Artistic Staff

Jason Alexander Holmes began with the Cincinnati Boychoir in July 2019. Previously, he served as the Director of Educational Programming at the Boston Children’s Chorus where he oversaw the musical and social education of over 400 singers ages 7-18, a rigorous Teaching Fellowship Program, and BCC’s robust relationship with area schools. 

Prior to his time at Boston Children’s Chorus, Jason taught students in grades 7-12 at the Rochester (NY) School of the Arts in general music, choir, group voice, and piano, and provided musical direction for several productions. Jason has also taught general and choral music in the elementary setting and led the University of Rochester Gospel Choir and the Eastman Young Children’s Chorus.

Choirs under Jason’s direction are consistently praised for their energetic yet unified tone and engaging performance. Audience members and colleagues in the choral field notice the expressive ways in which singers use their voices and bodies to communicate. Additionally, Jason is known for innovative programming which celebrates the cultural context in which his choirs operate while encouraging singers and audiences alike to stretch their awareness by living in musical worlds to which they may not be accustomed.

Pedagogically, Jason is committed to implementing culturally responsive practices in music education. He has given workshops and conferences sessions on this topic at professional development seminars, schools, and music education and choral conferences.

As a bass-baritone, Jason has had the pleasure of performing repertoire from contemporary music theatre standouts like Jason Robert Brown’s Parade to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Also in the worlds of musical theatre and opera, Jason has served on the faculty of the Geva Theatre’s Summer Academy (Rochester, NY) and as chorus master and young artist coach and music director for Finger Lakes Opera (Canandaigua, NY).

Jason holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College, where his mentors and teachers included Drs. Susan Wharton Conkling, William Weinert, Constance Haas, Brad Hougham, and Susan Avery.

At the core of Jason’s teaching and performing is the belief that we are all expressive and musical beings who deserve to witness and participate regularly in moments of truth and beauty.

Lisa Peters is a graduate of Ithaca College School of Music in Ithaca, New York where she received a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral and Vocal Music. In addition, she holds a Master’s Degree in Education with Music Emphasis from Xavier University. Originally from the state of Vermont, Ms. Peters taught high school choir in the Cincinnati area for 30 years, first at Amelia High School and then at Walnut Hills High School until her retirement in 2013. Her high school choirs consistently received superior ratings at OMEA contests and performed with many prestigious organizations in Cincinnati including the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras, the University of Cincinnati CCM Choirs and the Vocal Arts Ensemble.

Upon retirement from Walnut Hills High School, Ms. Peters held the position of adjunct choral director at Mount Saint Joseph University for three years. In addition to her positions as a school music educator and choral conductor, Ms. Peters has taught voice privately for the Northern Kentucky University Preparatory Department and the Mount Saint Joseph Music Academy. She also held the position of Children’s Chorusmaster for the Cincinnati Opera for a number of seasons. Over the years, Ms. Peters has sung with numerous groups here in Cincinnati including the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, Cincinnati Camerata, and the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. She presently sings alto with the Cincinnati Choral Society where she is also a member of the Board. Ms. Peters is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America and the VoiceCare Network.

 Patrick Apfelbeck is a musician and event organizer who has been focused on operating shows in the midwest DIY scene for the last 10 years.  As a touring drummer and electronic artist, he has planned and executed extensive tours for his projects, as well as assembled and ran countless shows for musicians touring through the greater Cincinnati area. 

As Program Coordinator, he strives to facilitate the same high level of performer enthusiasm and audience engagement.  He believes that with love for the craft (for the art and the event), clear and open communication, and consistent encouragement, any performance, rehearsal routine, or tour can be very successful with maximum fun and minimal stress.  

He was drawn to the Boychoir for the opportunity to engage with musicians at a very passionate and formative age, his goal being to help provide a great performing experience for the boys that will develop and reinforce the joy of playing music for others.  He is extremely driven towards this end, as instilling this passion at a young age helps build confidence in both the boys' craft and their desire to share it with the world.

When he is not at the Boychoir he is writing, recording and performing music with his groups (including but not limited to) Fruit LoOops, Lashes, Blood Chill, Hissing TIles, Annihilation, and Fourth Wife.

Katie MacDonald has been making music since she first picked up a violin at age eight, and she sang in her first choir at age twelve. She brings her love for the arts, community, travel, and education to the Cincinnati Boychoir, along with two decades of small business experience in the for-profit sector, in industries ranging from real estate to corporate learning & development.

Katie is a lifelong learner who remains active in the local arts community, and regularly travels and volunteers both domestically and internationally, and holds the belief that exposure to the world through music, travel and service learning pushes us all to become better, more informed, global citizens.

Katie has been a singer member of Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) since 2013 and served on its board from 2014 through 2020. She was co-founder of Live to 9, a summer music series in Cedar Falls, Iowa that recently celebrated their 12th anniversary. She has served on various boards and committees, and you’ll occasionally find her playing in the pit orchestra for several local community theater groups.

Stacey Devlin joined the Cincinnati Boychoir staff in July 2019 shortly after her son, Ryan, graduated from high school and left the Boychoir holding the honor of it's longest running singer (10 years!)

Stacey's professional background includes years of experience in accounting and financial management roles, including senior manager, financial consultant and Chief Financial Officer. Coupled with her experience as a long-running Boychoir parent, Stacey is an extremely valuable member of the Boychoir's core administrative staff.  

Emma Steward was born and raised in Cincinnati, where she discovered a love for music and performance early on in her childhood. She continued to pursue this passion as she majored in Vocal Performance at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, where she recently received a Bachelor of Music in May 2020. Emma is currently in her second year of graduate school at CCM, where she will graduate in May of 2022 with an MA/MBA in Arts Administration.

Emma is passionate about accessibility in the arts, and bringing classical music to a diverse range of audiences. She is so excited to be a part of the Boychoir team and help young singers from throughout the Cincinnati area have an incredible choral experience!