The Choral Area’s rich and diverse ensembles are supported by Ball State faculty, staff, and graduate assistants.

Faculty and Staff

Theo Hicks Andy Schroetter is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in choral conducting at Ball State University after spending nineteen years teaching choral music in the public schools. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in vocal and instrumental music from Wartburg College in 2002 and a Master of Music degree in music education from Boston University in 2009.

Andy grew up in western Wisconsin, where he spent sixteen years teaching and then taught three years in Michigan. Choirs under his direction have performed at the 2003 Wisconsin School Music Association state music convention, the 2010 Clearwater Choral Invitational, held at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and a 2011 performance at the Wisconsin State Capitol. His choirs have recorded four CDs and have worked in a clinic setting with the professional ensembles Cantus and VOCES8.

Mark Statler

Mark Statler is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in choral conducting at Ball State University after graduating with a Master of Music in choral conducting at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He and his wife, Audrey, have two daughters - Mattie (4 years old) and Eliana (1 year old).

Mark grew up in the cornfields of Rochester, Indiana before earning a Bachelor of Music Education from Taylor University and teaching general music at Center Grove Elementary School in Greenwood, Indiana. Mark then moved to Kenya in 2011 to direct the choral program at Rosslyn Academy, an international school in the capital city of Nairobi. In addition to teaching, he had the joy of being a part of the classical music scene by conducting the Nairobi Music Society and the Nairobi Orchestra in choral/symphonic works such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Bach’s Christ Lag in Todes Banden, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, and Brahms’ Schicksalslied. He also sang with and conducted the Greenwood Singers, a 16-member chamber choir.

Being a part of so many incredible communities and unique experiences, Mark is thankful for the friendships created and is grateful to everyone who has been a part of his journey. Asante sana!

Conductor, pianist, singer, and teacher Stephen L Larson has spent nearly two decades teaching and performing in the Midwest. An Illinois native, Larson draws from a broad musical background to craft a creative and enriching experience for both music-makers and those in the audience. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Arts in conducting at Ball State University, Larson earned a Master of Arts in conducting at Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from Millikin University. 

At home both in the classroom and on the podium, Larson has served as a music teacher in Champaign, Illinois, and the surrounding communities – primarily, eight years directing choirs at Champaign Central High School. Larson co-founded the Urbana Pops Orchestra in 2010 and served as associate conductor, arranger, and occasional pianist. Larson became the principal conductor in 2019 and continues the Pops’ mission of bringing popular orchestral music and light classics to the Champaign-Urbana community.

Hannah Strayhorn poses for a portrait wearing a red sweater with a black jacket, glasses, and red lipstick. She has short, brown hair and is smiling.Hannah Strayhorn is excited to return to Ball State to pursue a Masters in Choral Conducting. Hannah earned a Bachelor of General Studies in Musical Theatre Directing from Ball State University in 2015. During her time at Ball State, Hannah was a member of Women’s Chorus, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir, as well as extra curricular choral organizations such as the Indiana Choral Connection and Musica in Situ. As a BSU undergraduate, Hannah was also active in the Jazz Bands and in the Department of Theatre & Dance. In 2020, Hannah earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Western Michigan University, where she participated in Grand Chorus, Cantus Femina, University Chorale.

Hannah spent two years as a middle school teacher in schools in Indiana. While beginning a teaching career during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging, to say the least, Hannah loved working with the students. In addition to teaching, she served her school districts as stage manager for their high school musicals.

Hannah is a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. In Sigma Alpha Iota, Hannah served on the By-Laws Committee and chaired the Public Relations Committee as Editor on the Executive Board. After graduating from Ball State, Hannah has been an active member of alumnae chapters and served the Beta Eta chapter at Western Michigan University as their social advisor.

Alan Alder

  • Choral director at Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana

Sharon Basinger-Lehman

  • Choral director at Manchester Community Schools in Manchester, Indiana
  • Artistic director of the Children's Choir of Huntington County

Mark A. Boyle

  • Director of choral and vocal activities at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Jill Burleson Burgett

  • Director of choral studies and director of choral music education at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado

Clif Davis

  • Adjunct professor at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana
  • Assistant director of Masterworks Chorale in Muncie, Indiana
  • Music director at First Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana

Jordan Dollins

  • Choral director at Portage High School in Portage, Indiana

Chris Ellis

  • Music department chair and director of choral activities at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa

Alyssa Harris

  • Fine arts teacher at Blessed Trinity Catholic Hight School in Atlanta, Georgia

Theodore Hicks

  • Director of choral activities and voice area coordinator at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana

Sally Kelley

  • Artistic director of White River Sound in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Executive director of Masterworks Chorale in Muncie, Indiana
  • Lecturer in music for Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana

Michael Lister

  • Music department chair and associate professor of choral music at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York

Andrew Martin

  • Director of choral activities at University of Southern Tennessee in Pulaski, Tennessee

Marcel Ramalho de Mello

  • Assistant professor of voice and choirs at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia

Shelbie Wahl Fouts

  • Director of choral activities at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia