2026 Soloists
June 9th, 2026
Gregor King
Gregor King holds a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music and a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education with a minor in French from Millikin University. A passionate and accomplished vocalist, King has performed across three continents with various choral ensembles and will be traveling this summer to Italy for performances. He currently serves as choir director at Clinton Rosette Middle School, where his dedication to music education earned him the 2024 Wirtz Award for Excellence in Education. In addition to his work in the classroom, King recently directed the production of "High School Musical, Jr." and performs as a tenor with the acclaimed St. Charles Singers. He is also an active member of the American Choral Directors Association. He is deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support of his family, friends, and students — and especially for his wife, Chelsea. He is both humbled and honored to once again perform for this wonderful community.
June 16th, 2026
David Pfenninger
David Pfenninger is happy to be back singing with the DeKalb Municipal Band after making his first appearance in the summer of 2023. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music. For the past 27 years, he has served as choral director at Gregory Middle School in Naperville, where he leads three curricular choirs, a treble honors choir, a men’s ensemble, and a pop/jazz ensemble, as well as music directs the school musical. David is also an experienced vocalist and performer in the Chicagoland area, appearing in various stage, cabaret, and concert settings over the years. Some of his theatre credits include "Les Misérables" (Javert), "Big Fish" (Edward Bloom), "Something Rotten!" (Nick Bottom – BroadwayWorld Chicago Award: Best Performer in a Musical), "Beauty and the Beast" (Cogsworth), "Forever Plaid" (Sparky), "Assassins" (Booth), "Into the Woods" (Baker), and award-winning productions of "Parade" (Leo), "Ragtime" (Tateh), and "Sweeney Todd" (Sweeney). Most recently, he appeared in ECC Musical Theatre’s production of "Shrek the Musical" (Shrek). He also sings with the professional choral ensemble, Cor Cantiamo.
June 23rd, 2026
Jodi Beach is a 13-time RAMI Award winning recording artist and jazz musician who performs throughout the country with her Trio. She was recently awarded the 2025 and 2024 Christian/Gospel Artist of the year and the 2022 & 2023 RAMI for Female Vocalist of the Year in Jazz. Member of the Illinois Arts Council Artstour Roster. Jodi has been a guest soloist with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, The Kishwaukee Valley Concert Band, The Rockford Concert Band, The Dekalb Municipal Band, The Sterling Municipal Band, and other performing ensembles throughout the region. Jodi received her degree in Vocal Performance from Judson University and continued her vocal studies at NIU. Jodi has released four albums with The Jodi Beach Trio and two additional inspirational recordings. She has also been seen on the stages of Starlight Theatre and Artists’ Ensemble Theatre. Favorite roles include Anna ("The King & I"), Truly Scrumptious ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"), and Mrs. Irene Molloy ("Hello Dolly"). www.jodibeach.com
June 30th, 2026
Jill McCormick
Jill McCormick graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a B.S. in Music Education, where she was a member of the highly acclaimed University Chorale. She also obtained her Masters of Music degree from NIU in 2005 and completed her English as a Second Language Endorsement at NIU in 2017. Jill is currently teaching General Music at Founders Elementary and is the Music Coordinator for District 428. She grew up in the area and loves performing in the community. Jill is thrilled to be performing once again with the DeKalb Municipal Band.
July 4th, 2026
Gavin Wilson
Gavin remembers that in 1976 at the age of 12, he managed to secure from his parents some 100 feet of vinyl wallpaper with the American Flag all over it. So naturally he covered every square inch of his bedroom with it, in celebration of our bicentennial. Always a strange child, Gavin was also simultaneously practicing his singing, trumpet playing, ventriloquism and magic act in a flagrant attempt to annoy his friends at no cost. He’d like to thank everyone in the audience tonight for allowing him to continue that tradition, 50 years later for our 250 year celebration. Gavin would like to thank Kirk and the Municipal Band for the chance to be here on this very special 250 year celebration.
July 14th, 2026
Maureen Christine is an award-winning concert vocalist and Broadway-style entertainer with jazz sensibilities. Maureen has recorded four CDs, two of which have been released nationally to critical acclaim. Her CD "My Romance", featuring jazz pianist, Frank Mantooth, received Grammy consideration for Traditional Pop Vocal alongside Harry Connick, Jr. and Rosemary Clooney. Maureen has recorded with Pete Christlieb of the Johnny Carson Tonight Show Orchestra, shared the stage with pop star Barry Manilow, opened for country star Willie Nelson and pop Icon Helen Reddy, and been a guest artist with musicians of the Count Basie Orchestra. Maureen has also sung the National Anthem for the Chicago Cubs and the second Astronaut to walk on the Moon - Buzz Aldrin. Maureen appears in concert as a headliner with symphony orchestras, prestigious concert bands, various big bands and in her acclaimed themed concerts.
July 21st, 2026
Bethany Brewer
Mezzo-Soprano Bethany Brewer grew up in Carol Stream, IL and holds performance degrees from the Wheaton College Conservatory as well as the University of Colorado Boulder. As a classical vocalist, Bethany has performed in numerous operas, recitals, and concerts across the United States, and is thrilled to be immersed in Chicago’s ever-changing performing arts scene, singing with well-established groups such as Chicago City Opera, Consonance, and the St. Charles Singers in addition to brand new organizations such as Fox Valley Opera and Great Lakes Operetta. Bethany resides in Palos Heights with her husband Henry and their two dogs, Shenzi and Zelda. She is thrilled to be joining the DeKalb Municipal Band for the fourth year in a row!
July 28th, 2026
Christine Monteiro
Christine Monteiro, lyric soprano, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music Performance from NIU. Christine is a member of the trumpet sections of the DeKalb Municipal Band and the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. She has been heard in pit orchestras for more than 25 Stage Coach Players’ musical productions. Christine plays lead trumpet in Jazz in Progress and the Class Act II Big Band. She is also one of the female vocalists for Jazz in Progress. Described as “one of the premier sopranos in the Northern Illinois area,” she is often sought after as a soloist for special festivals and recitals. Christine has been a featured vocalist with the DeKalb Municipal Band, DeKalb Festival Chorus, Kishwaukee Area Concert Band, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Stateline Music Foundation Festival Chorus, and other choirs in Illinois. A performer of many talents, Christine is the director of the Celebration Chorale and the Waterman Community Choir. Christine is a member of the Sycamore High School Music Hall of Fame.
August 4th, 2026
Daerielle Balika
Daerielle Balika is delighted to be singing with the DeKalb Municipal Band! Growing up beside the beautiful Kishwaukee River, Daerielle has been singing her whole life- from her childhood performances with Dee’s Dreamers to her eventual rise to Queen of the madrigals singers at DeKalb High School. Her songwriting skills have been featured on stage at Cornfest and as part of “This Is My Brave” at The Egyptian Theater. Daerielle is an active member of Stage Coach Players, appearing most recently in the ensemble of "Gypsy" where she got to share the stage with her daughter, Saelyn. In honor of this week’s theme, “Let’s Dance”, Daerielle will be singing songs from her wedding to the love of her life, Brian Balika. Enjoy the show!
August 11th, 2026
Deanna Tausch
Deanna Tausch (formerly Deanna Frances) is a native of Shabbona, Illinois, and is honored to be returning as a soloist with the DeKalb Municipal Band. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Master of Science in Education degree from Northern Illinois University. During her collegiate career, Deanna performed in several ensembles including the NIU Chamber Choir, NIU Concert Choir, and the NIU Opera Theatre Chorus. Deanna is currently a member of the professional vocal ensemble Cor Cantiamo, and has been featured as a guest soloist for the Young Naperville Singers and several local churches. Deanna is also the founder of the Musical Moments Early Childhood Music Class, which is offered to young children and their caregivers in the DeKalb County area. Deanna currently teaches early childhood and elementary school music in the Kaneland school district, and resides in Waterman, Illinois with her husband and son.
August 18th, 2026
Zach Harris
Zachary Harris studied at NIU as a Vocal Performance Major. He toured the Western Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines in the Billy Holiday Piano Bar. Zachary is no stranger to the Dee Palmer Bandshell and can also be seen throughout DeKalb and surrounding suburbs playing restaurants and other venues.