The Directors
The Metropolitan Detroit Chorale is excited to announce that for the 2023-2024 season, we will be under the direction of two Guest Directors: Jacob Cross and Michael Perkins.
Jacob Cross
Jacob Cross has directed numerous community groups across Metro Detroit, including the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Choir, OnOurOwn Productions, Ridgedale Players, and Sterling Civic Theatre. He is also a valued staff member at Iris Music Academy.
Jacob earned his Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Vocal Music Education from Wayne State University, where he had the privilege of studying under esteemed mentors such as Andrew Kreckmann, Noah Horn, and Norah Duncan IV.
With a solid foundation in technical voice and an innate ability to foster collaborative environments, Jacob brings an infectious passion for choral music to all of his ensembles. Jacob has been a member of the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale since 2012 and previously held the position of assistant to the director under the late Pasquale Pascaretti for multiple seasons.
Michael Perkins
Michael Perkins has been teaching in the community since 2011, and is currently the Choir Director at Richards Middle School. Michael received his Bachelor of Music Education from Wayne State University where he also received his Masters of Music in Choral and Wind Conducting studying with Professor Douglas Bianchi.
Michael has been a member of the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale since 2007. For MDC's 53rd season, he assisted the rehearsals for Handel's Messiah and Cabaret. He has worked with accomplished music directors and conductors such as Pasquale Pascaretti, John Rutter, Margaret Hillis, and Heinz Ferlesch.
In 2015, Michael received the Teacher of the Year for Macomb County Award on behalf of the Metro Jets Hockey Club. He was also the recipient of the National Music Award from FanTracks Digital LLC in 2020.
The Accompanist
Jacklyn Cole has accompanied the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale for over twenty years. She began studying the piano at the age of six and prior to graduating from high school won a scholarship to Interlochen. She attended Stephen's College in Missouri and later the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning a bachelor of music degree in 1972. She is the former accompanist for the Fort Street Chorale and has performed programs with several Detroit area soloists.
In June of 2015, she retired as the accompanist for the Fraser Public Schools vocal music programs where she also accompanied "Fraser Singers" show choir and has traveled with them to many national competitions where they repeatedly won the highest honors.
Jacklyn serves as the rehearsal accompanist for the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale, and as performance accompanist for many of the concerts on piano and harpsichord.
The Choreographer
Heidi Ann Coates holds a Bachelors degree of Music and Business Management. In addition to her degree, she has studied advanced classical ballet and choreography under Eva Powers.
Heidi studied dance at Charmaine's Studio of Dance in Roseville, Michigan and is accomplished in ballet, point, tap, modern, and jazz dance. Her Master classes included studying with George Chaffe of the New York Ballet, Eva Koursaska of the Houston Ballet Company and Al Gilbert, tap/choreographer from Hollywood, California.
Heidi has been choreographer for the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale since 1987. Prior to coming to the Chorale, she was an artist in residence for the Michigan Opera Theater where she instructed workshops on movement and choreography in L'anse Creuse Public Schools grades K-6. Ms. Coates has choreographed such theater productions as: Godspell, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Man of La Mancha, Annie Get Your Gun, Roar of the Greasepaint - Smell of the Crowd, Runaways, Grease, and selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippen and Hair.
Awards
Music Maestro Please/ Heritage Festivals - Fraser High School Choir, Fraser Singers repeatedly won highest honors at national competitions including the Adjudicator's Award and Outstanding Choral Program Award from Heritage Music Festivals in several states.