Jesse Lange

 Mr. Jesse Lange holds a B.M. in Music Education (Magna Cum Laude) awarded by the University of Akron. While attending Akron he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, founded and directed the Internationally Award-Winning ensemble A Cappella Nuance, and founded and directed the University of Akron Men's Chorus. After completing the masters program in Choral Conducting at the University of Akron in 2008 and teaching for 7 years at Cuyahoga Falls High School, Mr. Lange came to Heights. He is currently the director of choirs here at Cleveland Heights High School, associate conductor with the Singers Companye, director of the Derbytown Chorus, director of the Akron Harmony Project, director of music at Bethany English Lutheran Church, and a senior instructor with Music Together Summit. 

Alicia Burkle

Alicia Burkle is the Assistant in the Vocal Music Department. Alicia served as a musician in the Army National Guard and continues to sing with community choruses. Alicia earned her MBA from Excelsior University and brings extensive experience in program and project management, organizational leadership, and community engagement, along with a strong background in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where students and staff can thrive both artistically and personally.

William Shaffer

William C. Shaffer is proud to be a Cleveland native. He is an organist, pianist, accompanist and music director in the greater Cleveland area. He received his Bachelor Degree in Piano Performance from Baldwin Wallace University under the guidance of Dr. George Cherry, and his Master of Music Degree in Collaborative Piano from The Cleveland Institute of Music with Anne Epperson as his primary professor.
William has enjoyed an extensive performing career, playing at all the major venues in the greater Cleveland area, including Severance Hall and all of the major universities. He enjoys accompanying as well as solo playing, and has had opportunities to perform
with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also played by special invitation at the White House, and has also been on three international solo concert tours.
William has a love for a variety of music, including music theater. He has played for most of the major Broadway tours that have come through Cleveland, including Wicked, Back to the Future and most recently Kimberly Akimbo. William was thrilled to be asked to be associate conductor and keyboardist for the First National Tour of
Something Rotten for a year as well. In addition, William also has been the music director of over 30 local theater productions.
William also has an affinity for the choral world as well. He has either played for or conducted the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, Cleveland State University Chorus and Chorale, Baldwin Wallace Men’s Chorus and
University Chorus, Old Stone Church Choir, Cathedral of St. John Choir, and Blossom Festival Choir. 
In the religious world, William is now the full time Director of Music Ministries at Communion of Saints Parish in Cleveland Heights, OH. Past positions also include The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and The Old Stone Church on Public Square in Downtown Cleveland.
William recently celebrated his twentieth wedding anniversary with his wife Michelle. They enjoy traveling together and spending time with their three furry “kids”, Sherlock, Anastasia and Hemingway.