Meet the team
Jackie Criswell
Founder/President
Jackie Criswell is the founder of Sing Out Loud. She obtained a Bachelor of Music in voice/violin from Wheaton College but then decided to go to law school. She chaired the Intellectual Property Group at Tressler LLP and acts as both a litigator and counselor on these issues. Most of her time is now devoted to sharing the joy of singing and developing genuine friendships with our seniors. She is a sports fanatic, especially basketball and football, and is a secret introvert.Favorite Song to Sing with our Seniors: Frankie Valli's "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You".
Veronica Oczowinski
Vocalist
Veronica Oczowinski has been singing and performing since the age of 5, she moved to Chicago to complete her undergrad in Musical Theatre and Voiceover at Columbia College Chicago and is continuing her education at DePaul University to receive her MS in Speech and Language Pathology. She has been with Sing Out Loud since Fall of 2018 and loves being able to connect with people through music. Veronica loves learning about history and experiences from our Seniors. She has always loved music from across many decades and is a huge Frank Sinatra fan.
Favorite Song to Sing with our Seniors: It's so difficult to choose but "Pistol Packing Mama" is a lot of fun!
Favorite Song to Sing with our Seniors: It's so difficult to choose but "Pistol Packing Mama" is a lot of fun!
Grace Surber
Vocalist
Grace Surber has been singing and preforming in musical theatre since she was five years old. Her first role was as an ensemble member in a Roger’s and Hammerstein production of Cinderella. She moved to Chicago to study at the Moody Bible Institute, and is currently earning her degree in Human Services, with a minor in Music.She loves working in residential care, and also currently works as a Resident Assistant to college students. She enjoys spending her free time outside enjoying nature, thrifting, and making memories with her family. She loves the sweet connections that she has made so far with the seniors, and looks forward to continually deepening those relationships.
Favorite Song to Sing with the Seniors: I love, It Don’t Mean a Thing, and You are My Sunshine (the lullaby version)
Favorite Song to Sing with the Seniors: I love, It Don’t Mean a Thing, and You are My Sunshine (the lullaby version)
Nicholas Guetterman
Pianist
Nicholas Guetterman, pianist, began his music training at the age of four, when his Mom who also plays piano, realized that Nicholas was greatly intrigued when he tried to copy what his mother played at the piano. Throughout his life, Nicholas played many other instruments, including flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, and a variety of percussion instruments. He participated in his high school marching band, indoor concert band, indoor drumline, choir, and orchestra. Nicholas has been fortunate to travel and perform all over the United States. He received a substantial scholarship to study at DePaul University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance and is working towards his master’s. As a second-year masters student, he studies with internationally recognized pianist George Vatchnadze. Nicholas lives in Chicago, where he teaches piano and collaborates with other local musicians, composers, and directors. He has been a valuable member of Sing Out Loud since April of 2021. One of the things that Nicholas appreciates most about being a part of this organization is the absence of a barrier between “performer” and “audience”.
Anthony Ty
Pianist
Anthony Ty is 22 and has been playing the piano since he was 5. Growing up, his biggest influence was watching YouTubers and Twitch music streamers play music from his favorite video games and movies. He now inspires others to play the piano through live-streaming weekly on Twitch and has accumulated thousands of followers and has over 1 million total views on his channel.
Aside from inspiring through performance, Ty also has a passion for teaching. His philosophy comes from his high school band director, who thought learning music was not only about being good at your instrument and making beautiful sounds but how to be the best person you could be. Ty now runs a small studio of his own.
Ty received a Bachelor’s of Music degree in piano performance at DePaul University
Aside from inspiring through performance, Ty also has a passion for teaching. His philosophy comes from his high school band director, who thought learning music was not only about being good at your instrument and making beautiful sounds but how to be the best person you could be. Ty now runs a small studio of his own.
Ty received a Bachelor’s of Music degree in piano performance at DePaul University
.jpg&height=373)
Jim Borcia
Director
Jim is a partner at Tressler LLP and an experienced trial attorney with an emphasis on intellectual property, professional liability and commercial litigation. Jim and his wife founded The Y-noT Project dedicated to stopping intoxicated boating in honor of their beloved son Tony. As a result of the project, several new laws were enacted in Illinois to improve boating safety and enhance enforcement of existing laws.
Pam Netherton
Director
Pam has a Master’s in Education and has impacted many middle school and adult students as a counselor and teacher. She is also a Master Gardener and since retiring from teaching has created a backyard habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. She comes from a large family that enjoys music and singing together. Pam‘s new passion is playing her tenor ukulele. Her favorite song to play is Tonight You Belong to Me, the Steve Martin/Bernadette Peters version.
