About the 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.
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. She has been a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association since 1997. Mrs. Sempsey resides in Hempfield with her husband and son.
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.
