Opus One Leadership

Christopher Hoster

Christopher Hoster (executive director) is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania. He is currently in the final stages of his graduate studies as a D.M.A. in Choral Music candidate at the University of Illinois under the direction of Dr. Andrew Megill. His M.M. in Vocal Performance and Literature is also from the University of Illinois and his B.M. in Music Education from Susquehanna University. He has taken part in both the Opera Theater Center at the Aspen Music Festival and School ('07) and Simon Carrington's Sarteano Choral Workshop ('10). He has served on the music faculty at RACC, Penn State Berks, Kutztown University, and Susquehanna University. Since 2013, he has been a chorister for Opera Philadelphia, most notably singing in the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s award-winning Breaking the Waves. In Reading, Christopher maintains a private voice studio and serves as the organist and choir director at St. John’s Baptist de la Salle.

Diana Cook

Diana Cook (board president) earned her Bachelor's Degree summa cum laude in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College. She received her Master's degree summa cum laude in Elementary Education from Kutztown University. At the age of 5, she began her music studies on piano and quickly added voice, saxophone and many other instruments. She currently teaches general and instrumental music at Conrad Weiser East Elementary School. When not sharing her love of music with students, Diana can be found playing piano in a pit orchestra or soloing for various functions.

Peter Sunderman

Peter Sunderman (assistant director) retired from public school teaching in 2010, having served 34 years in the Wilson School District at the elementary and high school levels in vocal and choral music. While at Wilson, he was the Secondary Music Department Chair, and was the Director of the Wilson High School annual musical for 27 years. From 2011-2016, Mr. Sunderman served as the director of the Berks Youth Chorus Chorale. He is a former Vocal Chairman for District 10 of PMEA and a former accompanist of the Reading Area Community College Concert Choir. Mr. Sunderman is a former president, assistant conductor, and accompanist of the Reading Choral Society. He also is a former director of the Berks Youth Chorus' Chorale. He maintains a private vocal and piano studio in his home. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Mansfield University and a Master of Education in Music Education from West Chester University.

Geert Ruelens

Geert Ruelens (accompanist) graduated in May of 2017 from Temple University with a Master's Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. At Temple University, he was a student of Dr. Charles Abramovic. Throughout his graduate studies, Geert was a recipient of a tuition waiver and worked as a teaching assistant in the piano department. He graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in Music from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he was under the tutelage of Dr. Maria Asteriadou. A native of Belgium, Ruelens studied at the Royal Academy for Music in Berchem, Flanders. At the age of seven, he began organ lessons with Marc Van Driessen. Before coming to the United States, Geert studied at the Royal Conservatory for Music in Antwerp. Geert is the organist and choir director for both Nativity Lutheran and St. Paul's Lutheran in Reading. He also serves on Nativity's council. He maintains a very active teaching schedule in the Mainline of Philadelphia as well as at home in Reading. Geert is often featured as a soloist and accompanist in the Reading area.

Opus One Board

Diana Cook, president
Scott Tice, vice-president
Deborah Brooks, treasurer
Wendy Sharp, secretary

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Margaret Herrick, grants and sponsored projects
Mikaila Milks, assistant to the executive director