Children's Choirs
Children’s Music partners with Children’s Ministry of FPCO to create the Sonday Times program that meets on Sunday evenings with sessions in the Fall and the Spring. Children’s Choirs is the first half of the two-hour block of Sonday Times on Sundays. We experience music, singing, listening, playing instruments, guest speakers, and, most importantly, the privilege of preparing to lead in worship. The choirs lead for both Traditional and Genesis services during each session. Children’s Choirs lead in worship two Sundays during each 10-week session with the exception of the Cherub Choir. Throughout the session, teachers will prepare children for worship or special events. Also, the children will meet musicians from the Orlando area that come and show off their instrument or trade. All of our teachers are volunteers and want to give of their time and talents. They are truly servants of the Lord, and we are proud to show those qualities to your children!
Cherub Choir (4 – 5 years/preschoolers): This choir is a non-performance-based group that spends rehearsal time working on singing and motor skills. The Cherubs will incorporate traditional hymns, folk songs, and bible songs into class time, and will continue to improve their social skills. This is a great way for children to prepare for the next level in their vocal experience! Note to parents: Respected music education philosophy and developmental psychology tells us that it is not considered healthy for development and growth for this age child, and that they should not be forced into “performance” based activities, such as leading in worship or singing in a concert. In order to facilitate the transition, the 5 year-olds will sing one time during the spring before graduating into Celestial Choir.
Celestial Choir (K – 2nd grades): Yet another transitional choir for children, time will be spent improving their vocal and social skills. Instrumental and vocal activities are included in rehearsal time, but preparation for leading in worship and other performances are a major focus. Their angelic voices are always loved by the congregation, and the children always enjoy singing for them. This choir is the beginning of their experience and privilege of leading worship!
Seraphim Singers (3rd – 5th grades): Children of this age can begin to challenge their vocal abilities. Standard choral repertoire is incorporated into rehearsal time to prepare to lead worship for our congregation. This choir is held to a higher standard and is expected to be good examples for the younger choirs. Theory and musical technique are incorporated into class, and the children work on their reading skills. This choir sometimes partners with the Celestial Choir so we can work on singing harmonies which will help them transition into Vox Novum, the 6th grade ensemble.
Choir Teachers
Stephanie Mixner
Stephanie Mixner currently serves as the Coordinator of Children’s Music for First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. She oversees MusikGarten (early childhood music program) and children’s choirs on campus, as well as manages the teachers and leaders of those groups. Stephanie has a passion for music, especially teaching children because they are the foundation of the future. She taught music for over four years in both early childhood music and children’s choirs. She has been at FPCO since August 2003, and sings with the FPCO Chancel Choir and their auditioned group, Canticum Novum, under the direction of Rebecca Bedell. Not only does she sing in the choir, but she also leads the choir in worship as needed.
Stephanie is a native to Central Florida, attending Colonial High School, Lake Mary High School, and Seminole Community College. At Rollins College, she had many performance and conducting opportunities, and she completed her Bachelor of Arts (emphasis in voice and conducting) in August 2008. She has toured many times, visiting Mexico, Vienna, Prague, Ireland, New York, and will tour with the FPCO choir to the United Kingdom in 2010.
Lynne McKnight
Lynne McKnight is the Cherub Choir Director for FPCO, as well as teacher for the preschool and parent/child MusikGarten classes. Lynne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Conducting from Rollins College in 1997, and then continued at UCF, earning her Master of Education in music in 2006. Lynne taught K-5 music in the Orange County School system from 1997 to 2000, and then developed the music program at The Christ School from 2000 to 2005. During that time, Lynne earned her Cert I in Music Together and taught classes at First Presbyterian. Lynne trained for MusikGarten in July 2008, and received her teaching certification Level I. Other certifications include Orff Schulwerk Level I.
Lynne is very active in the Worship Arts area of FPCO, singing in Chancel Choir, and Chancel Ensemble. Lynne and her husband, Jim, love to travel, and have supported and traveled with Chancel Choir to Vienna and Prague for Advent Sing events. Lynne loves to travel, and has traveled through most of Europe, Canada, the Orient, Mexico, and the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. She and Jim most recently went to Ireland with friends, in Fall 2006. She seeks out musical opportunities everywhere she goes, and returns home with musical treasures, instruments, and cultural knowledge, which she weaves into her teaching curriculum.
Lynne and Jim have four adult children, eight grandchildren ranging from college sophomore to 6 month old. They also have three dogs – Mozart, their Schnauzer, Puccini, the Boston Terrier, and Sasha, miss “pack leader”!
Katie Grace Miller
Katie Grace has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since age 4. Her first performance opportunities for music were at the church in the very sanctuary that she leads the children's choirs now. Great Deja Vu moments. This is her third year teaching children's choirs. She went to University of South Florida and has a Bachelor's degree in music education. She is now working towards her Master's degree in teacher leadership at UCF. She is beginning her fourth year at Bonneville Elementary where she has 630 children that she teaches music to every week. She sings professionally in a band called Southtown Fever located in Tampa, FL and also sings solos in the Genesis service. She is married to Jesse Miller, her high school best friend and enjoys scrapbooking and anything to do with jazz music.
Melanie Judy
Melanie is an assistant with the preschool choir this year. Her music experience began many years ago when she was a member of a children's cherub choir. Since then, she has over two decades of experience playing the flute and four years of high school choir/band. She was also a soprano in a local church choir before joining FPCO two years ago. She has been married to her husband, Steve, for six years and has a three year old daughter, Kendall Grace. Melanie and her husband have been attending FPCO since 2005 and have been members since 2006. Melanie's family loves music and is looking forward to the coming year of MiskcGarten and preschool choir.
Maddy Vilar
Originally from Puerto Rico, Madeline (Maddy) Vilar moved to Orlando in 1981. She came to work at FPCO in 2003 as a part-time receptionist, and in November 2006, she was offered an opportunity to work with Kathy Mangascle for the Early Childhood Ministry. She enjoys working with Little School, Wee Care, and the Morning Glory programs within her ministry. Maddy also is an assistant in the Cherub Choir and helps out with the transition from choir class to childcare. Her 16-year-old daughter, Stefanie, loves music; she sings and has a great voice. Maddy’s hobbies are reading and listening to music. Maddy’s personal relationship with God has allowed her to grow as a Christian and overcome some difficult times in her life.
Dottie Clendenin
Dottie Clendenin is married to Greg Clendenin and they have two boys, George and Charlie. Prior to being a Mom, Dottie had a successful career in real estate sales and marketing in both Georgia and Florida. For 14 years she worked for The Walt Disney Company with her last position as Director of Marketing for the Disney Vacation Club. However, music has always been her love. She studied piano under Marian Gordon in Macon, GA where she was #1 with the Georgia Music Teachers Association in piano in 6th and 12th grades. She received a music scholarship to Hollins University in Roanoke, VA where she double majored in performance as well as a BA in American Studies.
Dottie serves on many boards: President’s Circle, Rollins College; Board of Directors, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra; Steering Committee, Vision360; PTF, The Christ School; Fun Fair Committee, The Weekday School; Chair-Children’s Activities Committee, Country Club of Orlando; Accompanist to Children’s Choirs, 1st Presbyterian Church of Orlando; Musikgarten Instructor, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.