Susanna Villano is the administrative director of the Notre Dame Children’s Choir. Her passion for working with children began with her career as an elementary and middle school teacher. Her passion for music led her to sing in choirs across the country. Her desire to make the world a better place led her to develop Notre Dame’s Lyric Choir, for children with special needs, and direct the Cantabile Choir, which teaches children the basics. She has her hands and her heart in many places as she manages the Notre Dame Children’s Choir.
How would you describe your job?
I make sure our singers and directors are safe, and I provide communication to parents about activities. I manage events (like concerts and fundraisers), maintain records (like accounts and attendance), and support the graduate students with classroom management, and I teach the Cantabile Choir for 7- to 8-year-olds.
Where do you work?
My office is in O’Neill Hall of Music and Sacred Music on the south side of the stadium, but I also work at our rehearsals at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church in South Bend. The Children’s Choir performs regularly in churches all around the region, and tours nationally every other year. I have toured with our choirs to California when they sang with Arturo Sandoval, to Dallas and New Orleans, out to Kansas and Minnesota, and most recently to Washington, DC. I loved taking them to Leeds, England, where they sang with the cathedral choirs in daily liturgies.
What do you like most about your job?
I find tremendous joy in bringing the amazing, healing, strengthening, and bridging power of sacred music to children and youth. I have witnessed our choristers grow into confident, compassionate leaders in their schools, churches, and our community.
I work with Mark Doerries, the founder and artistic director of Notre Dame's Children's Choir. One of the things I appreciate most is being able to work with him and his vision. He not only allowed me to fulfill my purpose, but his support has positioned me to thrive.
What makes you feel appreciated?
When a child says their years in choir had a big impact on who they are today, I feel appreciated.
What do you like most about working at Notre Dame?
Notre Dame allows me to fulfill His calling to feed His sheep, feed His lambs, by using my experience as a teacher, my love of children, my passion for singing, and my desire to make this world a better place with the love of Jesus.
Do you have a fun fact you’d like to share?
I have performed for Vice President Al Gore, recorded vocals for a biofeedback game, and sang background vocals in concerts with opera singer Kathleen Battle and Broadway legend Patti LuPone and on a Grammy Award–winning recording!
