Board of Directors 2010 – 2011 Season

Megan Routh – President

Megan Routh is a 2007 graduate of Ashland University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and is employed at Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools.  Her teaching responsibilities there include elementary vocal music as well as assistant marching band director.  In addition to her teaching duties, she is also the assistant director/accompanist for the Cantare Choir of the Wayne Center for the Arts Children’s Chorus.  Megan feels it is a privilege to have a career in music education, and is dually honored to be a part of the growing organization of the Ashland Symphonic Youth Chorus!

Kelly Knowlton – Secretary

Kelly graduated from Ashland University in 2007 with a degree in Music Education.  Both vocal and instrumental music have been an integral part of Kelly’s life, and she decided she would like to make a career of imparting that joy to others.  She is happily and gainfully employed by New London Local Schools, where she teaches general music to students from kindergarten through 4th grade.  Kelly also serves as the accompanist for ASYC, the New London high school musical, and various solo and ensemble contests.  Kelly attends Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland, where she is a member of the leadership team, and is highly involved with Luminus, a youth and young adult network.  Kelly and her husband Steve were married in July of 2007, and reside in Ashland, OH. 

Ron Marenchin – Treasurer

 Ron serves as Coordinator of Music Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland.  He is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College sometime in the last millennium.  Ron served as Personnel Manager for the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for over twenty years.  His daughter, Amanda, was an eleven-year member of the ASYC.

Marla Butke

Dr. Marla Butke teaches music education courses for both majors and non-majors at Ashland University and serves as the Coordinator of Music Education.  She holds certifications in the Orff and Dalcroze methodologies.  Marla is a member of OMEA’s Curriculum and Assessment Committee and is a Praxis III assessor.  Marla and her husband, Lee, have two grown children, and enjoy tennis and traveling.

Wendy Guion

 Wendy is pastor of the Hayesville United Methodist Church.  She has been a minister for 31 years and has served in Hayesville for 10.  She serves on the Alum Council at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, as well as volunteers at the Hillsdale Elementary school.  She also works backstage at the Mansfield Playhouse when her son, Jeffrey, is in a play.  Wendy and her husband, Keith, have three grown children, Matthew, Cassie and Jeffrey.

Megan Barth

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Kathleen Wheeler – Artistic Director

Kathleen is currently the director for all three choirs at ASYC.  She is a graduate of Ashland University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Music.  Kathleen conducts six different choirs at New London City Schools as the Jr. High and High School Choral Director.  At the same school she also teaches 5th grade general music.  She has been a choreographer instructor for various groups including the Edison High School’s Show Choir in Milan, OH, has directed several drama and musical theater shows around the area and has instructed musical theater workshops in Akron, OH.  Kathleen is a soprano and has also played piano for 20 years.  She has loved being a part of ASYC in past years and is looking forward to a wonderful 2010 – 2011 season! 

Mike Matter – Business Manager

Mike graduated from Sandusky High School and Ohio University in the 1970s.  He sang with the Ohio State University Men’s Glee Club and the Ohio University Swing Choir.  He has been the co-owner of Musicians’ Alley in Sandusky, Ohio, for the past 21 years.  Mike also serves as the Director of Worship and Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Norwalk, Ohio.  He is also a sound engineer for Soundwaves Recording and an assistant to the music department at Edison High School.  He and his wife Patti are the parents of two wonderful daughters: Kathleen (the Artistic Director of ASYC) and Kayliann (a junior early childhood education major at Ashland University).