Monroeville Chorus

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ABOUT OUR DIRECTOR:
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Dianne Strong Runser, our director, has led the Chorus since 1984, received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from WV Wesleyan College and a Master of Music Education degree from Duquesne University. She taught vocal and general music in the Edgewood School District, near Pittsburgh, for four years, then served as a substitute teacher in several school districts for 16 years.  Dianne now serves as organist and music director at the First United Methodist Church in Irwin, PA, where she is responsible for three handbell choirs, three vocal choirs, a praise band, dance team and drama team. She has been the director of the Monroeville Chorus since 1984, and plays piano and organ for weddings and other celebrations.  She served on the board of directors and as the national corresponding secretary of the Strong Family Association of America, a genealogy organization, for 26 years. She co-authored Strong Family History Update, Volume IV, in 1995. She is also a member of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Worship Arts, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Mortarboard.  She has been a member of Eastern Star for many years. She was a Past Matron of Level Green Chapter #533, then moved her membership to Irwin #400 when Level Green closed.  She has been active in her chapter and in the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. She was District Deputy Grand Matron in 1984 – 1985. She has both sung in and accompanied the Grand Choir for many years. She was Grand Choir Director in 1986-1987and again in 2015-2016. She has been active in the Order of Rainbow for Girls since age 12. She is a Past Worthy Advisor of Level Green Assembly, and is a past Grand Representative to Louisiana. She is currently serving on the advisory board of Irwin Assembly #42.  She has served the Pennsylvania Grand Assembly as state Music Director since 2011. 

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ABOUT OUR ACCOMPANIST:
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Doug Skalka, our accompanist, studied piano and organ since childhood. He is an IT Technical Principal with FedEx Services.  Doug serves as Organist for Christ Lutheran Church in Forest Hills. He has been the accompanist for the Monroeville Chorus since 1994. Doug plays for weddings and other celebrations and events. He has been a part of many musical productions for The Theatre Factory in Trafford and for several high schools in the eastern suburbs.
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