Cassandra has an upcoming show with Rotary’s John Hegner called “Heart of the Holidays”, on December 6th, 7:30 pm at Stage Left Café on the Woodstock Square. TICKETS HERE
Cassandra Vohs-Demann has spent much of her life in and around Woodstock, Illinois. She’s been an active performer, singer-songwriter, and educator in and beyond this community for decades. She founded the Woodstock Community Choir in 2014 and served as its artistic director for 11 years. She stepped down from that position in May of this year.
JH: Cassandra, what does the expression ‘project of the heart’ mean to you?
CV: For me, a "project of the heart" is defined by whatever feels genuinely meaningful to me. My career has largely been driven by passion projects born from a genuine desire to serve my community and create opportunities that enrich the lives of those around me. I've always tried to pay attention to my inner voice or subtle signs that would nudge me in a particular direction. When a project or idea deeply resonated with me, I would commit wholeheartedly to figuring out a way to make it happen and seeing it through. I would follow my heart. I also love to support others' “projects of the heart” as well.
JH: Congratulations on your success with the Woodstock Community Choir. Please share one or two of the peak moments that you experienced during your tenure that made all the hard work feel well worth it.
CV: The "Legends of Rock Concert" was a major turning point for the choir. We performed with a full rock band on stage, tackling some of the most iconic rock songs ever, such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Stairway to Heaven." I also created an arrangement of Pink Floyd’s "On the Turning Away," which became one of the most powerful moments of the night and current and former choir members still talk to me about it. The concert was packed, and the choir's numbers grew exponentially afterward. I knew we had created something special. It had always been my dream to produce a concert like that with a choir, and seeing my dream come true with the audience and choir members absolutely loving it was incredible.
Watching my successor, Jessica Neihengen, take the reins at the concert this past October was an absolute full-circle moment. I sat in the audience at the Woodstock Opera House and truly took in what this journey has meant to the community and to me. The room was full, the choir sounded wonderful, and I could really see the impact we made. It was humbling and overwhelming. It was an emotional day for sure, but I felt an immense sense of pride and absolute love for every person who joined me on the journey.
Jessica was working for me when I made the decision to start the organization, and she became an integral part of making the choir happen in the first year. She left for college to finish her music degree and came back eager to get involved again. To watch her grow from assistant director to co-director, and then take over and excel beyond my expectations was truly amazing.
Knowing the choir is a healthy organization being led by the very person who helped me launch it back in 2014, and supported by choir members, the community and a board that is truly invested in its future success is all I could ask for as I move into my next chapter.
JH: It is quite an accomplishment. Can you also share some lessons learned that will carry into the next chapter of your career and life?
CV: I learned a great deal about the true meaning of leadership.
Everyone’s voice matters.
Leadership is about giving others the space and support to shine.
Amazing things happen when you keep showing up.
Dreams take shape one small step at a time.
Listening leads to possibilities.
Sometimes you have to step aside when the time is right to allow things to grow.
Don’t be afraid to start something new. It may change your life.
The choir changed my life in so many ways. I will carry the friendships, music, sense of belonging, and community it gave me forever. It was the ride of a lifetime.
JH: I understand that you have another project of the heart in your life these days in which you play for the day program at Independence Health & Therapy in Woodstock. What has that experience been like, both musically and on a human level?
CV: I started my relationship with them by saying yes to playing piano for their holiday carol program last year. They had all been practicing and needed an accompanist. It was so much fun! I felt a connection to the people, the staff, and the space immediately. After the program was over and I was packing up, I was approached about coming and doing some music time with the group a few times a month. It was strange, because I almost felt like they were going to ask before they did! Musically, it came at a time when I needed it. I was struggling personally and was a little lost, to be honest. Little did I know what a profound effect it would have on me. I found a new home away from home. The incredible clients that come to the day program are such a joy to sing for and make music with. It helped me find my creative self again. I love planning what I am going to do for each session to make it an enriching and fun experience. All I hear is how much I am loved there, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to be a part of that community now.
JH: Are there insights from this work that has changed how you look at your craft or at life in general?
CV: It helped me get back in touch with why I became a musician in the first place. It was a reminder that music is a gift to be shared and it is for everyone. Sometimes we focus so much on trying to succeed or do the work of music that we forget its true power and the impact it can have. The smiles are all I need to know I did a good job and that is enough for me. I feel like I receive so much more than I give.
JH: Thanks so much for your time today, I look forward to hearing where music and life takes you next!