Our Music TEam
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Artistic Director
Dr. Allison Thorp 
Dr. Allison Thorp joined Womansong as Artistic Director in July 2022. She is also the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, where she conducts the Concert Choir and University Chorus, teaches conducting and choral methods, and supervises student teachers in choral music education.
“I am very excited to be a part of this choral community!” says Allison. "I was impressed on every level from the musical performance videos to the group’s commitment to service in the community.... I see women’s choruses as a place... to be renewed, to meet kindred spirits, to be seen and to not be invisible. We put beautiful energy out into the world through our music, but also take it home within ourselves...." An advocate for “choral activism,” Allison will enhance Womansong by encouraging voices of diverse communities through our repertoire. She wants to spread joy through music...” Allison loves the support and care found in the Womansong Village. “I think it’s important to nurture that element of human connection—it’s good for our minds, our bodies, and our music.” Allison shares, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to begin my musical journey with Womansong!” Dr. Thorp earned her doctorate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where her dissertation was a study of socially identified community choirs including the Akoma African American Women's Gospel Chorus, Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, and Rochester Jewish Chorale. Prior to her collegiate career, she taught choral, instrumental and general music as a public school teacher in Kentucky and also served as Director of Music at Louisa United Methodist Church in Louisa, KY, and South Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. Since moving to WNC in 2016, she has worked with regional organizations including the Asheville Lyric Opera, the Asheville Defiant Requiem, and the Folkmoot Festival Choir, among others. Dr. Thorp’s research interests include social justice in music education and community building through musical performance. She lives in Waynesville with her husband, Sean; toddler, Aidan; and cat, Ella Fitzgerald. |
Assistant Director
Claire Lemke 
Claire Lemke joined Womansong as our Assistant Director for Spring 2023.
Claire holds a Master’s Degree in Music, Music Theory and Cognition from Northwestern University (Evanston IL), and a BA in Music from WCU. She brings experience both as a piano and voice instructor, currently teaching piano and voice as an adjunct music instructor at A-B Tech. She also performs locally as a singer-songwriter. She is kind and enthusiastic and shares our choir’s commitment to advancing social justice. |
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Accompanist
Lytingale 
Lytingale (Lois Henrickson) joined Womansong in 2003 as a singer, and soon added her talents on piano, flute, and hand percussion, becoming our official accompanist in 2011. She also arranges and composes for Womansong.
Lyte earned her B.S. in Music Education (Voice) at University of Connecticut, and has used her clear soprano for all kinds of music, from rock to Broadway, classical to jazz. She has taught Voice and served as Music Director and leader of The Unitic Band at Unity Center from 1983-2015. Lyte has composed over 400 songs, including "With Great Love" performed by Womansong and by the mass choir at the 2010 Sister Singers Network Festival; "I Will Carry You" (title song of Womansong CD); "My Sisters" and "Dinner" (on our "Turn the World Around" CD), "Me, Too", "Doin' the Best We Can", "Pizza Round" and more. A new piece, "Together We Can Change the World," will be performed by a mass choir at the 2023 Sister Singers Network festival in Cleveland. She is the proud parent of singer-songwriter/voice teacher Kathryn O'Shea and drummer/mixing-mastering engineer/politician Michael O'Shea. |
Music Sign Language Interpreter
Shiner Antiorio 
Shiner Antiorio joined Womansong in 2000 as the music interpreter, a role which continues to feed her spirit. Combining the beauty of American Sign Language with her passion for dance and music, Shiner presents an innovative interpretation enjoyed by Deaf and hearing audiences alike. Her work has been presented in numerous venues from Asheville to California, in schools and on the stage.
Combining her BA in Education with her AA in American Sign Language, Shiner has joyfully taught American Sign Language and Deaf culture to ages ranging from 5 to 95. |