Board of Directors (2025-26)
President – José Clavell Acosta
Vice President – Shawn Mullen
Secretary – Carol Palmer
Treasurer – Lori Fenton
Tommy Castle
Jade Fox
Molly Franta
Sue Hoss
Melanie Keiper
Maggie Mendenhall
Eric Mohlis
Scott Perrin
Sohee Lee | Collaborative Pianist
Sohee Lee is the Organist and Associate Director of Music of Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, She was born in South Korea, where she began studying piano and organ at an early age. She earned an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering and graduate degrees in church music (organ) in South Korea. She finished her Master’s degree and Artist Diploma degree in Organ Performance at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati.
She earned second prize in the Strader National Organ Competition. In demand as a performer, Sohee has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the Presbyterian University Choirs, Collegium Cincinnati, and University of Cincinnati Wind Symphony.
Sohee has studied under Michael Unger, Robert Gary, and Eunsung Kim. In recent years, she has played in master classes of Jean-Baptiste Robin, Nathan Laube, David Higgs, Bruce Neswick, and Todd Wilson.
Wade Petersen | Administrative Assistant
Wade Petersen taught French and Language Arts classes for 33 years in Iowa before retiring in 2020.
Petersen earned a B.A. in secondary education through Northwestern College and the Alliance Française in Paris, France. Wade earned his Master’s degree from Drake University in Effective Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. Petersen was named Iowa’s 2004 High School World Language Educator of the Year. In 2012, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa World Language Association. In 2016, he was a finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year award from the Department of Education. Wade has published over 40 educational books for French, Spanish, and German teachers; his products are marketed throughout the United States and Canada.
Wade served as the Operations Manager of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus from 2019-2022. He is currently a board member and the newsletter editor for the First Friday Breakfast Club.