Mr. Erich Lascek
Music Director
Erich has taught for 32 years in the public schools of Pennsylvania. Since 2001, he has been the choral director at Gateway High School in Monroeville, PA. He teaches three curricular choirs, musical theater performance, and AP music theory. He is also the K-12 music department chair for the Gateway School District. Before Gateway, Erich taught in the Highlands, Hermitage, and Palmyra School Districts. He has an M.M. in Choral Conducting from Messiah University, an M.Ed. in Music Education from Penn State, and a B.M. in Music Education from Grove City College. Erich has served as a guest conductor for high school and middle school choral festivals in PA, NY, and OH. Adjunct faculty positions include choral director for the summer pre-college program at Carnegie Mellon University and music theory tutor for the graduate music program at Messiah University. He has studied voice with Ms. Diana Walters and Dr. Douglas Browne, and conducting with Dr. Rachel Cornacchio, Dr. Joy Meade, and Mr. Edgar Groves. In addition to the Shenango Valley Chorale, Erich is the artistic director and conductor of the Masterworks Concert Chorale, an adult community choir based in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. As a choral singer, he sings with Voces Solis, a chamber choir based in Pittsburgh. An avid musical theater performer, Erich has received critical acclaim for his performances of Tateh in Ragtime, Dan in Next to Normal, and Baker in Into the Woods. Other areas of interest in music include ensemble leadership style and conducting gesture effectiveness.
Jeanetta Plotner
Accompanist
Jeanetta Plotner has over 20 years experience as an accompanist. She is the principal accompanist at ACTS Performing Arts Center, and has also filled the roles of vocalist and music director. Formerly the interim Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, Jeanetta is the accompanist for the Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex. She also sings with the SVC Madrigal Singers. Jeanetta has also had the privilege of collaborating with various musical groups throughout Mercer and Lawrence County, including Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Greenville Area Community Theatre, and pit orchestras for high school musicals around the area. While attending Westminster College, Jeanetta was accompanist for the Concert Choir touring California and Southern Italy, Women’s Choir, Chapel Drama, as well as being collaborative pianist for vocal/ instrumental soloists and evening Mass, music director/accompanist with the Westminster Theatre program and New Castle Playhouse. Jeanetta resides in Sharpsville, with her husband Marc, and sons Chase and Cole.