Choir Department Staff

Mr. Tyler Skidmore, Director of Choirs  

Mr. Skidmore is a year 2000 graduate of Medina High School.  He holds a BA in Music Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a Master of Music Degree in voice performance from Kent State University, receiving also two years of graduate choral conducting study.  Mr. Skidmore is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association, where he has served as the Northeast Ohio Regional Chairperson for the Ohio state chapter.  He is an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association (NAfME) and serves as a vocal and choral adjudicator.  Medina choirs have enjoyed strong performances and numerous superior ratings at OMEA Adjudicated Events.  An active singer himself, Mr. Skidmore has performed as a chorister or soloist with organizations including:  Apollo’s Fire, Quire Cleveland,  Contrapunctus, West Shore Chorale, Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, among others. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, running, learning new things, eating a variety of foods, and spending time with his family.

Ms. Katie Peyton, Encore Assistant Director and Crew Supervisor

Katie Peyton is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Theater and Costume Design. After taking some time to work for the Walt Disney Company in Orlando Florida, Katie came home to be closer to family and pursue her passion for Theater in northeast Ohio. Katie has been the Assistant Director for The Encore Entertainment Company since 2014. Working closely with the Medina Directing Staff to bring award winning costumes and shows to the competitive show choir world. Katie had also been the resident costume designer for CAMEO since 2012 winning a Broadway World award for her costumes in the CAMEO production of The Wizard of OZ.

Mr. Tom Bonezzi, Encore Pit Band Director and Arranger

Tom Bonezzi is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a Bachelor’s degree in music education. He is in his third year as Director of Music for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish in Medina. Mr. Bonezzi is a member of the directing staff for Medina High School’s showchoir, the Encore Entertainment Company, as arranger and director of the instrumental pit band, TomboCombo. As a pianist, he collaborates with musicians of all ages for recitals, concerts and musicals in the northeastern Ohio region. In addition to recently joining the board of CAMEO Arts Creative, his involvement with the organization includes serving as rehearsal pianist, music director, and most recently, co-producer for Broadway in Concert, Into the Woods, and The Music Man in collaboration with Medina High School.