Brent Behrens, tenor, is a Quad Cities native who has performed throughout the region in opera, choral music, symphony, and musical theater. His experience includes performances with Opera Quad Cities, the Augustana Choral Artists, the Handel Oratorio Society, and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, as well as featured solo work in Handel’s Messiah. He has also appeared in several local musical theater productions, including Titanic, A Little Night Music, and 1776. Brent is excited to be rejoining the Nova Singers after 20 years apart and looks forward to sharing the stage with this talented ensemble.
Curtis Fischer-Oelschlaeger, bass, is the director of choral activities for the Rockridge School
District. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Truman State University. He has
performed with Circa 21, Quad City Music Guild, Countryside Community Theater and Opera Quad Cities and is the organist and bell choir director for the Church of Peace in Rock Island. He thanks his husband Alexander, children Elijah and Emilie, and his parents for their love and support.
David Foster, bass, has performed with the Bach Chorale Singers, Lafayette Chamber Singers, and the Peoria Area Civic Chorale, where he served as bass section leader. A software engineer at Caterpillar, he received a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. David lives in Morton, Illinois, with his wife Rachel and children Andrew and Abigail.
Abigail (AJ) Furness, alto, is a recent graduate of Monmouth College (’24) and currently resides in Galesburg, IL. During college, AJ earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and sang in the Chorale and Chamber Choir. She also played percussion in Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. She most enjoys singing jazz or with garage bands and has been featured in an album on Spotify. AJ is starting her second year as an Admission Counselor at Monmouth College and is looking forward to this next year of musical opportunities!
Allison Good, alto, earned her degree in Musical Theatre from Western Illinois University, where she sang in Concert Choir, University Singers, and Madrigal Singers. Since her time at WIU, Allison has performed in children’s theatre and community theatre all over the country. She is a property manager in Geneseo, Illinois where she lives with her husband, Bo, and their kids, Adler, Rowan and Leo.
Megan Holevoet, alto, lives in Geneseo, Illinois where she works as a server at Sweet Peas Grill & Bar. She plays her euphonium in the Quad City Wind Ensemble and Big River Brass Band. In 2024, Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and also studied Communication and Music at Monmouth College. In her free time, Megan loves shopping, spending time with her family and friends, golfing, and playing fetch with her cat, Mishka.
Noel Jean Huntley, soprano, is in her third year with the Nova Singers! She earned B.A.s in English and Theatre Performance from Augustana College (‘22), where she sang with the Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble. She recently completed her Masters of Information and Library Science through SUNY Buffalo. When not working or singing, Noel enjoys spending time with her loved ones, traveling, reading, writing, going to the movies, and playing guitar.
Ryan Jones, tenor, is excited to be joining Nova Singers this season! He teaches middle school choir and general music in the Davenport School District and serves as Bell Choir Director at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bettendorf. He graduated from Augustana College with a B.A. in Music Education and has sung in the Augustana Choir and Chamber singers. After graduation, he has also sung in groups throughout the Quad Cities like the Augustana Choral Artists and Vocal Ensemble Quad Cities. When not singing, you can find Ryan cooking, building legos, and listening to live music. He wants to thank his family and Anna for being his biggest supporters throughout his musical journey.
Joel Kolander, baritone, Augustana alumnus 2004 where he sang with the Augustana Choir. Since then, he has sung with the Quad City Choral Arts, Quad City Music Guild, Genesius Guild, Quad City Opera Group, Handel Oratorio Society, Florida Pro Musica, and the Spotlight Theater. When not singing, Joel enjoys the woods, finishing projects, and his job at Rock Island Auction Company. He has a patient wife, Anna, and three ridiculously good looking children, Quinn, Dean, and Calvin.
Sarah Lounsberry, alto, is enjoying her 14th season with Nova Singers. She has been part of over 40 productions in the Quad City theatre community, including productions at Quad City Music Guild, Opera Quad Cities, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, and the Black Box Theatre. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University where she sang with University Singers, Madrigal Singers, Vocal Jazz and Opera Theatre. Sarah is a Sales Analyst and Customer Service Manager at Agrisolutions. She resides in Rock Island with her husband, Adam, and their terrific children, Jack and Mara
Alyssa Mathias, alto, is an assistant professor of music at Knox College. She holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from UCLA and a BA in music from the University of Chicago. A violinist and singer, she has performed with Chicago’s Grant Park Chorus, the Schola Cantorum Cathedralis at Holy Name Cathedral, Superdevoiche Bulgarian women’s choir, and the Los Angeles Arab Orchestra.
Kaitlyn McCullough, soprano, is the Choir Director at Orion Middle School and High School in Orion, IL. She directs five choirs in the district, grades 6-12, including Syncopation, the school’s auditioned a Capella choir. She also serves as the Music Director for the theater program. Kaitlyn received a Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Monmouth College in 2023 where she previously directed the college’s Concert Choir from 2024-2026. Kaitlyn spends her free time with her cat Squid, who sings often and is an aspiring Nova Singer.
Maggie Meyers, soprano, is a music educator, conductor, and choral musician from Glen Ellyn, IL. She graduated with a degree in Music Education from Augustana College in 2026, where she was an active member of the Augustana Choir, Chamber Singers, and Oratorio all four years. Alongside performing, Maggie serves as the choir director at both Geneseo Middle School and Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline. She is passionate about developing as a conductor and hopes to pursue graduate study in choral conducting.
Brandon Ouellette, tenor, is pastor at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Brandon received a B.A. in Music from Monmouth College and a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He resides in Monmouth with his wife, Tiffany, their two children, Oliver and Sophia, their three cats and a dog. In his free time, you can usually find Brandon playing the Highland bagpipes in the Monmouth College Pipe Band.
Christian Daniel Sauder, baritone, hails from Peoria, Illinois. He sings with the choir at First Federated Church of Peoria and participates in the Peoria Bach Festival every summer. He also plays classical saxophone, and performs with the exceptional Peoria Municipal Band. His other half, Eva, inspires him to be better every day.
Callen Sederquist, soprano, teaches elementary general music in the Rock Island School District. A graduate of Western Illinois University, Callen performed with the WIU Opera and vocal jazz ensemble. She has sung with Quad City Singers and directs and performs at Quad City Music Guild, Playcrafters Barn Theatre, and Countryside Community Theatre. Callen lives with her husband Andy and daughter Cecilia in Sherrard, Illinois.
Randy Sperry, tenor, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Bradley University and his BSN from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. He works as a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, and is delighted to sing with the NOVA Singers. He enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians to share meaningful choral music with the community. Outside of work and music, he enjoys baking, trying new recipes, exploring coffee shops, and spending time with his three cats. Randy is grateful to each audience member for sharing in the beauty, connection, and emotion that live choral music makes possible.
Rachel C Vickers, alto, received degrees in vocal performance from Wartburg College and the University of Minnesota. Rachel has performed as an actor, vocalist, and flautist, as well as a professional chorister with the world renowned Minnesota Opera company. Rachel lives on the family farm in DeWitt, Iowa where she enjoys teaching voice, participating in theater, and spending time with her family.
John Whitson, tenor, is associate director of Choral Activities and Drama Club Director at Davenport North High School. He earned B.A.’s in music education and music composition from Augustana College and a M.M. in music education from Western Illinois University. John also enjoys singing with Augustana Choral Artists, teaching voice lessons and performing and directing musical theatre. He lives in Davenport with his husband of 7 years, Justin, and their dog and two cats.
Anna Winn, soprano, is excited to be returning for her second season with Nova Singers! She is an elementary music teacher in the Rockridge School District, and is currently serving as children’s choir director at Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport. A 2024 graduate of Augustana College, Anna sang with the Augustana Choir and Chamber Singers, and currently sings with the Augustana Choral Artists. She lives in the Quad Cities where she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and boyfriend, Ryan.
