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Our Directors
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Lindsey Robison
President & Founder
As founder and president of Messiah Project, Inc., Lindsey Robison has
been able to combine a rich heritage in the arts with his experience and
education in business management. Growing up in Springfield, Mr. Robison
was first introduced to sacred music as a boy soprano at Christ Episcopal
Church. As his voice matured, he became involved in musical theater at
Parkview High School, then later in Tent Theater at SMSU. While working
on a bachelor's degree in business management, he was never far from the
music department where he sang with the Chamber Singers under the baton
of Sam Gordon. It was also in college that he experienced his first
opportunity to sing abroad with the Chamber Singers.
Upon graduation from SMSU, Mr. Robison entered the U.S. Air Force, serving
a term of duty in Vietnam as a pilot. In the early 1970's, he returned
with his wife Jane to Springfield, where he worked in the family retail
floorcovering business and started a trucking company. Meanwhile, Mr. Robison
continued to pursue music, this time in the ministry. He served as the
minister of music at Cornerstone Church from 1979 to 1995, when the need
to devote his full energies to Messiah Project became apparent.
Since 1995, Messiah Project has become a viable multi-arts organization
through which hundreds of artists have been able to use their gifts and
talents in musical performances here and abroad, in a variety of venues
and for a variety of audiences. For both Lindsey and Jane Robison, one
of the most enjoyable aspects of the organization and its ministry is
the ecumenicism that results from people with like vision joining together
for a common goal of ministry through the arts. Indeed, the Messiah
Project welcomes and encourages artists and patrons from a broad spectrum of
church affiliations.
Sharon Wilkins
Musical Director
Serving as music director for the Messiah Chorale since 1992 and conductor
for the Holiday Prelude Festival is Sharon Wilkins. A native of Wichita,
Kansas, she holds a BA from Evangel University and an MA in secondary
education from Drury College. In addition, Mrs. Wilkins has done post
graduate work at Wichita State University, University of Missouri at Kansas
City, Georgia State University, and Pittsburgh State University.
Her teaching background includes two years in Germany, two years in Atlanta,
and thirty-one years in Missouri, including fifteen years in her current
position at Evangel University. During her teaching career, her students have
performed for MENC, ACDA, GMEA and MMEA conventions. They have also been
honored with performances for the State Republican, Democratic, and PTA
Conventions, three Missouri governors, former President Reagan in Carnegie
Hall, and audiences in Europe during four tours. The Evangel University
Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Wilkins, performed two invitational solo
performances at Carnegie Hall and concerts in forty-three states, Canada, the
Bahamas, and throughout Europe.
Mrs. Wilkins has earned numerous professional honors and awards, including
Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and
twice being named Outstanding Young Woman in Springfield and in America. She
frequently serves as guest conductor and adjudicator and has served as
musical director of Springfield Little Theater and as church music director
for nineteen years. In addition, she has been active in several professional
organizations, having held district and state offices in MMEA and ACDA.
Other memberships include Mu Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Lambda. Her personal
singing experience highlights include performing with the Mid-America
Singers, the Atlanta Symphony Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw, and
studio recordings.
Mrs. Wilkins has been married for thirty-five years to Phil Wilkins, owner of
Wilkins Insurance Agency in Springfield. They have two children, Patrick,
21, and Julie, 20. Serving as music director for the Messiah Chorale since 1992 and conductor
for the Holiday Prelude Festival is Sharon Wilkins. A native of Wichita,
Kansas, she holds a BA from Evangel University and an MA in secondary
education from Drury College.
Jennie Underwood Cornwall
Managing Director of the Credo Dance Academy
Jennie began her training in ballet at the age of seven. She trained in Cecchetti for several years and then went on to train at Springfield Ballet where she performed and studied ballet, jazz and modern for nine years. She continued her training at Alabama Dance Theatre, Greenville Ballet, Greenville Performing Arts High School and Ballet Spartanburg, with leading roles in Cinderella, Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Snow White. Jennie also attended on scholarships Stephens College summer program, Joffrey Ballet School, State Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Jennie also worked as Patron Services Manager for the Richmond Ballet. She is married and has been blessed with two children whom she home schools.
Natalie Vogel Young
Choreographer
Natalie, a native of Branson, MO, began dancing at the age of three. She received her advanced training under the instruction of Theodora Sonnenberg and Tonya Coker, at Branson Performing Arts. Her training includes Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Tumbling, Clogging, Character, Cheer, and Rhythm Dance. She danced and performed in many shows in Branson, such as: Mel Tillis, Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, Dino, and Silver Dollar City. She was accepted into summer programs, such as: The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre of Charlotte, NC, Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program in New York, NY, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Magnificat. Natalie joined Ballet Magnificat in the summer of 2002, danced and taught within their school for approx. 2 yrs. She has also started dance teams within church bodies. Through her dancing, and choreographing for others, she has taught both young and old how to use the gift of dance to worship the Lord. Natalie is married to Zachary Young, and they have two wonderful children, Joshua and Miracle, ages three and one.
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