"We are so thankful and eternally grateful to the many people who work hard to make Allegrezza do what it does. Our mission relies on the continuous support, constant care, and boundless energy of every member, every volunteer, and, of course, our staff. Allegrezza IS​ our people, and they are why we enjoy the success we have today!"

Jonathan E Pugh / President & Founder
​Allegrezza Inc NFP

STEPHEN C EDWARDS

Artistic & Operational Director / Co-Founder

A highly accomplished, versatile, and multifaceted musician and choral director, Stephen C Edwards has been teaching and working with choirs and vocal ensembles for over 15 years. He is the Director of Music and Worship at Union Church of Hinsdale United Church of Christ, where he conducts 6 ensembles. Stephen is the former Artistic Director of Windy City Performing Arts, where he led the Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria. Among Stephen's numerous accomplishments are tenures with the Chicago Symphony Chorus--where he was the featured tenor soloist with the Chicago Symphony in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, and most recently, a second term to the national Board of Directors for GALA Choruses, where he will serve another three-year term supporting and promoting GALA Choruses throughout the United States and abroad.​

NICHOLAS GUETTERMAN

Pianist

Nicholas Guetterman is a rising 21st century American pianist currently based in Chicago.  His performances encompass a seemingly infinite range of musical styles in solo and ensemble settings across the United States and Europe.  Nicholas was named a “Classical All-Star” in 2017 and received an Honorable Mention award in the 2018 Steinway Regional Competition in St. Louis.  He has participated in summer festivals including the Green Lake Festival of Music, Montecito International Music Festival, and Villa Sandra Piano Academy.  Recent masterclass appearances include performances for internationally acclaimed pianists Roberto Prosseda, Vladimir Feltsman, John Perry,  and Yoo Jung Kim.      

Nicholas began to show great musical interest at the age of four, when he started taking piano lessons from his mother, Denise. While growing up, he was a multi-instrumentalist; he also played flute, clarinet, saxophone, percussion, and violin. At the age of 11, he began to take intensive piano lessons through Webster University’s Community Music School with Vera Parkin, and he participated in the university’s exclusive college preparatory chamber music program in St. Louis, Missouri.  He has received a bachelors and master’s degree in piano performance at the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, Illinois where he received a substantial scholarship and studied with accomplished pianist George Vatchnadze.

In Chicago, Nicholas undertakes various musical endeavors. He is the pianist at Wellington United Church of Christ, where he performs a wide range of musical styles on Sunday mornings.  He also participates in Sing Out Loud, a non profit organization that provides sing-along music sessions to many senior living centers across Chicago.  Nicholas accompanies and collaborates on student recitals at DePaul University School of Music and The People’s Music School.  With 8 years of teaching experience, Nicholas teaches private piano lessons at GEMS World Academy and provides his own service of bringing piano lessons to people’s homes.  Nicholas is excited to begin musical collaboration with the Allegrezza Singers for their 2024-2025 season.​

MICHEALEENA NIELSEN

Chorus Manager

Thank you, Michealeena!

MELISSA MILLER FURGESON

Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping for Good
​(773) 517-8037