Personnel

Neil Bubke

Conductor

Neil Bubke is the fifth music director in the history of the Lakeshore Chorale. Prior to moving to Milwaukee in 2006, he received his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa and a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Iowa, where he also earned his law degree.

Neil has served as a church musician for twenty years. He is currently the director of Music and Fine Arts at the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, where he directs seven choirs and oversees four other ensembles. He also conducts pit orchestras for Dominican High School and the Whitefish Bay Players Community Theater.

As a pianist, Neil accompanied the Milwaukee Choral Artists, a professional, all-paid women’s chorus directed by Dr. Sharon Hanson. He also served as a rehearsal pianist for the East Side Chamber Players, a group of young professional musicians from the Milwaukee area who perform concerts of chamber works throughout the Midwest. Neil enjoys accompanying student recitals at UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts as well.

In his free time, Neil enjoys training for triathlons and playing with his cockapoo, Mae Mobley.

Joseph Hauer

Accompanist

A native of Wisconsin, pianist Joseph Hauer is Artistic Director of the Fox River Chamber Fest and a full-time pianist for the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy.

Joseph performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician across the country, most recently in Sitka, AK, Milwaukee, WI, Appleton, WI and Valley Cottage, NY. These include solo and collaborative performances at the Sitka Performing Arts Center, Odess Theater, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, Fox River Chamber Fest, Heid Music “Steinway and a Sandwich,” and Young Masters Recital Series. He was formerly an artist-in-residence at the Apollo Music Festival and the Bermuda Piano Festival. He is a substitute pianist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and has soloed with the Oberlin Orchestra,Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Fox Vally Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to moving to Milwaukee, Joseph served on the Adjunct Faculty at NYU Steinhardt, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance with Eteri Andjaparidze. His undergraduate studies were with Peter Takács at Oberlin Conservatory. He collaborates with the voice, string and wind departments at UWM. When he is not engaged in classical music, he enjoys biking, snowboarding and improvising jazz.

Eva Stokes

Conductor

Eva Stokes received her Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. After graduating, Stokes joined the music department at Kohler Middle & High School in Fall of 2016 where she directs all 6-12 curricular choral ensembles, the Kohler High School Madrigals Singers, Kohler Voce Contemporary Pop A Cappella Ensemble and the annual musicals. Her choirs have performed at the Wisconsin State Capitol (Madison, WI), The United Nations and St John The Divine Cathedral (New York, NY) and at DisneyWorld (Orlando, FL).

Stokes is an active member of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and has served on the board since 2019. In 2023 she became the WCDA All-State Honors Choir Project Chair.

Stokes stays active as a choral musician, singing with the Lakeshore Chorale. In spring 2024, Stokes served as the Interim Conductor for the adult chorale. She is thrilled to now be a part of the LYC family as Chamber Choir Conductor.

Bill Born

Accompanist

Bill Born is a graduate of Lakeland University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He is a retired choir director most recently from Sheboygan Falls High School. Bill has served as a member of the executive board of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. He also performs with the Lakeshore Chorale and has performed with the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus as well as accompanied the Lakeshore Youth Chorale.

In addition, Bill has been a guest organist at numerous churches for dedications, concerts and weddings. He accompanies local high school students for festivals, college and scholarship auditions. Bill currently is the organist at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sheboygan.

Bill and his wife Jean live in Sheboygan Falls. They have a son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Ashley and a daughter, Brianna.