About Us

We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting choral excellence and community enrichment through musical performance, education, and artistic collaboration.

The mission of Palouse Choral Society is to build connection and belonging on the Palouse through choral music.

Nonprofit Bylaws

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 | Youth Choir Director
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 Youth 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 | Collaborative Pianist
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 | Youth Choir Pianist
Dr. Deborah Collins has been the Youth 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 | Executive Director
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:

Gillian Sharma | 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.

Jordan Hardy | Vice President
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 vice president of PCS. When he's not working or participating in PCS he is reading sci-fi books, or learning how to program.

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.

Niko Efstathioy | Treasurer
Niko Efstathioy is a lifelong singer and passionate community member within Palouse Chorale Society. Niko has sung in Washington All State Choirs, NAfME All Northwest Mixed Choir, as well as various community choirs. Professionally, Niko serves as a Software Engineer with a focus in Cyber Security. Around town, Niko has been involved in various other volunteer organizations and recreational groups as both a volunteer and board member. Outside of PCS, Niko enjoys strategy games, 3D printing, and exploring the Palouse with his partner.

Allie Tir | Board Member, President-Elect
Allie Tir is a member of the Palouse Choral Society’s bass section and serves as a Chorale Representative on the board. A Pullman resident for nearly a decade, Allie is a professional software engineer who is passionate about leveraging technology to streamline organizational workflows and reduce administrative friction for PCS. Her musical background includes serving as the drum major for the Tulane University Marching Band for two years and singing in a Tenor/Bass choir. She also learned the piano and trumpet from a young age and likes to dabble and explore unique instruments, including the mountain dulcimer and the hurdy-gurdy. In her free time, Allie enjoys strategy gaming, reading, birdwatching, and exploring the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty with her wife and their three dogs.

Sylvester Bullock | Board Member
The Reverend Sylvester Harper Bullock Sylvester is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and. He currently resides in Pullman, WA. Sylvester (Sly) is a Teaching Elder and a minister member of the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest. He is married to the Reverend Beverly Sherrill Bullock. Sly has been a member of the Palouse Choral Society Chorale since October 2023. The Reverend’s service to God is multi-faceted, it includes parish, interim, tent-making, hospital chaplaincy, involvements at Presbytery-Synod-General Assembly, campus and college (HBCU) marching band ministries. He is a Retired Assistant Band Director with the Virginia State University “Trojan Explosion” Marching Band. He has performed with several top named musicians such as Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Chris Vadala, just to name a few. Mr. Bullock holds membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.

Ally Fraser | Board Member
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.

Sadie Lenssen | Board Member
Born and raised on the Palouse, Sadie joined PCS in Spring 2026 after returning home from her college studies and career in Music Education. She brings a rich performance background, including honors as a 2019 Pullman Kiwanis Performing Arts Award winner, multi-year WMEA All-State Choir selection, and extensive work in vocal and instrumental ensembles. She now collaborates with the Pullman and Moscow School Districts, Regional Theater of the Palouse, and Lincoln Middle School Drama Club. For Sadie, PCS is a space to express her lifelong passion for the arts with like-minded community members, and she is excited for the new season ahead!

Krystal Starkey | Board Member
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.

If you are interested in learning about serving on our board of directors, please contact Gillian Sharma at president [@] palousechoralsociety.org .