“PHILOXENIA”
(n): from the Greek word for “hospitality”, literally “love of the stranger”
OUR MISSION
Philoxenia Choral Collective seeks to preserve the practice of live music, particularly choral music, as artists and listeners share one space in time. In an age of streaming platforms and casual listening, we offer instead uniquely intentional and communal experiences by blurring the line between audience and performer. Ultimately, we seek not only to produce excellent music, but to create an immersive atmosphere that welcomes the stranger in ourselves and in our neighbor.
our FOUNDERS
Megan taylor gilstrap
CO-director, SOPRANO
Megan Taylor Gilstrap has been singing with great passion and focus for as long as she can remember, an elementary student wondering, “Why aren’t these kids taking this more seriously? What could they possibly prefer to this music class?” It makes perfect sense then that she would recruit Amy Shelden Loucks to found Philoxenia with her, having sung with her (seriously) since 5th grade. She teaches choir and voice lessons locally, enjoying the opportunity to invite her high-school-age students to regard themselves as young artists. Megan has sung with many local choirs including Friends University Singing Quakers, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, and Madrigals, as well as Wichita Chamber Chorale and the Wichita Symphony Chorus, where she was Soprano section leader. She is a competitive powerlifter.
amy shelden loucks
CO-DIRECTOR, ALTO, PIANO, PERCUSSION
Amy Shelden Loucks is a theatre artist, teacher, classically-trained pianist, and vocal musician in Wichita, Kansas. She serves as the Theatre Arts Director at Trinity Academy and the Christian Performance Theatre Board of Directors. Amy is a statewide award-winning creator of music theatre and play productions for 4th-12th grade students. Amy has also been a choral singer from a very young age, performing in the Wichita Community Children's Choir, the Friends University Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Singing Quakers, and Wichita Chamber Chorale. Creating and directing in Philoxenia is an incredible honor, and Amy is excited for Philoxenia's expansion and new programs to come.
Personnel
MARIAL MORTIMER ISAAC
SOPRANO, VIOLINMarial is a multi-genre soprano, violinist and teacher. She holds a B.A. in Music from Friends University. Marial has been performing and teaching a private studio since 2017 and teaching and directing with Christian Performance Theatre since 2018. Music has been a pillar in her life for as long as she can remember, and she has been a part of a choir of some kind for over half of her life! You can often find her enjoying coffee and good food, going on walks and laughing with her family and friends.
ANNA CHRISTENSEN
SOPRANOAnna Christensen graduated from Friends University with a Bachelor in Music and Bachelor in Art, concentration in Graphic Design. She has sung in the local jazz vocal group Dreamliners and Wichita Chamber Chorale and been a soloist with Aerotones Big Band. When Anna’s not singing (and sometimes while she is) she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, piddling around the garden, making art and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Jane grew up immersed in Wichita’s choral music scene, from the Wichita Community Children’s Choir to Friends University’s Singing Quakers. Whether playing violin or performing in musical theater productions, she has always loved using music to connect with people and tell stories. Her work in marketing and graphic design is just one outlet for her creativity; outside of work, her life is filled with friends, home renovation projects with her husband, farmers markets, and long walks in the fresh air.
ALTO, VIOLINJANE LALLEMENT
Carissa Bowers, a graduate of Friends University and alumna of Singing Quakers, has called Wichita home for the past 13 years. Her days are spent raising two boys, running a small business, and slowly bringing a 1910 farmhouse back to life with her husband. She's believed in the power of communal music-making her whole life, and is honored to find that here with Philoxenia.
ALTOCARISSA BOWERS
JAMIE WHETMORE
ALTOJamie grew up listening to her momma singing in the church, and she's been singing ever since. She earned her degree in Music Education at Friends University, sang in the Singing Quakers, and served as Student Conductor. Currently she homeschools her two children, enjoys gardening, and sings at her church and with the Singing Quakers Alumni Choir.
ELIZABETH YEREMIN
ALTO, VISUAL ARTISTElizabeth is a visual art teacher for Wichita Public Schools. Her performance background includes music theater, choir, and dance. Her desire is that the gifts given to her bless those around her and honor the God she serves.
Luke Taylor Gilstrap is an Orthodox Christian novelist, poet, and multi-genre musician. As a vocalist, he has sung in Friends University Singing Quakers and Wichita Chamber Chorale. His poems have appeared in Spiritus, Ekstasis, Relief, and other publications at the intersection of art and faith, and he was the recipient of the 2016 Poetry Unites Kansas Award. He lives in Wichita, Kansas with his beautiful wife and three sons, and is happiest losing track of time in bookstores or lifting heavy.
TENOR, POET, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALISTLUKE TAYLOR GILSTRAP
Tyler Bowers is a Friends University and Singing Quakers alumnus, whose history in music also includes multiple rock and folk bands and recording projects. He has cultivated a multi-disciplinary and highly collaborative artistic life with practices in painting and drawing, bass guitar, vocals, and a profession in graphic design. He is a life-long Wichitan and lover of local coffee shops, record stores, and river-side bike paths, cruising along with his wife and two sons (1 and 3) in a double-trailer.
BARITONE, VISUAL ARTISTTYLER BOWERS
NICk POHLENZ
BASS, GUITARNick Pohlenz is a local entrepreneur, business owner, and investor, who graduated from Friends University in 2015. He enjoyed his time in the music programs and the Singing Quakers at Friends, and continues to sing in the St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral Choir. Nick supports Philoxenia as a choral member, instrumentalist, and treasurer of the board.
CHRIS LOUCKS
BASS, CLARINETA passionate performer, Chris Loucks moves often between theatre, opera, church choirs, and making music with Philoxenia. When he’s not onstage, he’s likely swing dancing, caring for his bees, or enjoying game nights with his brothers and friends.
Asher Isaac is a conductor, music director, and teacher based in Wichita, Kansas. For the past 8 years, he has served as Music Director for Christian Performance Theatre’s musicals and performed with several professional ensembles in the area. Asher is a versatile instrumentalist and sought-after accent and dialect coach, teaching private lessons in voice, piano, and acting.
BASS, GUEST CONDUCTOR, TRUMPETasher isaac
After earning a B.A. in Piano Accompaniment from Wichita State University, Angie Morford has expressed her continued love of music by playing in churches and accompanying musical theatre, along with the occasional stint teaching piano lessons. In accompanying for Philoxenia, she enjoys having the opportunity to play diverse musical genres with a group of passionate and skilled musicians. Outside of music, Angie can be found in her ever-expanding vegetable garden or working with her husband on their hobby farm projects.
PIANO ACCOMPANISTANGela MORFORD
ADAM TILLBERG
Adam Tillberg is a Wichita State and Friends University alumnus, and while in school, was a member of many ensembles, including the Singing Quakers. He has established himself within Central Kansas as a sought-after percussionist, clinician, and educator. Outside of Philoxenia, you can also find him playing with the Wichita Symphony, Wichita Wind Symphony, Salina Symphony, and Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony, as well as performing in the pit orchestra for numerous theater organizations across the state. Adam also enjoys reading a good book, collecting records, and spending time outdoors.
DRUMS, PERCUSSIONPast Performers
-
Joshua Holcomb
TENOR
-
Mikhail Yeremin
TENOR, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR