Michael Smith
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR &
LEGACY CHORALE DIRECTOR
Michael became the second artistic director of the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota in 2022. He has had a lengthy career as a high school and collegiate choral director, holding positions at Aitkin High School, Brainerd High School, Willmar High School, Brainerd Community College, and Concordia College-Moorhead. Michael received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College, Master of Arts in Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and has completed all but the dissertation for his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. In 2014, he was a recipient of the prestigious F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement award.
Kennedy Niska
MANAGING DIRECTOR &
YOUTH CHORALE DIRECTOR
Kennedy joined the staff of the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota in 2022 and currently manages daily operations of the organization. He also directs LCGM's two youth choirs: Treble Chorale and Mixed Voice Chorale. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College-Moorhead and brings to the organization a background in elementary music, church music, and community theater. He also works as the Music Ministry Coordinator at Lord of Life Lutheran Church and teaches piano, voice, and saxophone in his studio in the Franklin Arts Center.
Laura Raedeke
LEGACY CHORALE ACCOMPANIST
Laura has been a church organist since age 14. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Pre-Med from Southwest State University and her Masters degree in Selected Studies with concentrations in music theory/composition from Augustana College. Since moving to Nisswa in 2001, Laura has served as organist at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa and First Congregational United Church of Christ in Brainerd, and as accompanist of the Legacy Chorale. Laura is a gifted musician and composer: her works include hymn preludes, variations on hymn tunes for congregational singing, and other varied works for vocal and instrumental performance.
Koreann Martin
YOUTH CHORALE ACCOMPANIST
Koreann Martin is a BHS graduate who obtained her Professional Music degree from The School for Music Vocations in Creston, IA. For a decade, she taught music privately in the Twin Cities area and served as Youth Choir Director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview, MN. She now teaches virtual lessons from home and is involved in the community as the collaborative pianist for the BHS Music Department, Contemporary Worship Leader for Lord of Life Lutheran Church-Baxter, and a frequent vocal music director for the CLC Performing Arts Center. Koreann is ecstatic to be working alongside Kennedy and the Youth Chorale as one of her biggest passions in life is providing and inspiring the younger generation to find enjoyment and enlightenment in all things musical.
Board of Directors
The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota is overseen by a volunteer board of directors who collectively work together to implement the vision, goals, and objectives of the organization. Current members of the Board of Directors are:
President – Joseph (Joey) Yow – joseph@legacychorale.org
Vice President – Jennifer Person – jenniferperson@legacychorale.org
Treasurer – Nick DeVries – nick@legacychorale.org
Secretary – Jenifer (Jen) Budnick – jenifer@legacychorale.org
Member – Becky Bergstrom – becky@legacychorale.org
Member – Krista Frerichs - krista@legacychorale.org
