Lift the Spirit Choir

Ashlynn is a vocalist and music teacher who has been facilitating music and movement with adults and children for over 20 years. 

Ashlynn has a B.A. in Music from Oberlin College and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (Critical Pedagogy) from CU Denver. Ashlynn performed for many years with comedic performance art band Suspicious Package, composed and performed electronic pop and folk music in New York and Central America, fronted gypsy jazz bands in Montauk, NY and Boulder, CO and taught grades K-5 music in public schools in Colorado before moving to Charlottesville in 2022, where she sings alto with the Virginia Consort chamber choir.

In 2021, Ashlynn felt called to start a community choir and call it "Lift the Spirit," from which this choir was born. 

Ashlynn is a lifelong dancer and a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher.  She now has a 3-yr-old son here in Charlottesville, where she teaches private voice and piano lessons.  Her teaching studio: www.ashlynnmanningteng.com

Lori is a vocalist, teacher, and devotee of the skill and spirit of musical improvisation.

Lori has recorded, performed, and taught as a jazz vocalist for over 20 years. In 2011, she began studying with the legendary Bobby McFerrin and his musical colleague, master vocal improviser/author Rhiannon. 

Studying with these master teachers for over a decade, she became a leader in the style of groove-driven, spontaneous vocal group compositions via leader-led circle singing, as taught by Bobby McFerrin, and via Rhiannon's co-created leader-less “Vocal River Forms.”

 Lori is thrilled to teach, lead, and co-lead all levels of singers in these joyful improvisational musical experiences. Lori holds Levels I, II, and III certificates in Somatic Voice Work, the Lovetri Method, from the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA.

Katrien has sung all of her life, from madrigals and all-state choir in high school, to a cappella in college, to the Virginia Consort, with whom she has sung alto since the late 90s. 

Katrien teaches instrumental music and directs the 5th-8th grade Chorus at North Branch School, where she also teaches English and math to 7th and 8th graders. 

In 2000, Katrien founded and directed the Blue Ridge Family Chorus, which allowed her to realize a vision for adults and their children singing together.  With no formal musical training, she has spent her adult life finding ways to sing with people and expand her own musical experiences through piano lessons, recorder lessons, playing with the Crozet Community Handbell Choir, and even taking a ukulele class. 

She also loves improvisational music and creating circle songs with groups and has participated in three summer week-long workshops with Bobby McFerrin and members of Voicestra. Most recently, she has become the “house band” for the Playback Theater improv troupe in Crozet.