Michael Hummel
Head High School Choir Director / Private Vocal Instructor / Musical Theater Music Director
This is Michael Hummel’s 23rd year of teaching and second year at Plainfield high school. Michael’s current responsibilities include directing five choirs and is also the Director of music for Plainfield’s musical theater productions. Originally from Washington State, Michael earned his Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Bob Jones University in 1997 and in 2009 received his Master of Music Education degree from Anderson University. Michael was appointed to the ISSMA Concert Organization board in 2009 and in July, 2011 was appointed to serve as the ICDA’s Repertoire and Standards Chair for high school choirs. In 2019 Michael was elected to be the President-elect of the Indiana Choral Directors Association and in 2021 transitioned to serve as President. In addition, Michael is the current IMEA Choral Music Division Chair.
Before coming to Indiana, Michael was a music educator in South Carolina and Michigan, where his groups received numerous awards and recognition. Since coming to Indiana in 2003, his groups have garnered numerous Grand Champion awards throughout the United States. For 15 consecutive years, his groups have been represented at the ISSMA State Choir Finals, each time receiving Group I Gold “With Distinction ratings and honors. In 2017 his mixed Concert Choir was named ISSMA STATE CHAMPIONS. In 2018 both his Unisex and Mixed show choirs were named ISSMA State Champions. In 2019 his Unisex show choir was named GRAND CHAMPIONS in the large school division and both his mixed and women’s concert choirs were ISSMA STATE RUNNERS-UP.
In 2016 Michael was awarded by IMEA as Indiana’s High School Music Educator of the Year. In addition, Michael was chosen as a quarter-finalist for the 2017 GRAMMY’s Music Educator Award.
Andrea Bennett
Accompanist
This is Andrea Bennett’s second year as Plainfield Choirs Accompanist. Andrea graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1992 with degrees in Music Education and Music with Piano Emphasis.
Andrea has played piano professionally for over 35 years. She has taught K-8 Music and directed multiple church choirs. She has also taught private lessons, performed as a soloist and accompanied musical theatre productions, soloists and large and small ensembles. Andrea very much enjoys the work and interactions with the middle and high school students here at Plainfield.
Andrea and her husband Jeff have two fabulous daughters. One is a middle school choir director and the other is a musical theatre performance major.