ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jill Siebert has been the artistic director of the Newton Community Children’s Choir since 2018.  She has taught in a number of schools in the area and this fall will start as the choir director at Chisholm Middle School here in Newton. She grew up in Topeka, KS and attended Bethel College, where she graduated with her B.A. in Music/Education in 2016. Jill is a 4^th generation Thresher, a 3^rd generation Music Educator, and a granddaughter of Norma Preheim, beloved founder of Newton Community Children’s Choir. She couldn’t be more excited to start her 5th season with the choir!

ACCOMPANIST

Melody Wiens Bontrager is a graduate of Bethel College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and a minor in Music. She is a member of the Kansas Music Teachers Association as well as the Newton Music Teachers Association.  Currently, Melody works as a registered nurse at Newton Medical Center. In addition, she enjoys performing and accompanying.  Melody resides in North Newton with her husband, Greg, and is mother to three children: Marissa (son-in-law Nathan), Shawn, and Seth.