About the Board of Directors
President:
Shing Palagano
Shing is a passionate “Lady Bass” who sings alto in the Lakeland Choral Society. Shing is also an accomplished pianist and percussionist.
Shing is the proud mom of Emmalee, her toddler daughter, and devoted wife to Bobby. She has been a Lakelander since north Lakeland was covered in orange groves and Publix sold their cookies in a 4-dozen variety pack!
Shing has served as an educator with Polk County Public Schools for over 18 years. Her education background includes being a former Director or Choirs, piano teacher & high school assistant band director, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and currently, District MTSS/PBIS Facilitator. Shing’s musical honors include being a 2017 quarterfinalist for The Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator of the Year, and when she was a Choral Director, taking her choirs to perform at Disney, different National Conferences and many community events.
She is a proud member of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland where she sings in the Chancel Choir and serves in the children's ministry.
Shing earned her Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from The Florida State University, Master’s in Education degree (M.Ed.) in Collaborative Teaching & Learning from Florida Southern College, Master’s in Education degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership from American College of Education, and a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) Degree from the University of West Florida in Curriculum & Instruction.
In addition to singing, Shing enjoys time with her family, being a foodie, cooking, traveling the world, cheering on The Florida State Seminoles and game nights with friends.
Shing Palagano
Shing is a passionate “Lady Bass” who sings alto in the Lakeland Choral Society. Shing is also an accomplished pianist and percussionist.
Shing is the proud mom of Emmalee, her toddler daughter, and devoted wife to Bobby. She has been a Lakelander since north Lakeland was covered in orange groves and Publix sold their cookies in a 4-dozen variety pack!
Shing has served as an educator with Polk County Public Schools for over 18 years. Her education background includes being a former Director or Choirs, piano teacher & high school assistant band director, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and currently, District MTSS/PBIS Facilitator. Shing’s musical honors include being a 2017 quarterfinalist for The Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator of the Year, and when she was a Choral Director, taking her choirs to perform at Disney, different National Conferences and many community events.
She is a proud member of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland where she sings in the Chancel Choir and serves in the children's ministry.
Shing earned her Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from The Florida State University, Master’s in Education degree (M.Ed.) in Collaborative Teaching & Learning from Florida Southern College, Master’s in Education degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership from American College of Education, and a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) Degree from the University of West Florida in Curriculum & Instruction.
In addition to singing, Shing enjoys time with her family, being a foodie, cooking, traveling the world, cheering on The Florida State Seminoles and game nights with friends.
Vice President:
Katie Webb
Katie is a creative individual that finds joy in making and sharing art of all kinds. Making spaces for creativity is vital to our humanity and being part of that endeavor is something she is passionate about.
She grew up singing and music was a large part of her life. She was able to experience being a member of the All-county and All-State choirs, Solo & Ensembles and different musical theatre performances. She studied Theater at The Florida State University.
Katie and her husband own their own design business where they specialize in Interior Design and Brand Identity for businesses. She is also a part of a local networking group here in Lakeland where she collaborates and grows with other local small businesses and entrepreneurs.
She joined the Lakeland Choral Society during the Fall 2023 season.
Katie Webb
Katie is a creative individual that finds joy in making and sharing art of all kinds. Making spaces for creativity is vital to our humanity and being part of that endeavor is something she is passionate about.
She grew up singing and music was a large part of her life. She was able to experience being a member of the All-county and All-State choirs, Solo & Ensembles and different musical theatre performances. She studied Theater at The Florida State University.
Katie and her husband own their own design business where they specialize in Interior Design and Brand Identity for businesses. She is also a part of a local networking group here in Lakeland where she collaborates and grows with other local small businesses and entrepreneurs.
She joined the Lakeland Choral Society during the Fall 2023 season.
Secretary:
Cynthia Hall
Cynthia, a music lover, has participated in choirs since she was in Elementary school. She was a choir student of John Anderson in High School and her passion for choir in high school was literally the reason why she remained in school. As an adult, she promised herself that one day when her children were grown, she would get back to her passion for choir and music.
She joined the Lakeland Choral Society in 2023 and is so excited to have the opportunity to serve as a board member.
Cynthia Hall
Cynthia, a music lover, has participated in choirs since she was in Elementary school. She was a choir student of John Anderson in High School and her passion for choir in high school was literally the reason why she remained in school. As an adult, she promised herself that one day when her children were grown, she would get back to her passion for choir and music.
She joined the Lakeland Choral Society in 2023 and is so excited to have the opportunity to serve as a board member.
Treasurer:
Jordan Mistretta
Jordan graduated in 2023 from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Professional Education. She is currenly employed as a Forensics Report Writer at Grindley Williams Engineering. In her spare time, Jordan volunteers for Cornerstone Hospice & the Winter Haven Youth Soccer Association.
Prior to attending UNF, she was a member of the choir program at Harrison School for the Arts, participated in the Florida Southern Women's Choir, Theatre Winter Haven and took years of private vocal and piano lessons. Jordan has also participated in the National American miss Pageant and won the title of Miss Jacksonville and Miss Florida Talent!
Jordan Mistretta
Jordan graduated in 2023 from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Professional Education. She is currenly employed as a Forensics Report Writer at Grindley Williams Engineering. In her spare time, Jordan volunteers for Cornerstone Hospice & the Winter Haven Youth Soccer Association.
Prior to attending UNF, she was a member of the choir program at Harrison School for the Arts, participated in the Florida Southern Women's Choir, Theatre Winter Haven and took years of private vocal and piano lessons. Jordan has also participated in the National American miss Pageant and won the title of Miss Jacksonville and Miss Florida Talent!
Ann Batts
Ann Batts was born in Kankakee, IL and has 5 siblings. She attended St. Teresa Catholic and St. Anne Academy prior to moving to Florida with her family in 1960.
She attended Lakeland Junior High and graduated from Kathleen High School in 1965.
Growing up, Ann sung throughout the country, on the radio and on TV alongside her brother and sister! They were accompanied by their music teacher (and arranger), Peggy Clark (Burr).
After high school, Ann began her career with the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant. In 2003, Ann began her Publix career in the Public Corporate Environmental & Sustainability Department, from which she retired in 2017.
Ann married her husband in 1969 and they have 5 grown children!
Ann is a sweet and positive member who sings tenor with the Lakeland Choral Society, is on the Board of Directors and serves as the organization's treasurer.
Mary Flekke - Librarian
Mary has been a member of the Lakeland Choral Society since 2000. She sings Soprano. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Vice President and Archivist/Music Librarian. Her musical experiences began with organ lessons over 62 years ago!
She graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and English. She also earned a Masters of Science (M.S.) in Library Science.
Mary has lived in Lakeland for over 41 years and spent 29 dedicated years at Florida Southern College as the Reference Librarian where she assisted thousands of students during her career. Her hobbies includes photography, reading and needlework! She is a member of the Florida Library Association, Florida Archivists and the Ridge Art Association.
Mary has been a member of the Lakeland Choral Society since 2000. She sings Soprano. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Vice President and Archivist/Music Librarian. Her musical experiences began with organ lessons over 62 years ago!
She graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and English. She also earned a Masters of Science (M.S.) in Library Science.
Mary has lived in Lakeland for over 41 years and spent 29 dedicated years at Florida Southern College as the Reference Librarian where she assisted thousands of students during her career. Her hobbies includes photography, reading and needlework! She is a member of the Florida Library Association, Florida Archivists and the Ridge Art Association.
James Neal III
James Neal is a long-time member of the Lakeland Choral Society. His amazing deep bass voice contributes wonderfully to the choir's balance. James has been the first to greet new members, welcoming them into the organization and his positivity and insight is highly valued by all!
James is an educator for Polk County Schools and teaches at Gause Academy in Bartow.
James Neal is a long-time member of the Lakeland Choral Society. His amazing deep bass voice contributes wonderfully to the choir's balance. James has been the first to greet new members, welcoming them into the organization and his positivity and insight is highly valued by all!
James is an educator for Polk County Schools and teaches at Gause Academy in Bartow.
Amy Somers
Amy has been a Lakeland resident since 2021 and has sung in the Choral Society since Spring 2024. She grew up in Wisconsin in a musically inclined family and is the youngest of 5 siblings. Her mom was a member of an all women's singing group that traveled around the state doing concerts and ministry. As the youngest, she was her mom's shadow and attended most of her mom's rehearsals. Amy was in band and choir all through school and into college. She works in the field of account and data management for a medical diagnosis company and loves what she does! In her spare time, she also enjoys gardening, reading, baking and spending quality time with her husband and golden retriever!
Amy has been a Lakeland resident since 2021 and has sung in the Choral Society since Spring 2024. She grew up in Wisconsin in a musically inclined family and is the youngest of 5 siblings. Her mom was a member of an all women's singing group that traveled around the state doing concerts and ministry. As the youngest, she was her mom's shadow and attended most of her mom's rehearsals. Amy was in band and choir all through school and into college. She works in the field of account and data management for a medical diagnosis company and loves what she does! In her spare time, she also enjoys gardening, reading, baking and spending quality time with her husband and golden retriever!
Sacha Thomas
Sacha has sung with the Lakeland Choral Society since 2021. She currently works full time as a floral designer and part-time as a sewist. She is a mom to three kids and music plays a big role in her family. Her oldest is a vocal performance major at Georgia Southern University. Her middle child is a flautist at Harrison School of the Arts and her youngest child is a choir student at Lake Alfred Polytech Academy. Sacha enjoys playing instruments and singing whenever she is able to. She is also a volunteer with Polk County Public Schools, serves on the PTA for both Harrison and LAP and is a co-leader and volunteer for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. She thoroughly enjoys all aspects of music and looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors!
Sacha has sung with the Lakeland Choral Society since 2021. She currently works full time as a floral designer and part-time as a sewist. She is a mom to three kids and music plays a big role in her family. Her oldest is a vocal performance major at Georgia Southern University. Her middle child is a flautist at Harrison School of the Arts and her youngest child is a choir student at Lake Alfred Polytech Academy. Sacha enjoys playing instruments and singing whenever she is able to. She is also a volunteer with Polk County Public Schools, serves on the PTA for both Harrison and LAP and is a co-leader and volunteer for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. She thoroughly enjoys all aspects of music and looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors!
John Wineland - Scholarship Chair
Dr. John Wineland is currently a Professor of History and Archaeology at the University of the Cumberlands. A lover of learning and knowledge, he holds a Ph.D. and Masters (M.A.) in History from Miami University, two additional Master degrees (M.A & M.Div) in Near Eastern Antiquities and Theology from Cincinnati Christian University, in addition to a Bachelor degree in Biology from Valparaiso University.
His archaeology experience includes being an excavator, area supervisor, assistant director and director of various excavations in Jordan, Israel, the United Kingdom, in addition to sites in the United States. He is also a Special Interest and Destination speaker on various cruise lines (RCL, Princess, Celebrity), and most recently Viking Ocean Cruises where he serves as the Viking Resident Historian (VRH).
Musically, John began singing in Elementary school and continued through college, including being a member of the University Choral at Valparaiso, Schola Cantorum and the Cincinnati Christian University Choir.
He is a seasoned singer with the Lakeland Choral Society.
Dr. John Wineland is currently a Professor of History and Archaeology at the University of the Cumberlands. A lover of learning and knowledge, he holds a Ph.D. and Masters (M.A.) in History from Miami University, two additional Master degrees (M.A & M.Div) in Near Eastern Antiquities and Theology from Cincinnati Christian University, in addition to a Bachelor degree in Biology from Valparaiso University.
His archaeology experience includes being an excavator, area supervisor, assistant director and director of various excavations in Jordan, Israel, the United Kingdom, in addition to sites in the United States. He is also a Special Interest and Destination speaker on various cruise lines (RCL, Princess, Celebrity), and most recently Viking Ocean Cruises where he serves as the Viking Resident Historian (VRH).
Musically, John began singing in Elementary school and continued through college, including being a member of the University Choral at Valparaiso, Schola Cantorum and the Cincinnati Christian University Choir.
He is a seasoned singer with the Lakeland Choral Society.
Joy Wright
Joy has worked at Summit for 35 years, currently in business systems projects. She been volunteering with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs for 28 years. Married 41 years, with 3 adorable and grown up children. She loves to read and am part of a couple of book clubs. This is her second year with the Lakeland choral society. She loves the music, the challenge, and the feeling of belonging with this fabulous choir.
Joy has worked at Summit for 35 years, currently in business systems projects. She been volunteering with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs for 28 years. Married 41 years, with 3 adorable and grown up children. She loves to read and am part of a couple of book clubs. This is her second year with the Lakeland choral society. She loves the music, the challenge, and the feeling of belonging with this fabulous choir.