James A. Schatzman

Founder, Conductor, and Artistic Director

Versatility, one of Maestro Schatzman’s most respected qualities, has been the hallmark of the CAS’s programming from the beginning. Equally at home in the concert hall or the theater, Mr. Schatzman has led and prepared the chorus to perform masterworks of the classical repertoire and musical theater in each of the CAS’s 39 seasons.

Bringing premieres and lesser-known works to our audience is also a passion of Maestro Schatzman. In 2010, he led the CAS in a performance of Glenn Burleigh’s Nguzo Saba Suite at Lincoln Center in New York City’s Avery Fischer Hall.In 2012, he led the U.S. premiere of Adrian Snell’s The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child which also opened the 2015-16 season. The composer was here to take part in both performances. After receiving his education at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Mr. Schatzman has continued his studies with William Weinert of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Margaret Hillis of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and Philip Brunelle of the Plymouth Music Series in Minneapolis.

Dr. Elizabeth Steffensen

Administrative Director

A Wisconsin native, soprano Elizabeth Steffensen earned her D.M.A. in Voice Performance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, her M.M. in Voice Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and her B.M. in Voice Performance, magna cum laude, from St. Olaf College and studied voice with Adrianne Paffrath, Dr. Alison Feldt, Rachel Inselman, and Dr. Wendy Zaro-Mullins.

During her undergraduate career at St. Olaf, Dr. Steffensen participated in Lyric Theatre productions and multiple ensembles, including the St. Olaf Choir and the St. Olaf Handbell Choir. At UMD, she was a recipient of the Graduate Music Merit Award and an original member of the UMD Voyageurs outreach performance troupe and Sieur Du Luth Opera Training Program. While pursuing her doctorate, the soprano presented a distinctive recital featuring works by living, female, American composers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is also a two-time graduate division regional finalist for the Classical Singer University Competition and regularly played a role in Mill City Summer Opera’s educational outreach and studio artist programs since the company’s inaugural season. Dr. Steffensen and her husband, Ryan, recently moved to Southeastern Wisconsin to be closer to family.

Patricia “Pat” Badger

Associate Conductor

A veteran educator, Pat’s musical career centered on teaching music and chairing the performing arts at The Prairie School. Currently Prairie’s Advisor for Arts and Community, Pat, also, serves as a consultant and facilitator for the SEED Project, which trains teachers and leaders to make schools and institutions more inclusive. As a trumpeter, Pat is a member of the Racine Symphony and a performer with the Choral Arts Society. In addition to being on the First Presbyterian Church Music Team, each summer she teaches recorder classes at The Clearing in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Pat’s background includes degrees from the College of Wooster and the University of Louisville and study with Mark McDunn, Leon Rapier, and Edward Tarr. However, her most impactful teachers are her students of all ages, past and present, who inspire, challenge, and ever deepen her belief in the collaborative and life-giving power the arts and our stories possess. She lives in an 1860s historical house and restored an 1800s Door County log cabin with her late wife and partner in musical escapades, Adrianne. She is a recipient of the YWCA’s Women of Distinction, The Clearing’s White Cedar Award, honoring excellence in teaching, the Racine Arts Council Heart of Arts Award, and was recently featured as part of The Passions Movement “GLBTQ Passions Project.”

Randy Fischer

Accompanist

Married and the father of two, Randy holds a B.A. in Music with an education minor from Carroll College and a second certification in elementary education PK3 from the University of Wisconsin Parkside. He retired from the Racine Unified School District as a first-grade teacher at North Park Elementary School. He is the organist at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, and in the past was the Musical Director and accompanist for Apple Holler in Sturtevant for five seasons. Mr. Fischer has been the rehearsal and performance accompanist for select RSO and CAS programs and, for many years, had accompanied students participating in District and State solo and ensemble competitions. He has been spending his retirement years exploring the world.

Alejandro Alumbreros

Accompianist

Alejandro Alumbreros is a pianist, conductor, and music director who has performed in the United States, Europe, and South America. Born in Spain, his passion for music ignited at an early age beginning with the accordion, an instrument frequently heard in his native Basque region.

In Spain, he collaborated as an accompanist for the Bilbao Opera and Biotz Alai Choir, where he also served as an assistant conductor. Immediately following, he moved to the United States on a full scholarship and earned a Master’s Degree in collaborative piano performance at Carnegie Mellon University. After graduation, he stayed in Pittsburgh and played for Pittsburgh CLO, Point Park University Musical Theater, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Ballet, and Pittsburgh Savoyards. Upon moving to southwestern Wisconsin, Alumbreros has played for Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Ballet, Skylight Opera Theatre, UW-Parkside, and the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Alumbreros also arranges and composes music for choral and contemporary a cappella groups. His most recent choral composition, “Laugh,” was performed by the Belle Ensemble of Racine during the 2022-23 concert season, while “Celebration,” an original piece for Handbell Choir and Manual Organ, was premiered in February 2024 for the 185th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Racine, in Wisconsin. In addition to teaching music for Kenosha Unified School District, Alumbreros currently serves as Choral Director and Organist for First Presbyterian Church of Racine, Pianist for Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist of Racine, and Music Director for Interlochen Center for the Arts, Michigan.