Mary Vaaler Reimann, President
“Singing together in community, fueled by love, has the power to bring healing to the heart and soul, and, ultimately, to our world. It is a tremendous joy and privilege to make music with such a beautiful community of generous hearted people.”
Mary Vaaler Reimann is a lifelong singer, having started in church choir at the ripe old age of 3. She grew up in a musical household where piano lessons began at age 7 and band at 9, where the piano lived in the kitchen, and singing together, wherever and whenever possible, was just what one did. Mary was blessed to sing and learn under the direction of Weston Noble at Luther College. After more than 30 years as a Church Music Director, working with singers and musicians of all ages, Mary now serves as Music Director for Spirit Song. When she’s not singing or directing, Mary enjoys yoga, theatre, reading, and hiking. She and her husband Tim are the proud parents of four wonderful young adult children, and love spending time with their large extended family.
Peg Regruth, Vice-President
“Being a part of Spirit Song Choir is a truly rewarding and enriching experience. This talented and wonderful group of people are dedicated to bringing the beauty of music and praise to others.”
After retiring from thirty-three years of teaching, Peg moved to Minnesota to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Upon relocation here, Peg was able to join a church choir and fulfill a lifelong dream. Making the transition from singing in a parish to becoming a member of this both inspirational and service oriented choir was both fulfilling and rewarding. Peg has a background in art and has collaborated with music programs in many schools in the creation of highly successful student productions. She helped create the set design for Open Door Community Theatre’s inaugural production, Shrek, the Musical. Peg serves as Spirit Song’s Community Partner Liaison.
Monica Hamer, Secretary
“I believe that sharing music in community builds relationships in a way that is both gratifying and profound.”
Serving through music has been an important part of Monica’s life. She began singing and playing the flute at her church in 7th grade and has always gravitated toward groups with both singers and instruments. Over the years this has included a chorus and orchestra, a pit orchestra for musicals, and a combo for the Aspire show choir groups. After working with Mary for almost 20 years as a volunteer and then as a co-worker, Monica is excited to be a part of Spirit Song, and serves as our Instrumental Director. When not playing and singing, Monica enjoys reading, water sports, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two adult children
Pam McGlinch, Treasurer
“I am so very fortunate. To be able to get together regularly with this community of talented, lovely people is a blessing of the highest order.”
Music is a thread that’s been woven throughout Pam’s life. From running in circles as a little child to the strains of “Yakety Sax” playing on her family’s LP stereo to letting Raffi song lyrics take up an inordinate amount of her brain space when her kids were little, music has never failed to lift and carry her through all the exaltation and messiness of life. Pam has sung with a choir for nearly 20 years, first in Rochester, MN and then in Woodbury when her family relocated in 2016. She keeps busy participating in choir, playing in community band, working as a math/science tutor, serving as the Recording Engineer for WSSR Radio, and spending as much time as possible with her husband and 4 young adult daughters.