Chicago Artists for Action

Claire Minnis is an educator, musician, and conductor creating purposeful musical communities celebrating all skill and experience levels. Claire inspires professional and novice singers to musical excellence together with a unified purpose of advocating for issues of justice through innovative programming and community partnerships. Her newest project, Justice Choir Chicago, launches this fall.

Claire has performed with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Chamber Singers; directed the St. Louis Women’s Chorus, Kirkwood Children’s Chorale; and founded Justice Choir of Grand Rapids and the St. Louis Community Chamber Singers since graduating from Millikin University with her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Nonprofit Administration to continue combining her passions of music and justice.

In addition to serving as the common pulse Director of Operations, Kaleb sings in the tenor section. He has been an active member of the Chicago choral community since 2015 and has sung with the Wicker Park Choral Singers, the Chicago Choral Project, and common pulse. Much of his choral formation took place in the vocal ensembles and studios of St. Olaf College.

Kaleb comes to common pulse with a commitment to artistic collaboration and experience in nonprofit management. He currently works as the program director of a scholarship program for international students, focused on gender equity in access to education. Outside of work and choir, Kaleb spends his time cooking, coding, camping, and loving his Chicago community.

Lydia is the founder and artistic director of common pulse. She received her masters degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University in 2018 and her undergraduate degree in choral conducting from Oberlin College in 2012. Between degrees, Lydia joined Chicago Children’s Choir as a conductor. While in Chicago, she founded and directed common pulse and the Admiral Chorus, an ensemble for singers living at The Admiral at the Lake. In addition to her conducting positions, Lydia sang with Peregrine Vocal Ensemble and Wicker Park Choral Singers.

Outside of common pulse, Lydia can be found directing choirs at Youth Choral Theater of Chicago and Glenview Community Church, teaching lessons, and singing in mirabai.