Music/Choir

Kathryn Duncan

I moved to Chicago with my husband Chris in 2011. We chose Chicago mostly on a whim (we'd been living in a tiny Idaho town and wanted an adventure!), but we've fallen in love with the cultural diversity, the vibrant music scene, and the incredible people we've met here. When I'm not at StG's I work as a professional chorister, singing with many organizations including the Chicago Symphony Chorus (where, as someone who played the violin for many years, it's a struggle to maintain my professional composure and not just completely geek out when I get to sit behind that incredible world-class orchestra!), the William Ferris Chorale, the High Holy Days Choir of Temple Sholom, the studio recording choir for World Library Publications, and many freelance singing gigs all over the city. That said, my latest and greatest musical achievement has been teaching myself to perfectly replicate the sound of a bicycle horn with my voice (to the “we are in PUBLIC” dismay of my husband and the never-ending glee of my nephews), so that will probably tell you something about me. :)

When I'm not singing, I love to teach myself how to do handyman projects around the house (last year we purchased our first home in Rolling Meadows), practice embroidery and calligraphy, and read anatomy textbooks just for fun. We recently adopted a dog, Charlie (a 4 year old boxer/beagle who is far too smart for his own good - he loves trying to steal ice cubes from our fridge door ice dispenser), and are hoping to add more dogs to our pack very soon! Our little family loves to eat sushi and spend our spare time binge watching Star Trek, Property Brothers, and any and all zombie movies. :) We’ve learned to maximize the relaxation when we can get it, as we’ve had our fair share of drama over the last couple of years. In 2018 Chris was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at the ripe old age of 36, so we’ve been endlessly grateful for our StG’s family that has been a constant source of love and support through it all. We’ve wholeheartedly embraced the mantra “it is what it is,” and strive to live every day with joy and light and laughter!

I've been a musician my whole life - I grew up Mormon, so one of my earliest memories is going to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing live. I knew from that moment that I wanted to sing in a choir, and that shaped most of my schooling and extracurricular choices from grade school through college, and eventually became my career. Even though I'm not Mormon anymore, sacred music has become part of my DNA - and I've come to deeply appreciate how important it is in both weekly communal worship and in building a personal relationship with God. While music is, for me, the medium through which I find spiritual connection, I also truly believe it is one of the most restorative and empowering forces for good in the world.

When I started singing at StG’s as the alto soloist and section leader, it didn’t take long for my Sunday mornings to no longer feel like a job… this church became my spiritual community and home. It’s the greatest pleasure and privilege of my life to get to raise my voice in worship and song with all the welcoming and loving souls in this community! It is my honor to serve at StG’s Music Minister, a capacity in which I take no greater joy than encouraging people of all ages and all skill levels to experience the transformative power of music.

Cameo Humes

Keanon Kyles

Keanon Kyles, praised by CNN for his “incredible bass-baritone voice” and by Scottish Magazine, Opera Scotland for his “beautiful technique”. Kyles was raised in Chicago where his musical journey started and where he received his bachelor’s degree in music from Chicago’s Columbia College. Keanon made his opera debut as Colline in Puccini's “La Boheme”. Conducted by Metropolitan Opera’s Maestro David Jackson, he made his Italy debut in Trento, Italy as Betto in Gianni Schicchi and Peter in Hansel and Gretel. Keanon was featured as Billy Evans in the world premiere of Floating Opera Company’s production of “War and Peace”. Kyles made his Chicago Opera Theater debut as Daggoo in "Moby Dick", shortly after he was asked to return perform the role of Tommie in the opera, "Freedom Ride" with Chicago Opera Theater. He has ranked one of the top 5 singers in the National Association of Negro Musicians competition. He made his Lyric Opera debut by way of Lyric Unlimited’s production of “Earth to Kenzie” and soon after made his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut as a featured soloist in their “Purpose Over Pain” concert.

Okay, okay enough of the “text bookie” talk lol outside of singing I’m deeply rooted in fashion and interior design. For years I would co-host fashion shows in downtown Chicago for Columbia College’s Fashion Department all while being an Assistant Manager/Visual Merchandiser for department store, Tuesday Morning. So, if you went into their Lakeview, Lincoln Park or Niles store and said, “Oh my what wonderful displays—it was I! *Shameless plug* so feel free to call on me when you get into your spring cleaning! Life is full of surprises, good and bad, I live each day accepting everyone as they are, sharing God’s love, sharing the gift God gave me, speaking life into people trials and tribulations and making sure I smile through it all. Smile—because a smile heals and nourishes the soul with positivity!

Viki Rill

I was born and raised in the Chicago area, starting in Jefferson Park, then moving to Des Plaines at the beginning of 7th grade. Since then I've lived in Wisconsin, Ohio, Italy, then back to Palatine, IL, and finally back to Chicago proper. I'm a city girl at heart, and have found my perfect spot in Lincoln Square where I live with my adorable cats. My current day job is as the Associate Director of Total Rewards at the Illinois Institute of Technology - I've always joked that human resources is great for the right half of my brain, while musical endeavors are for the left half!

Many people know that I'm a huge Cubs fan - I finally got my season tickets in 2019 after 13 years on the waiting list! In the summer there's nothing better than a warm, sunny day at Wrigley Field with the Cubs in the lead. It's also one of the avenues I use as an excuse to spend time with my fantastic nephews and niece, who are some of the brightest spots in my life and who I enjoy spoiling rotten. When I'm not at Wrigley I love traveling to see the Cubs in other cities - I'm on a mission to visit all 30 MLB parks, to see the Cubs play in as many of them as I can. I also love just traveling and new experiences in general - my other mission is to do my favorite Bodypump workout in all 50 states. When in Chicago, I love playing tour guide for family, friends, and the aforementioned nephews and niece.

For several years now St. Gregory's has been another musical home of sorts, as well as a spiritual one. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to sing with such incredible musicians, and to be part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. It is my sincere hope that I can give back to St. G's as much as it's given me.