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Cantus Novus, a vocal chamber ensemble based in Bloomington, Illinois, was founded in 2001 to provide outstanding performance opportunities for distinguished community vocalists in Central Illinois.
The group has developed a notable reputation in the performance of a varied repertoire of sacred and secular works. The ensemble's ranks include several music educators as well as those with just a personal passion for music.
Cantus Novus is honored to be directed by Matt Davis. Here, in his own words, is information about his background and education:
"I grew up in a family that cherishes music, and we often sang together and in choirs. I have a lovely wife and five children, and we live near Colfax, IL, where we enjoy our dogs and chickens. I graduated from Limestone Community HS in 2002 and pursued studies and careers in business and IT before returning to ISU for a Voice Performance degree ('21). I'll finish my Master's in Music - Voice Performance and Master's in Music- Choral Conducting this spring [2023], and I'll start applying to doctoral programs for the fall 2024 academic year."
Our collaborative pianist Joohee Jeong was born in South Korea and began studying piano when she was five. After completing Arts Middle School and Seoul Arts High School, she studied at Indiana University South Bend where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Piano Performance. Currently, she is pursuing her second master’s degree, Master of Music Collaborative Piano, at Illinois State University.
Besides performing recitals in South Korea, England, and the United States, she has performed with the Suwon Prime Philharmonic Orchestra in South Korea and the Indiana University of South Bend Symphonic Orchestra. From 2016 to 2022, she taught piano performance for non-music major students and was a primary opera accompanist at the University of Notre Dame as an adjunct teaching professor.