"Quote - Unquote "
Carol Matthau, O Magazine, October 2003
About Encore
Encore has eleven chorales in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. The Laurel Lake Encore Chorale in Hudson Ohio and the Indiana Encore Chorale in Indiana, Pennsylvania joined as our first National Affiliate Organizations in 2009. Watch for new sites and programs in the coming year, as we seek to expand across the country. All Encore programs are conducted by professional artists who will know how to get the most from their members. So come join the excitement, either as a beginner or at an advanced level. This is an excellent way to learn how to develop or improve your musical abilities, meet new friends, and look forward to an exciting performance schedule. You’re never too old to try something new—and have the time of your life! |
Encore is most pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Spangler Zechman to the Board of Directors. Encore Executive Director, Jeanne Kelly, announced the appointment saying, "Denise has a passion for music, for Encore, and the belief that Encore has no limits. With their help and guidance, Encore will continue to move closer to our vision of providing professional artistic programs to older adults across the United States."
Denise is a retired music teacher, free lance soloist of classical and oratorio literature and choral conductor. Ms. Zechman taught choral music in grades 5-8 at Norton Middle School in Norton, Ohio. During her tenure there, she directed 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs and focused on training the “changing voice”. Her husband’s career moves in health care took her to Birmingham, Al. where she sang under the direction of Dr. Hugh Thomas of Birmingham-Southern College. In Pittsburgh, Pa. she studied voice with Beatrice Krebs of Carnegie-Mellon University and sang under the direction of Donald Wilkins in the Pittsburgh Oratorio Society. She was the director of children’s choirs and assistant director of music at the Ingomar United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, Pa and was soprano soloist in Oratorios performed in the area. 15 years ago, her husband, Edwin (Ned) Zechman became the president/CEO of Children’s National Medical Center and Denise and their 2 children followed. Ms. Zechman became the Associate Director of Music at Fairfax United Methodist Church where she directed the men’s chorus and helped to administrate the department of music. Ms. Zechman studied voice with Jeanne Kelly at the Levine School of Music and continued free-lance soloing. In December of 1999, she sang the role of the mother in Gian-Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors”.
Denise has her B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University where she studied organ with Dr. Harry Wilkinson and Voice with Ms. Lois Alt. She received the Earl Jones Choral Conducting Scholarship and studied conducting with Ms. Jane Shepherd. Denise has lived in Herndon, VA for 15 years with her husband, Ned. She is the proud mother of Brad Zechman and Maegan Zechman and proud grandmother of grandson, Maxwell.
