About NYC

Northfield Youth Choirs sparks the growth of its singers through artistry, shared experiences, and joy.

Founded in 1986 by Judy Bond and Cora Scholz as a response to a local need for extracurricular and developmental choral education, NYC provides non-auditioned youth and adult choirs, and inter-generational music connections. Our community-based organization serves ages 5 through adult, offering seven choirs plus summer programming that serve over 200 singers annually. Singers attend weekly rehearsals with nationally renowned conductors and music educators, plus retreats, workshops, performances, collaborations and tours.

NYC benefits from dedicated, skilled artistic and administrative staff and an engaged board of directors. Strong leadership has enabled participation in many special events including: a performance on MPR, collaborations with VocalEssence and several MN youth choirs, performances at numerous Northfield arts and governmental special events, and opening a legislative session in the state house chamber. We enrich our singers’ learning experiences through travel for grades 6-12. Notable trips include choir festival performances in Canterbury, UK, Carnegie Hall, and Sing-A-Mile High International Choral Festival in Denver.

Our History

Northfield Youth Choirs was founded by Judy Bond & Cora Scholz in 1986.



Elizabeth Shepley, a conductor with the NYC since 2001, led the organization as Artistic Director from 2005 to 2017.

Michael Jeffrey, a former intern and conductor, returned to the NYC in 2017 to assume the role of Artistic Director and Director of the Concert Choir and served for two years. 

Dr. Allyss Haecker led the NYC as Artistic Coordinator and Conductor for Concert Choir through 2021 before moving to the East Coast.

Michelle Bendett currently serves as Artistic Director and conductor of Anima and Concert Choir.