PMO STAFF
- William Griffel
Purdue Musical Organizations Director, Varsity Glee Club Director and University Choir Director
William E. Griffel is thrilled to be starting another year as the Director of Purdue Musical Organizations at Purdue University. He directs the internationally recognized Purdue Varsity Glee Club and the University Choir as a part of the stable of ensembles offered as a part of Purdue Musical Organizations. Prior to this appointment, William was the Visual and Performing Arts Chairman and Director of Choral Music at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. He directed the nationally recognized show choir “F.C. Singers” and his internationally recognized Concert Choir. William has traveled internationally both as a director and as a performer. While at Franklin Central, William was also an assistant football coach for six years with the Franklin Central Varsity Football program.
As a performer, William has sung with many of the world’s finest concert and operatic programs. He has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Civic Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Chatauqua Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Cathedral Singers, Oriana Singers, Blue Skies Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Caroling Party.
William has served as a guest conductor and collaborator with the Purdue University Bands in 2009 and the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra in 2010 with his ensembles at Purdue Musical Organizations.
His voice can be heard on many commercial and professional recordings by some of the most recognizable publishing companies in the United States such as Warner Brothers, GIA Publications, Hal Leonard Publications, G. Shirmer and Hinshaw Press.
He is also an avid member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He has won an Illinois District Quartet Championship with “Chicago Swing” in 2000, an International Chorus Championship with the Northbrook New Tradition Chorus in 2001, a Cardinal District Quartet Championship with “The Chase” in 2001 and was the Cardinal District International Quartet qualifier for that year. William currently sings with and is a vocal coach for the Kentucky Vocal Union Barbershop Chorus in Elizabethtown, KY.
William received his bachelor’s degrees in music education and vocal performance from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI in 1991. He went on to receive a master’s degree in vocal performance in 1994 and a performance certificate in vocal performance in 1996 from DePaul University in Chicago, IL.
He is sought after annually as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and vocal coach for vocal music programs across the United States.
William and his lovely wife Natalie have two children, William and Josephine. They reside in Lafayette, IN.
- Ted Arthur
Varsity Glee Club Assistant Director, Pianist
Music is Ted’s passion, and he is excited to contribute his love for music with the talented staff at Purdue Musical Organizations. Ted graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO with a dual degree in Music-Piano and Broadcast Journalism.
A native of West Lafayette, Ted grew up in Purdue’s backyard. He has won numerous awards and piano competitions including the Keller Competition in 2000 when he performed with the Lafayette Symphony. Ted made his debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2010 with the National Memorial Day Choral Festival and accompanied world-renowned Irish Tenor, Anthony Kearns.
Ted has been an active member in music ministry serving as a musical director in college and has accompanied church choirs for more than ten years. In 2010, he accompanied and arranged music for the ordination of the new bishop of Lafayette, IN. He continues to be involved in West Lafayette/Lafayette’s musical scene and has worked extensively with the Tippecanoe School Corporation. Ted is honored to be one of the accompanists for the Melody Makers of Indiana, a statewide chorus connected to the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association.
At Purdue Musical Organizations, Ted serves as the director for the PMO Kids Choir, directs and arranges music for the men’s specialty ensembles, accompanies the Glee Club, and arranges and writes original music for the group.
- Michelle Beimfohr
Purdue Bells Director
Michelle is excited with the opportunity to return to Purdue Musical Organizations as a part of the staff. As a student, Michelle performed with the Purdue Bells from 1994-1996. She served as a student manager and social co-chair during her senior year. Highlights of her time spent at PMO include being a member of the Off-The-Table-Quartet, Shaker Chime Ensemble, and receiving the “Outstanding Ringer” award. Michelle graduated in May of 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and was a recipient of the Purdue Outstanding Senior Award. During her time away from campus, she taught first grade in Macon, Georgia as well as kindergarten and Jr./Sr. High Handbells at Faith Christian School in Lafayette. She has also directed local children and adult handbell ensembles. Raised in Logansport, she has made Lafayette her home. Michelle has spent the last several years at home with her children. She and her husband Sean have three sons, Justin, Caleb and Evan, and twin daughters, Emma and Erin.
- Lance Connolly
Scheduling & Events Coordinator
Lance Connolly is excited to be a part of Purdue Musical Organizations as the Scheduling & Events Coordinator. Lance serves as the key contact for all performance bookings, tours, PMO Kids Choir and coordinates PMO’s special events.
Outside of PMO, Lance volunteers at Westminster Village Retirement Community and serves as an usher during select events at the Elliott Hall of Music.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Hospitality & Tourism Management and performed with the Purdue Varsity Glee Club during his years as a student, serving as Chairman of the Purdusirs his senior year.
Lance looks forward to increasing PMO’s presence in the community and helping to provide the students of PMO with many performance and travel opportunities.
- Jon Ranard
Purduettes Assistant Director, Heart & Soul Director and University Choir Assistant Director
Jon Ranard, originally from Grand Island, Nebraska, returns to PMO as the Purduettes Assistant Director after completing a four-year tenure as the director of the Scarlet and Cream Singers program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He first joined the PMO family in 1991, working directly with the PMO Express, Choral Club, University Choir, and handling different administrative duties until 1998. He then served as the full-time Minister of Music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lafayette until 2004, returning to PMO on a part-time basis from 2001-2002 to work with the Purduettes.
An active choral clinician and adjudicator for competitions and contests, Jon also continues to write and arrange vocal and instrumental music for groups and ensembles throughout the country, while occasionally finding time to sing and perform.
- Andrea Ridge
Receptionist
Andrea Ridge, a native of White County, currently lives in Attica with her husband Scott and son Brock. Andrea attended Purdue in the 90's. Her father-in-law retired in May 2009 from Purdue's Office of the University Architect and her mother has retired from Purdue's School of Management.
Andrea enjoys cheering on the Boilermakers at football games, shopping and bike rides with her family. Her favorite spots on campus include Von’s, Qdoba and the fountains with her son.
It's a boy! On March 14, 2010 her stepdaughter, Morgan, gave birth to Andrea's first grandson, Koltyn Michael.
She is honored to be a part of the PMO staff and energized to work with an organization with such tremendous talent, excitement and dedication.
- Steve Schlenk
Director of Operations
Steve Schlenk serves as the Director of Operations for Purdue Musical Organizations at Purdue University. His primary responsibility is to manage all communications, public relations, marketing and media initatives for PMO. In addition, he oversees the implementation of PMO's Strategic Plan and coordinates a variety of special projects. He serves as chair of the PMO Advisory Board and represents the department on a number of committees and work groups.
Outside of PMO, Steve is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration through Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. He also volunteers as the Senior Faculty Fellow for Harrison Residence Hall and serves as chair of the Alpha Chi Omega Arts Scholarship Committee.
A native of Carmel, Steve graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in communications. As a student, he participated in Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, Old Masters Program and was inducted into Purdue’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Having been a part of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club during his years as a student, Steve is enjoying continuing his experience with PMO as a part of the staff.
- Jeff Vallier
Purduettes Director and All Campus & Community Chorale Director
Jeffrey A. Vallier is a graduate of South High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He majored in cello and voice and was a four-year member of the Concert Choir under the direction of the legendary Robert Fountain. In 1999, he earned his Masters Degree in Choral Conducting at Western Michigan University with Dr. Craig S. Arnold.
Mr. Vallier served as Department Chair and Director of Vocal Music at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan from 1989-2001. From 2001-2008, he directed the advanced women’s concert/show choir and the advanced mixed concert choir at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana. The “Varsity Singers” were consistently among the top choirs featured annually at the ISSMA State Finals as well as the IMEA and ACDA state and divisional conventions.
He has performed and directed in Carnegie Hall, as well as in Germany, France, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Italy. Mr. Vallier is a frequent adjudicator, clinician, and arranger for vocal ensembles throughout the United States.
Mr. Vallier is passionate about people, music, love, and life. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Sarah, and an active father for his three children, Adin, Riley, and Julia.
- Kim Van Meter
Account Clerk
Kim has been with Purdue Musical Organizations since the fall of 1993 as an account clerk. Her business office duties include purchasing, billings, payroll, travel, budget, and monthly reports. Kim also works with scholarships and costuming issues.
She and her husband Erick live outside Brookston, Indiana. Their two children, Megan and Jordan, are a Purdue graduate and a Purdue student, respectively. They are both Purdue Christmas Show Kids Choir alumni being in two Christmas Shows each.