Our Staff
Susan Falbo, Artistic Director
Mrs. Falbo holds a Masters degree from the University of Minnesota in vocal performance and a Bachelor of Music from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She served as Artistic Director of the Palatine Children’s Chorus from fall 1994 until spring 2001; she returned to the director’s position in January 2004. Previously she taught junior and senior high music in Iowa and was a voice and piano instructor for a music studio in Minnesota. Mrs. Falbo also has extensive credits in the performance venue. These credits include operatic favorites like Papagena in Die Zauberflote, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Lauretta in Gianni Schicci to classical musical theatre roles such as Marion in The Music Man, Tuptim in the King and I, and Maria in The Sound of Music. Susan has performed with the Minnesota Chorale and Minnesota Orchestra Association, where her credits include Carmina Burana and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. Susan is extremely grateful to her husband Robert and children, Robert Jr., Victoria, and little Ricky for all the encouragement they give her.
Melissa Laabs, Do Re Mi & Treble Director
Melissa earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Illinois State University where she participated in the Honors Music Mentorship Program and graduated Cum Laude. Since then she has taught vocal and instrumental music, musical theater, and dance in both public and private schools. Melissa has served as both musical director and performer in community theater productions and churches. She has also conducted numerous pit orchestras for local community theater groups. She currently enjoys teaching music at Acarath Montessori Center and offering private lessons in her music studio.
Tom Vendafreddo, Assistant Director
Tom started singing with PCC when he was 8 years old! Some of his most musical and memorable moments have been with Mrs. Falbo and the choir. He acted as Principal Accompanist for PCC from 2002-2004, and is thrilled to return as an assistant to Mrs. Falbo. Tom graduated with honors from the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY) where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in both Vocal Performance and Music Education. While at Eastman, he performed in many productions in the Eastman Opera Theatre, including Raoul de St. Brioche in The Merry Widow and Tommy/Manny in the premiere of Lee Hoiby's This is the Rill Speaking with new orchestrations. He has worked with a variety of organizations throughout Illinois and the U.S. including the St. Michael's Chamber Choir, the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, Show Choir Camps of America, and the University of Rochester International Todd Theatre. He is currently the Director of Choirs at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, IL and enjoys an active performance career in Chicago.
Michelle Nunez, Principal Accompanist
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Over the years she has accompanied and/or directed numerous church choirs. She currently enjoys her positions as Organist/Pianist at Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows and accompanist for the Palatine Park District adult choir, Allegro.
Lily Hoops, Do Re Mi & Treble Accompanist
Lily received her undergraduate degree in Music Piano Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University and her Masters in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. She has had more than 25 years of piano teaching. Other experiences include accompanying gospel and praise teams, radio script writing, and public school teaching.
Diane Ramsden, General Manager
For Diane, this is a third “career.” After graduating from NIU with degrees in English and French, she taught English in High School District 214 for 15 years as a writing/research specialist. After retiring from the classroom in 1984, she became a free-lance editor, a career she continues to pursue. This is her 15th year as PCC’s Managing Director. She thanks her daughter Jamie, a 12-year PCC singer who now enjoys a new role as chaperone, for encouraging her to take this position so many years ago.
Sue Love, Finance & Travel Manager
Sue earned a BA degree from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, in accounting and business administration. Her twin daughters, Kate and Kris, joined the Chorus in 1994, and Sue began volunteering at concerts and special events, then chaperoning on our first tours. She joined the PCC staff in fall, 2001. She thanks Kris and Kate for introducing her to the Chorus family and her husband Brad for his understanding all the hours she devotes to PCC.
