Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt is Professor Emerita of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto where she held the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting. From 2013 – 2018, she was artistic director of Exultate Chamber Singers, a semi-professional ensemble in Toronto. After retiring from U of T, she served as Interim Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) for a year. Previous full-time university teaching appointments in the U.S. were at the Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
A native Canadian, she has led her university choirs in performances at ACDA conferences and at Podium, the national professional conference of Choral Canada. She has guest conducted numerous honors choruses and festivals throughout North America and internationally, including 40 all-state choirs and the National Youth Choir of Canada. Her teaching experiences range from public school to community ensembles to church choirs. She has worked in Lutheran, Episcopal, United Church of Canada, and United Methodist Churches, including Linworth UMC in Columbus where she was Director of Music for 14 years. She has presented at the Alleluia conference at Baylor University, at three Summer Institute for Church Music conferences in Canada, and at the Duke University Sacred Choral Clinic in North Carolina.
A prolific author, she has written extensively about choral pedagogy, conducting leadership, and repertoire. Her most recent project was writing for and editing Choral Repertoire by Women Composers (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2025) featuring the lives and works of 225 composers.
She holds leadership awards from Choirs Ontario, NC-ACDA, Ohio Choral Directors Association, and both Central and Midwestern ACDA Regions. A life member of ACDA, she is a past national president.
Amy Johnston Blosser is the Associate Director of Music, First Community Church and the Past ADCA National Chair, Repertoire and Resources Committee. She holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where she studied with Hilary Apfelstadt and James Gallagher.
As the Choral Director at Bexley High School in Columbus, Ohio, Amy Blosser conducts six choirs, grades 7-12, serves as music director for annual musical productions, and is the Fine Arts Department Chair. Under Blosser’s direction, the Bexley High School Vocal Ensemble has performed at state conferences of ACDA in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2017 and NAfME in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018. In March 2012, they performed at the ACDA Central Division Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana and in February 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Her choirs have toured throughout the United States and Europe, performing in notable locations such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, St. Mark’s in Venice, St. Nicolas in Prague, St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Canterbury Cathedral in England, Notre Dame in Paris and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. They have shared performances with ensembles from The Ohio State University, Capital University, Ohio University and Baldwin Wallace.
Blosser has been a presenter, adjudicator and guest conductor throughout the United States.
Dr. C. Andrew Blosser is the Director of Music at First Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. In this role he directs the Chancel Choir, co-directs the Marble Cliff Singers, supervises a staff of 25 music professionals, coordinates the music programming for worship services, as well as the Fridays at First and Cambridge Chamber Music concert series.
A native of Belle Center, Ohio, Blosser has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, and presented master classes and recitals throughout the United States and Europe. He received a Bachelor of Music in vocal music education from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University, a Master of Music in voice performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Ohio State University. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Teaching in voice Ohio State, where he is the voice area coordinator and teaches applied voice.
Jarod Ogier has been ringing and directing handbells for nearly 20 years. He was introduced to bells as an undergraduate music assistant at North Broadway United Methodist Church in Columbus, under the direction of Carol Ann Bradley. Since then, he’s been a member of two community ensembles, served on the board of Area 5, Handbell Musicians of America (OH State Chair and Area Chair), and participated in further training and advanced ringing opportunities at many HMA National Seminars. Jarod is the Artistic Director of Columbus Rings; an auditioned community handbell ensemble composed of ringers from all over Central Ohio. He holds music degrees in vocal performance and musicology from Otterbein University and Ohio State, respectively. He also holds a master’s degree in public policy & nonprofit management from the John Glenn College at Ohio State. Jarod serves as the Director of Music Ministries for Worthington United Methodist Church, where he directs the Chancel Choir and Jubilee Ringers. As a “daytime gig” he works with graduate students, faculty, and postdocs, supporting a broad spectrum of research needs in University Libraries at Ohio State. When he’s not conducting, ringing, or singing you’ll find him spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their Irish Terriers, Gus and Maeve.
Janelle Rogers is the Coordinator of Contemporary Music at First Community Church.
Dr. Collin Richardson serves as Organist-in-Residence at Church of the Messiah in Westerville, OH and as Associate Faculty in Organ at The Ohio State University. He concurrently serves as the vocal music director at Columbus Alternative High School under the auspices of Columbus City Schools and as an accompanist for Capriccio Columbus under the direction of Larry Griffin. Dr. Richardson formerly served as University Organist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Music at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia and as the faculty accompanist for the Grammy-nominated Central State University Chorus. He has taught courses in the areas of organ, piano, music theory, piano pedagogy in addition to accompanying university choral ensembles and vocalists. A native of Cincinnati, Dr. Richardson earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in music at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia as a student David Oliver. Collin continued his studies by earning the Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from Emory University as a student of Timothy Albrecht. He went on to earn the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance with additional studies in piano pedagogy from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati as a student of Roberta Gary and Michael Unger.
In addition to studies in organ performance, Dr. Richardson appeared in Miles Ahead, a biopic on jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, and composed music for the short film, Hand-Me-Down Christmas, a project recognized by the Pan African and Cleveland International Film Festivals in 2023.
As an accomplished composer and arranger, Dr. Timothy Sarsany continues to receive commissions from high school, collegiate, and professional groups nationwide. He focuses mostly on choral works, sacred and secular with varied accompaniments, from a cappella to full orchestral accompaniments. Dr. Sarsany holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The Ohio State University, as well a Master of Music degree in choral conducting and a Bachelor of Music degree in music theory and composition. Dr. Sarsany previously spent two years at Muskingum University as interim director of choral activities and assistant professor of music. Prior that, he spent nine years as Artistic Director of the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus. He most recently finished three years as Director of Music at Northwest Christian Church in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
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Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler is a sociologist, antiracism trainer, church musician, and sacred music composer/hymnwriter who serves as Director of DEI and Member Education on the UCCMA Board. She offers inclusive liturgy training to churches through her website equippingthepropheticchurch.com. Her book Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective was published by Anthem Press in 2024. Find Amanda's free-use music and a description of her philosophy of sacred music inclusiveness at queersacredmusic.com.
Raise Choir directed by Dr. Raymond Wise
Celebrating 40 years of musical ministry in 2026, Raise Choir stands as a dynamic and powerful force in the world of sacred music. Originally formed in 1986 for a one-time performance at the City-Wide Choir Revival Festival, Raise’s exceptional debut inspired its members to establish a permanent ensemble. Today, the choir continues to unite singers from various churches, denominations, and musical backgrounds with one shared mission: to uplift, inspire, and glorify God through the ministry of music.
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Raymond Wise, Raise Choir has developed a rich and diverse repertoire that includes spirituals, hymns, classical choral works, and both traditional and contemporary gospel music. This versatility has earned the ensemble invitations to perform on prestigious stages across the United States and internationally, including Germany, Portugal, Austria, and Romania.
Raise Choir’s artistry has been showcased through numerous radio appearances and televised performances, including their acclaimed one-hour Christmas special, "A Raise Christmas." They have graced major arts festivals such as the Lancaster Arts Festival, and served as featured chorus for landmark productions like Opera Columbus’ world premiere of "Vanqui" and the Columbus Symphony’s performance of Hannibal Lokumbe’s "African Portraits." The choir also performed as the Ethiopian Chorus in Opera Columbus' production of "Aida."
In recognition of their excellence, Raise Choir has received multiple honors, including the Governor’s Award for Musical Excellence, the Gospel Music Excellence Award, and the prestigious Kingdom Image Award.
Individually and collectively, members of Raise have lent their voices as background vocalists for an impressive roster of artists, including Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Kim McFarland, Luther Barnes, Diana Ross, and the Rinat Choir of Israel. Raise members have also appeared in national gospel musical tours such as “The Gift” with Kenny Rogers and “A Mother’s Love.”
As Raise Choir enters its 40th year in 2026, the ensemble remains steadfast in its commitment to not only musical excellence but also to spiritual impact. Raise is more than a choir—it is a musical ministry dedicated to touching hearts, changing lives, and glorifying God through song.
Rev. Raymond Wise, Ph. D., a native of Baltimore, Md., was educated through the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated second out of 500 from the Paul Laurence Dunbar Community High School in 1979.
He then went on to Denison University (Granville, Ohio), and earned a B.F.A. in Music. From there, he studied opera, Art, and German at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria, then studied African-American History, Music, and Dance at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California. He completed an apprenticeship in the business and recording of Gospel Music with the Walter Hawkins Corporation in Oakland, California. Rev. Wise was awarded a Graduate Fellowship from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned his Masters in Music Education and Ohio Teacher’s Certification. He also completed a Doctorate in Music Education at the Ohio State University, for which his dissertation topic is “Defining African American Gospel Music by Tracing its Historical and Musical Development from 1900 to 2000.”
Raymond Wise has served as a church minister of music for more than 40 years. As a composer, he has penned more than 680 compositions that have been performed and recorded by local, national, and international recording artists. Numerous national music publishers publish Dr. Wise’s works, including GIA, Hinshaw Music, Hal Leonard, Abingdon Press, MusicSpoke, and the United Methodist Publishing House.
Rev. Dr. R. Glen Miles is the Senior Minister of First Community Church. He is ordained by the Disciples of Christ. Glen is passionate about both preaching and teaching and he is experienced in the leadership and administration of a large church. Most importantly, Glen has a conviction that the love and grace we experience in Jesus Christ have the power to transform individuals, communities and all of creation. Glen earned the Doctor of Ministry at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California and the Master of Divinity degree from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan is the Minister of Pastoral Care at First Community Church. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Furman University in South Carolina and then followed a call to continue her studies at Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her Master of Divinity in May 2019. She was ordained in June 2019 and served her first call as one of the Associate Ministers at Plymouth UCC in Des Moines, IA.
Rev. John Girard is the Minister of Mission & Justice and Executive Minister at First Community Church, Columbus, Ohio. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church, and has been serving at First Community since May, 2024. Prior to coming to First Community, he served United Methodist congregations in Central Ohio as a solo pastor, associate pastor, lead pastor, new church plant pastor, and senior minister. A graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL (M.Div), John has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, from Hanover College (Hanover, IN), and a degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. A second career minister, John comes to ordained ministry by way of the funeral industry where he’s been a licensed funeral director for more than 30 years.
John is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and believes the church is called to speak diversity! Church would be boring without it. We must be diverse in voice and spirit, while remaining united in spirit and voice.
Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay is the Minister for Worship and Theology of the United Church of Christ and is Pastor of First Congregational Church in Wellington, Ohio.
Cheryl Lindsay was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a concentration in Marketing. In 2012, she graduated with honors from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Evangelism and Church Renewal. The Doctor of Worship Studies at The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies was conferred upon Cheryl in June 2018.
Cheryl enjoyed a successful career in financial services prior to launching her own business. In 2008, she accepted the call to pastoral ministry and served at Mt. Zion Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in various capacities. She is a contributing author to Those Sisters Can Preach: 22 Pearls of Wisdom, Virtue and Hope and Lesser Evils: Daily Reflections on Seeking Wisdom. Cheryl A. Lindsay Ministries specializes in developing worship planning communities, revitalizing liturgy and worship design, infusing worship with the creative arts, and coaching worship leaders. In 2019, Cheryl was called as pastor and teacher to First Congregational UCC of Wellington, Ohio. The United Church of Christ named Cheryl as the Sermon Seeds Writer and Editor in 2020 and expanded her role to Minister for Worship and Theology in 2022. In this work, Cheryl provides worship resources, theological reflections, and bible studies for the denomination and Christian faith communities around the world.
Cheryl believes that God has called her to use all her gifts for the glory of God. Her hobbies include singing, creative writing, crafting and drama. She has volunteered on numerous boards and committees in the communities she serves and currently serves on the boards of the ACLU of Ohio and the Community Life Collaborative. In addition, she is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Cheryl loves to connect on social media and can be found @RevDrCherylL on most platform
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