AboutStevi Marks, a 2014 Grammy Music Educator Award semi-finalist, formerly the choral director at Glenbrook South High School – named The National Grammy Signature School - where she continues to direct the annual variety show. A Golden Apple Teaching Award nominee, Ms. Marks received a bachelor's degree in vocal-choral music education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a master's degree from VanderCook College of Music. She served five years as vocal jazz chair for District 7 for the Illinois Music Educators Association; twice hosting vocal jazz auditions and District Seven Senior Festivals. Frequently sought as a clinician and guest festival conductor, she is the head of choral programs at Midwest Young Artists (MYA) where she directs the professional children's chorus, Voices Rising. Their performance schedule includes Welcome Yule and Merry, Merry! (Dec. 2015) with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Kennedy Center (March 2015), Pick Staiger and Ravinia.
Among Stevi's other professional credits are membership in the Chicago Symphony Chorus and performing in and directing hundreds of shows at varied venues including the Marriot Theatre in Lincolnshire and Apple Tree Theatre, where she also served as artistic director of the Theatre for Young Audiences, directed the Eileen Boevers Traveling Troupe for twenty-five years, the Summer on Stage theater program, and as teacher and educational director of the Eileen Boevers Performing Arts Workshop.
A devoted and active volunteer, Stevi sings weekly in nursing homes with Musical Revue (sponsored by Metropolitan Family Services) and has helped lead four trips for Habitat for Humanity.