeastern division. She earned her master’s degree from DePaul University and her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Stetson University.
Cabán maintains a private studio in Chicago, IL and has been a vocal adjudicator for Atlanta Music Project and Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Cabán is currently performing with Zarzuela USA for their 2023 festival in Los Angeles.
Alyssa Allgood
Teaching Locations: Private Studio and Chicago Area
Musical specialties: Vocal Jazz, Songwriting, Arranging
Age of student: Upper level high school, college and adult
Musical specialties: Vocal Jazz, Songwriting, Arranging
Age of student: Upper level high school, college and adult
Named a “Rising Star Female Vocalist” in the 2024 and 2025 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll and voted “Best Individual Jazz Musician” in the 2024 Chicago Reader Poll, Alyssa Allgood has captured attention for her dynamic vocal command, sophisticated songwriting, and captivating performances. Showcasing modern sensibilities, Allgood is a fearless vocalist known for her confident musical interaction, fierce improvisation, and vulnerable expression. Downbeat Magazine has praised her “boldness, swagger, and surefooted musicianship” while the New York City Jazz Record has recognized her “force, clarity and jazz integrity.”
Allgood is an in demand clinician, ensemble director and adjudicator who uses her experience on the bandstand to empower students and nurture their artistic journey. She teaches jazz voice at Loyola University and has presented masterclasses and worked as an ensemble clinician at major institutions around the U.S., including the Jazz Education Network Conference, the University of North Texas Jazz Lecture Series, the University of Chicago, Drake University, the Iowa All State Conference and many others.
Allgood is an in demand clinician, ensemble director and adjudicator who uses her experience on the bandstand to empower students and nurture their artistic journey. She teaches jazz voice at Loyola University and has presented masterclasses and worked as an ensemble clinician at major institutions around the U.S., including the Jazz Education Network Conference, the University of North Texas Jazz Lecture Series, the University of Chicago, Drake University, the Iowa All State Conference and many others.
Anthony Whitson - Martini
Teaching Locations: Chicago Area
Musical specialties: Classical, Musical Theatre
Age of student: All ages
Musical specialties: Classical, Musical Theatre
Age of student: All ages
Anthony Whitson-Martini is a professional opera singer, educator, and arts leader originally from San Diego, CA. They are the Education and School Partnerships Manager at Chicago Children’s Theatre. Performing credits include over fifty operatic and musical theatre productions across the United States including The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Diego Opera, and the Utah Festival of Opera and Musical Theatre. Awards include prizes from the Metropolitan Opera National Council, Lotte Lenya Competition, La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, and Opera Buffs. Anthony has also directed and music directed twelve operas and musicals, including children’s productions of A Year with Frog & Toad, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Shrek Jr. As an educator, Anthony has tutored core curriculum for primary grades in the San Diego Public School District, taught music and theatre classes in the Chicago Public School district, and runs a private voice studio in Chicago for pre-teens to adults. Previously, Anthony was the Interim Director of Education at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, leading a team of over fifty teaching artists, three other education staff members, and partnering with over fifty schools across the greater Chicago metro area. Anthony holds his Artist Diploma from the Academy of Vocal Arts and a B.A. in Music from Point Loma Nazarene University. Outside of the office and off of the stage, Anthony enjoys being in the kitchen, camping, and spending time with his wife, Paige, and their two cats, Bo and Matisse.
NYTHIA MARTINEZ
Teaching Locations: Walter Payton College Prep
Musical specialties: Choral, Jazz
Age of student: High School
Musical specialties: Choral, Jazz
Age of student: High School
Nythia Martinez has had the privilege of being choral director at Northside College Preparatory High School from 2004-2020 and Walter Payton College Preparatory High School from 2020-current. Nythia is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music, earning a Master’s of Vocal Performance in 2004, and both a Bachelor’s of Vocal Performance (BM) and Music Education (BME) in 2002. Notable performances/accolades include: finalist in the Carnegie Hall / Dianne Reeves Workshop for Jazz Vocalists; Chicago Music Award Nominee in the category of "Best Female Vocalist", vocalist of the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble (CALJE). Nythia was a featured artist at the 2019 and 2024 Chicago Latin Jazz Festivals sponsored by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and has performed seasonally as chorister and featured soloist with the Newberry Consort, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, and Chicago Arts Orchestra. Nythia appeared with the Highland Park Players in their production of School of Rock, sharing the stage with her son, Mateo, with little brother, Lucas, and husband, David, cheering them on! Notably, the Walter Payton Concert Choir under Nythia’s direction, was invited to perform at the Illinois Music Education Association Conference in 2024, and is recognized as a premiere high school ensemble in the city. Nythia currently serves the IL-ACDA as the chair of the Diversity Initiatives Committee, Diversity R&R, and as the District 1 Representative. Nythia is thrilled to join the Chicago NATS team and continue to serve the educational landscape of vocal arts in Chicago!
Susan dennis
Teaching Locations: Elmhurst University and Harper College
Musical specialties: Classical and musical theater
Age of student: High School and College
Musical specialties: Classical and musical theater
Age of student: High School and College
Susan Dennis- soprano, is an active soloist equally at home with Broadway and Classical repertoire. Susan is a member of CCNATS, and enjoys preparing students for College auditions, Vocal competitions and Adjudicating aspiring singers. She is also a member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals and enjoys performing in the area.She has been a soloist with New Millennium Orchestra, Symphonic Pops Orchestra of Chicago, Navy Pier Pops Orchestra, Harper College Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Festival Orchestra, Sanfilippo Foundation Christmas Concert series, Anthony Kawalkowski Orchestra, Festival Arts of Antioch, Opening Night Broadway Troupe to name a few.
Operatic roles include Despina in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Monica in Menotti’s The Medium, Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, Adele in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus and understudy for Giannetta in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore.
Musical Theatre roles include Heidi Schiller in FOLLIES, Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Rosebud in Mystery of Edwin Drood, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance and Irina in Lost in the Stars.
Lawrence Johnson, writing in the Chicago Tribune, noted that “Dennis was delightful from the get go, her high-soprano singing and charming
stage presence is hard to resist.”
Dennis was the Music/Artistic director of Elgin OPERA Training/Performing Ensemble and performed in Love and Fairy Tales, A Taste of Italy, and L’Elisir d’Amore, Summer Music Festival’s 2009 Comedy Tonight, the 2010 Baroque and Beyond and Broadway/Patriotic Night, 2011 Ole! La Fuerza la Music! and Opera Fools, 2012 April in Austria and 2013 Savoir Flaire where she sang “Lakme in Act II of the Opera LAKME.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Music in Vocal performance from Northwestern University. Susan Dennis is a Professor of Voice at Elmhurst University where she teaches Vocal Techniques, Diction & Applied Private lessons, and Harper College where she teaches Class Voice, Applied Private lessons & Bringing the Song to Life.
Operatic roles include Despina in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Monica in Menotti’s The Medium, Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, Adele in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus and understudy for Giannetta in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore.
Musical Theatre roles include Heidi Schiller in FOLLIES, Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Rosebud in Mystery of Edwin Drood, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance and Irina in Lost in the Stars.
Lawrence Johnson, writing in the Chicago Tribune, noted that “Dennis was delightful from the get go, her high-soprano singing and charming
stage presence is hard to resist.”
Dennis was the Music/Artistic director of Elgin OPERA Training/Performing Ensemble and performed in Love and Fairy Tales, A Taste of Italy, and L’Elisir d’Amore, Summer Music Festival’s 2009 Comedy Tonight, the 2010 Baroque and Beyond and Broadway/Patriotic Night, 2011 Ole! La Fuerza la Music! and Opera Fools, 2012 April in Austria and 2013 Savoir Flaire where she sang “Lakme in Act II of the Opera LAKME.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Music in Vocal performance from Northwestern University. Susan Dennis is a Professor of Voice at Elmhurst University where she teaches Vocal Techniques, Diction & Applied Private lessons, and Harper College where she teaches Class Voice, Applied Private lessons & Bringing the Song to Life.
