Gene LeVasseur
Artistic Director & Concert Choir Conductor
Gene LeVasseur has been helping people, young and old, find their voice his entire career. Growing up as the oldest of five children he began teaching at a very early age. Mr. LeVasseur received his teaching degree (K-12 vocal & instrumental music) in Nebraska, and did his graduate work at UNI (music education), and the University of Iowa (education administration). Mr. LeVasseur taught vocal music in high school for 12 years and then middle school for 12 years and in August of 2009 accepted a full-time Director of Music Ministry position at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames. During his teaching years Mr. LeVasseur's choirs received superior ratings at state contest every year, won numerous chamber choir and show choir competitions, and had many students selected for Opus and All-State Choirs. One of many highlights during his teaching years was singing under Robert Shaw at a summer festival for choral conductors. As a member of Music Educator's National Conference, American Choral Director's Association, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Mr. LeVasseur has attended multiple conventions as a performer and/or director. Mr. LeVasseur has also directed numerous middle school and high school festivals throughout the Midwest including the 2003 Boys Opus Honor Choir. Mr. LeVasseur has participated in and directed community and professional choirs including the Clarion Choir, Nebraska Choral Arts Society, New Midwest Chorale, and currently as a singer with the Ames Chamber Artists under Dr. James Rodde.
Mr. LeVasseur has also been active as a coach, missionary, youth director, and sponsor for countless school and church activities. As an empty nester, Mr. LeVasseur still enjoys swimming, tennis, golf, and spending time with friends and family. Mr. LeVasseur and his wife, Toni (of 29 years) are very proud of their three children. As children, all three of them were active in children, church, and school choirs and were accepted into multiple Opus and Iowa All-State choirs.
Misty Renze
Director & Conductor of Preparatory and Chorale Choirs
Mrs. Renze has worked with the ACC since 2005. She has a music education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has completed additional studies in choral conducting from St. Thomas University in Minnesota.
Mrs. Renze has taught K-12 music in Harris-Lake Park and Southeast Webster Community Schools in Iowa. Many of her students involved in Opus Honor Choir, and consistently received superior ratings at the Valley Fair Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota. Her students were regularly involved in Iowa Choral Directors Association Honor Choirs, clinics, small and large group contests, musicals, and jazz concerts. As a result of these accomplishments, many of her students have kept music in their lives both personally and professionally.
Mrs. Renze was Co-Director and then the Artistic Director for the Boone Community Children's Choirs from 1997 to 2001. Some of their performances included: Christmas and Spring Concerts, Church and School Tours, ICDA Honor Choir, and Midwest Children's Choir Festival with Simon Estes. They also performed for the community of Boone during Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and for local groups such as the Rotary Club.For the last 14 years, Mrs. Renze has worked as a substitute teacher in the Madrid, Woodward-Granger, and Huxley-Ballard School Districts. Since 2004, she has served on the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the Madrid Public Schools and is currently the religious education children's liturgy coordinator at St. Malachy's Church in Madrid, Iowa. In addition to her ACC, church, and school responsibilities, Mrs. Renze also gives piano lessons and is a girl scout volunteer with her daughter’s troop.
Mrs. Renze lives near Madrid with her husband and their four children. She enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.
