Artistic/Prelude Choir Director:Mrs. Lisa M. Sempsey was appointed director of the Children’s Choir of Lancaster in August of 2005. Mrs. Sempsey graduated with honors from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Music Education in May 2001. She completed her Kodály Level I through West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Kodály Levels II and III through New England Conservatory, Boston, MA, granting her full Kodály certification. In 2005 and 2006, New England Conservatory awarded Mrs. Sempsey full merit scholarships for her continued excellence in teaching and scholarly record. In 2008, she completed Orff Level I through the University of the Arts in collaboration with Villanova University’s graduate summer music education programs and Orff Level II in 2009 at George Mason University.She has studied Solfége and music theory with Dr. Micheal Houlahan, Ms. Lilla Gabór, and Mr. Gabór Viragh. Mrs. Sempsey has studied choral conducting with Dr. Buddy James, Ms. Lilla Gabór, and Mr. David Hodgkins. She has taught kindergarten through sixth grade general music, elementary choruses, as well as elementary and middle school strings in Lower Dauphin and Conestoga Valley School Districts. Currently, Mrs. Sempsey teaches kindergarten through sixth grade general music, choruses, and Orff Ensembles in Columbia Borough School District. In May 2006, her elementary school chorus was awarded a “Superior” rating at the Music In the Parks Adjudication Festival in Hershey, PA. In May 2008, the Children’s Choir of Lancaster received a “Superior” rating and near perfect scores of 99/100 and 99.5/100 from the judges. In May 2010, the Children’s Choir of Lancaster received a “Superior” rating again and gained the highest scores at their location!
Mrs. Sempsey continues to teach violin and viola in a private studio and has been a guest teacher, conductor and chamber ensemble coach at several music camps as well as the camp director (2003) for the Williamsport Area Strolling Strings Camp, a day-camp for approximately 150 young string players in grades 4-12 in Williamsport, PA. Mrs. Sempsey resides in Hempfield with her husband and son.
Lyric Choir Director:
Mr. Drue M. Bullington joins the Children’s Choir of Lancaster in its 10 season. Mr. Bullington attended West Chester University where he was awarded the Music Education Scholarship in 2000. He graduated magna cum laude from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education in May of 2001. After graduation, he traveled several times through Europe as a member of the WCU Alumni Concert Choir. In 2002, he completed Kodaly Level I. In 2006, Mr. Bullington acquired another degree from West Chester University, this time a Masters as well a full certification in Orff-Schulwerk. Since then, Mr. Bullington has taken several graduate classes in Music Education and continues a commitment to life-long learning.
Mr. Bullington is fortunate to have studied solfege and music theory with Dr. Robert Maggio, choral conducting with Dr. David DeVenney, Ms. Jane Pippart-Brown, and Janos Horvath. He has studied voice and vocal pedagogy with Mr. Alan Wagner, Dr. Robert Barefield, and Joy Ondra-Hirokawa and keyboard with Dr. Robert Bedford, and Dr. Vincent Craig. He did his Orff-Level work with Susan Ayers-Davis, and Judith Thomas-Sullivan, and studied recorder with Martha Crowell, movement with Dixie Piver. Mr. Bullington has taught vocal and/or choral music at every grade level kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 2001-2002 he was employed at Bedford Area School District at Bedford Middle school where he directed choirs of 6-8th graders, a select choir, and taught general music, keyboard, and guitar. From 2002-present, Mr. Bullington has taught vocal music at Brownstown Elementary School in Conestoga Valley School District where his music classes K-6 are designed to engage students actively in music making in an Orff-Schulwerk environment. Here he began a unique choral format where 5/6th graders participate in the boys and girls choruses which have been rated “Superior” at several adjudications. In his career at Conestoga Valley he has directed several high school and youth musicals, taught instrumental music at the elementary level as well as served four years as assistant marching band director. He has directed and taught summer arts classes in music, theatre arts and creative dramatics. In 2008 to the spring of 2001, Mr. Bullington served as conductor of the Youth Chorale with the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus, of Kennett Square, PA, where he directed a mixed choir of auditioned singers in grades 9-12 preparing performances, often including world premiers, with area symphonies and various choral ensembles throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bullington performs several times a year as a soloist, and free-lance musician. He enjoys interacting with the community through volunteer work, and supporting local performing and visual artists by attending many live performances each season. A resident of Lititz, he enjoys cooking, reading, history, drawing, painting, movies, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
Our Accompanist:Mrs. Amy L. Wissing began accompanying CCL in September of 2006. Mrs. Wissing graduated cum laude from Millersville University with a B.S. in Music Education. She studied piano with Dr. Anita Renfroe and is the 1999 Louis Vyner Performance Award Winner. Mrs. Wissing has taught general music and chorus in the Great Valley School District. Currently, she teaches grades one through six general music, instrumental lessons, band, and chorus in the Penn Manor School District. She also maintains a private piano studio. In her free time, Mrs. Wissing enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking and playing Scrabble.