Introducing the GOSPELLERS Leadership Team. This group plans the events of our year-round choir as well as special events like our tours to Germany and New York City.
 Lori Bocher Lori Bocher (Luke), Alto A native of Wisconsin, I was born and raised on a dairy farm near Fort Atkinson. I graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in both Journalism and Dairy Science and worked for 40 years in agricultural communications before retiring in October 2017. My husband Luke and I have two grown children, Sarah and Andrew. We’re both newbies at retirement and are looking forward to some traveling and other fun things. Music has always been a part of my life. I learned to play piano and alto sax as a child, but didn’t know I could sing until one of my ministers conducted a “Learn to Sing” class; I’ve been singing alto in church choirs ever since and am grateful for many great church and gospel choir directors who have taught me so much about singing. The Wisconsin Gospeller experience has filled me with new songs that give me a boost in everyday living, and it has provided many eye-opening and spiritual moments that have enriched my life. |
 Luke Bocher Luke Bocher (Lori), Tenor Luke has been a UCC pastor since 1981. A native of Port Washington, he graduated from Lakeland College in 1976 and Eden Theological Seminary in 1980. He has served churches in Fort Atkinson, New London, and Evansville. He is currently mostly retired but also a part-time chaplain at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater. Luke has joyfully shared his musical talents—playing guitar, singing solo and singing tenor in the choir— at church and in the community. Through the years he has served on many Wisconsin Conference UCC committees and as co-director (with Lori) of a youth camp at Moon Beach. Together, Luke and Lori are the proud parents of Sarah, 26, and Andrew, 24. They enjoy traveling together, and being newly retired, Luke enjoys reading, exercising, putzing and taking naps in the middle of the day. |
 Alicia Gardner Alicia Gardner, Soprano I’ve lived in Pittsville WI for 6 years. I live with my husband, Mike, and my fuzzy orange cat, Katniss. I work at PreventionGenetics in Marshfield. I’ve been working there for 8 years, and I enjoy my role as a lab manager there. I play piano at St. Paul’s UCC in Marshfield. I help with the SPICE group at church (St. Paul’s Inter-generational Christian Education), which gives me a chance to share my joy of music with kids! In the winter I love to go snowboarding. In the summer, I enjoy playing softball. |
 Malena Koplin Malena Koplin, Soprano This is my second year singing with the Gospellers and my first year on the leadership team. Germany was only my second trip outside of North America—and what an experience it was! Though I have been singing for as long as I can remember, music is merely a hobby for me. I wish I could read music better. I’ve been teaching almost 30 years. I’m currently serving as a librarian for several schools in Waukesha, WI. In my spare time I enjoy photography and scrapbooking. I also love hiking and geocaching with my husband. Much of my spare time is spent caring for a colony of feral cats that lives in my neighborhood. We’ve found homes for or “fixed” about a dozen cats over the past four years. Being a part of this group has expanded my world view and given me a new appreciation for the cultures with which we are making connections. The incredible musicians I’ve had the opportunity to learn from have improved my musicianship immensely. Becoming a Gospeller has been one of the most important experiences in my faith journey. |
 Donna Leet Donna Leet (Rolf Killingstad), Soprano I am a Wisconsin native, growing up on a beef farm in Kenosha County and attending a UCC church. Living most of my life in Wisconsin except for a few years in New Jersey and Okinawa, I now live in Madison at Attic Angel Prairie Point, a Senior living community. During the main part of my working life I was an administrator in the Wisconsin Technical College System. I am now retired and spend most of my time painting wall murals and making wall art for the Tutu School franchise in San Francisco. I have two grown daughters plus two sons-in-law and three granddaughters. |
 Norm Loomer Norm Loomer (Sue), Bass Norm is a retired mathematics professor, mostly at Ripon College. He has had a passion for music, especially of the choral variety, at least since he was as an eight-year-old soprano soloist in his church children’s choir. Although his voice quality never recovered after the change from soprano to bass, he still enjoys playing a supporting role in four choirs. Norm and Sue first encountered gospel music while preparing for the Gospellers 2012 tour. They were hooked! And they were especially inspired by the response of audiences in eastern Germany and western Poland. Parents of two grown sons and grandparents to three boys, Norm and Sue have no trouble keeping busy in retirement by traveling, playing tennis, volunteering, and singing. For the Gospellers, Norm serves as webmaster <wisconsingospellers.org> and Facebook page administrator <facebook.com/wisconsingospellers>. |
 Kimberly Redding Kimberly Redding, Alto Q: What do you get when you put 3 relentlessly rational young men, 2 hypoallergenic cats, and a fearless turtle into a 95-year-old house 8 blocks from First Congregational UCC Waukesha, 90 minutes from O’Hare, and 800 miles from their nearest blood relative? A: A glimpse into my life—or at least some of the things that give it meaning. Stop by unannounced, and you’ll find cookies in the kitchen, books in the bathroom, a light on over the piano, and a shelf dedicated to unmatched socks. You will NOT find Good Housekeeping’s seal of approval. I sing because it centers me. I believe God uses music to ground us during rough times, help us celebrate good times, and connect us—heart to heart—with people across social and cultural boundaries. |
 Bonnie Spindler Bonnie Spindler, Soprano I’m part of a singing family: singing in my church choir and we have three sons who were in various choirs during their education. My background is in the computer field, as an Analyst, Trainer and currently website development for the Optimist organization. As a family, we enjoy water activities, traveling, supporting youth activities, spending time together, and just having fun. I’m really excited about continuing singing gospel music with other Gospellers. |