Established in 2018, Serafina was initially commissioned for a one-off project, which we enjoyed so much it motivated us to form a permanent, independent early music ensemble. As longtime friends and colleagues, we choose to operate democratically and cooperatively, without formal roles. Each member brings her own musical expertise, including ensemble direction, performance, management, and musicological research.
Serafina’s mission is to lift up music written by, for, and about women through performance, education, and advocacy, and we strive to present this under-performed repertoire with a balance of historical accuracy and creative interpretation. We challenge our modern audiences to find beauty, commonality, and relevance in the music of our ancient sisters. It's important to us to create inclusive spaces for both performers and listeners under the umbrella of "traditional classical music."
Serafina was featured on the Society for Historically Informed Performance’s 2019 summer concert series in Boston, with a program featuring works by Strozzi, Cozzolani, and Caccini, among others. The ensemble has performed concerts in collaboration with the Detroit chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir, the University of Michigan Organ Conference, and is currently presenting its first full program season.
Katie Sucha is a doctoral candidate in Historical Musicology at Case Western Reserve University and the program manager of the University of Michigan Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments. Her research explores issues of voice and embodiment in early modern convent music.
Katie has performed nationally and internationally as both an e
Katie Sucha is a doctoral candidate in Historical Musicology at Case Western Reserve University and the program manager of the University of Michigan Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments. Her research explores issues of voice and embodiment in early modern convent music.
Katie has performed nationally and internationally as both an ensemble singer and a soloist. She has sung with Quire Cleveland, Cleveland Chamber Choir, Red Shift, Trinity Chamber Singers, BeckRidge Chorale, and Choral Artists of Michigan. She is a staff singer at Christ Church Cranbrook and has held similar positions at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland and Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Binghamton. Her recent solo work includes the soprano role in Cleveland’s annual Messiah Sing; Faure’s Requiem at Exeter Cathedral, U.K.; and Allegri’s Miserere mei Deus at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland. She also enjoys working as the music director for The University of Michigan’s Shakespeare in the Arb program.
When she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, Katie can be found taking advantage of Michigan and Ohio’s natural beauty while hiking, kayaking, and loafing about in the sun. She also loves to knit structurally questionable garments for unsuspecting friends and family.
Kate Lucander is a soprano recently relocated to Naples, Florida. Specializing in baroque and new works, Kate is passionate about bringing lesser known composers to the forefront of recognition. She has recently appeared as an artist with Seraphic Fire, Audivi, the choir of Christ Church Grosse Pointe, Choral Artists of Michigan, and Cho
Kate Lucander is a soprano recently relocated to Naples, Florida. Specializing in baroque and new works, Kate is passionate about bringing lesser known composers to the forefront of recognition. She has recently appeared as an artist with Seraphic Fire, Audivi, the choir of Christ Church Grosse Pointe, Choral Artists of Michigan, and Choral Artistry of Southwest Florida. Prior to her move, Kate worked actively in Detroit as a professional choral singer and oratorio soloist. Since moving to Naples, she has worked with the Nautilus Chamber Ensemble to enhance the local visibility of 21st century composers, in particular those with Latin American roots. Recent solo engagements include Bach’s St John Passion, Carissimi’s Jephte, and Handel’s Messiah. An avid traveller, Kate has sung across Europe with professional choirs, ranging from a residency at Westminster Abbey to the International Music Festival in Granada, Spain. When not singing, Kate works full time as a software consultant for Revive ERP, and can otherwise be found cooking, hiking, or spending time with her rescue dog, Nickel.
Mezzo-soprano Amy Mizikow is an active performer in the Detroit area and serves as the choir director and student council advisor for LakeVille Community Schools. She is a long-time staff singer at Christ Church Cranbrook and frequently sings at Congregation Shaarey-Zedek and Christ Church Grosse Pointe. Amy has performed with Audivi and
Mezzo-soprano Amy Mizikow is an active performer in the Detroit area and serves as the choir director and student council advisor for LakeVille Community Schools. She is a long-time staff singer at Christ Church Cranbrook and frequently sings at Congregation Shaarey-Zedek and Christ Church Grosse Pointe. Amy has performed with Audivi and Opera MODO in conjunction with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and her solo work includes Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Pie Jesu from the Durufle Requiem, and Mozart’s C Major Mass. In addition to directing her own ensembles, Amy has many years of experience as a choral instructor with the Ann Arbor Public School choirs at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Amy received her Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Music Education and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. She is also an active outdoorsperson and has spent many years working at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. When Amy is not busy changing lives, she can be found spending time with her husband Aaron and their adorable more-bear-than-dog Kuma.
Stephanie Weil is a mezzo-soprano with a rooted connection to the Detroit music scene. She has been honored to sing with numerous ensembles throughout the Detroit area. Stephanie's singing career has been enriched by her consistent involvement with choirs; most notably with St. Joseph Capella, the choir of Christ Church Grosse Pointe, and
Stephanie Weil is a mezzo-soprano with a rooted connection to the Detroit music scene. She has been honored to sing with numerous ensembles throughout the Detroit area. Stephanie's singing career has been enriched by her consistent involvement with choirs; most notably with St. Joseph Capella, the choir of Christ Church Grosse Pointe, and the Christ Church Cranbrook Choir. Additionally she has had the privilege of performing in concert with the Audivi/Opera MODO chorus, collaborating with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on renowned compositions including Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot," Handel's "Messiah," and Mahler's "Symphony No. 2: Resurrection.” In addition to her ensemble performances, Stephanie devoted many years to being the Alto soloist for the St. Joseph Capella. She has performed beloved works such as Mozart's Missa brevis in C major "Spatzenmesse," Missa Brevis in G major, and Missa Brevis in B flat Major, as well as Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai. Stephanie's repertoire features the exquisite Mezzo-Soprano solo passages from Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Messiah, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music.
Immersed into sacred music and choirs, Stephanie continues to nurture her passion for music as a staff singer for Christ Church Cranbrook. Additionally she has been a dedicated cantor for Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church for a decade, sharing the gift of music with her faith community. Outside of her singing pursuits, Stephanie devotes her time to her husband, Nate, and their four children. She also finds joy in culinary arts, from cooking and baking to decorating cakes, and she takes pleasure in orchestrating parties for her friends and family.
Organist and carillonist Christine El-Hage Walters received a Doctorate of Musical Arts Sacred Music in 2024, from the University of Michigan. In 2021, she received a Master of Music degree in Sacred Music from U of M, where she was awarded the Marilyn Mason–William Steinhoff Scholarship in support of her studies.
She has studied organ u
Organist and carillonist Christine El-Hage Walters received a Doctorate of Musical Arts Sacred Music in 2024, from the University of Michigan. In 2021, she received a Master of Music degree in Sacred Music from U of M, where she was awarded the Marilyn Mason–William Steinhoff Scholarship in support of her studies.
She has studied organ under the tutelage of Dr. James Kibbie, Dr. Kola Owolabi, Mr. Todd Wilson, and most recently, Ms. Nicole Keller. Christine also studied carillon with Dr. Tiffany Ng, and is a regular recitalist at the University of Michigan and throughout the metro-Detroit area. Christine has had the privilege of playing in masterclasses taught by Dr. Daryl Robinson, Dr. Linda Dzuris, and Mr. Bruce Neswick.
Christine serves as a board member on the Detroit chapter of the American Guild of Organists, class of 2026, and is also a registered member of the Organ Historical Society and the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan -
Dearborn, and also a Bachelor of Music Education from Wayne State University, where she graduated magna cum laude and received various scholarships for piano and academic excellence.
Christine taught Elementary General Music in the Dearborn Public Schools district for 6 years. She was at Allen Park Presbyterian Church for over 17 years as their lead organist and choir director, but is now organist and choir accompanist at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan. Christine also maintains a private studio of piano and organ students. In her spare time, Christine enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her husband and dog.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.