Artistic Leadership

Artistic and Music Director Suzanne Mallare Acton

Known for her "supple, distinctive musical direction," conductor Suzanne Mallare Acton continues to earn respect and admiration for her performances in both the concert hall and the opera stage. From Handel’s “Messiah” to contemporary jazz, she is recognized for her versatility and dynamic style.

As long-term chorus master of the Michigan Opera Theatre, Ms. Acton has worked on over 125 productions in seven different languages with world-renowned artists Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Cleo Laine and many more.

In 1996, Ms. Acton was appointed artistic/music director of Rackham Choir. In her mission to promote choral music in the community, she has programmed and conducted many works including Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” with the premier of an original film “The Armed Boy” commissioned by RC at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

Ms. Acton has been recognized by Corp! Magazine as one of Michigan’s 95 Most Powerful Women. Under her leadership, Rackham Choir was awarded the prestigious 2008 Governor's Award for outstanding contributions to Arts and Culture in Michigan. She was recognized by Corp! Magazine as one of Michigan’s 85 Most Powerful Woman. In 2014, she was selected as an honoree of WJR’s 2014 Class of Women Who Lead.

Accompanist and Music Coach Joseph Jackson

Joseph Jackson is the resident Accompanist of Rackham Choir. He also plays an integral role working with the students in the Internship Program.

He currently serves as the Organist/Music Associate of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, accompanist for the Michigan Opera Theater Children's Chorus, is a Michigan Opera Theater touring artist, and accompanist for the Berkley High School Choirs. His prior positions include Music Director at several historical churches including The First Presbyterian Church of Detroit and the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia.

Mr Jackson is a frequent recitalist and accompanist throughout the country. His broadcast credits include National Public Radio's The First Art and Pipedreams. His solo recording Philadelphia Gothic appears on the label DTR and his performance of the Howard Hansen Organ Concerto is available on the Naxos label.

Executive Board

  • Tom Deuel
    RC Board President, Coldwell Banker/Schweitzer Real Estate
  • Anne-Marie Poltorak
    RC Board Vice-President, Public Relations and Marketing Consultant
  • Roger Nelson
    RC Board Treasurer, SCORE Vice Chair Workshops, SCORE Mentor
  • Maureen Abele
    RC Board Secretary, ITIL Certified

Board of Members 2016 - 2017

  • Suzanne Mallare Acton
    RC Artistic and Music Director, Assistant Music Director, Chorus Master, Michigan Opera Theatre
  • Patricia Minnick
    RC Choir Manager, Coordinator, Music Activities, Schoolcraft College
  • Laverne Schenk
    RC Class A Chorus Representative, President,
  • Dr. Victoria Bigelow, PhD
    Music Educator & Education Researcher, University of Michigan
  • Stephen Black
    Retired Administrator, Detroit Public Schools
  • William Day
    Attorney
  • Bud Uhl
    RC Fundraising Professional, CFRM
  • Emily Eichenhorn
    Attorney
  • Susan A. Fox
    Artist and retired attorney
  • Clarence Jones
    Workers Compensation Manager, Detroit Public Schools
  • Lynn Jovick
    Owner and Designer, Cleverbumblebee
  • Wendy Keebler
    Freelance Editor, Writer
  • Ray Litt
    Vice Chairman, Cass Tech Alumni Association

Staff

  • Managing Director
    Maximilian Fuhrig
  • Assistant Administrator
    Ben Findlan
  • Marketing and Press
    Jill Zylinski
  • Grants
    Sarah Perry-Wilson

The 2016 - 2017 Choir

  • Maureen Abele
  • Beth Adams
  • Emily Eichenhom
  • Linda Hagopian
  • Wendy Keebler
  • Patricia Stewart
  • Lori Weatherwax
  • Fran Bachmann
  • Savannah Fisher
  • Susan A. Fox
  • Yvonne Friday
  • Victoria Isabell
  • Anne Maters
  • Andrea Mills
  • Patricia Minnick
  • Nancy Nelson
  • Sarah Piper
  • Linda Van Buren
  • Charlie Arnett
  • Simone Bonino
  • Drew Gale
  • Gary Hasley
  • Paul Kellerman
  • Nasir Khawaja
  • Gary Lindell
  • Paolo Pacheco
  • Steven P. Pejuan
  • Viraga Perera
  • Laverne Schenk
  • Alan Sebastian
  • David Twigg
  • Bud Uhl
  • John Vandevert
  • Craig Wickham
  • Will Yeats
  • Victoria Bigelow
  • Ivana Butler
  • Hannah Carroll
  • Lara Casai
  • Michelle Drummond
  • Lauren Fisher
  • Gillian Frank
  • Michelle Gaunt
  • Avital Granot
  • Madison Green
  • Amy Guffey
  • Gina Hanzlik
  • Kelly Jakes
  • Jennifer Pasha
  • Judith Szefi
  • Andrea Tawil
  • Kathy Boettcher
  • Joan Crawford
  • Beth Deuel
  • Molly Gole
  • Felicity Risca
  • Anne Marie Viviano-Poltorak
  • Kate Pierce (Williams)
  • Kim Witten
  • Sofie Zane
  • Gregory Ashe
  • John Blanchard
  • MIchael Boettcher
  • Darren DeWitt
  • Joseph Dluzniewski
  • Ryan Hurley
  • Chris Jones
  • Jeff Krueger
  • Bill Steiner
  • Brett Thompson
  • Harry Williams Jr.