About the Directors & Staff

Steve and Carrie Jo Mangle founded the Cantate Home School Choirs is 2007.

Carrie Jo Mangle graduated from Central Washington University in 1994 with a Bachelors of Music in Education.  After receiving endorsements in K-12 Choral, Instrumental, and General Music, she taught music in the Federal Way School District for several years and worked with the Northwest Girlchoir of Seattle for three years directing their “Choir Clubs”.  Carrie Jo and her husband Steve met at Christ’s Church in Federal Way, WA where Carrie Jo has worked in a variety of creative outlets including children’s choir, puppet team, VBS, and adult drama and choir.  Carrie Jo is the part-time music teacher as Seattle Classical Christian School. The Mangles enjoy making music with the Cantate Home School Choir families, homeschooling their children and teaching private piano lessons.

Steve Mangle majored in church music at Western Baptist College in Salem, OR where he directed and accompanied a touring ensemble  After college, Steve served as the principle accompanist at the Evangelical Free Church of Walnut Creek for several years and as interim music director for 2 years.  Steve is currently working as the Children’s Pastor at Christ’s Church at Federal Way in Federal Way, WA. He previously worked more than 20 years as the Pastor of Worship Arts Ministries.  As a father of four, he loves spending time with his family.

GROUP COACHES

Hello, My name is Mrs. Lynch! I have a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a minor in Music. I have been in choirs since I was 7 starting in our church’s kids choir all the way up to Choir of the West at Pacific Lutheran University! I taught kindergarten and first grade in public school for 7 years and then was a substitute teacher for another six years. I have a passion for educating children, for music and for the Lord and I’m so excited to see all three of these passions come together as an instructor for Cantate Homeschool Choirs! When I’m not teaching music lessons my favorite thing is making weekly brunch with my husband and our two girls on Saturday mornings.

Aimee Hecimovich graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Flute Performance. Before earning her degree, she traveled with a music missionary group for 7 1/2 years, ministering in 28 different countries, as well as throughout the USA and Canada. She’s had the honor of playing flute for Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, the Chancellor of Germany and the presidents of Colombia, Panama and several other world leaders. She went on to earn her Masters in Teaching from City University of Seattle. Her greatest honor is being single mom to an awesome teenager. 

Hello! My name is Aria Mangle and I am in my senior year of homeschooling. Throughout my life, my parents have instilled in me a passion for Christ, kids and music by surrounding me with Cantate since my very first steps in this world. I have spent my musical career so far by singing in family ensembles, church choirs, worship teams, teaching music theory to kids, leading youth worship teams and cheering on my older siblings in their musical endeavors. Since at least sixth grade, whether it be on Sunday mornings, “Kids Camps”, mission trips, baby sitting or tutoring, I have enjoyed working with kids of all ages. When I can catch a moment away from my piles of school books, my favorite places to be are with a boba or chai tea in hand while spending time with my older siblings, running around and discussing deep ideas with my church and co-op friends and dancing and acting in outreach ministries at my church.