About Us

We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the Moscow/Pullman area.

Matthew Myers | Artistic Director
Dr. Matthew Myers works as assistant professor of choral music education at Washington State University, where he conducts the University Singers and Treble Choir and teaches courses in music education, conducting, and voice pedagogy. He earned his DMA in choral conducting from Louisiana State University, his master’s degree in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University, and his bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and music education from Luther College. After completing his degree at Luther, he taught grades 6-12 choir at The American International School of Muscat in Oman. For the following five years, he worked as director of choirs and musical theatre at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois. In addition to conducting five choirs, he taught AP music theory, class piano, and critical thinking and coordinated a middle school choral program at four of Boylan’s constituent grade schools. He has served as conductor of the NAU Men’s Chorale and Chamber Singers, the LSU Chamber Singers, the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, and the Flagstaff Youth Chorale and has held church music positions in Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, and Alabama. Prior to his time at WSU, Dr. Myers taught at the University of Alabama, where he conducted two choirs and taught courses in music appreciation, choral literature, vocal pedagogy, and diction.

Kobe Hagen | Children's Choir Conductor
Kobe Hagen, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, holds a degree in choral music education from Brigham Young University, where he was very active and involved in the singing and choral community. Kobe sang for 2 years in the university's top ensemble, the Brigham Young University Singers, where he was able to travel and sing internationally in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain. Kobe also had the opportunity to serve as the BYU Concert Choir bass section leader. Since graduating, Kobe has been actively teaching voice lessons as well as performing professionally in the Utah Symphony and Opera Chorus. He is thrilled to be here in the Palouse area teaching the PCS Children's Choir.

Alisa Toy | Assistant Director
Award-winning coloratura soprano Alisa Toy, hails an impressive thirty-year performing and teaching career. She currently teaches and performs at Washington State University as a Lecturer of Voice. In addition to WSU, her soloing opportunities include with the Palouse Choral Society, Washington Idaho Symphony, University of Idaho Wind Ensemble, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Mississippi State Symphony Choir and Orchestra, the Columbus Choral Society, and the Greeley Chorale and Philharmonic Orchestra. Internationally, Alisa soloed in Great Britain, Canada, Pakistan, and Italy, including a concert for Pope Benedict XVI with the Rome Symphony Orchestra. She conducted the Columbus Choral Society for seven years, and continues to conduct children and adult choirs in her church. Alisa holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Idaho and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mississippi University for Women. Alisa enjoyed teaching K-12 music for several years in public and private schools and enjoys teaching voice through her private studio, Singingtoy Studio, in addition to her appointment at WSU. She is currently working on her Ph.D.

Elena Panchenko | Accompanist
Elena Panchenko, born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has been working with the Palouse Choral Society since 2005. Elena is also the music director at St. James Episcopal Church, an accompanist for Washington State University vocal ensembles, an in-demand collaborative pianist, and a private piano teacher. In her spare time, Elena enjoys singing in a local Klezmer band, Gefiltertrout. She lives in Pullman with her husband, Alex, a Washington State University math professor, her mother-in-law Margarita, and Amour, the family dog.

Deborah Collins | Children's Choir Accompanist
Dr. Deborah Collins has been the Children's Choir pianist since 2022 and enjoys singing with the Chorale and Chamber Choir as well. She studied piano performance at Iowa State University prior to deciding to go into medicine and has accompanied university choirs, church choirs, and voice students, directed a youth choir, and sung with multiple collegiate and community choirs in the past. Deborah is currently a family physician at WSU's Cougar Health Services and obtained her MD from Duke University School of Medicine and Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Pullman with her husband Brian and their three daughters Sophie, Lucy and Violet, all of whom have also sung with the Palouse Choral Society.

Amy Hedges | Administrative Coordinator
Amy comes to us with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit outreach and administration, with a background that includes key roles at the National Wildlife Federation, Capital Area Food Bank, and Ohio Citizen Action. Her path to the Palouse included stops along the way in Washington, DC and Mexico City. In her free time she enjoys singing, hiking, and gardening and lives with her husband and two small children on Military Hill in Pullman.

Board of Directors:

Darcy Howser | President
Darcy is a recent addition to the Palouse Choral Society, having just moved to Pullman in August 2024. They bring with them over a decade of choral experience, formal vocal training, education in music from Western Kentucky University, and the desire to bring their love of music to the Palouse. Darcy’s other musical accomplishments include playing saxophone on a European tour with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music, performing a solo under the direction of the American Choral Directors Association’s National President, Dr. Pearl Shangkuan, and performing with PCS and the WSU choirs during their recent trip to Carnegie Hall.

Gillian Sharma | Vice-President
Gillian has been singing with Palouse Choral Society for several years and enjoys serving on the board. She is a long-time resident of Moscow, though originally from England. A life-long teacher she has worked with children ranging from preschool to high school. Her most recent employment was teaching Music and French at the Montessori School of Pullman. Though now retired, she still enjoys composing songs and writing stories for young children.

Lizzie Stedman | Secretary
Lizzie Stedman is a lifelong musician and long-time Moscow resident with a vocal background that includes performing with Idaho All State Choirs, NAfME All Northwest Mixed Choir, and the University of Idaho's Vandaleers. She joined Palouse Choral Society in 2023 and currently serves as Board Secretary. Professionally, Lizzie owns a preschool center in Moscow, proctors standardized tests at the University of Idaho, and you can even occasionally find her working a booth at the Moscow Farmers Market. Her creative pursuits extend beyond choir to include playing string and wind instruments, photography, reading, and designing custom shirts—reflecting her passion for both the arts and education.

Jordan Hardy | Treasurer
Jordan Hardy is a mathematics instructor at the University of Idaho who has been a part of the Moscow/Pullman community for over ten years. He has sung with the choir for two years and hopes to continue for many more. He is currently the treasurer of PCS. When he's not working or participating in PCS he is reading sci-fi books, or learning how to program.

Sylvester Bullock | Chorale Member Representative

Niko Efstathioy | Chorale Member Representative
I'm Niko Efstathioy, and this will be my second year singing with PCS. Like many members, I stepped away from music to focus on other parts of life, but as time went by I missed singing! PCS has been incredibly welcoming, and singing again has brought me so much joy. It’s a great break from the stress of work, and I’m so grateful for the friendships and memories I’ve made here.

Ally Fraser | Chorale Member Representative
Now in her third season singing with Palouse Choral Society, Ally Frasier is currently pursuing a double major in music and psychology at WSU. Born in Yakima and raised across the state, she has a rich musical background. She has been a professional singer-songwriter since 2021, with a burgeoning career that has included shows across the Pacific and Inland Northwest, one single, and one EP. When she isn't creating music or studying she can be found pampering her dogs.

Shelley Tomsovic | Chorale Member Representative
Shelley has lived in the Moscow/Pullman area since 1999. A recently retired special education teacher, she has sung in area choirs off and on over the years as her schedule would allow. Currently Shelley is one of the chorale representatives to the PCS board and heads up the music library team. When she isn’t singing with the choir, Shelley enjoys are paper crafting, watercolor painting, hiking on MAMBA trails in Moscow with her dog Sadie, traveling with her husband Steve, and learning about wine.

Maggie Rehm | Children's Choir Representative

Krystal Starkey | Community Representative
Krystal is a community member who grew up on the Palouse, graduating from Moscow High School and attending the University of Idaho. They recently moved back to the area and work at another nonprofit that focuses on protecting the environment, something they are very passionate about. They were in choir as a kid and attended many performances of friends in the music program, so even though they didn't continue singing themselves, choir performances have always been something they enjoy.

Emily Roberts | Community Representative
Emily Roberts is a longtime Moscow resident, two-time cancer survivor, and passionate supporter of the arts. A dedicated season ticket holder, she’s thrilled to join the Palouse Choral Society as a community representative. Emily works with people across the Palouse through her role at Pullman Regional Hospital and brings a deep love for music, creativity, and connection to everything she does. When she’s not attending concerts, she’s creating her own masterpieces. Her hand-stitched cross stitch collection includes classics like the Mona Lisa and Starry Night. She also loves spending time with her grandkids. Emily is excited to help PCS share the joy of music with the community.

Ken Bertapelle | Treasurer-Elect
Ken is the Treasurer-Elect of the Palouse Choral Society. He moved to Idaho from Virginia in 2023 and retired this past March. He grew up on Long Island, but spent most of his adult life in the western U. S. His working career was eclectic and included engineering, teaching, real estate finance, entertainment, and long haul trucking. He lives in Moscow and enjoys singing, gardening, and woodworking.

If you are interested in learning about serving on our board of directors, please contact Darcy Howser at president@palousechoralsociety2.org