Today's Ministry Monday features Annie Donnellon, an NPM certified cantor, as well as Rebecca Schaffer Wells and Joe Simmons, both cantors and leaders in the field. In this Ministry Monday episode, we explore the call to being a cantor in ministry, ways to strengthen ministerial and musical skills, and considerations for Directors of Music to support inclusion for both blind and sighted cantors for music ministers in a program.
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SHOW NOTES:
Bio: Annie Donnellon
Annie Donnellon is a classically trained soprano with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Northern Kentucky University. Born blind, her eye condition is bilateral micro-ophthalmia, she was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Not only is Annie a gifted actress having starred in several theater productions such as “Romeo & Juliet”, “The Glass Menagerie”, “The Autumn Garden”, and “Pilgram’s Progress” but she’s also tickles funny bones as a stand-up comedian showcasing her Chronic Songster Syndrome! A devout Catholic, Annie’s solo album titled A Sacred Collection(Amazon Music) truly demonstrates her heart to serve God.
Proverbs 17: 3 says, “A merry heart does good like medicine”, which is one of her life verses.
Although Annie often makes jokes related to her blindness, she believes with her whole heartthat looks can be deceiving and beauty is truly soul-deep.
Annie has a “cantor” certification from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and sings jazz and musical standards with The St. Therese Brass Quintet. He’s also a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity
Starting in 2023, Annie began her latest adventure as an audiobook narrator. She’s drawn to stories of independence and resilience, women’s fiction, self-help, cozy mystery and stories for young readers.
When not narrating, Annie enjoys doing a variety of exercise, spending time with her husband – whom she met when they were both pigs in a musical adaptation of “Animal Farm”, enjoying a local winery, comedy or baking her secret muffins!
Fun Facts About Annie:
-Is a Foodie and loves to bake
-Vocal Coach for young students with varying cognitive abilities
-Served as a braille proofreader
-Worked in the hotel, financial and customer service industries
-Was a Radio Host
-Self-proclaimed Dessert Queen
-Keeps a running calendar of National Food & Beverage Days
—Her favorite is National Coffee Day on September 29!
Bio: Rebecca Schaffer Wells
Rebecca Schaffer Wells has dedicated over 35 years to music performance, ministry, and education. A chorister since childhood, she draws inspiration from her parents and late brother, who were both accomplished organists, and her living brother Greg Schaffer, a Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster. After a career in jazz, commercial music, and orchestral settings, she returned to church music in 2014, armed with a Master’s degree in clarinet performance.
Rebecca has performed internationally with the Covington Cathedral Bishop’s Choir, the third U.S. choir to sing Mass at St. Peter's in the Vatican. Tours have included Masses and concerts in the cathedrals of Notre Dame de Paris, Canterbury, Westminster, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montreal, and Quebec City. She is passionate about sharing her international experiences with adult, youth, and children’s choirs, fostering an inclusive environment under God.
“What excites me is that moment when a singer 'gets it'—when they finally grasp a truth that was right in front of them!”
Throughout her career, Mrs. Wells has collaborated with notable musicians like Dave Brubeck, Sadao Watanabe, Peter Cetera, and Frankie Valli, along with regional orchestras. One cherished memory is performing the saxophone solo in The Wizard of Oz when the Tin Man wishes, “If I only had a heart…” As Music Minister, she has worked with Bobby Fisher and participated in major events at the National Pastoral Musicians’ conventions.
Her first love is the choral, orchestral, and organ music of Johann Sebastian Bach, but she embraces all styles. “It's most rewarding when people ask for my help in choosing music that aligns with the Readings and direction of the Mass. The highest purpose of music in liturgy is to point to Jesus Christ and the Trinity.”
Outside of music, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and adult daughters, and she loves long bike rides. She can be contacted via website: nkyYouthChoir.org and email: nkyYouthChoir@gmail.com
Bio: Joe Simmons
Joe Simmons is a pastoral musician, cantor formation leader, author, and concert and recording artist based in New York City. He serves as Director of Music and Cantor for The Sunday Mass, a nationally televised broadcast of the Passionist Community (TheSundayMass.org).
A longtime leader in cantor formation, Joe has presented numerous workshops and institutes nationwide for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and chaired the steering committee that launched its original cantor certification program. He continues this work through multi-day parish residencies for cantors and lectors, helping faith communities deepen the quality and impact of their vocal ministries.
Joe has taught song interpretation at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is the author of The Work of the Cantor: Proclaimer of the Word, Leader of Prayer (GIA/WLP), co-author of Cantor Basics, 2nd Edition (OCP), and a contributor to Pastoral Music and AIM Liturgy Resources. His recordings of spiritual music, Sudden Waves and Singing Out, are widely used in healing ministries and available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Joe’s ministry is further informed by his work as a healthcare communication trainer and coach, where he helps professionals cultivate communication practices that support presence, meaningful engagement, and behavior change, with faculty affiliations including City University of New York and the Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation.
He is currently partnering with Anne Donnellon and Rebecca Wells to launch Cantor Forum, an interactive podcast for cantors, music leaders, clergy, and anyone exploring the cantor ministry. Learn more and subscribe at LiturgyCoach.com.
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