Jennifer O’Neal
Conductor and scholar Jennifer O’Neal is the Founder and Director of professional Renaissance music ensemble Bardic Inspiration, the Assistant Director of the Livingston County Chorale, and the new director of the Belleville Community Chorus. She has been recognized for her work with singers of all ages, and participated in masterclasses and workshops with some of choral music’s greatest conductors. After completing her undergraduate degree, she taught band, choir, and music theory at Taylor Preparatory High School. Since receiving her Master’s degree at Eastern Michigan University, she has pursued various musical interests including directing music for Shakespeare in the Arb, teaching private voice lessons, and arranging music. She also performs with the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Beyond Choir, The Arbor Consort, Swing Nouvelle, Vocal Arts Ensemble, and various other ensembles and diverse genres of vocal music.
Her creative and scholarly interests include Renaissance music, 21st Century choral music, and small ensemble music making. She has also performed in operas, including performing the role of Pamina in The Magic Flute, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, and the Countess in the Marriage of Figaro. She has also appeared as a guest artist and soloist with dozens of different ensembles. Her passion is making music and she is thrilled to be near her hometown making music and helping her community thrive.
Judith Weed
Judith Weed trained at the University of Texas where she earned a Bachelor and Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance. Since then she has been actively involved in playing and accompanying, performing Schumann A Minor Piano Concerto, Beethoven C Minor Piano Concerto, Ravel G Major Piano Concerto and Franck Symphonic Variations with orchestra. She placed first in the Leo Potishman Piano Competition and was a recipient of the Nordan Scholarship where, after studying abroad for a short time, returned to study piano with Tully Mosely, David Renner, Rita Pisk, Frank Mannheimer and John Perry. She has been a finalist in several piano competitions through the years.
Judith was a participant in the Taos Chamber Music Festival and Aspen Music Festival where she studied with Lee Luvisi and played viola in the Festival Orchestra under the baton of James Levine. She also studied viola with Sven Reher of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and sang with the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the baton of John Curry. She was adjunct professor at several universities and accompanied at Portland State University and was on staff as coach/accompanist at Marylhurst for over 10 years before moving from the Pacific Northwest.
Being actively involved over the years as a church musician has lead Judith to directing and accompanying choirs of all ages, section leader, handbell choir director and playing keyboard/singing in a praise band. Currently, she is pleased to be serving as organist/pianist at Belleville First United Methodist Church and looking forward to a year of great music with the Belleville Community Chorus.