Choral Directors and Accompanists
Stephanie Schultz is a local Huntington musician, music teacher, and folk artist and directs the Joyful Songsters. Originally from Warsaw, IN, she graduated from Huntington College in 1990 with a degree in piano and flute performance. She has been teaching privately (piano, flute, voice and guitar) for more than 30 years, while also serving as music director and/or choir director at a number of area churches. She is a professional accompanist for the local schools, and she often provides the music for weddings and funerals, along with regularly performing for the residents of local nursing homes. Annually, at the Huntington Pioneer Festival, she plays folk instruments like the dulcimer and pump organ, and displays her unique artwork–drums, chimes, birdhouses and seasonal decorations–all made from common gourds. Stephanie lives with her husband on their farm south of Huntington. They have five grown boys.
Aaron Childress, who directs our Copper Sound Choir, received his Bachelor of Arts from Wabash College, majoring in music and theater performance. Childress also holds a Master of Music degree with Initial Certification from the University of Kentucky.
He began his professional career in Austin, IN, in 2005, teaching theater arts and directing junior high and high school choirs.
From 2013-2018, Childress was the choral director at Churubusco Jr.-Sr. High School. While there he co-founded the award-winning junior high show choir New Generation, and both show choirs garnered numerous Grand Champion honors and captions awards, and he also served as the theatrical director for numerous musicals throughout his tenure at the school.
Since 2018, Childress has been the director of choiirs at Huntington North High School and oversees all choral activities and events for Viking Volume, Varsity Singers, Varsity Brass & Crew, Varsity Chamber Singers, and Viking Chorale.
In 2019, Childress was honored with the FAME Vocal Vanguard Aspire Award for outstanding achievement in choral music. And in 2024, both Viking Volume and Varsity Singers earned State Champion honors of Class B at the ISSMA Show Choir State Finals.
Allison is a Huntington North and Huntington University graduate. She now teaches in Fort Wayne at Memorial Park Middle School. She is passionate about music education and is so excited for this opportunity to work with one of her own previous teachers, Mr. Childress! She also works with Copper Sound.
Alix Latta is a graduate of Ball State University, where she received a Bachelor of Music Education with Honors. She has participated in various choirs, operas, and musicals throughout her life and has won 10 ISSMA gold metals for singing. Currently, Alix is on the board of directors for Huntington Theatre Guild Act II, where she serves as Musical Director, as well as teaching in several PreK-8 schools in the area.
Audra Lahr is a Huntington native and has been involved in the performing arts from a young age. From musicals in various venues, to show choir, All State Honors choir, and two years as a CCHC member, she has always had a love of music and performance. Audra graduated Huntington University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in music in 2015, and has since then been an assistant director for show choirs, a choreographer for musicals, and has directed choirs at the local Boys and Girls Club. She is currently the Site Coordinator at their Warren Site, and is very excited to be a director for CCHC!
Tim Ivey is the accompanist for Joyful Songsters. He graduated magna cum laude from Grace College and Seminary with a degree in Elementary Education. Music has always been a part of Tim’s life. He began playing the piano at a young age and has used his talent to accompany various choirs, soloists, and ensembles. For the past 20 years, he has also been the pianist for his church. Tim lives in Huntington with his wife and four children. He is currently a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.