Welcome to the Lawrence Choral Academy
Meet the incredible staff of Lawrence Choral Academy, inspiring young singers with decades of combined experience in a variety of expertise.
Gabe Lewis-O'Connor balances a busy schedule as conductor, professional soloist and choral performer, daily meditator, amateur woodworker, father and husband. Striving to bring humor, authenticity and emotion to all these passions is a lifelong pursuit. Prior to his masters and doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Gabe sang for four years with the professional vocal ensemble Chanticleer, which crystalized his belief that relationships are the core of powerful music-making. Gabe received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and hails from Lawrence, Kansas, where he now lives with his wife Lauren, their feisty son Eamon and fierce daughter Celia. Gabe is the founder of the Lawrence Choral Academy, artistic director of the Lawrence Children's Choir, and teaches undergraduate conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
Erin Crabb Zipper is new to Lawrence, but has been active for the past fifteen years as a freelance accompanist, music director, and teaching artist in Madison, WI, and Victoria, BC. She has worked extensively with choral ensembles and theater companies, including Children’s Theater of Madison, Forward Theater, Theatre LILA, the Victoria Arion Male Choir, Opera for the Young, the Victoria Children’s Choir, and many others. She works extensively with private voice studios and university students, and teaches private piano to students of all ages.
Katherine (Kate) Stoltenberg graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 2011, and a Master’s in Music Education in 2019. She is in her 10th year teaching music at Sunset Hill Elementary. She has performed as a part of the a cappella group “Genuine Imitation”, along with several other KU choirs. Mrs. Stoltenberg performed with The American Opera Studio in Kansas City, and has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem on several occasions for KU Men’s Basketball games. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the National Education Association.
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Kate lives in Lawrence with her husband Charlie and their two daughters Elise and Vivian.