Les Rowsey - Director
Les Rowsey is the Director of Music for the West Michigan Community Chorale. In addition to leading the Chorale, he teaches voice lessons to adults and high school students throughout the Grandville and Jenison communities. Les is having a wonderful time participating in “Re-FIREment,” adjudicating Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) festivals and serving as a vocal clinician for member schools.
Les spent 40 years teaching in public schools, the last 30 at Jenison Public Schools. While at Jenison, he taught and directed two mixed choirs, two women’s choirs, and a men’s choir. He also led an extracurricular mixed choir, a predominantly a cappella men’s ensemble, and operated a voice studio for young men and adults.
Throughout his career, Les’ choirs, ensembles, and soloists earned numerous first division ratings at District and State Festivals. His groups performed at conferences and conventions eight times, and the Jenison Chamber Singers were invited to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF) 21 times, most recently in 2016.
Les is an active member of MSVMA, where he has adjudicated competitions, served as District Manager twice, hosted several District and State events, and directed State Honors Choirs in 1991, 2000, 2001, and 2012.
His recognitions include:
- Jenison Public Schools Teacher of the Year (1991–1992)
- Michigan Teacher of the Year Finalist
- MSVMA Teacher of the Year (2000)
- Western Michigan University Pioneer Music Educator Award (2013)
Les earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Olivet Nazarene College (1977) and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Western Michigan University (1985).
He continues to attend conventions and workshops to stay engaged with the choral community. Les is a life member of The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and an MSVMA Emeritus member.
Before teaching at Jenison Public Schools, Les worked in the Benton Harbor and Portage public school systems and served on the music faculties of Western Michigan University and Cornerstone University.
He lives in Jenison with his wife Karen. Their four adult children and grandchildren also live in the greater Grand Rapids area.
Matt Kortman - Assistant Director
Matt Kortman has been part of the Chorale since its founding (when it was known as the Jenison Parent & Alumni Choir) and now serves as Assistant Director.
Raised in a musical family with two church organists and a church choir director, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa (1996). During his time at Dordt, Matt sang bass in the Chorale, Concert Choir, and Kantorei vocal ensembles under the direction of Dale Grotenhuis and Benjamin Kornelis.
From 1998 to 2000, he toured part-time with Our Family Album, a musical dramatization of the history of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. He directed the choir at Bethel CRC (Edgerton, MN) while teaching at the local Christian school from 1996-1999.
After moving to Jenison in 2004, he joined the choir at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, where he became director in 2012 following Dale Grotenhuis’ retirement.
For his “day job,” Matt manages inventory and marketing at TerryTown RV Superstore, where he has worked since 1999. Matt and his wife have four sons, one of whom sang with WMCC before going to college. In their free time, the family enjoys sports, camping, and church activities.
Grace Malley - Accompanist
Grace Malley has accompanied the West Michigan Community Chorale since the 2022-2023 season. She began studying piano at age five and started advanced piano and violin lessons in high school.
Grace plays piano at Diamond Springs Wesleyan Church and accompanies a middle school choir at West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts. She has accompanied at Solo and Ensemble events and enjoys teaching piano to students.
Inspired by classical and church music, Grace is excited to gain new experience and share the gift of music with WMCC.
Chorale Board
The Chorale is also guided by a volunteer board that supports its operations, planning, and mission.
Officers
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Deb Macaluso | President |
| Ashleigh Merrill | Vice President |
| Shelley Roossien | Secretary |
| Carol Snoek | Treasurer / Librarian |
| Les Rowsey | Director / Ex Officio |
At-Large Board Members
- Glenn S. Allen II
- Esther Blanco
- Julie Ann Bolhuis
- Jim Hardman
- Penny Knauss
- Karen Rowsey
- Kris Vogelar