About Us

Lancaster-Fairfield Youth Choir was established during the summer of 1992 with the purpose of providing treble singers a high-quality, performance-based music education, regardless of previous musical experience. It was founded when the choral director at Lancaster High School, Ms. Terri Leisten, and junior high choir director, Ms. Catherine Brown, held auditions and hosted a 2-week summer camp culminating in a performance at the Lancaster Festival. LFYC remained a summer-only program until 1995 when it became a year-round singing opportunity for young singers.

Director Lisa Springer joined the group as Brown’s assistant and director of vocal development, and ProArteOHIO adopted LFYC as its chief educational outreach ensemble to support it financially and provide opportunities for boys and girls to perform with the professional musicians of ProArteOHIO. In 2000, Mrs. Springer assumed the role of LFYC director. When she stepped down, she was followed by Mr. Clarence McCoy, the late Mr. Andrew Brown, Mrs. Marcy Layne, and Mrs. Kylie Ogg. In November of 2023, our current director, Mrs. Kathy Smith, an educator with excellent training and years of successful teaching and conducting, accepted the directorship.  

Mrs. Smith is an elementary music specialist with the Lancaster City Schools.  She graduated from Capital University B.S. and M Ed in Music Education with Kodaly Certification and also has a M Ed in Education with Reading certification from the University of Dayton.  

LFYC's long time accompanist, Mrs. Debbie Fox, holds a BM from the University of Evansville and a MM from the University of Illinois in piano performance.  She is an active accompanist throughout the area. 

Ivan Smith is LFYC's liaison to the ProArteOHIO (formerly Lancaster Chorale) board.  He is our number one fan!  Mr. Smith is a dedicated supporter of the arts and is an accomplished singer himself!  If you have any questions about the group or need information about financial assistance, reach out to him at Ivan Smith ivancsmith0537@gmail.com.

This youth choral program aims to empower members with a life-long appreciation of quality choral music while developing friendships, music literacy, and promoting a positive presence of vocal music in Fairfield County and beyond.

Reach out via email at lfycdir@gmail.com with any questions about the group.