Accompanist Bonnie Werthmann
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Bonnie Werthmann began piano studies at three years of age and began performing at public recitals at age four. She was invited to perform at Orchestra Hall at age nine. She competed in numerous state and national piano competitions, gathering many top honors. While attending Northern Illinois University as a music major, she worked with several jazz and rock groups.
Bonnie was Musical Director, arranger and pianist for the Miss Illinois Pageant (for the Miss America pageant) when it was held in Aurora in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She was the Producer and Musical Director for the 1972 pageant.
She has performed in Chicago and suburbs as a soloist and with several bands, including the group Transition as a vocalist and keyboard player. Transition was also the house band for a recording studio, and wrote and recorded commercials for several years.
Bonnie directed the Holy Angels choir from 1971-2006, and worked with the Junior Choir for many years. She taught General Music at Holy Angels School for 13 years and directed the Holy Angels School Chorus, a group of 120+ young voices. She was Director of Music Ministries from 1999-2006.
She has been Musical Director and Accompanist for many local productions including “Broadway Bound Players” with Arlene Hawks. She has been Musical Director, Conductor, and Pianist for many “Summerstage” productions for the Fox Valley Park District. She also is Musical Director for Communities in Schools Drama Camp each summer with Arlene Hawks.
Bonnie was the director of Music Ministries as well as the choir director for OLGC Church in Aurora from 2006 until October 2012. She has composed two Masses, which were used locally by several churches, and has composed and arranged several pieces for children’s choruses.
Currently, Bonnie teaches private piano students and is the Director of Music Ministry as well as choir director for St. Katharine Drexel Church in Sugar Grove. She is also the accompanist for the Fox Valley Festival Chorus.
Bonnie has five children, sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She enjoys TaiJi, reading, biking, and hiking. She and her husband, Mark, live on Aurora’s west side with their four cats.