About Us
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VOICES gave its premier performance on May 1, 2012 in conjunction with the Wesleyan Chorale in a concert presented in Martin Hall on the campus of Texas Wesleyan University. Both groups were conducted by Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, who was then the Director of Choral Activities at Texas Wesleyan University. Dr. Bierschenk continues to serve as the Artistic Director of VOICES.
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VOICES is a consort of highly skilled singers whose vocal blend and exceptional reading skills and musicianship combine to create a unique presentation that spans every musical period from early Renaissance to the 21st century. Specializing in a cappella literature, the vocal chamber ensemble creates the full spectrum of vocal colors ranging from the most intense and dramatic dissonance to the most palliative and soothing consonance.
Meet the Singers
Caleb Bennetch, Bass Section Leader
Music Director
Martin United Methodist Church
Collin Boyd, Bass
Choir Director
Diamond Hill-Jarvis HS, Fort Worth ISD
Emily Davis, Alto
Founding Member
Youth and Children's Music Ministry and Youth Ministry Coordinator
Broadway Baptist Church
Ronald Gray, Tenor
Organist
First United Methodist Church of Azle
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Gabi Guest, Alto
Choir Director
Dieterich MS, Midlothian ISD
LeeAnn Hamilton, Soprano
Associate Choir Director
Joshua HS, Joshua ISD
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Joshua Hearon, Bass
Delivery Driver
Papa Johns
Kristen Hoffman, Soprano
Choir Director
Applied Learning Academy, Fort Worth ISD
Nathan Kasten, Bass
Founding Member
Operations Manager
Simba Industries
Aidan Kocur, Tenor
Administrative Assistant/Teacher
Fortress Youth Development Center
Ryan Maxey, Tenor Section Leader
Student
Texas Wesleyan University
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Mike Needham, Bass
Choir Director
DATA at Adams MS, Grand Prairie ISD
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Michael Nguyen, Tenor
Choir Director
Monnig MS, Fort Worth ISD
Kayla Noriega, Alto Section Leader
Founding Member
Elementary Music Specialist
Dolores Huerta ES, Fort Worth ISD
Jillian Price, Alto
Elementary Music Specialist
Ashworth ES, Arlington ISD
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Julian Rodriguez, Tenor
Choir Director
Kirkpatrick MS, Fort Worth ISD
Meredith Sontag, Soprano
Choir Director
Covenant Christian Academy
Avary Vaughn, Alto
Choir Director
Ed Willkie MS, Eagle-Mountain Saginaw ISD
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Aries Stewart, Soprano
Private Lesson Instructor
Creative Soul Music School
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Chris Wilson, Tenor
Head Choir Director
Joshua HS, Joshua ISD
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Amanda Wise, Soprano
Licensing Team Lead
Cardinal Financial Company, LP
Meet the Directors
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Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk
Artistic Director and Founder
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk has been a music educator in Texas for over 45 years. After earning a Bachelor degree in music education, Dr. Bierschenk started a teaching career in instrumental music education, and was a band director for 20 years. He taught in the Austin, Birdville and Weatherford school districts, and in Weatherford was the Director of Bands as well as the Coordinator of Music for the district. Bierschenk’s interest began to include voice and choral conducting, and after earning a master of music education degree and a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of North Texas, he began his tenure as Artistic Director of the Texas Boys Choir and as the Director of Fine Arts for the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. With both extensive experience as a tenor soloist and as a trumpet player, he has performed solo tenor roles with Schola Cantorum of Fort Worth, the University of North Texas Choirs, as well as various other groups in the Fort Worth community. In 2021, he retired after serving as the chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Texas Wesleyan University.
Mary-Margaret Soknich
Associate Director and Soprano Section Leader
A founding member of Voices of Fort Worth, Mary-Margaret Soknich is the Director of Vocal Music at I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA in Fort Worth ISD. She holds a B.M. in Music Education from Texas Wesleyan University and a M.M. in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Mrs. Soknich has taught secondary choral music for twelve years, previously at Nolan Catholic High School. She has also directed and accompanied church choirs across the metroplex for fourteen years. Mrs. Soknich currently serves as the TMEA Region 5 Small-School Choir Coordinator.