our board
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Ray Hamlin
President
After many years of enjoying NCMC
performances from the seats, Ray Hamlin joined the
chorus as a Baritone in the fall of 2003. He served as a
member of the Membership Committee from 2004 until he
joined the Board in 2007 to fulfill an vacant position.
In his first term on the Board, he was chair of the
Sales and Merchandising Committee. He then became
involved with the Board Governance Committee, and led
the ad hoc committee which revised the Chorus Bylaws.
Ray was elected to a second term on the Board in 2009,
and will serve as President for the 2009-2010 Season.
Born and raised near Akron, OH. Ray has spent
his whole life in Northeast Ohio. Ray has several
degrees, including an MBA from John Carroll University.
Ray currently works for Mobility Services International
(MSI) in Boston, MA. as a Business Analyst in the IT
department, but also has over 10 yrs. experience in the
not for profit sector. He is very honored to serve as
President this season, and is pleased to be working with
a very talented and committed Board. |
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Harlan D. Karp
Vice President
Harlan D. Karp has been an attorney for over 16 years. Since 2000, he has managed his own law firm and focuses his practice primarily on U.S. immigration and citizenship law. Harlan joined the NCMC as a community board member in 2006. He has a variety of experience in serving on non-profit and professional boards. |
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Andrew J. Zupcsan
Treasurer
Andrew
Zupcsan is in his third term on the North Coast Men's
Chorus Board of Directors, having previously served from
2003 to 2007. He has played many roles in the Chorus
including webmaster, Sales & Merchandising Chair, ticket
coordinator and concert program editor. Andrew
previously served as Treasurer during the Chorus' 19th
season. He has been singing as a Bass in NCMC since
January 2002.
Andrew recently completed a Master
of Urban Planning degree at Cleveland State University,
and is a 2000 graduate of Case Western Reserve
University in Chemical Engineering. He has a
professional interest in economic development, and is
passionate about urban living and architecture. He has
volunteered with the Lake Erie International Model
United Nations for over 10 years and serves as
Vice-President of the Madison High School Alumni
Association. |
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Denise Leslie
Secretary
Denise Leslie, affectionately known as
"Fluffy" to the Chorus, is excited to be serving once
again as their Secretary. Although she has often served
as a volunteer secretary for church organizations and
has been active in various capacities in community
theaters since 1977, she especially enjoys volunteering
for the Chorus. While the guys are on stage, she is the
one, as their Stage Manager, tending to their needs
backstage and preparing for the next "shtick", prop
need, or scene change. She is also the Chorus Volunteer
Coordinator and archivist. During the week, Denise is a
registered dietitian at Lutheran Hospital. She is a
church council member and liaison/chairperson of the
very active Peace and Justice Ministry of Hope Lutheran
Church in Cleveland Heights and the convener of the
Cleveland Chapter of Lutherans Concerned, a chapter of
the international Lutheran organization that advocates
within the church for GLBT people of faith and their
families. |
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Richard Cole
Artistic Director ex officio
Since
Rich joined the Chorus as a singer back in 1987, he has
held every elective office as a member of the Board of
Directors. Nine years ago, when he was named Music
Director, he became a non-voting member of the Board.
His journey with the Chorus has given him a unique and
insightful perspective on the development of the Chorus
through the years. He can't help but feel thrilled when
he looks back at where the Chorus has been, where it is,
and where it is going. |
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Barbara A. Ragon
Executive Director ex officio
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Michael Nalepka
Business Manager ex officio
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George J. Bielert
George was born in Cleveland, attended
Kenston High School and received Bachelor and Master of
Arts degrees from The Ohio State University, Columbus,
Ohio. He spent ten years in the US Army as a
commissioned officer serving as a pilot, paratrooper and
US Army Ranger. Upon returning to Cleveland, he has been
a manufacturing entrepreneur and consulting engineer in
the automotive and aerospace industries. He has played
the piano and performed in cabaret shows in various
Cleveland venues. He has been active in Cleveland
charities, a former member of the board of trustees of
The Cleveland Opera and the Musical Theatre Education
Program and a volunteer and donor for The Rainbow
Babies’ and Children’s Hospital. |
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Joseph I. Gaebelein
Joe began his career with
the Chorus as a Volunteer. His professional experience
includes selling pharmaceuticals for Pfizer (before
Viagra), financial systems design at General Electric,
business consultant at Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and
Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Presently he provides
retirement planning services to companies and
individuals. He holds a BS degree in Biology and
Chemistry from John Carroll University; an MBA in
Organizational Systems Management from Baldwin-Wallace
College; the Chartered Financial Consultant designation
from The American College; and, finally, the Chartered
Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the
College for Financial Planning. He resides in Granger
Township, Medina with his Wife, Kathleen, of forty- two
(42) years. They are proud of their five (5) sons, three
(3) Daughters-in-laws, one (1) Son-in-law and six (6)
grandchildren. |
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Jerry Hicks
Jerry has been a member of NCMC since the
Fall of 2005. He is a graduate of Lorain County
Community College with an Associate of Science in
General Science. Jerry has been actively employed in the
Medical Laboratory Sciences field for the past 20 years.
He is currently a Laboratory Supervisor for Fairview
Hospital. He is also adjunct faculty for Cuyahoga
Community College in the Medical Laboratory Technology
Department, teaching Clinical Microbiology and
Phlebotomy courses. While as a member of NCMC he has
been involved in costuming, chorus volunteer program,
and serving on the membership committee. He is currently
the Chair of the Membership Committee. Jerry is ecstatic
to be working with a wonderful group of people on the
Board of Directors and Membership Committee. He is happy
to be singing with a wonderful group of people who
totally embrace the powerful message of song. |
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John S. Keller
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Steven R. Pastor
Steven has been a member of the North Coast
Men's Chorus since September 2004. He has also served as Co-Section Leader of the Bass Section
since 2006. A lifelong resident of Northeastern Ohio,
Steven is excited to become a part of the Board as it
evolves with its initial forays into Community Outreach
and the Raise Your Voices campaign. Highlights of his time with the Chorus include
performaing with Linda Eder, Michael
Feinstein, Bernadette Peters and the Cleveland Pops. The 2008 GALA event in Miami was his
first - but not last - time to experience this
life-affirming event. An avid dancer, he has danced in
every show since September
2004. His favorite dance numbers to date include Can't Stop the Beat
[Broadway Our Way], I Want To Be A Rockette [Tree Chic],
Always Walk On the Bright Side of Life [Colors of Our
World], This Joint Is Jumping [Swingle Bells] and
Neutron Dance [Totally Awesome 80's]. Steven rounds out
his free time by volunteering at Playhouse Square to
catch the Broadway series each year. |
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Michael Rich
Michael Rich has been working in the theater
both professionally and non-professionally for over 30
years. Performing many duties including Stage Manager,
Master Electrician, Lighting Designer, Vari*Lite™
Programmer and Technical Director. Some credits are:
Cassidy: Songs for a New World, Jesus Christ Superstar,
Evita; Cleveland Opera: Die Fledermaus, Showboat, Il
Trovatore, Carousel, The Daughter of the Regiment,
Rigoletto, Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci, The Magic
Flute. Michael has also worked with The Cleveland Ballet
Dancing Wheels, Cleveland Opera on Tour, CIM Opera, The
Ohio Ballet, and the Tom Everett Dance Company. Other
credits include, Driving Miss Daisy, Peter Pan, The
Phantom of the Opera, Hair, Fiddler on the Roof, A
Christmas Carol, Oliver! and West Side Story. Michael
has been lighting designer and Technical Director for
the North Coast Men’s Chorus for the past five seasons,
and looks forward to keeping the stage awash in color
and magic! |
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